Puri Travel Guide
Puri, situated on the shores of the bay of Bengal and is a city of outdoors, of lovely beaches, goldens sands and gentle sunshine, tempting enough to invite visitors, both Indian and foreign, throughout the year. It is possibly one of the few religious places which provide the outdoor pleasure of sea and beaches along with of ‘darshan’ .This sanctified experience of divine communion draws crowds throughout the year. Puri is famous for its golden beaches that are ideal for swimming and surfing.
The place is the hallowed seat of the Hindu religious deities Lord Jagannath (the lord of universe), Subhadra and Balabhadra. It is also one of the 4 Dhams (holiest Hindu pilgrimage places in India) venerated by most Hindus, and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage. It has withstood the vagaries of nature and changing times and a friendly place with a relaxed atmosphere.
The Sabaras, an adivasi tribal group who predated the Dravidians and Aryans, were believed to have inhabited the thickly wooded area around Puri. The ancient site of Dantapura (Town of the tooth) may have existed here, although no proof exists. A Tooth of The Buddha was said to have been temporarily enshrined here before being taken to Sri Lanka. Mahatab believes that the Puri Jaganath temple was originally a Buddhist Stupa. According to Murray, in Japan and Sri Lanka, the tooth festival of Buddha was celebrated with three chariots and similarly with the Rath Yatra at Puri further strengthens the theory that the deities here evolved from Buddhist symbols. The temple of Jagannath (lord of the universe), attracts thousands on feast days and particularly during Rath Yatra.
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