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| HOLY CITIES |
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| Jagannath Puri |
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Whenever you approach the Orissan coast through its hinterland of lush green palmgroves and paddy fields, it’s hard not to feel a sense of expectation. Never is this more true than upon arrival at PURI-the state’s premier temple town and tourist resort. As the site of the famous jagannath temple-which soars out of the narrow packed streetsand colonial suburbs like some kind of misplaced space rocket –as well as the location of one of India’s most spectacular religious festivals, the annual Rath Yatra. Puri’s other great attraction is its long sandy beach that draws large numbers of western travellers and Indians,especially during the october to January high season.
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What to See
Jagannath Temple : The temple of jagannath, Lord of the universe and an incarnation of Vishnu, is unfortunately closed to non-Hindus. The temple makes purione of the four dhams, cardinal centres of pilgrimage. Its considerable popularity amongst Hindus is also partly due to the lack of caste distinctions.In front of the main entrance is a beautiful pillar, topped by an image of Garuda, which originally stood in front of the temple at Konark. The main entrance is known as the lion gate due to the two stone lions guarding the entrance, and it is also the gate used in the chariot procession. The southern eastern and northern gates are guarded by statues of men on horseback, tigers and elephants respectively.
Gundicha Mandir : The Garden house ,in which the images of the gods reside for seven days each year. The walls enclose a garden where the temple is built. It is also known as the Aunt’s House.
Beach : Puri has a strech of white sand from where Indian pilgrims bathe in their Customary fully attired manner. The beach is very wide and exposed ,and there’s not a scrap of shade to be found.
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Places to Stay
Dreamland Cottage, Ghandara International, Hans Coco Palms, Holiday Inn, Love and Life, OTDC Panthaniwas, Toshali Sands, Youth Hostel.
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Getting There
Train : There are two overnight trains each ways between Puri and Calcutta and a daily morning Departure to Delhi. There are several trains between Bhubaneshwar and Puri.
Buses: There are several buses from Bhubaneswar.
There are two overnight trains each way between Puri and Calcutta and a daily morning departure to Delhi. There are several trains between Puri and Bhubaneshwar. Puri's bus stand is beside the Gundicha Mandir, though some of the private buses depart from around the nearby junction of Grand and Hospital Rds.
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