Welcome to Puri
Hindu pilgrims, Bengali holidaymakers and foreign travellers all make their way to Puri. For Hindus, Puri is one of the holiest pilgrimage places in India, with religious life revolving around the great Jagannath Mandir and its famous Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival). The town’s other attraction is its long sandy beach, which is much better for strolling than swimming.
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Best of Odisha in 48 hours
Day 1 8 AM- Our first destination is Dhauli. This is the venue of the ancient battle which was fought in 260 BC. Emperor Ashoka, the great Mauryan King won the battle but upon seeing the bloodbath had a change of heart. He became a propagator of peace and had a big role in the spread of Buddhism in India. We will get to see edicts of Ashoka embossed on rocks using the ancient Brahmi script and Prakrit language. The rock cut Elephant sculpture is one of the oldest in India.Another highlight of Dhauli is the Shanti Stupa or Peace Pagoda. The current structure was built by an Indo-Japanese collaboration in 1972 by the Japan Buddha Sangh and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangh.We will drive to Konark to experience one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of India. Built in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya, across heavens. The most interesting aspect of the architecture lies in the wheels of the chariot. The twelve pairs of wheels located at the base of the temple are no ordinary wheels. They create a sundial and tell time!We will visit Ramachandi temple besides the Bay of Bengal. The temple is surrounded by casurina plantations, and is dedicated to Goddess Chandi who is seen seated on a lotus.6PM- We arrive at beachside town of Puri. We will also see famous temple of Lord Jagannath, from outside as non-Hindus are not allowed inside. The temple is famous for its annual chariot festival. During the chariot festival, the three principal deities are pulled on gigantic chariot. In-fact this chariot festival is the origin for the English term Juggernaut!Overnight stay in Puri.Day 2630 AM- We drive for an hour to reach the magnificent Chilka lake. At Satapada we will take a boat ride on the lake. If we are lucky we can spot dolphins of Irrawady.The state of Odisha is very famous for its handicrafts. We will visit a village market at Raghurajpur. This village is home to the immensely talented Pattachitra painters whose traditional style goes back to the 5th century BC. The artists use gum and chalk and their canvas is the dried palm leaf.Khandagiri caves are dwelling retreats or cells of ancient Jain ascetics. These were built in the second century BC during the reign of King Kharavela of the Kalinga Kingdom. At the top there is a 18th century Jain temple as well.Raja rani temple is a temple constructed in the 11th century from reddish and yellow sandstone. This material was called Rajarani in the local dialect and hence the temple got its name. The temple is famous for its unique sculptures of women. Women are in poses performing Odissi the traditional dance form as well as in every day life moments.6 PM– End of Tour
Private Excursion to Puri from Bhubaneswar
Join a full day guided tour to Puri, a city 40 miles from Bhubaneswar.Puri is a city in the East Indian state of Orissa, famous for its Jagannath temple which was built in the late 11th century. One of the oldest cities in the eastern part of the country, Puri is situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is a popular beach resort, positioned in a unique place so that both sunset and sunrise can be viewed from the beach. The earliest history of Puri has it that it was once a thickly wooded hillock inhabited by the Sabaras, a Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribe of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family. The sacred Buddhist site called Dantapura (town of the tooth) may also have been here, as legend has it that Buddha’s tooth was kept here before being spirited off to Sri Lanka. Until the 7th and 8th centuries, the city was a provincial outpost along the coastal trade route linking eastern India with Southeast Asia. Shankaracharya, the Hindu reformer, declared Puri as one of his four mathas (centers for the practice of a new ascetic form of Hinduism). Learned and holy men came here to debate the new philosophies from across the whole subcontinent, a tradition that is still carried on to this day.The main temple Of Jagannath is an impressive structure constructed in Kalinga architecture with a height of 180 foot placed on an elevated platform and part of the Puri city tour you will enjoy. After your visit to Puri and its temples you will be returned to your hotel, airport or train station.
UNESCO's Konark - The Famous Sun Temple at the Bay of Bengal
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Bhubaneshwar and driven to the Sun Temple (about 44 miles). The massive structure sits in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand on Konark Beach, less than 2 miles from the sea. The word 'Konark' is a combination of two words 'Kona' and 'Arka'. 'Kona' means 'Corner' and 'Arka' means 'Sun', so when combined, it becomes 'Sun of the Corner'. Konark Sun Temple is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri and is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. There are three images of the Sun God at three different sides of the temple, positioned in the proper direction to catch the rays of the sun at morning, noon and evening. Konark Temple was conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses. The chariot stands aloft on 24 intricately carved chariot wheels. The wheels of the temple are sundials which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument, the magnificent Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination of Orissan temple architecture, and represents a stunning monument. Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, “here the language of stone surpasses the language of man”. In the evening, you will return back to your hotel in Bhubaneshwar by your air conditioned vehicle.
Konark Sun Temple and Pipli Village Tour from Bhubaneswar
You will be picked up from your hotel in Bhubaneswar for this full-day tour, which will start with a visit to the Chariot of the Sun God Temple, built by King Langula Narasimha Deva in 13th century A.D. during the Golden Era of Orissan art. The Sun Temple is known for its exquisite and intricate architecture and sculptures. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Sun Temple is a sight to behold especially during Sunrise. Its prominent location has guided ancient mariners for around a millennia. In order to distinguish Konark from the whitewashed Jagannath Temple in Puri, European settlers referred it as the Black Pagoda.After the temple you will continue your tour to Pipli artist village, where the locals produce applique art - a process of cutting colored cloth into shapes of animals, birds, flowers, leaves, gods, goddesses and other decorative motifs and stitching them over a piece of cloth. These creations are fabricated into lampshades, handbags, cushion covers or even garden umbrellas. A famous example is the enormous applique canopies above the reigning deity of Puri, Lord Jagannath. After the visit to the village you will be back to Bhubaneswar and dropped off at your hotel.
Diwali Celebrations and a Festive Meal with a Local in Mumbai
Meet your host Jyoti, at her beautiful home in Hindu Colony in Dadar, Mumbai to join in the Diwali celebrations. She will welcome you with a warm smile and a refreshing drink of coconut water with rose and almonds. Following this you can join her in making a beautiful Rangoli, lighting the festive lamps and decorating the Aarti plate. you will also get to taste some of the most common Diwali starters such as Chakali, Sev, Farsi, Puri, makai Chevdo, Gol papdi and much more! Jyoti will tell you all about the festival and also involve you in their family customs. After this you can head to the dining area where you will be served a festive meal, all made by home-chef Jyoti!Learn more about Jyoti and her family as they tell you about Diwali and teach you the important customs followed by an Indian Family. You can then join Jyoti in helping her make the Rangoli. This involves making intricate designs using colored rice, sand, flowers etc. Though it seems tough, under Jyoti's guidance you will be able to learn how to make the Rangoli easily. Following this you can join Jyoti in decorating the Aarti. You can then head to the dining area for a festive meal with Jyoti and her family. Some of the dishes in the menu will include dishes like Lapsi, Turia Patra, Puri, Methi Bhajia and also Rasiya Dhokla. The meal will end with dessert in the form of Indian Trifle and Ice Cream Paan.The entire meal experience will last for 3-4 hours. Please note: This is not a professional cooking class. It is an opportunity to learn the tips and tricks of Indian cooking and to dine with a local family!
Day Trip at Puri And Konark Ex Bhubaneshwar
Meet your tour guide at the designated hotel lobby in Bhubaneshwar at 9:00am & to proceed Konark, enroute covering Dhauli – Buddhist Monastery, Ashokan Rock Edicts & Pipili – appliqué market. Sightseeing of Konark Sun temple (The World Heritage Monument) The Konark Sun Temple was built from stone in the form of a giant ornamented chariot dedicated to the Sun god, Surya.After lunch (at own expense) at 1:30 pm proceed to further sightseeing to Raghurajpur It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi) . Than Visit at Puri Beach is located at the city of Puri and the distance between Puri railway station and the beach is only 2 kmAt the end of your journey at 5.30pm , sit back and relax on the drive back to your hotel in Bhubaneshwar