Jagannatha Temple: Jagannatha Temple the primary attraction of Puri is located at the one end of a road that is in local lingo called Bada Danda. The construction of the temple of Lord Jagannath Temple goes back to the 12th century and was built by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev. The temple is also known as Bada Daula or Sri Mandir. There are four gates to the temple with the main gate located eastwards is known as Singh Dwar (Lion’s Gate). Inside the temple complex, the main temple at the center is flanked by two outer rings of small temples. Wooden images of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balavadra( elder brother of Lord Jagannatha) and Goddess Subhadra(sister) are worshipped. The temple is open from early morning to midnight. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Narasimha temple: The Narasimha temple is also situated near the Jagannath temple complex. It is located on the southern side of the inner enclosure. The 10th-century temple built in sandstones is a full-fledged Pancha Rath. Many inscriptions on the wall of this temple shed history on its past.
Gundicha Mandir: The Gundicha Ghar or Gundicha temple is located around 21/2 km away at the other end of the majestic Bada Danda road. During the famous yearly Ratha Yatra Jagannatha along with Balavadra and Subhadra visit the Gundicha Ghar. According to legends, it is the residence of Shri Krishna’s aunt. This temple is also sacrosanct because the lord during the Chariot festival stays here for nine days.
Siddha Mahavir Temple: The Siddha Mahavir temple dedicated to Lord Hanumana is located at a distance of about one Km from the Gundicha temple. Though the small temple is not in any way grand or impressive it is very important from the point of view of devotion. It is said that Goswami Tulsidas, author of the epic Ramcharitamans stayed here. The temple built in sandstone has two structural features. They are called as Vimana and Jagamohannna.
Indradyumna Tank: Indradyumna tank or Sarvora is one of the five sacred tanks of Puri and is located northwest of Gundicha Ghar. It has a small shrine of the famous king Indryadyumna believed to be the one who made this grand Jagannatha temple originally. The complex also houses a Bal Gopal Temple.
Narendra Sarovara: The Narendra Sarovar covering an enormous area of 3.24 hectares is located north-east of the Jagannath Temple. A small temple on an island within the tank is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra. It is here that the acclaimed Chandana yatra or the boat festival is held. Lord Madan Mohan supposed to be the representative of Lord Jagannath is taken for a boat ride that is fully decorated with a flower known as Chapa.
Lokanath Temple: Loknath temple is located around two kilometers to the west of the Jagannath Temple. Inside the sanctum sanctorum there is a Shiva Lingam submerged in water. In front of the Lingam is a statue of Nandi the bull.
Parbati Sarovar: The sacred Parbati Sarovar is in the same complex where the Loknath temple si housed. It is around 3 km from the Jagannath temple. The Shiva lingam of the Loknath temple remains submerged with the water from the natural spring of Parbati Sarovar.
Rohini Kunda: Rohini Kunda is situated inside the Lord Jagannath Temple complex. It is in front of Goddess Vimala Temple. The water of the Kunda known as `Karana Water` is considered extremely sacred. It is sprinkled by devotees on their body for purification. Just behind the Rohini Kunda, you can see an image of Kak Bhusanda Kaka (crow) with an interesting legend that links it to Lord Vishnu.
Markandeswar Tank and Temple - Markandeswar Tank is situated to the north of Jagannath Temple. This tank is also important as it is connected with a lot of rituals associated with the lord most important being Chandan Yatra. The temple bears ancient stone inscriptions pertaining to the Gange Dynasty.
Swethaganga: Swethaganga a small tank is located to the west of the Jagannath temple. There are two small temples on the banks of the tank. One is of Sweta Madhava and the other belongs to Matsya Madhava. They are supposed to be incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama: Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama was established in the year 1944. A great place to be, for the devotees of Ramakrishna, Ma Sharada and Swami Vivekananda. You can see the evening Arati here. Phone: 06752-22 2207
Jagannath Ballav Math: Jagannath Ballav Math is located opposite the Municipal Market. It is essentially a Math (monastery) associated with the memory of Ray Ramananda, a 16th-century administrator-turned saint of Orissa There is a beautiful garden behind the monastery with a beautiful temple of Hanuman.
Swargadwar Beach: Swargadwar Beach is located within close proximity to the Temple of Jagannatha. It is just 2 km. Swargadwar Beach used to be the bathing place of Sri Chaitanyadev, believed to be the incarnation of the Lord himself and a famous Vaishnava saint. The beautiful surroundings of the beach are the added attraction of the beach.
Puri Beach: Puri Beach with the vast expanse of blue and rowdy waves slashing the shores mercilessly with loud thunders is an interesting place. The place is not very quiet though with salespersons of every genre trying to outsell and jostling for space. The famed Puri Beach Festival also takes place here. If you are lucky then you can see the sand art -beautiful images made by hand with the sand of the beach. The Sunrise and sunset are other attractions.
Puri Museum: Puri Museum lets the curious visitors pep into the past with a rich collection of various artifacts. Open from 10 to 5 pm on all days except Monday and public holidays.
