How I explored the best of Puri in 3 days

Puri, Lord Jagannatha's ancient land is one of the country's most popular pilgrimage destinations. Puri is dotted with many old temples that have great religious, historical, and architectural significance, as it is one of the holiest ‘Char Dham' pilgrimage sites.

In combination with the temples, the district also has some quaint beaches which are ideal for the crowded life one evening away. The creative land of Odisha gave rise to qualified craftsmen who masters art from sand, stone and wood cravings and paintings of Pattachitra.

Here are some of the famous places in and around Puri, that I experienced and you can too give it a shot:-

1. Head to Sri JagannathPuri Temple, one of the Char Dham and get indulged in the religious vibes.

The Temple of Puri Jagannath, founded almost a millennium ago, has a high religious significance in the Hindu as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of Char Dham. The richly carved temple structure is built on a high pedestal and is surrounded by four majestic gates. There are still several technically unexplained miracles throughout the architectural wonders. Prasadam is made with centuries-old, preserved recipes, with the old Indians conviction that they never take a visitor with an empty stomach back. The annual Ratha Yatra attracts millions of devotees to see the deities travelling in chariots around the temple.

2. Enjoy amazing Sand arts with amplifying Waves at Puri Beach

A silent paradise for nature seekers is the golden sand beach on the East Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Quite near to the Temple of Jagannath and other famous Purian temples, the Beach attracts many tourists all year long. Many accommodation options and the wide range of facilities make of this beach an ideal place for your family and friends to enjoy a perfect holiday. Puri beach is characterized by gigantic waves and a slope at the beach, ending your day with a mesmerising Sunset.

3. Artists - Head to Pipili to have a view of stunning craftswork

Pipili is an artistic city of Odisha at about 36 Kilometers from Puri and undeniably a state top attraction. The city was constructed to protect the practitioners and maintain Odisha's artistic heritage – Application of handicrafts. Craftsmen here pick colourful fabrics and stick to create different designer clothes and clothing. This art form depends on the survival of the majority of the families in the town. The artists make great crafts, handbags and bags, pillow covers, bed sheets and much more and export the items to various countries around the world.

4. Take a boat ride with Dolphins in Chilika Lake

Chilika lake is a lagoon of salt water flowing into Bay of Bengal, on the end of Daya river. It offers a wide variety of fishing opportunity for families. In migration seasons, across the lake flooded as many as 160 species of birds. I was lucky enough to spot dolphins because of the rich eco-biodiversity of the lake. While listening to the sweet whirl of the birds and watching the graceful dance of the dolphins during your perfect holiday, Chilika Lake is where you should be. The vibe of this place is amazing.

One very unique thing that I learned there was How the Pearls are extracted from the Oysters. Just have look :-

5. Cherish the handmade art work of locals at Raghurajpur Village

Raghurajpur is famous for its unique pattachitra paintings. These paintings are created with natural colours on palm leaves that typically revolve around the mythological Hindu character. Once you reach the village, you would be welcomed by 100 homes of artisans. The houses might be small but they are beautifully decorated with mural paintings.

Virtually every resident of this village is artist by occupation and passion and has inherited from their ancestors the skills of Pattachitra painting. Such notable works, make this quaint town one of the suggested places to visit near Puri for the art and craft enthusiasts.

6. Share an eyegaze with fauna species at NandanKanan Zoological Park

Located near the Capital City, Bhubaneswar, it contains botanical garden and a part of it has been declared a Sanctuary. With a nominal entry fees of Rs. 50 per person, the key attractions include 1500 animals of various species, butterfly garden, safari rides, boating, museum, aquarium, toy train etc.

I went for Lion and White Tiger Safari, and Bear Safari. It was a bus safari, and for the first time I felt, that the animals were roaming freely out there and we were caged in the bus. I was lucky enough to spot tiger, lion, giraffe, bear, deer and many other animals.

If you are visiting Orissa, this park should be on your list. One can experience nature in a very different and beautiful way with a very nominal cost.