Puri: The unexplored gem of India

Odisha has been kept a secret from the rest of India for a very long time and is now slowly catching mainstream popularity amongst tourists from all across the globe. Odisha consists of varied tribal cultures across the entire state and the land of lord Jaganath has been popular amongst tourist as a pilgrimage destination since a long time. Odisha is covered with dense forests and serene beaches along its coastline making it a choice destination for nature and beach lovers as well. The rich natural resources and intricate temples across the state have made it a destination which begs to be explored.

The land of Lord Jagannath, Puri is a serendipitous town situated on the coast of Odisha, 60 kms south of state capital of Bhubaneswar. Boasting a magnificent coastline with beaches situated across the entirety of it, Puri is one of the leading destinations when it comes to giving your the unique combination of a luxurious and peaceful stay. Puri over the years has been better known for the flock of travellers who visit the Lord Jagannath temple, but the city promises to be much more than just a hermitage destination.The city promises to become the cultural capital of Odisha, with wildlife sanctuaries in close proximity and many authentic restaurants serving a cuisine largely unknown to the rest of India. If you?re visiting Puri for the first time, it is imperative to visit or experience the below:

Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the massive temple in Puri houses three large wooden statues of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The myth behind the temple is fascinating since the statue in itself houses the heart of Lord Vishnu. The wooden statues decay over a period of time and the wooden statues are replaced every 8th, 12th and 19th year of the previous replacement. The Rath Yatra emerging out of the Lord Jagannath temple attracts millions of tourists every year to Puri and is a crown jewel for Puri from a tourism perspective

The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of the famous chariot placed at the entrance of the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and has intricate carvings on its walls which was built by King Narasimhadeva I in the 13th century.

Odisha has a rich and tribal cuisine which has not reached the Indian mainland. The cuisine derives its dishes from local ingredients whether from the forest or from the ocean. Pakhala Bhata which is a lunch staple in almost every household in Odisha or their indigenous version of a cheesecake called Chhena Poda, tourists can indulge in a cuisine which offers taste as well as a wide variety of options.

Puri has a host of beaches on it?s coastline and travellers can book their stay at the top hotels close to these beaches. The Puri beach is the main beach and can see an influx of crowds everyday. If you?re looking for a more quiet time with your family and friends, Sea Beach is one of the better options to stay in Puri. The calm and peaceful Sea beach is a popular destination amongst travellers to have a day out in the sun with their loved ones.

Situated close to the town of Puri, the Balukhan Wildlife Sanctuary offers tourist an option to escape the bustling lifestyle of a town and engage with nature in a more private way. Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of indigenous flora and fauna alongside sandy beaches, coastal dunes, groves of introduced Casuarina trees. While the above experiences are a must in Puri, there are many unexplored beaches and activities that an offbeat traveller can perhaps experience in Puri. Odisha has the potential to become one of the leading tourist destinations not only for the domestic traveller but also for the international tourist. Odisha can achieve this feat by a mix of increasing popularity amongst tourist as well as infrastructure aid to encourage tourism in the state.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Puri, Xenious Hermitage which is a brand dedicated to places of religious worship has a luxurious property called Xenious Hermitage Koshal. The hotel is located close to Sea Beach and offers tourist the convenience of personalised visits to the temples in Puri. We offer curated packages for travellers who are on pilgrimage and have special needs from lodging and diet perspective.

Reach out to us on Info@xenioushotels.com for any queries or bookings.