Puri is perhaps the only place where every year gods come to the streets and spend time with devotees. The very mention of Puri brings the images of the 'Rath Yatra' or the Chariot Festival that draw tourists from all over India and abroad every year. But a tour to Puri goes beyond the famed Rath Yatra and sacred Jagannath Temple.

For those interested in history, Puri was once part of the Kalinga kingdom that changed the life of the Mauryan emperor Ashok. Later Puri was ruled by different dynasties before coming under the rules of the British in 1803. Vacations India takes you on a tour to Puri and the surrounding tourist attractions.

Puri is one of the holiest places in India and the most famous pilgrimage destination in Orissa. It is one of the four holy dhams that include Dwarka, Badrinath and Rameshwaram. Puri is situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and besides being a pilgrimage center, Puri is known for its golden beaches. The nearest airport to Puri is Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa, which is at a distance of about 65 kilometres. Puri is also well connected with the rail and road transport with rest of India.

Puri has a wealth of tourist destinations that draw people from all corners of the globe. It is popular for its historical monuments, exquisite handicraft items, golden beaches and a number of scenic spots that are located around this coastal district.

Jagannath Temple is one of the most famous and sacred temples in Puri. Dedicated to lord Jagannath the temple was built in the 12th century. The temple is believed to be one of the tallest temples in India. The temple is built in Kalinga style and consists of Jagmohan, which is a hall and Deul, the main shrine. The two other structures, the Nata Mandir and the Bhoga Mandir were built in the 14th and the 15th century in the typical Orissa style.

Gundicha Ghar is another important temple in Puri. On the day of the 'Rath Yatra', the trio of lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken to Gundicha Ghar in the decorated chariots. The gods stay here for nine days. There are other temples in Puri that one can visit.

Once your temple tour in Puri is over, you can head towards Puri Beach. The playful waves welcome you on the beach. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach or just soak in the soothing ambience of the beach.

Konark Sun Temple located near Puri is another popular tourist destination that you can tour. The temple is dedicated to the Sun god and is one of the best examples of Orissa's medieval architecture. The whole temple has been designed as the chariot of the Sun god with 24 wheels. The temple is a world heritage site.

The other popular destinations that you can spend your holidays in and around Puri include Athanala Bridge and Nava Kalebara. You can also visit to Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lake in India. There are a number of beautiful islands in the lake and serve an ideal base for bird watchers. Some of the popular islands are Kalijai, Nalabana, Honeymoon and Breakfast islands. Come and tour Puri with Vacations India.