Religious/ Spiritual

Vedvyas is situated 9 km away on the confluence of the rivers Shankha, Koel and Saraswati. It is the birthplace of Vedavyasa, the author of the epic 'Mahabharata'. Vedavyasa earlier known as Krishna Dwipayana was the son of the great sage Parasara. He has also written other Epics besides Mahabharata. This place with abundant natural beauty, is considered a place of religious sanctity. There was a Vyasa cave in the middle of the river Shankha, which is now inacessible. The colour of the waters of the three rivers at the confluence looks different.

Vimala temple, Shaktipitha a shrine of Shakti, was constructed by the great kings of Somavamsi Kingdonm in tenth century. This temple enshrines seven Mother Goddesses, Shaktis, namely Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi and Chamunda. Goddess Vimala is the presiding deity of this renowned temple. This temple stands as a monument for the foregone years when Puri was an authentic Sakthipitha. There is a sacred pond assumed to be of Markanda near the temple. This temple provides facility for daily prayers and offerings.

Shree Jagannath Puri temple, one of the most impressing monuments of the Indian State Orissa, was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century at the seashore Puri. This astounding Vaishnava temple enshrines Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Balabhadra. The main temple of Jagannath is an impressing and amazing structure constructed in Kalinga architecture, with a height of 65 meters placed on an elevated platform.

Lord Jagannath is believed to be the symbol of Universal peace, love and brotherhood and is a manifestation of Lord Krishna. The important annual festival here is the ritual of Rath Yatra, during which thousands of devotees throng to this temple.

Mausi Ma, Mother’s sister of Lord Jagannath, Temple is one of the most ancient temples nearby Puri and is located at Kulada in Ganjam District of Orissa. As the name suggests the presiding deity is Mausi Ma. This is really a worth visiting pilgrim centre and is the only temple dedicated to the sister of Mother of Lord Jagannath. The temple annual rituals and celebrations are along with the Annual Rath Yathra of Jagannath temple.

Important nearby pilgrim centers include Upper Bagh Devi Temple and Ratneswar Mahadev temple.

The well-known Shiva temple of Puri, constructed in the 11th century, Loknath Temple is very close to and to the west of the Jagannath Temple. Mythology claims that the sacred shivling of this temple had been founded by Lord Ram. The spectacular specialty of this shivling is that it always happens to be under the water, belief says that Goddess Ganga flows as a stream of water through the head of the shivling.

A small temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, situated near to Jagnaath temple, plays a very important place in Rath Yathra. It is assumed that the marriage of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati is occuring on the sixth day of bright fortnight of Jyeshta, during May-June, on the day known as Jyestha Sukla Sasthi. On this occasion, Goddess Lakshmi happily invites the couple Shiva and Parvathy in this temple.

Gundicha temple got its fame due to the seven days during the Jagannath Rath Yathra. The Idols are kept for one week in this small sanctum known as Gundicha Mandir alias Aunt’s House. This sanctum is built in the middle of a beautiful garden and hence is known as Garden House also. The garden around the temple is attractive and the many devotees reach here during the seven days worshipping (pooja) of idols. This temple is renowned as sacred shrines with devotees believe that visiting this temple during rath yathra period offers them with all good wishes in life

Archeologically important temples in Puri are many. One of them is the Ganesha temple, dedicated to Sri. Vinayaka. The temple is assumed to be built long back has many carvings showcasing Hindu religious beliefs and cultural heritage. Hindu devotees visit frequently this temple to offer their prayers.

A nearby attraction is Kapalamochana Temple, a small shrine of Lord Shiva at Puri. The sacred well of Manikarnika is located here. Lord Ganesh is also enshrined at this temple.

The Narendra Tank, one of the largest tanks in Orissa and believed to be built in the 15th century, is located at Mauza Dandimala Sahi, near Puri. This is a holy tank in which the famed Chandana Yatra of Lord Jagannath, known as 'Chandana Pushkarini’ is celebrated annually. There are many small and big temples surrounding this tank. The water level of the tank with 16 'ghatas' (bathing places), is about 10 feet below the present road level. The main ghata has a flight of steps made of Khondalite leading to it.

Markandeyesvara Temple, placed near the Bindu Sagar and assumed to be constructed during 13th century, is a well known Shiva temple. The temple resembles the other two famous Shiva temples in Orisaa, Vaital Deul Temple and Sisiresvara Temple. The slight difference with the Sisiresvara temple is in the ornamentation of the doorframe, in which ‘graha’ (Planet) Ketu is absent and the figures of other eight 'Grahas' are only represented.