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With its iconic Jagannath Temple, Puri is famous for its pilgrim appeal for devotees around the world. However, besides being a holy site, it’s culturally rich, too, with museums illustrating deep historical roots, traditions, and artistic heritage in the region. Puri museums open the doors to Odisha’s glorious legacy and safeguard centuries-old craftsmanship, religious artefacts, and historical relics. Whether you are an art enthusiast or a pure traveller, these museums in Puri will take you on a journey through time, with various stories believed in the region as they recount tales of its cultural past.
5 Puri Museums To Visit In Odisha
Here, we will explore the most important Puri museums. All of these are custodians of Odisha’s great heritage, waiting to be discovered by inquisitive minds and passionate travellers.
1. Sudharshan Craft Museum
Photo: Manuel Schlichter / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Sudharshan Craft Museum was established by the renowned sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo. There are some excellently beautiful sculptures of stone, wood, and other metals. The expositions here provide a fine understanding of the traditions of ancient sculpting Odisha. What perhaps constitutes the uniqueness of the craft museum is the live demonstrations of the craftsmanship. Here, you can very vividly see the extremely painstaking nature of the process of stone carving and its traditional techniques. Sudarshan Sahoo’s activities were globally appreciated, and even today, the museum contributes to serving as a hub for art students, local craftsmen, and other visitors.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
How To Reach: The museum is close to Puri Railway Station, and local transport like rickshaws or taxis can be easily hired
Nearest Railway Station: Puri Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar
2. Konark Museum
Photo: Sambit 1982 / Wikimedia Commons
The Konark Museum, located near the famous Sun Temple, is operated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and holds an interesting collection of sculptures, carvings, and artefacts unearthed from the precincts of the Sun Temple. Four galleries in the museum narrate the glorious past of Odisha, giving importance to the craftsmanship that gave life to the magnificent Konark Sun Temple. The intricacies of Hindu gods, celestial beings, and daily life centuries ago are simply awe-inspiring. Some of the highlights include the life-size status of war elephants, horses, and deities, while delicate carvings show the architectural brilliance of the temple itself.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Reach: Located about 35 km from Puri, Konark Museum can be reached via taxi or bus from Puri
Nearest Railway Station: Puri Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar
3. Swargadwar Art Gallery
Photo: SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
In close proximity to Swargadwar Beach, Swargadwar Art Gallery is a venue for contemporary Odia artists to display their work. It is renowned for its bright exhibitions that showcase the work of established and upcoming local artists. The gallery’s exhibitions are often traditional in theme but contemporary in expression, providing a unique past-present artistic hybrid. You can find a display of paintings, modern sculptures, mixed media installations, and a host of other art forms that reflect the culture of Odisha.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Reach: Located near Swargadwar Beach, it’s easily reachable by foot or local transport.
Nearest Railway Station: Puri Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar
4. Sudam Sand Art Museum
Photo: Joshua / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Sudam Sand Art Museum is a museum devoted to the art of sand sculpture. It was founded by the world-renowned sand artist Sudam Pradhan. His museum includes sand sculptures of multiple hues carved in various forms, some depicting social, cultural, and spiritual themes. It is located on Puri Beach and is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day. The sand sculptures include the Mughal-style courtyard of the museum, sand sculptures of deities, wildlife and world-famous monuments made by Sudam Pradhan and other sculptors.
Best Time To Visit: October to February, when the weather is pleasant for beach visits
How To Reach: Located on Puri Beach, it is easily accessible by road
Nearest Railway Station: Puri Railway Station (3 km away)
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (62 km away)
5. Raghurajpur Artist Village
Photo: shepherd / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
It’s not exactly a museum but an exhibition of the best artisans of Odisha. This is the Raghurajpur Artist Village, which is home to 450 master artists who practise various traditional art forms ranging from Pattachitra to palm leaf engraving to wooden toys. The village is famous for scroll painting, which is called Pattachitra in Odia, and this art is performed on cloth. This art depicts stories of Hindu mythology, mostly about Lord Jagannath. Every house in the village has a workshop and an open-air gallery. Tourists can meet the artists and purchase the original artworks directly from the craftsmen.
Best Time To Visit: October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and local festivals take place
How To Reach: It is located 15 km from Puri and can be easily accessed by road
Nearest Railway Station: Puri Railway Station (15 km away)
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (55 km away)
Puri museums are true testament to the region’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and awe-inspirng art. From Sudharshan Craft Museum to Konark Museum, there are many museums in Puri that showcases Odisha’s historical significance. Plan your trip to Puri with TripXL for a hassle-free experience in this coastal city and unveil its unique charm. Get ready to embark on an insightful journey now.
Cover Photo: Riccardo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
