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What is Puri famous for? Temples, the beach, and the iconic Rath Yatra are just the beginning. Located on Odisha’s eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, Puri is a city rich in spiritual and cultural heritage. At its heart lies the sacred Jagannath Temple, a major pilgrimage site. But beyond the rituals, Puri pulses with vibrant street life, local art, and serene beaches. Pilgrims seek blessings, tourists soak in the coastal beauty, and everyone finds something lasting. Puri is where devotion meets the sea, and tradition meets timeless charm.
7 Reasons For What Is Puri Famous For
What is Puri famous for? From sacred temples to golden beaches, this coastal city offers culture, spirituality, and charm.
1. The Jagannath Temple – Spiritual Anchor
If there’s one place that truly defines Puri, it’s the Jagannath Temple. Built in the 12th century, it’s one of India’s sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, with Balabhadra and Subhadra. Its towering spire rises above the city, visible from afar. The temple’s kitchen is legendary—earthen pots stacked over wood fires cook hundreds of dishes daily, served as Mahaprasad. Even if you can’t enter the sanctum, the surrounding area hums with devotion. Flower stalls, steady pilgrim lines, and the sound of bells make the atmosphere unforgettable.
2. Ratha Yatra – A City On The Move
Photo: Krupasindhu Muduli / Wikimedia Commons
Part of what Puri is famous for is a festival that transforms the streets into a living temple. The Ratha Yatra takes place once a year, when three massive wooden chariots—freshly built each time—carry the deities to the Gundicha Temple. It’s loud, chaotic, and unforgettable. Chariot wheels creak, ropes are pulled by hundreds of hands, and the crowd’s energy surrounds you. Prayers echo, musicians play, and the air pulses with movement. Whether you’re a pilgrim or a visitor, standing anywhere along the route makes you part of something ancient, powerful, and deeply emotional.
3. The Golden Beach
Photo: Dilip Poddar / Unsplash
A short walk from the temple, and the atmosphere changes. The sound of bells gives way to waves breaking on the shore. Golden Beach stretches wide, glowing in early light and warming under the sun. At dawn, fishermen pull in their nets. By evening, children splash at the water’s edge, vendors offer snacks, and families stroll along the sand. For many pilgrims, it’s more than just a scenic spot. A dip in the sea is a sacred ritual—a cleansing before entering the temple, blending devotion with the rhythm of the coast.
4. A City Of Art
Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta / Wikimedia Commons
Not all of Puri’s treasures lie in stone or sand—some are painted on cloth or carved into palm leaves. Pattachitra is the most famous, known for its bold colours, fine lines, and mythological stories rendered in rich detail. In craft villages beyond the city, you can watch the process unfold: slow brushstrokes on fabric, chisels carving wood, and delicate palm-leaf engravings taking form. These aren’t just souvenirs—they’re living traditions, deeply woven into local rituals and beliefs. Each piece reflects a part of Puri’s cultural soul, passed down through generations with care and devotion.
5. More Festivals, More Colour
The Ratha Yatra may be the highlight, but Puri’s calendar is filled with other vibrant festivals. During Snana Yatra, the deities are brought out for a ceremonial public bath. Chandan Yatra sees them placed on beautifully decorated boats for a cooling ritual on water. Then there’s Nabakalebara, a rare and deeply spiritual event where the wooden idols are replaced with newly carved ones. It occurs only when specific lunar conditions are met and involves weeks of rituals. Devotees from across India gather to witness these sacred moments, making Puri a year-round centre of devotion and celebration.
6. Food That’s Part Of The Story
Photo: Swetapadma07 / Wikimedia Commons
Another part of what Puri is famous for is its food, especially the temple’s Mahaprasad. Cooked using the unique steam-stacked method, it’s simple yet packed with flavor—rice, vegetables, and lentils prepared in the temple’s traditional style. Beyond this sacred meal, Puri’s local cuisine is comforting and straightforward. You’ll find plates of rice with vegetable curries, sweet milk-based desserts, and tangy, spicy snacks from beachside stalls. Some dishes reflect the temple’s influence, others the coastal heritage, combining to create a rich and memorable local culinary experience.
7. Nature Beyond The City
Photo: Sourav Sharma / Unsplash
Puri’s appeal goes beyond its city limits. About an hour away lies Chilika Lake, one of the world’s largest lagoons. In winter, it becomes a haven for migratory birds, and if you’re lucky, you might spot Irrawaddy dolphins gliding through the water. Closer to Puri, the Gundicha Temple plays a key role during the Ratha Yatra festival. The Alarnath Temple also attracts pilgrims at special times, especially when the main Jagannath Temple closes for certain rituals, adding more layers to the spiritual richness of the region.
What is Puri famous for? The Jagannath Temple, the vibrant Ratha Yatra, its golden beaches, skilled artisans, and flavorful temple food. Here, faith blends with everyday life, festivals fill the streets, and the sea is always near. Puri cherishes tradition while embracing the present. To truly understand its charm, stand in its streets, join its celebrations, and breathe in the salty coastal air. Book your trip with TripXL to explore Puri’s magic.
Cover Photo: Dilip Poddar / Unsplash
