Popular for the most revered Jagannath Puri Temple that is also a part of Char Dham- Puri is often considered to be only a pilgrim spot. But that’s not true at all because this city in Orissa is a complete package and there are multiple amazing things to do in Puri. If you look ahead of the pilgrimage offered by Puri, there are endless ways to enjoy your time at this destination. Also, it won’t be wrong to say that Puri is amongst those places in India that are rich historically.
From beaches to marvelous architecture to amazing cuisines; Puri has a lot of things in store. And we bet you will love it a lot as we list down some of the top things to do in Puri at night and during the day. So whichever kind of a person you are- this city has a lot to offer.
Here are the most interesting things to do in Puri that will give you a good time
Dolphin watching – Spot river dolphins from Satapada
Distance between Puri and Satapada– 48 km
Are you interested in spotting some marine creatures in Puri? If yes, he’d straight to Satapada. Because here you can spot the Irrawaddy dolphins in the Chilika Lagoon. This lagoon itself is a tourist destination because it is one of the UNESCO Heritage of the World and the largest lagoons in India.
Once you reach the lagoon, you will have to get an OTDC boat ticket that costs 1300 INR for 8 people and this boat is an eight-seater. This will take you on a boating tour of the lagoon which is a marvelous water ride. Keeping a couple of hours for this ride is ideal because you will enjoy it a lot.
2. Adventurous sports- Enjoy some adventure sports in Balighai Beach
Distance between Balighai Beach and Puri– 8 km
| Top Things to do at Balighai Beach | |
| Boating | Parasailing |
| Spotting Sea Turtles (December to January) | Bird Watching |
Orissa is well-known for its beaches and you will love them because of the pristine and peacefulness here. Apart from that, adventure junkies have multiple activities to enjoy around the beach some of which have been mentioned above. Also if you are here between December and January- gear up to enjoy spotting Olive Ridley sea turtles on the shore. This is the time when they come to the beachside to lay their eggs.
Apart from this, if you want to enjoy water activities in Puri this is going to be your ideal spot for sure.
3. Hindu temples – Observe prayers at ornate Hindu shrines
| Name of the Temple | Timings of the temple |
| Lord Jagannath Temple | 5:30 am to 10 pm |
| Varahi Temple | 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Pancha Tirtha | 6 am to 7 pm |
| Kapalamochana Temple | 5:30 am to 6 pm |
| Darya Mahavir or Bedi Hanuman Temple | 6 am to 6 pm |
| Lokanath Temple | 5 am to 9 pm |
Coming on to the main element of Puri- Pilgrimage. There is no dearth of holy temples in this city. You will get a lot of amazingly made temples and holy shrines. Most of the visitors that come here every year are pilgrims. Although the major attraction remains Lord Jagannath Temple, still you can’t ignore or neglect the others.
Puri is one of the most important and revered pilgrim destinations in India. With many important and significant temples in its vicinity. Infact, there are multiple smaller shrines and temples in the complex of Lord Jagannath Temple. Once you visit here, visiting temples is one of the best things to do in Puri.
4. Indigenous crafts – Explore different types of craftsmanship
Some of the most important crafts still surviving in Puri |
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| Stone Carving | Appliqué Work |
| Wood Carving | Palm leaf Engraving |
| Mask Making | Solopitha Work |
| Pattachitra | |
It’s true that Puri has been renowned for its architectural supremacy and innumerable temples- but there is another amazing thing about this city. Puri is also known for the indigenous craftsmanship that has been serving the ups and downs of the world. Where many places have lost their crafts to new-age gadgets- Puri has preserved its craft till date.
The above-mentioned are different types of authentic craft that can be witnessed in Puri and you will have a great time exploring all of them. There are multiple places and even markets where you can get the best of these things. So, spend some time exploring the markets and the expertise of the people here.
5. Odisha cuisine – Sample a typical Odia thali meal
| Delicious Odia cuisines to taste on your visit | |
| Malpua | Khicede |
| Dalma | Ukhuda |
| Chungdi Malai | Santula |
Whenever we visit any place there is one important element that lures people and that’s their food. The same is the story of Orissa/Odisha. The local cuisines of Puri are lip-smacking. Be it the salty and spicy curries or sweet dishes; you will surely see the uniqueness in them and they are filling too. If you want to enjoy a filling meal which is healthy too- we suggest you dine-in some local restaurant.
The cuisines are one of the famous things in Puri and you will surely have a thing for them. If you want to snack on something, we strongly suggest that you go to a roadside stall and ask for something authentic.
6. Rickshaw tour – Tour the holy town by cycle rickshaw
One of the famous things in Puri is taking a rickshaw ride. It is not just enjoyable but also helps in taking you down to memory lane. In today’s time, we have so many different ways to commute in the city or town but rickshaw tours take you to the era where it was the only or one of the most preferred ways of commuting.
If you want to enjoy a rickshaw tour at its best, we suggest that you create a plan with all the tourist places near Puri with distance and then start from one point and end at someplace else. This way you will cover the important spots. Many people prefer sightseeing in Puri by car but we still encourage you to take a rickshaw and enjoy the ride.
7. Take a camel ride along Puri Beach
This might look like a unique activity to do in Puri but that’s true. You can enjoy a camel ride here at the Puri Beach. The Golden Beach or Puri is the ideal place where visitors can indulge in this activity and spend some time enjoying. You will find a lot of people riding camels and having fun.
8. See sand art on Chandrabhaga Beach
Chandrabhaga Beach is one of the best attractions in Pune and here you can indulge in multiple activities. From taking a stroll around the beach to enjoying the sand art, there is so much what people get to see. Sand Art watching at the beach is one of the unique activities to do in which a lot of international artists also enjoy doing. This is an activity that you won’t be finding everywhere.
9. Spot migratory flamingos at Chilika Lake
Are you a bird watcher and love spotting some migratory birds whenever you get a chance? If yes, then head to the Chilika Lake and spot some migratory flamingos. These colorful birds are the key attractions of this place. Spending time spotting these birds will be amusing because it is a sight to behold. And for those who don’t know, Chilika Lake is a breeding place for these flamingo.
10. Sample a Bengali meal of freshwater fish
There is always something that you can enjoy at a destination and we are talking about food at the moment. If you are a food lover or someone who enjoys seafood, do try the Bengali style freshwater fish. Make sure you get the taste of a local vendor as well as a fine dining restaurant.
Conclusion
If you are wondering why the list is so small, then rest assured that these are just a handful of activities that can be enjoyed here in Puri. From adventure activities in Puri to water activities and things to do in Puri at night- the list goes on and on. These are the top things that can be done while ticking the places to visit in Puri in 2 days or 3 days.
