People in Kolkata are quite crazy about Puri. There are very few people in Kolkata who has not made a trip to this sea side location. Not only is Puri very close to Kolkata, but it is also a famed pilgrimage spots. Since the pre independence period, Kolkatans have been going to Puri. There are lots of old and majestic buildings in Puri that were build rich Kolkatans.
If you are in Kolkata and wish to embark on a trip to Puri, you need to make a proper tour plan. First things first, you should start with choosing the right transport option. The nearest airport is located in Bhubaneswar, which is around 2 hours away. You can take a flight to Bhubaneswar from Kolkata and drive to Puri. The railway network also connects Puri with Kolkata. There are lots of trains that ply daily between Puri and Kolkata. Bus services are also available.
Once you arrive at Puri, book your hotel online to relax. Being a popular tourist destination, Puri has scores of hotels ranging from luxury hotels to the budget ones.
After you relax, visit the lovely beach. Located by the lovely Bay of Bengal, the beach is ideal for bathing or a short stroll. Every evening, there is a small market that takes place on the beach, from where you can but local handicrafts.
On the second day, go to the holy Jagannath temple. It is one of the famed ‘Char Dham’ pilgrimage sites in India. The temple was built by the Ganga rulers in the early 10th century. In addition, there are also some more temples that you can visit, such as Shree Gundicha Temple, Markandeshwar Temple, Sonar Gouranga Temple, Tota Gopinath Temple and so on.
Keep the third day reserved for excursions to the Sun Temple in Konark. It is a World Heritage Site located by the banks of the Chandrabhaga River. En route, visit some more points of interests like Dhauli peace pagoda, Udaigiri caves, Nandankanan and so on.
On the fourth day, go to the Chilka Lake. It is the largest salt water lake in Asia and is home to dolphins and different varieties of marine life. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake and cherish some lip smacking seafood delicacies.
If you are interested, go to the tribal villages of Birnasingpur and Tenta to enjoy a feel of Orissan hospitality.
