The city has been mostly known by the name Jagannatha Dhama due to the presence of the pristine Jagannath Temple from the 12th century. Jagannath Temple is one of the religious Char Dham sites in India which is most visited during the Rath Yatra. Moreover, it’s only when the pilgrims see and get a touch of the chariot on which the Lord is carried that they feel their journey in Odisha is complete.
Puri is still a popular destination among backpackers, however, the availability of bhang is now limited. With a plethora of hotels and home stays, the local tourists like to stay near the New Marine Drive and the backpackers prefer to stay near Chakra Tirtha. The Rath Yatra (chariot festival) which takes place during the month of June-July should not be missed if you are planning to visit during this time.
Culture is a blend of mind and spirit where people exist in an environment with their growing art, customs and practices. Puri, in Odisha, adapts its culture from various festivals which are celebrated through the year. Amongst these festivals, Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple is of great significance. In addition to these festivals, Puri extracts its culture from other festivals like the Snana Yatra, Chandan Yatra and the Car festival. Since Puri is situated on the shore of the state, its traditional art form includes seashell crafts. Puri’s culture is a symbolic representation of its history, architecture, literature, art and craft with a dominance of worship culture.
Having a more or less pleasant climate throughout the year, Jagannath Puri is thronged by people all year round except for peak summers (April-June). The ideal months to take a trip to Puri are between October and February when neither the scorching heat nor the high humidity is present to cause any hindrance to your outdoor plans. Winters (December-February) are a bit cold, but good to enjoy the beach and visiting temples. For those who wish to seek blessings from the Gods may visit this place during Rath Yatra, i.e between June and July.