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Odisha

Puri

Jagannath Temple pilgrim town with a long, easy beach

BeachSpiritualHeritage

Best time to visit Puri

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Puri season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Best beach weather of the year. Dry, cool sea breeze, comfortable for temples and sand alike.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Apr-Jun heat is severe even by the coast; the sea offers little relief from the humidity.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Rough surf and heavy rain most of the season, though Rath Yatra (Jun/Jul) draws huge crowds anyway.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Oct is warm but improving fast; by Nov it's comfortable and less crowded than December.

What Puri is actually like

More pilgrims than backpackers, but easy day trips to Konark and Chilika keep it social.

Things to do in Puri

The local places worth your time in and around Puri, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Jagannath Temple

    Temple · in town

    Four gates, a kitchen that feeds thousands and no cameras; non Hindus cannot enter, so watch from the library roof opposite.

  • Bada Danda (Grand Road)

    Market · in town

    The three km chariot avenue, lined with sweet, cloth and pattachitra shops; walk it after dark when the traffic thins out.

  • Swargadwar Beach

    Beach · in town

    Cremation ground and main beach in one; the fishing fleet lands its catch around dawn, and swim only where the guards stand.

  • Gundicha Temple

    Temple · 2 km out

    Jagannath's garden house at the far end of Bada Danda, where the chariots halt for nine days; quiet the rest of the year.

  • Loknath Temple

    Temple · 1 km out

    Shiva lingam kept under water in a tank and drained for one day before Shivaratri; a lane temple, so go early and ask.

  • Raghurajpur

    Village · 14 km out

    Pattachitra and palm leaf artists' village where every house is a workshop; weekday mornings are best, expect a hard sell.

  • Balighai Beach

    Beach · 8 km out

    Casuarina beach at the Nuanai river mouth on the Konark road, with a turtle research station; no shacks, so carry water.

Getting to Puri

Direct train from Kolkata/Bhubaneswar; Puri has its own station.

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
0 m
State
Odisha
Coordinates
19.8135, 85.8312

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Puri?

November to February is peak season in Puri. March and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to September. Oct is warm but improving fast; by Nov it's comfortable and less crowded than December.

How many days do you need in Puri?

2 days is the usual stay. More pilgrims than backpackers, but easy day trips to Konark and Chilika keep it social.

How do you get to Puri?

Direct train from Kolkata/Bhubaneswar; Puri has its own station. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Puri expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

Is there a festival in Puri?

Jun-Jul: Rath Yatra. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Puri?

Jagannath Temple, Bada Danda (Grand Road), Swargadwar Beach, Gundicha Temple, Loknath Temple and Raghurajpur, and more. Four gates, a kitchen that feeds thousands and no cameras; non Hindus cannot enter, so watch from the library roof opposite.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Odisha

All 25 destinations in Odisha