Puri, Religious city in Odisha, India.
Puri is a coastal city in the state of Odisha in eastern India, stretching along the Bay of Bengal. Sandy beaches alternate with neighborhoods of low-rise houses, while the tall tower of the Jagannath Temple rises above the surroundings in the center.
Before British rule, the area was home to local kingdoms for centuries that administered the temple and protected pilgrims. After the British took control in 1803, uprisings by local rulers and peasants occurred, which were suppressed between 1817 and 1818.
The name derives from Purushottama, an old Sanskrit term for the city that was later shortened to Puri. Local families still uphold the tradition of selling sacred threads and offerings near the beach before pilgrims enter the temple grounds.
The city is about 60 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, the nearest airport, and is connected by regular train services to Kolkata and other major cities. The best time to visit is outside the hottest summer months and the monsoon, when streets are easier to navigate.
In a few workshops along the side streets, craftsmen still work on dried palm leaves, carving old texts and patterns with fine metal styluses. This technique has been passed down through generations and now mostly serves to reproduce religious writings for collectors and tourists.
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