Puri, which is one of the four holiest points of pilgrimage for Hindus, is 60 km from Bhubaneswar. Puri being a coastal district of Orissa, is famous for its Historic antiquities, Religious sanctuaries, Architectural Grandeur, Sea-scape beauty, moderate climate. It holds a wealth of attraction for the visitors. It boasts of a continuous history from the 3rd Century B.C. to the present day and its unique monuments like those of Lord Jagannath at Puri, the Sun God at Konark are the famous in the world. It has the Chilika lake, one of the largest salty water lakes in India, that holds a pleasing Sea-Scape beauty. It offers an ideal resort for birds who migrate from different parts of the continent. By virtue of Geographical location, the climate of Puri is equable through out the year.

The reigning divinity of the city, Lord Jagannath, whose temple was built in the 12th century, is not only of great religious significance to the people of Orissa but is venerated by thousands of pilgrims who seek His blessings from every part of the country. The name of the Lord as Purusottama (perfection personified) or as Jagannath (Lord of Universe) represents a universality in true with the familiar faternity of mankind (Vasudheiva Kutumbakam).  Adi Shankaracharya visited Puri, set up the Gobardhan matha (monastery) as the exception from his other three mathas as a vaishnavite, defined Jagannath as the Supreme one. It is thus not only one of the four Dhams (Holy Places) for Hindus but the most religious and sacred place.

This intense worship of Jagannath, or the Lord of the Universe, reaches its pinnacle during the annual rites of the Rath Yatra in the months of June-July. During this time the images of Lord Jagannath, His sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are transported through the Grand Road (Bada Danda) of Puri in traditionally decorated massive chariots that are dragged by thousands of devotees to the Gundicha Ghar where they stopover for a week. The process is repeated when they are returned amidst intense religious fervour to the temple.

The Quintessential characteristic of its culture and philosophy has made it from Pan-Indian to Pan-Continental. The Car-Festicval of Shri Lord Jagannath now not limited to Puri or Orissa rather it is celebrated in global scale, the reverberation echos of which are heard from Los Angeles to Piccadily from Heidelberg to Tokyo.

The temple is closed to non-Hindus. The activities of the Jagannath Temple are so massive that they create enough interest for the tourists to participate in the bazar element of the proceedings outside the temple boundaries. 

Many religious heads and dignifiers like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rai Ramananda, Jayadeva, Gorakhanath, the father of Nath, cult of religious icoloclasm   supposed by visited Puri. Saint Totapuri a vedant teacher of Ramakrishna has also visited Puri.

Bhakti Krishnatirtha and Muquaddam Jahanies visited Puri. The latters synthesized "Pir" concept at Konark bears testimony. Sridhar Swami, Sadhu Sundar Das and the devote ma visited Puri for fulfillment of their spiritual Craze.

The other important feature of the town is its beautiful beach which, for centuries, has offered pleasure to both the pilgrims and the swimmers. This pleasing beach is one of the most delightful white beaches in the country and is becoming a pleasure haunt for tourists from all over the world. Though the waves over here is pretty exciting, the undercurrent i.e. back flow of the water can be a bit risky.

The areas both within and outside Puri offer excellent shopping and the nearby artist villages, namely Pipli, famous for applique work, Raghurajpur, famous for pata and palm-leaf paintings and Balakat, famous for bell-metal work. All these bring the shoppers directly in contact with the craftsmen at work. The Patta-paintings and applique work are a craze in the west, particularly in U.S.A. of today, whereas the Shell-craft of Puri have a major appeal.   

The evolution of Odissi Dance and music out of the Devadasi Iinstitution still enchants all with its mystic rhythm. The Orissan School of architecture emerging from here is a poetry frozen in stone.