October to March (June and July to witness the Rath Yatra).
Proximity to the sea gives Puri an excellent coastal type climate.
Puri had a total population of 2,01,026 in 2011.
06752
The city of Puri is a part of a district with the same name in Odisha. Puri is also known as Jagannath Puri, Srikshetra, Shankhakshetra, Neelāchala, Neelādri, Purusottama Dhāma, Purusottama Kshetra and Purusottama Puri as per the Shastras. It was titled The Abode of Lord Jagannath because of the prominent pilgrimage Jagannath Temple. It is part of the Char Dham Yatra (pilgrimage) for Indian Hindus. It is reckoned that the pilgrimage is incomplete without a visit to Puri. This city is counted amongst the seven most holy cities of India.
Adi Shankaracharya established one of the four cardinal institutions at Puri, named Govardhana Matha. Puri is the site of many other mathas (Hindu monasteries). It is considered to be sacred for a Hindu to die or be cremated at Puri. Tourists who visit here also make one-day trips to Konark to see the Sun Temple. Apart from places of religious interests, the beaches of Puri are also worth revelling.
Climate & Geography
The coastal city of Puri is located at 19.8°N 85.85°E. The land levels with the sea at 0 metres elevation. The climate is pleasant throughout with bearable summers and winters. From June to September there is a fairly heavy monsoon.
Transportation
Being an important pilgrimage, Puri has been made easily accessible via air, rail and road transport.
Air: The nearest airport for reaching Puri is 65km away in Bhubaneswar city. Taxis or buses can be hired from the airport till here.
Rail: The city has a major railway station, located in the heart of the city. It receives trains from Delhi, Ahmedabad etc. The tickets should be booked well in advance for avoiding inconvenience.
Cycle and Auto rickshaws: One can easily hail a rickshaw for hire to move around the city. The charges are not too high.