City-information
for Puri
Puri is located 60 km from Bhubaneswar on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the four holy dhamas of India-Puri, Dwarka, Rameswaram, and Badarinatha-and it is considered that a pilgrimage of the temples of India is not complete without making the journey to Puri.
Puri is called Sri Purusottama Dham or Martya Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu on earth. Other names are Sriksetra (best of all sacred centers), Purusottama Ksetra (the abode of the supreme being), Nilachal, Nalagiri, Sankha Ksetra, and Jagannatha Dhama. Puri is about 2 km wide and 4 km long.
The Jagannatha Temple here is one of the major temples in India. The worship of Lord Jagannatha is so ancient that there is no idea how long He has been worshiped. The Lord has had many temples before the present one we see today.
Sri Ramanuja visited Puri between 1107 and 1117 and stayed for some time. Vishnu Swami visited Puri in the second half of the 12th century and established a Matha near Markandeswar Tank, called Vishnuswami Matha. Nimbarka Acarya also made a pilgrimage to Puri, and Srila Prabhupada visited in January, 1977.
A major reason that Puri is so important to the Gaudiya Vaishnavas is because Lord Caitanya spent so much time here. Many of His pastimes with His most intimate associates took place at different Sites in this area.
Non-Hindus (actually non-Indians) cannot enter the Jagannatha temple. This is strictly enforced.
Besides being an important holy town Puri also has one of the best beaches for swimming in India. It is one of the most visited places in India by young foreign tourist. It is a very pleasant place.
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