Puri is one of India’s Char Dham pilgrimage towns, a coastal city where devotion meets the Bay of Bengal. The centerpiece is the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, whose rituals set the rhythm of local life, from chimes at dawn to the food sanctum’s famed Mahaprasad.

Just up the coast, the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple showcases 13th-century Kalinga architecture—stone wheels, dancers, and horses frozen mid-gallop in sandstone. Inland, the heritage village of Raghurajpur keeps Odisha’s Pattachitra painting, palm-leaf etching, and Gotipua dance alive.

Practical notes: the best months are October–March; summers are hot and monsoon seas can be rough. Dress modestly at temples, carry small bills for autos, and plan temple timings in advance. Non-Hindus cannot enter the Jagannath Temple; respectful viewing is from outside the Singhadwara (Lion Gate) or nearby vantage points.

Puri

Ancient ritual, a lively seafront, and artisanal villages make Puri perfect for a short cultural break. Spend your mornings with history and your evenings with sea breezes and grilled seafood by the shore.

Top sights include the Jagannath Temple complex, Blue Flag–certified Golden Beach, Swargadwar Market, Konark Sun Temple, and the craft ateliers of Raghurajpur. Food highlights range from temple-style “Abadha” meals to prawn fry on the beach and sweets like khaja and chhena poda.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly):

• Beach Road/Swargadwar area: steps from the sea and markets; expect lively evenings and easy dining.
• CT Road/Chakratirtha: quieter stretches with boutique stays and cafes, good for families.
• Near the Temple: for early-morning rituals and heritage walks (note traffic restrictions during peak hours).

Browse stays on VRBO Puri or compare hotels on Hotels.com Puri. For a budget ~50/100, look for clean sea-facing guesthouses and 3-star hotels; typical mid-range rooms run ~$30–70 per night.

Getting there & around:

• Fly into Bhubaneswar (BBI), then drive 60 km to Puri (1.5–2 hours; taxis ~₹1,800–2,700). Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Train: Bhubaneswar–Puri trains take ~1.5 hours (₹50–300 depending on class). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Local transport: autos for short hops (₹100–250 in town), e-rickshaws near the beach, and day hires for Konark/Raghurajpur (₹2,000–3,500 per car).

Day 1: Arrival, Golden Beach Sunset, and Coastal Eats

Morning: Travel to Puri. If you reach Bhubaneswar by morning, grab an Odia breakfast en route—puri–dalma or dahi bara aloo dum at a highway dhaba—then continue to the coast. Check your train/flight on Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near Swargadwar or CT Road. Take a leisurely walk on Blue Flag Golden Beach—clean facilities, lifeguards, and a small entry fee make it family-friendly. Browse shell handicrafts and appliqué lamps at Swargadwar Market; they’re great-value souvenirs from Odisha.

Evening: Watch the sun disappear into the Bay of Bengal, then tuck into dinner at Wildgrass Restaurant (garden seating; order an Odia thali with dalma, saga bhaja, and crab or prawn curry). Craving Chinese and a consistent classic? Chung Wah does hearty family-style plates—try chicken hakka noodles and chilli fish with fresh-caught seafood. Night stroll the promenade with warm khaja (flaky temple-style sweet) from a licensed sweet shop.

Day 2: Jagannath Temple Darshan, Raghurajpur Art Village, and Beach Night

Morning: Rise early for the Shri Jagannath Temple. Entry is for Hindus only; carry valid ID, dress modestly, and leave phones/cameras outside. If you’re a non-Hindu visitor, respectfully view the towering shikhara and ritual bustle from outside the Singhadwara (Lion Gate) or a nearby rooftop vantage used by locals. For breakfast afterwards, head to Honey Bee Bakery & Pizzeria for espresso, croissants, and eggs on toast before the day heats up.

Afternoon: Drive ~12 km (30–40 minutes) to Raghurajpur Heritage Village, home of Pattachitra painting and palm-leaf talapatra etching. Meet artists in their homes, watch natural pigments being mixed, and commission a deity or coastal motif. Hands-on learners can book this excellent workshop:

• Pattachitra Workshop at Dandasahi by Awarded Artist with KalaKart — try your hand at Odisha’s signature art with an award-winning mentor.

  

Lunch nearby can be a simple home-cooked veg thali arranged by artisans (ask your driver) or head back to town for a plate of fish curry–rice at a local bhojanalay.

Evening: Return to Puri for a relaxed beach night. Find a licensed grill cart for prawn pakoras and tandoori fish (prices vary by catch; confirm per-plate rates). Prefer a sit-down dinner? Book a table at a seafront hotel restaurant on CT Road for butter garlic crab or veg sizzlers, then grab a clay cup of masala chai on your walk back.

Day 3: Konark Sun Temple, Coastal Drive, and Departure

Morning: Set out early to the Konark Sun Temple (35 km; ~1–1.25 hours along a scenic casuarina-lined marine drive). Explore the chariot-like temple with its iconic stone wheels, celestial dancers, and battle friezes—Kalinga artistry at its peak. Pair this with a stop at Chandrabhaga Beach for sea breeze and photos.

Prefer going with a guide and car? Consider:

• Full Day Tour of Konark Temple and Puri — ideal if you’re flying via Bhubaneswar and want expert context.

  

• Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark Triangle Tour — covers the classic triangle if you’re splitting nights between cities.

  

Afternoon: Early lunch near Konark (look for coastal eco-resorts serving prawn masala, veg thalis, and fresh lime soda), then drive back toward Puri or onward to Bhubaneswar for your flight/train. If time allows, stop at roadside stalls for coconut water and chhena poda (caramelized cottage cheese cake—Odisha’s signature dessert).

Evening: Departure day. If you’re leaving late, squeeze in a final beach walk or a quick shopping run for appliqué work from Pipili sellers who often set up along the marine drive. Head to BBI (1.5–2 hours) or Puri Railway Station; check options on Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains.

Food & drink picks through the trip:

• Breakfast/coffee: Honey Bee Bakery & Pizzeria (espresso, croissants), beachside chai and samosa stalls for something local and quick.
• Lunch: Wildgrass Restaurant (Odia thali; seafood add-ons), simple bhojanalays around CT Road for veg meals and rice plates.
• Dinner: Chung Wah (Chinese staples and fresh seafood), seafront hotel restaurants on CT Road/Marine Drive for grills and coastal curries.
• Sweet souvenirs: Khaja near the Temple’s Lion Gate; chhena poda from reputable sweet shops in town.

Budget-savvy tips: Hire an auto for short temple/market hops and a car only for Konark/Raghurajpur to stay within a mid-range budget. Buy art directly from artisans in Raghurajpur for fair prices and provenance. For temple days, start early to avoid heat and queues; carry small notes for shoe storage and offerings.

Optional add-on (if you extend or start in Bhubaneswar): Temple and cave heritage in the capital pairs well with your Puri base. If culture is your focus, this city tour is a strong choice:
Bhubaneswar city tour & Konark Sun Temple in private car with guide

In three easygoing days, you’ll experience Puri’s sacred heart, the grandeur of Konark, and coastal rhythms from sunrise rituals to sunset breezes. With mid-range stays, authentic meals, and a couple of guided options, this itinerary balances culture with relaxation—leaving you with sand in your shoes and Odisha’s artistry on your mind.