Puri - Culture and Tradition of Puri

Culture and Tradition of Puri

Puri is one of the fascinating littoral district of Orissa. The Cultural heritage of Puri with its long recorded history beginning from third century B. C till present day, The monuments and religious sanctity, way of life of the people with their rich tradition possess emphatically to be the cultural heart of Orissa. In deed Puri is considered cultural capital of Orissa. The culture here is flourished with its manifold activities.

The District has the happy conglomerate of different religions, sects and faith in course of history, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Sikh found here in the District.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of Lord Krishna, appeared 500 (five hundred) years ago, in the mood of a devotee to taste the sublime emotions of ecstasy by chanting the holy name of Krishna. Stalwart scholars of Puri like Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya (head priest and great Sanskrit pandit) and others followed His teachings. Even kings and ministers of His period became His disciples. One famous King, Prataparudra, became His great admirer and ardent follower.

Traditional fairs and festivals

The festivals are celebrated in a calendar year relating to Lord Jagannath are:

Other festivals for tourists

• Konark festival – Department of Tourism – Government of Orissa – 1st week of December
• Konark Music & Dance Festival – Konark Natya Mandap – February
• Basant Utshav – Parampara Raghurajpur – February
• Puri Beach Festival at Puri – Organised by Hotel & Restaurant Association of Orissa Bhubaneswar – November
• Sriksetra Mohoshav, Puri – Organised by Srikshetra Mahoshav committee – April
• Gundicha Utshav at Puri – Organised by Urreka, Puri – June

In all the festivals Odissi folk dances from different party of the country are staged.

CULTURAL PROGRAM ON SECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH:

With the objective to encourage the young artist and to display our rich performing art form, Cultural programmee for two hours, in the evening of 2nd Saturday of each month is organized at the collector's conference Hall C (Near Sea bech Police Station) Puri by District Council of culture. The majestic Odissi dance, the lucid Odissi Song and enchanting folk dances are staged in this programmes.

Puri is also famous for its 'Sahi Jatras' which represent the spirit of 'Sahis' (Sahi: Geographical barriers based on occupation) Every year, strong young men dresees as mythological characters like Ravaan, Durga Madhab, Naga Sanyassi go around the town after seeking blessings from the Shri Jagannath Temple.

Monuments

The important monuments of the district are:

• Jagannath Temple, Puri
• Gundicha Temple, Puri
• Shyamakali Temple, Puri
• Siddha Mahavir Temple, Puri
• Swetaganga Tank, Puri
• Lokonath Temple, Puri
• Jambeswar temple, Puri
• Karar Ashram, Kriyayoga Teaching & Meditation Centre, Puri
• Sapta Matruka images near Markandeswar tank Puri
• Sun Temple, Konark
• Barahi Temple, at Chourasi, in Nimapara Block.
• Mangala Temple, Kakatpur
• Sakhigopal Temple, at Sakhigopal
• Amareswar Temple, at Amareswar, Nimapara Block
• Sculpture shed at Bishnupur, Nimapara
• Gramswar Temple, Terundia, Nimapara
• Alarnath Temple, Brahmamgiri
• Baliharachandi Temple, Brahmagiri, Block
• Kunteswar Temple, Araorh, Pipil Block
• Harihar Temple, near Pipil
• Shiva Temple, Jagadalpur at Delang Block
• Tara image at Badatara, Gop
• Bayalisbati Temple, near Gop
• Mohabir Temple, Siruli Sadar Block
• Gopaljeeu Temple, Ganeswar Pur, Gop
• Nilakantheswar Temple, Dighalo, Nimapara
• Daskhina Kali Mandir, Biragovindpur, Puri
• Nilachala Kutir (Swami Nigamananda Ashram), Swargdwar, Puri

The grandeur of architecture and the crafts maintop of the sculptures speak high of the cultural history of Puri District.

Excavated archeological sites

The following are the Excavated archeological Sites of Puri District.

• Kurum is 80 km away from Konark. The excavation work conducted here reveal the remains at Buddhists artifacts at 10th century AD
• Manikapatana – It is in Krushnaprasad block from which the remains at mediaeval period are found.
• Klkha patana on Puri-Konark Marine drive road where the remains of 15th century was found.

Theatre

Anna Purna Theatre, situated at the grand road Puri, is a pioneer institution in the field of theatrical performances.

Opera

Opera is a popular mobile drama troupe is very popular in the state.

Museum

• District Museum Puri: With a view to preserve and project our rich cultural heritage, the district Museum at Puri is functioning since 1997. It is one of the branch museum of Orissa state museum and managed by Govt of Orissa. Different veshas of Lord Jagannath, Sculptures of various Kinds, Patta paintings palm leaf paintings, Handicrafts of numerous varieties are displayed in this museum. It is located at the Station Road, Puri-2. There is no entry fee for visiting this museum.
• Another handicraft museum is situated at Batagaon, 5 km from Puri on Puri Bhubaneswar road. It is managed by a Co-operative Society.
• A museum has been established inside the Jagannath Temple which showcases history of Jagannath Temple as well as the epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Libraries

• District library: The district library of Puri is situated at station road and having more than 15000 books daily newspapers and magazines are brought to this library regularly. It is managed by dept of culture, Govt of Orissa. Anyone interested can read in this library. There is no lending facilities.
• Panchasakha memorial hall library, Sakhigopal: This library is also managed by the department of culture, Orissa. It has more than 4000 books at its stock. Monday is the weekly holidays.

To extend library activities in rural areas, registered libraries functioning at different parts of the district are encouraged with various distance from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation Calcutta through State Govt.