The Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, is famous world over for the Rath Yatra (Car Festival) and is revered as one of the four dhams (abodes) of God spread in the four cardinal directions in India. For a devout Hindu, nirvana is unattainable without a pilgrimage to Puri. For the non-worshippers, to see the classic example of Kalinga School of architecture should be a reward in itself. Besides which the Puri Beach is a major attraction for many vacationers that tour Orissa.

Built in the 12th century under the aegis of Chodagangadeva, of the Ganga dynasty, over an earlier structure that dates back to the 10th century, Puri Jagannath is surrounded by 20 feet high walls that incase a city within itself.

The local markets around the Puri Jagannath Temple complex introduce you to the chaos and charms of Puri Jagannath on your arrival. Here you can taste the sweets and other food items that leave you with a satisfaction that the best gourmet cuisine would deny.

You can also shop for souvenirs especially the miniature reproductions of the Konark wheels and the statues, paintings and photographs of Lord Jagannath alone or with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra or, wait to get inside and see the statues adorned in gold inside the Puri Jagannath Temple on your tour to Puri Jagannath, Orissa.

The temple is not accessible for non-Hindus but you can get a great view of Puri Jagannath Temple's splendor from the roof of Raghunandan Library opposite to the complex in much the same way as the European sailors sought the towering spire of the temple on their journey to India.

Covered for centuries in plaster, it was referred to as the 'White Pagoda' till 1975. The plaster covering since than has been removed in bits and pieces to expose the magnificence of the earlier drab structure and restore its past glory at the same time. The plaster covering dates back to the 18th century and it was applied to protect Puri Jagannath from the ravages of salty sea air and passage of time.

Though not a country in itself such as is the case with the Vatican City, Puri Jagannath is a city onto itself. With nearly 10,000 pilgrims each day and 6000 helpers to run the temple affairs smoothly, Puri Jagannath is a great way to start your tour of Orissa and its temples and get familiar with the psyche of the people that dwell in the land where temples and nature prevail over modern technologies.