Day 1 – Puri & Jagannath Temple
Travelling to the land of Lord Jagannath had always been a dream for me, and it came true quite unexpectedly. After my Kolkata trip, my next stop was Puri. I reached there on 24th June, and the very first impression was spiritual the station was full of pilgrims, all eager to visit the Jagannath Temple.
After taking a ride, I checked into my hotel near the famous Golden Beach. Freshened up, I headed straight to the major reason behind my visit the Jagannath Temple. For those who don’t know, this ancient temple is believed to be the resting place of Lord Krishna’s heart after his departure from the world. The aura and the grand temple architecture truly explain its popularity. Also Puri Jaganath is one among the 4 Char dham present in India.
As I walked closer, I could see the temple’s top with sacred ribbons fluttering in the wind. The temple timings are from 5 AM to 10 PM, and just like the Kashi temple I visited earlier this month, no cameras, bags, or footwear are allowed inside. There are free counters for mobiles and chappals, but they don’t accept handbags, so it’s best to leave most of your belongings in the hotel and carry just your wallet.
Inside, the temple has multiple blocks dedicated to different deities. It is also home to one the Vimala Shaktipeeth one of 51 Shaktipeethas sacred sites believed to mark where parts of Mata Sati’s body fell after Vishnu cut her body into 51 pieces with the Sudarshan Chakra.
The main complex houses the trio of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra carved from sacred neem logs and worshipped in the inner sanctum. After waiting patiently in the queue, I finally got the darshan. The glimpse gave me goosebumps, and tears rolled down my eyes. It’s something that's hard to put that feeling into words .
After taking blessings from all the gods, I took a ₹10 ticket to see the kitchen of Lord Jagannath, considered the largest kitchen in the world. Unfortunately, I was late and the gates were closed. To make up for it, I had the famous Mahaprasad— ₹100 a plate, but absolutely worth it.
Later, I walked to nearby temples ,Markandeshwar, Narendra Pokhari, and Bedi Hanuman. Walking is something I prefer while travelling; you notice hidden corners you’d miss in a cab and save money in the process. By then, I was drenched in sweat from the humid weather, so I returned, freshened up, and headed to Golden Beach for the sunset.
Coming from a landlocked city, the sea was something new to me. The breeze from the Bay of Bengal was freedom in its purest form. Watching people laugh and enjoy reminded me that joy doesn’t need much, it’s about being in the moment.
At night, I had a prawn thali for ₹150–200. The taste and freshness of the seafood reminded me of hometown. There are plenty of hotels and eateries near Golden Beach, making it the perfect way to end the day.
Day 2 – Konark Sun Temple
I woke up early and headed to the Puri Bus Terminal to catch a bus to Konark (₹50 one way). The road was a treat green landscapes and the coastal stretch of Marine Drive.
Next day, I woke up early to catch the bus for Konark. You can catch the bus from Puri Bus Terminal. The terminal is a bit far from the temple, so if you don’t want to walk, you can sometimes find a local bus near the Jagannath Temple itself. It will cost you ₹10 for the ride.
From the terminal, just ask anyone about the Konark bus. Odisha Govt runs world-class AC electric buses here, or you could take a non-AC private bus. Both will cost you around ₹50 one way. The road towards Konark is beautiful, filled with greenery and the coastal stretch of Marine Drive. The government deserves respect for maintaining the roads and wildlife in such a pristine way. Konark is around 35 km from Puri.
After reaching Konark, I walked to the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The speciality of this temple lies in the fact that the entire structure was conceived as a chariot of the Sun God, with 24 intricately carved wheels and seven horses. The wheels of the temple are actually sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
The ticket price is ₹35 for Indians and ₹600 for foreigners, and it can be booked online to avoid queues. Paid DSLR photography services are also available near the temple.
The temple is massive and unlike any other temple I’ve seen so far. Built from Khondalite rocks, the architecture is stunning. The main block consists of the iconic Konark wheels around the temple walls. As you walk up, you see the main sanctum (now closed). Apart from the main temple, there is also a dancing hall (Natya Mandir) and an offering hall inside the complex.
Seeing such unique architecture gave me a different vibe altogether. It reminded me that there are so many experiences still waiting to be discovered, rather than spending valuable youth and money on things that aren’t worth it.
After wandering and observing the carvings carefully, I rested for a bit while eating the cherries I had bought from the market outside. The temple complex also has drinking water facilities, just like Puri Jagannath Temple. That’s something unique about Odisha—they care for tourists’ comfort instead of trying to rip them off. The Odisha Tourism Department truly ensures you have the best experience possible.
Chandrabhaga Beach
After the temple, I walked along the beautiful Puri–Konark Marine Drive towards Chandrabhaga Beach. It’s a straight 3 km stretch with forest on both sides and a perfectly paved road leading to the sea.
Chandrabhaga Beach is quite different from Golden Beach. The sand colour is different, and the waves here are much smaller compared to Golden, which has stronger, higher waves (better for surfing). Chandrabhaga felt safer, with a calmer vibe.
Motorbike rides are available here too. I took one for ₹200, and it was great fun. I stayed much longer here, playing in the water until my clothes were wet and my footwear filled with sand. I had to wait till they dried in the sea breeze. Surprisingly, this beach has plenty of seashells, and I found a few myself.
After drying off, I had a badam (almond) drink to hydrate myself while waiting for the bus. You can just wave your hand at the passing bus, and it will stop for you. The ride back cost me the same ₹50, and I reached Puri around 4:30 pm.
Evening at Puri
I rushed back to my hotel, got ready, and went for the evening darshan of Lord Jagannath. After the darshan, I met a stranger, Sharwan, who surprisingly became one of the best parts of my trip. We became friends, took photos, and had dinner together before bidding farewell.
On my way back, I lost track as I didn’t have my phone for directions. Many strangers helped me find the way, as if Lord Jagannath himself wanted me to return safely. Finally, I reached Golden Beach near my hotel, which helped me figure my way back.
Before heading to my room, I went to the beach one last time, sat there watching the skies and listening to the sound of the waves. I then walked past the beach lighthouse with an ice cream in my hand, thankful to the Lord and to myself for taking this leap forward to travel.
Most people never come out of the small cocoons they’ve built for themselves, always making excuses and missing the true meaning of life. Life is not just about paying bills on time. It’s way more than that. Take that leap forward nothing bad can happen.
Final Reflection
My biggest learning and understanding from travelling is this: Real-life experiences beat everything else, every single time.
Budget
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Train (Bangalore–Puri, Sleeper Class, two-way) – ₹1,400
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Hotel (2 nights) – ₹1,700 (Cheaper dorms are available at ₹400-600 per day)
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Food - 1200-1500
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Puri to Konark Bus (₹50 x 2) – ₹100
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Motorbike ride near Chandrabhaga Beach – ₹200
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Miscellanous - ₹200-300
Sum Total - 5k-5.3k
