Apart from temple tours, the city is a popular tourist spot because of its exciting sightseeing options like Puri Beach, Chilika Lake and Nalabana Bird Sanctuary which acts as a good picnic spot for visitors. People can also enjoy the intricate architecture and crafts of the city which include sand art, Pattachitra and sewing/threading art on clothes. The classical dance form, Odissi, signifies the culture and heritage of the city. Presently, the Government of India's Heritage City of Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) has selected Puri as one of its heritage cities.

Important Information

Religious Importance

The Puri Dham of Odisha holds great religious significance among Hindu pilgrims and devotees because of its widely famous Jagannath Temple. The Jagannath Temple is not just a place of worship but a living heritage that perfectly blends spirituality, history and architectural grandeur. Every year millions of people visit this divine location in Puri to experience and witness the culture and devotion hand in hand.

The Jagannath Dham is filled with mythological stories and legends. According to one tale, King Indrayuma of Utkala had a dream and decided to carve three deities out of the mystical log that came to the shore while floating in the river, and hence the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were crafted. The temple is also associated with tales of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and hence widely worshipped.

Best Time to Visit Puri

Jagannath Puri Dham can be visited any time of the year except for peak summers. The ideal months are said to be between October to February. These months are quite pleasant as it is a great time to explore the beaches and ancient temples nearby. Those who are planning to visit during Rath Yatra should visit between June and July.

Over several years, the temple has undergone several renovations and restorations yet holds a huge significance for being the home to the Badri avatar of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is also one of the four locations of 'Chota Char Dham Yatra'. The idol inside the shrine is a 3.3 feet tall black stone statue representing Lord Vishnu in a meditative pose. The Badrinath Dham is also home to several other deities like Narshimha, Kuber, Garuda and many other small shrines.

Important Information

Religious Importance

As per Hindu beliefs, visiting the sacred location of Badrinath will help attain salvation, also referred to as Moksha. People travel from far off destinations by trekking or helicopter services to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Vishnu.

There are numerous tales and stories that surround the sacred site of Badrinath and each of the tales enhances the site's glory. References to Badrinath Temple are mentioned in the Hindu scriptures like Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata, Skanda Purana and several other religious books. Some stories tell that the construction of the temple is related to King Pururava while other modern references relate to Adi Shankaracharya. According to some other folktales, the statue inside the shrine symbolises spiritual enlightenment that is associated with Lord Vishnu meditating under the Badri tree in the Himalayas. Another popular story associated with the location states that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati both meditated here for several years.

Best Time to Visit Badrinath

The sacred land of Lord Vishnu, Badrinath experiences cold climates almost throughout the year, yet the peak season to visit this place is between the months of May to June and September to October. Summer is said to be the ideal time to visit this place. Badrinath experiences heavy snowfall during winter so it is advised to visit the pilgrimage centre in early winter to witness the idol of Lord Vishnu.

The Dwarkadhish Temple is a renowned Hindu temple founded by Adi Shankaracharya and dedicated to Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is known by many names, one of the names is Dwarkadhish, literally meaning 'King of Dwarka'. The main temple structure is a compilation of five storey buildings which is supported by 72 pillars and is known by the name of Jagat Mandir. The temple dates back to the 16th century. The Dwarkadhish Temple attracts a large number of pilgrims every year during the festival of Janmashtami.

Important Information

Religious Importance

The religious city, Dwarka is known by many names throughout its history such as 'Moksha Puri', 'Dwarkamai' and 'Dwarka Vati'. The city is also mentioned in the holy book of Mahabharata. According to tales, the people of Gujarat believe that this city was built after the historic Dwarka city, Kingdom of Krishna which submerged into the ocean after the Mahabharata war. Krishna started to live here after defeating his uncle Kansa at Mathura. The culture of Gujarat is highly associated with Lord Krishna's migration from Mathura to Dwarka. People from various places visit the temple to attain peace and get rid of their sins. During the pilgrimage tour, tourists can also visit the beaches, sacred rivers and other sightseeing locations.

Best Time to Visit Dwarka

The time of October to March is the perfect time to visit this pilgrimage centre due to the pleasant weather. Every year, a huge number of devotees visit this religious destination to offer their prayers and seek devotion. It is advised not to visit during summer as the temperature is unbearable.

Rameswaram Temple is located in Ramanathapuram district of South India, the place is part of Pamban Island which is also known as Rameswaram Island. The temple is located at the tip of the Indian Peninsula which is connected with the Indian mainland by Pamban Bridge on the Pamban Channel in the Gulf of Mannar. Rameswaram is known as the Varanasi of southern India and holds great significance among Vaishnavites and Shaivites. The architecture of the temple highlights the marvellous Dravidian style of architecture and craftsmanship. Along with Ramanathaswamy temple, there are several other attractions which capture the sights of tourists visiting the 4 Char Dham temples of India.

Important Information

Religious Importance

The Ramanathaswamy Temple of Rameswaram holds a huge significance among the pilgrims and devotees visiting the temple because of its world-renowned abode Lord Rama. Every year millions of devotees visit this divine destination in Tamil Nadu to experience and witness the perfect blend of culture and devotion.

The temple located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu has a rich history that dates back to thousands of years. The maintenance and expansion of the Ramanathaswamy Temple were looked after by several emperors and dynasties over the course of time. Jayaveera Cinkaiariyan and Raja Raja Chola donated a huge amount for the renovation and restoration of the temple. The religious and historical significance of the temple is reflected by inscriptions and records that survived over the years.

The Ramanathaswamy Temple is a living legacy that flawlessly combines spirituality, history, and architectural magnificence. According to mythological stories and legends, the temple is associated with Lord Rama. Lord Rama along with his brother Lakshman and loyal devotee Hanuman, travelled to Rameswaram on their way to Lanka to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to seek his blessings and guidance before starting the epic battle against Ravana. Lord Rama is believed to have established a lingam of Lord Shiva at this location.

Best Time to Visit Rameshwaram

Visiting the sacred location of Rameshwaram gives a blissful experience to the travellers and one should visit this beautiful location between October to April. The town experiences a tropical climate making it a location that can be visited throughout the year. The seasons here are quite pleasant to enjoy the beaches and other sightseeing options.