Toshali Sands

Physical Aspects of Puri

The district of Puri, the southernmost district of the Orissa Division and of the Province of Bengal, in situated between19° 28′ and 20° 26′ North Latitude and 84° 56′ and 86° 25′ East Longitude. it extended over an area of 2,499 square miles and contains a population, according to the census of 1901, of 10,17,284 souls. The district is named after its headquarters Puri, situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal in 19° 48′ N. and 85° 52′ E. The place is known to up-country Hindus as Jagannath and locally as Purushottam kshetra, the abode of the best of beings, i.e., Jagannath, the lord of the world, whose shrine has, for centuries past, attracted devout pilgrims from all part of india. The name Puri means simply the city and seems never to have been in use before the British conquest of Orissa; it is believed to be merely an abbreviation of Jagannath Puri, the city of Jagannath.

Origin of the name of the city Puri

According to Cunningham the ancient name of this town was Charitra mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang as Che-li-ta-lo. But the restoration of the word Che-li-ta-lo as Charitra and its identification with the town of Puri is open to doubt. The importance of the town as a seat of Vaisnavism increased when Chodaganga Deva constructed the temple of Purusottama Jagannath and installed the image of the deities. Thereafter, it become famous as the abode of Purusottama and was popularity called Purusottama Kshetra.

in the drama Anargharaghava Natakam attributed to cir. 9th century A.D. we find the name Purusottama applied to this town. in the Nagari Plate of Anangabhima iii of the Saka year 1151-52 i.e., 1229-30 A.D., the place is called Purusottama Kshetra. This name in the form of Purusottama Chhatar or only in the form Chhatar was used by the Mughal, the Maratha as well as the early British rulers in their official records. Even in yoginitantra1 and Kalikapurana the city referred to as Purusottam. Puri2 region was also known as Utkal.

The name Purusottama Kshetra was also for sometime Known as Purusottama Puri and as the word Purusottama Kshetra was contracted into Kshetra or Chhatra so also Purusottama Puri was expressed in the contracted from Puri. in fact, in many early British record this town is known by the name Pooree. in the modern times Puri has become the most popular of all the other names of this town.

History of the city as an administrative unit and changes in its parts.

Under the Mughal rule (1592-1751), Orissa for the purpose of Revenue Administration was divided in to three circars, namely, Jaleswar, Bhadrak, and Kataka, each of which was subdivided into Mahals or Dandapatas and the Mahals were again subdivided into Bishis. Puri formed a part of Kataka circar.

The conquest of Orissa by the British in 1803 set forth great changes in revenue divisions and political relations. in June 1804, the Province was divided in to two divisions, namely, the northern and southern divisions, the river Mahanadi, forming the natural boundary.

As the Raja of Khurda revolted in 1804, he was arrested and was placed in confinement in the Fort of Barabati at Cuttack. His territory was confiscated and the Raja was subsequently released. in 1807 he was permitted to live at Balisahi in the town of Puri and functioned as the Superintendent of the temple of Jagannath.

Puri was the capital of the province of Orissa and the headquarters of the Collector till 1816. in 1806 there was a proposal to remove the headquarters of Jajpur, but did not get government sanction. in August 1814, a part of the Collector’s establishment was removed to Cuttack, which was again brought back to Puri in December. A petition from a number of Zamidars for the removal of the Collectorate to Cuttack, which was the seat of administration under the Mughal and the Marathas, although rejected by the Collector, was finally approved and the headquarters was permanently shifted from Puri to Cuttack in 1816.

PURi, the city by the sea, is a major pilgrim centre in india. Adi Shankara founded one of the Peethas here. Puri is also famous for its Golden Beach, ideal for swimming and surfing.

But the fame of Puri emanates most from the Jagannath Temple, which contributed the word ‘Juggernaut’ to the English language. This 12th century temple is known for its annual Rath Yatra or Car Festival. Within its precincts are the smaller temples of Vimala, Lakshmi, Vishnu and innumerable Gods and Goddesses and the Ananda Bazar, the world’s biggest food market. Gundicha Ghar is a small sanctum about 2 km from the main temple, where the idols are taken during Rath Yatra for a week’s sojourn. On the outskirts of the city is Shri Lokanath, an honoured shrine of Lord Shiva.

The grand road called Bada Danda is a shopper’s delight. it offers typical Puri handicrafts like miniature stone sculptures, wood carvings, sea-shell items, patta-paintings on cloth and applique work. Shoppers have another avenue at Swargadwara at the southern end of the beach. The atharnala Bridge near Puri spans seven centuries. Built in the 13th century A. D. this engineering marvel over the Madhupur stream is still is use. Talking of beaches, never miss the Balighai. This is an estuary of the river Nuanai, 8 km north of Puri. A famous picnic spot, it abounds in deer and colourful birds. (more…)

Puri as known to the Hindus all over the world as a religious center and for the good stretch of the white sand beaches on the banks of Bay of Bengal. The easy accessibility of the city, wide beaches that offer breathtaking view of sunrise and sunset, fishing farms where the traditional methods of fishing are still used by the local fishermen and fabulous resorts make it an important tourist destination. Thousands of pilgrims flock to the place to visit the famous temple of Lord Jagannath and the annual Rath yatra festival. The Jagannath Temple is one of the four most important Hindu pilgrimage sites or the Char Dham, the other three being Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram.

Puri was once a part of Kalinga kingdom that was taken over by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire. After passing through the hands of various dynasties, the entire Puri region came under the British rule in the year 1803. The history of the Jagannath temple itself is quite interesting too. The temple was completed in the later part of the 12th century. The original temple was built in the Kalinga style. The temple consists of Jagmohan (hall) and the Deul (main shrine) in its front. The Nata Mandir and the Bhoga Mandir were built later in the 14th and 15th century in the typical Orissa style.

Location: in Orissa, india.
Significance:Known for its Jagannath Temple.
Climate: Puri has typical tropical climate with pleasant winters, hot and humid summers and heavy rainfalls. The best time to visit this place is therefore from October to April.

Shopping Attractions:
Puri is famous for various handicraft items, applique, brass materials, woodcarvings, stone carvings, shell products, sola carving, handloom sarees and bangles. Patta chitra, palm leaf articles and other local handicraft and handloom items can also be bought from here. The main market areas are Swarga Dwar area, New Marine Drive Road, on the seashore in front of Swarga Dwar, Grand Centre and near Sri Jagannath temple.

Prime Attractions:
Jagannath Temple:
Jagannath temple is one of the four sacred Dhams of the Hindu religion. it is dedicated to the Lord of the Universe and its name is actually a combination of two words - Jag meaning universe and Nath meaning lord. Built in the 12th century, it is considered one of the tallest temples in india. Built in the Kalinga style of architecture, the temple consists of Jagmohan (hall) and the Deul (main shrine) in its front. The Nata Mandir was built in the 14th century and the Bhoga Mandir was built in the 15th century in the typical Orissa style. The provision of having meal made of the ingredients donated to the temple is a unique feature of this temple.

Gundicha Ghar:
The Gundicha Ghar or Gundicha temple is regarded as holy as the Jagannath temple itself. it is considered to be the place of Lord’s aunt Gundicha. According to the popular local belief, it is here that Lord stays for 9 days during the time of the famous Rath yatra or Chariot pulling festival of Puri. On the day of the Rath Yatra, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra (the brother-sister trio) are ceremoniously taken in attractively caparisoned wooden rath (chariot) from the Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple. At the garden house, their aunt welcomes them by feeding them padoapitha (specially baked rice cakes). This event is an important part of the famous Rath yatra festival of Puri.

Puri Beach:
Perhaps the only beach worth a visit on the eastern coast of india, Puri has soft white sands, simple people, the sweets and snacks hawkers and widespread waters of Bay of Bengal continuously washing your feet as you walk. A stroll on the seashore and few sips of hot tea or tender coconut and perhaps a boat ride makes up for a pleasurable evening.

Temple of Child Krishna at indradyumna Tank :
Located on the northwestern part of the Gundicha Ghar, this indradyumna lake is one of the five sacred tanks of Puri. it is renowned for its spiritual significance and its relation to Lord Krishna. The temple has a Child Krishna temple nearby and a small shrine dedicated to King indradyumna of Orissa.

Atharnala Bridge:
Atharnala Bridge was built in the 13th century over the Mandupur stream. The bridge is located at the entrance of the town and is considered to be an marvel in architecture marvel. This massive bridge of around 85×11 metre is still in use by the natives of the city.

Rath Yatra:
Puri is famous for its Rath Yatra festival held once a year. in June-July every year, Lord Jagannath’s legendary return to his kingdom on earth is the occasion for the famous Rath Yatra at Puri. The proceedings commence with the installation of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra, and brother Balabhadra in massive, lavishly decorated chariots and thousands of devotees throng in to pull the three gigantic chariots through the streets of Puri to the Gundicha Mandir, accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras (incantations) and music. The bejewelled deities, clad in resplendent silk, remain in the Gundicha Mandir for nine days, after which they are carried back to be re-installed in the Sri Jagannath Mandir. To have a glimpse of the Lord as he rides in ceremonial procession and to get a chance to pull the ropes of his chariot is considered a good omen and symbol of divine blessings to the person.

Beach Festival
Celebrated in the later part of March or early April, it showcases the best of Orissa’s folk and classical dance forms, music and handicrafts. Quite popular among the tourists, it is the best place to witness the cultural riches of the entire state at one place.

Nava Kalebara
An immensely significant religious local ritual, the festival marks the time to change the external forms or the statues of the three temple deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. New idols are carved out of specially sanctified Sandal or Neem trees, following certain regulations and then the ‘daru’ (wood) is then transported to the temple in full ceremonial dress.

Rivers Of Orissa The major rivers of Orissa from north to south are the subamarekha, the Burhabalanga, the Baitarani, the Brahmani, the Mahanadi and the Rushikulya. The smaller ones are the Salandi, the Vamsadhara, the Nagavali, the Kolab, the lndravati, the Sileru, the Sabari and the Poteru. The biggest and the most important ri ver flowing through the heart-land of Orissa is the Mahanadi with a length of 853kms. It originates from the Maikal range in Chhatisgarh, popularly known as the Amarkantak plateau which was once a part of Orissa, and enters modern Orissa northwest in the Sambalpur district near Padigan a little above Hirakud.

At Hirakud, the longest earth dam in the world has been built across the river as a multipurpose river valley project with an installed capacity of 4,75,00 kms. hydel power and irrigation facility for 35,486 hectares of land, besides the basic function of flood control. From Sambalpur the Mahanadi flows through Sonepur and Boudh districts. From Sunakhania in Boudh to Baramula in Daspalla along a distance of 14 miles it flows cutting through the rock strata of the Eastern Ghats forming a gorge, which after the length of its span goes by the name of ‘ Sat-Kosi a Gorge’. At Naraj, the river divides itself into two branches, the Mahanadi and the Kathajodi, which encompass the city of Cuttack on both sides.

OrissaNo. of Species 19 110 473 86 124 Al11phibians Reptiles Birds MaI11I11als orchids State Tree : Kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) State Flower: Ashoka (Saraca Indica) State Animal: Sambar (Cervus unicolor) State Bird: Roller or Blue Jay (Coracias benghalensis) Sancturies in Wildlife Distance from Orissa status Bhubaneswar Similipal Tiger Project and Tiger, Elephant, Boar, Bison, Biosphere Reserve Deer, Sambar, Panther, Mugger and Snakes White Tiger & Lion Safari Panther, Deer, Monkeys Birds and Reptiles. Pelican and Flamingo Turtle, Crocodile, Deer Snakes, Boar and Panther 225 kms. Panther, Deer, Boar and Monkey 100 kms. Panther, Elephant, Sambar Tiger and Deer.230 kms.

Sambar, Deer, Bear and Boar l00kms. Crocodile and Elephant 220 kms. Sambar, Boar, Panther and Wild Buffalo. Elephant and Wild Boar Black Buck, Deer and Hyena Tiger, Panther, Buffalo and Sambar Tiger, Panther and Elephant. Tiger, Panther, Elephant Bison and Deer. Baishipali near Nayagarh Tiger, Panther and Elephant 270 kms.
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Nandankanan Zoo 23 kms. 90 kms. Chilika Bird Sanctuary Bhitarkanika via- Chandbali Kapilas Lakhari Valley near Berhampur Saptasajya Tikarapada Sunabeda
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515 kms. 26 kms.70 kms. Chandaka Balukhand Balimela 618 kms. 450 kms. Karlapat Kuldiha 230 kms. 195 kms.
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Debrigarh With an area of 346.91 sq.kms. the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is located in the undivided district of Sambalpur (Now Baragarh) between longitude 83°.30′ to 83° 46′ (East) and latitudes 21°.28′ to 21°43′ (North). The place is thickly dense with flora like bija, sal, asana, aanla, dhaura and other associates of sol. One can track the important fauna like tiger, leopard, hyena, bison, sambar, spotted deer, chousingha, resident and migratory birds, monitOf lizard, chameleon etc. in this sanctuary.

Attractions: The Park boasts of many features which attract tourists from far and near. Boating in anjia lake on paddle or row boats In the clear blue waters is an exhilarating experience. In the Park, the toy train is the main attraction for the children. A diesel toy train HADGARH Hadgarh wildlife sancturary located in the district of Keonjhar can be approached by road. It lies only at a distance of 20 kms. from Bhadrak on NH-5. Bhadrak is well connected through rail way with Kolkata and the state capital of Bhubaneswar. With an area of 191.06 sq.kms. the sanctuary opened to the public on 6.12.78. Amidst the dense sal forest and its associates faunaleopard, wild dog, elephants etc., the dam is an ideal habitat for mugger crocodiles.

KOFAGAD With an area of 399.05 sq.km. the Kotagad wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Baliguda sub-division of Kondhamal district. One can approach the site by road from the district headquarters Phulbani. Though the climate is moderate still best period to visit this spot is from the month of October to March. One can see here the important species that include tiger, leopard, bison, elephant, sambar, spotted deer, varieties of birds(peacock, red jungle fowl etc.) and reptiles. KHALASUNI Khalasuni wildlife sanctuary located in the Rairakhol Sub-Division of Sambalpur district is only at a distance of 50 kms. from Sambalpur by road.
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Gharial Breeding

Gharial Breeding: Nandank and famous for its captive breed1 centre where gharials were captivity since 1980. This promoted by an international operation, that helped the Park getting an adult male of the from the Frankfort Zoo (Gerl1J.and White Tiger Breeding: In 1980 the first time 2 normal (twany) gave birth to three white tiger cI!1 making them the first litter of Wl\l. tigers born to normal pare ‘Deepak’ and ‘Ganga’ unrelated Mohan of Rewa.

Since the Nandankanan has successfully brow many white tigers and some of thew have gone to various zoos withw India and outside. Presently there are 10 of them in the Park. An interesting event has happened in 1967. A wild tigress ‘Kanan’, perhaps the last in the surrounding forest, jumped into the newly constructed moated exhibit where a tiger was its lone inhabitant. She went on to stay there for 11 years from 1967 to 1978. Star

Chand Aka Elephant Sanctuary

The Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, the first of its kind in India, was established in 1982. About 20 kms. away from Bhubaneswar it is a dense forest covering 190 sq.kms. where around one hundred elephants roam free. For visitors there are a number of watch towers to watch these huge animals. Going into sanctuary wearing white dress or driving a white vehicle is prohibited in this place. The sanctuary is setup to promote eco-regeneration of depleting enviomment.

Interesting In its 40 years of existence, the Park has successfully bred many of the endangered species like tiger, leopard, Asiatic lion, the three Indian crocodiles, sangai, lion-tailed monkey, Nilgiri langur, Indian penguin, mouse deer and many land and water birds. The Park has 1827 individuals of73 species of mammals, 83 species of birds and 15 species of reptiles, besides fish. The Park specialises in successfully keeping animals of the Indian sub-continent and has been able to publish a large number of research papers on them.
In August 1979, the Park, together with the lake and Botanical Garden, covering an area of 426 hectares has been declared a sanctuary.

Bifltarkanikasancruary A Way, While’ a out 76 kilornetres mg population. So want of the eggs reared In the reaning pools This manne sanctuary was Bhuban the nearest airport is Collected from Ganga? eggs were and then released into the Satkoshia established in 1975 in the estuary of swar 220 k’ In the nver’ The for Kilometres away year 1975 and In Gorge. This is considered as a great Brahmani river covering an area of sanctuary erst type of Satkosh Were brought from Subsequently, I stride in the wildlife conservation 672 square kilometres. Situated at a is one of from the Chforest Wrnlxed decided earnbal effort. distance of about 35 kilometres from predosh and sal, mahua rnmant species of n the The sanctuary is also the Chandabali, Bhitarkanika sanctuary Was at one ,and bahera.

The forest abode of varied species of avifauna- comes around Baitarani river. The and leopard a Itat of tigers in Ian adjutant stroke, red Jungle The forest type of faunal , but at present throw, Indian pitta and more. Bhitarkanika is one of mangroves like ecles are About 10 k’l re rarely found. After covering a distance of the Sunderbans of West Bengal. The gorge aI ornetres south of the about 30 kilometres from Angul, the nearest railway station from the urnakot Gharials road bifurcates. One goes sancturary is Bhadrak about 77 a ranade the Mahanadi river, borne in the meandering to the left and reaches kilometres away.