Puri: see in shoe string budget. Review on Puri

The aim of this write-up is to inform the low budget travelers how to see Puri and Konark in the cheapest way. I will not tell you about history as its available on Internet. The best way is to reach Puri by train. The railway station is neat and clean. Its advisable to have break fast and lunch on the platform before venturing out of the station. Puri station is neat and clean.

Good cheap place to stay in Puri is the Youth Hostel which is located at the Chakratirtha Road by the sea shore touching the beach. You can have the luxury of watching the waves from your room. The dormitory charges are Rs. 30 per day and the non AD double bedroom is Rs. 250 per day. Dont expect very good service. Remember you are travelling in budget. From railway station to Youth Hostel the cycle rickshaw will charge you Rs. 10, but not more than Rs. 12. Once you reach to Puri Youth Hostel, you can plan your trip depending on your time. As the beach is very near, you can always visit the beach early in the morning and evening. During the day the sun is very bright and you will not be comfortable. From Puri Youth Hostel you can book a local sight seeing tour for Rs. 100. Contact the receptionist. The bus will pick you up from hostel gate and take you to places like Konark, Chandrabhaga beach, Lingraja Temple, Khandagiri and Udaigiri caves, Bhubneshwar, Dhauli, and few other spots. This will be 10 hour tour. There are other tours that will take you to Chilka Lake where you can watch Dolphins. KONARK Cycle rickshaw will charge Rs. 15 from Youth Hostel to Bus Stand. There are many mini-buses that will reach you to Konark which is 35 Kms. Away. Bus charges Rs. 15. Konark is a beautiful temple built in 13th century and designed as a chariot. The King had ordered 1200 workers to build this temple in 12 years. One of the workers sons came to the rescue of these workers when they failed to complete the temple in 12 years by advising them to place the magnetic sheet and construct the top. Later he committed suicide by jumping from the top in order to prevent the 1200 workers from prosecution as they failed in their deed. Due to this the temple has lost its purity and no puja is done now. You can move around with your shoes on. Entry ticket is Rs. 10. Konark has many eateries. I suggest to take lunch at the Marwari Hotel which is the first one on right as soon as you come out of main gate of the temple. Unlimited thali is Rs. 30. There are many attractive items that will attract your attention in the shopping area. Cashews are cheap. Beware while buying these. Some shops pack these in a manner that the visible row in the pack will show full proper cashew nut pieces while inside there will be broken and filthy pieces.

So open the packs and inspect in the shop. Cost will be Rs. 100 to Rs. 250 for 400 grams. Remember they will pack in 400 grams and you will confuse it with 500 gram. So inspect the weight. There will be people who wil quote Rs. 250 to Rs. 500 for gem stones. But you can negotiate and buy these for Rs. 10 each stone as all are fakes. Konark market is full of cheats, so do not buy anything without proper inspection and checking at few more places. Try coconut water in Konark. It too good, and too cheap at Rs. 5 per coconut. If you want to see the magnificent, colorful lighting then wait till evening. Generally you will finish the visit of this temple in one hour. CHANDRABHAGA This is a beautiful beach about 2 Kms away from Konark Temple. There is nothing much to do here except trying coconut water or an ice-cream.

JAGANNATH TEMPLE Built in 12th century AD, the magnificent 192 feet temple is a finest example of Orissan architecture. Every year rath yatra is held witnessed my lakhs of pilgrims. This temple can be reached from youth hostel by cycle rickshaw for Rs. 15 to Rs. 20. If you are returning from Konark, you can take a cycle rickshaw from Bus stand for Rs. 10 and reach there. You will be approached by pandas who will cajole you to take their services for darshan of God. No need to pay attention to them. You can leave your shoes, leather belt, mobile, and camera at the counter on right side of main entrance. Then head for the main gate through series of steps, then take left and you will reach the entrance to temple. If you want to witness some more fun, then reach here at 7 pm and see a panda climbing the roof of temple to bring down the flag.