Orissa Review * September - 2004

Heritage Tourism (Places of Tourist Interest in the District of )

Sunil Kumar Patnaik

Heritage is our legacy from the past-what we Puri is largely a pilgrim place, a live with today, and what we pass on to the religious centre, an Eternal City, a holy land future generations. Our cultural and natural for liberation (Mokshya). Of course, a classic heritages are strongest sources of life, tourist destination, owes its origin with the inspiration and our identity. Heritage Tourism Lord of Universe- Sri . The Hindu offers opportunity to portray the past in the scriptures, such as Puranas and Kshetra present. However, our heritage, so far Puri is Mahatmyas replete with the descriptions of concerned, is living and vibrant. Here, we find this holy land. Scholars like R. Balakrishnan the age-old culture still alive in the way of and A. P. Pattnaik have found striking rituals. The thousand years old monument still similarities between tales of Jagannath temple bear the symphony of life, the cultural trends at Puri and myths of ancient Egypt and Sumeria. more or less working as that of historical days. Probably there are some influences of Hundreds of examples can be cited on the cult, Summerian, Assyrian, Hittite and Egyptian culture and customs of Lord Jagannath in Civilizations on Jagannath temple Puri. It is particular and Puri in general. Here, we may said that Puri Jagannath temple is probably the limit ourselves to the study of cultural heritage, only place of worship in the whole world that Puri, being a major cultural centre of . Of continues to follow the same rules, rituals and course, we have the natural heritage like Sea elements which were used to be followed in and the Lagoon (Chilika), which are also in the Summerian era. Research is under way to some way or other interwoven with our explore more linkages, if any. cultural heritage. The heritage sites are often sacred places, be it a Tirtha or a pilgrim centre In travel and tourism and tourist or an archaeological site or a place of historical destinations, of course cultural centers have significance, besides natural heritage sites. In something rolled pack with the myths and Indian Tourism scenario Heritage Sites are the legends, ancient rituals and festivals and Puri main tourism product for the foreign nationals. is one such place. Long before birth of the Our country is equally rich in the Heritage Sites modern term 'tourism', Puri has experienced like that of Italy, Egypt, Greece, China and U.K. the gloomy and glory, the din and bustle of a About 47% of foreign tourists coming to India traveller's town. Here, pilgrimage has been are interested in our cultural heritage. taken to the fold of tourism in course of time.

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Puri, as the centre of culture and religion, Let us discuss the places of tourist forms an integral part of the great Pan-India interest in and around Puri. As we have tradition; being one of the Dham, founded by discussed, Puri has been a seat of great learning the great reformer Jagatguru Sankaracharya: and culture and is known as a Dham or Tirtha perhaps the first door opened for the domestic kshetra. Accordingly the settlement of the city tourists. Sankaracharya Matha which is located and its economy revolved round the great near Sea Beach still bears the eternal truth. temple of Sri Jagannath. The towering temple Inscriptional records are available down the (214ft high) of Lord Jagannath is the highest centuries about the glory of Sridham, and the loftiest living temple in India. The Purusottama Dham, Sri Jagannath Dham and design, of course followed Kalingan School many travellers, teachers and preachers paid of Architecture. As such we can experience their visit to this place. Puri is always a seat the universe inside. We can feel the vastness of cultural transgression. Perhaps the first of the fort-like temple complex that has two literature giving the detail description of Puri Prakaras (boundaries) with an open courtyard is the Puri Khanda of Skanda Purana (12th and four gateways, spread over almost ten century A.D.), which can be compared to the acres of land. The temple walls have been modern day tourist literature about a beautifully decorated with Parsvadevatas like destination. It is heartening to note that the root Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana , Dikpalas, scenes of tourism lies in the Puranas. The places like from Krishnalila and twentyfour forms of Kasi, Kanchi, Ayodhya, Avantika, Mathura, Vishnu etc. Dwaravati, Maya, Puri, Badrinath, Rameswaram etc. have been vividly described The inner campus is housing many in various Puranas, particularly in Skanda subsidiary temples such as Vimala, Mangala, Purana. Bhubaneswari, Laxmi and Bedha Kali etc. belonging to Sakti group. The temples of Surya, As a major pilgrim centre, a system has Narasimha, Satya Narayana, Nilamadhava, been evolved in the past regarding pilgrim Sakhigopal and Ganesh form an aura of management which is unique in many ways. religious trail. The Saivite temples like Kasi The Sevakas of Sri Jagannatha temple are Viswanath, Agniswara, Mahadeva called Pandas. More precisely, those Pandas Kapalamochana, Markandeya, Lokanath, are considered to be the Tirthagurus. The Pataleswara and Aisaneswara again uphold the Pandas have played an important role by theory of universe. visiting different parts of India, preaching the philosophy and doctrine of Jagannath Cult Besides, the sacred institutions of Pandit among the Hindus; collecting pilgrims and Sabha Mukti Mandap, Kalpa Bata, Ananda escorting them to Puri. They are also Bazar, Koili Baikuntha have their sanctity. The responsible for providing lodging and main entrance on the eastern side known as boarding to them in Dharmasalas at Puri and Lions Gate (Singha Dwara) alongwith Aruna arranging a Darshan of Lord Jagannatha for Stamba followed by Baisipahacha (22 steps) them and visiting to different sacred centers is unique in its presentation. The non- Hindus and Tirthas located in the town and in its can view Sri Jagannatha Temple from outside vicinity. The system is still in vogue. or from the rooftop of Raghunandan Library.

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The tourist amenities available in and around The tourist places around Puri are very the temple are the provision of cloak rooms, interesting. We have the world famous Sun one near South Gate and the other near Lions Temple at . Out of four major Sun Gate. The visitors can keep their luggage and temples of India, we have one at Konark, which other things like shoes in the cloak rooms. is declared as a World Heritage Monument and Drinking water facilities are also available is located at a distance of 35 Km from Puri. near the entrance points. World Heritage Sites belong to all people of the world, irrespective of the country in which The city with its 3km. long Grand Road they are located. It is an universal application (Badadanda), 7 km. long Beach front, ancient what makes the concept of world heritage lanes and by lanes with sacred tanks like Sweta exceptional. This has been declared in the Ganga, Markandeya, Narendra and Convention on the Protection of World Cultural Indradyumna shows the characteristics of a and Natural Heritage of UNESCO in 1972. Tirtha Kshetra. The ancient Saivite temples Sites selected for world heritage listing are such as Jameswara, Lokanatha and approved on the basis of their merits as the Kapalamochana form the inner circle of the best possible examples of Cultural and Natural Sankha Kshetra. The Vaisnavite temples such Heritage. The list of such Approved World as Yagnya Narasimha, Gundicha Temple, Heritage Property stands at 300 till 1996 and Chakra Narayana, Chakra Narasimha, Sunar India is an active member. Volumes have been Gouranga and Tota Gopinath are also located written about the Sun Temple at Konark, which in the strategic places of the Sankha Kshetra. is still a wonder for the art lovers. The temple As a great Sakti Pitha the city has the temples is maintained by Archaeological Survey of of Dakhina Kali, Shyama Kali, Ramachandi, India. There is an entrance fee of Rs.10/-for Marichi, Ardhasini and many others. Besides, domestic and US $ 5 for the foreign tourists to there are a number of Mathas and Ashramas visit this site. There is a good number of spread over the city. All these temples and budgeted hotels including Yatrinivas of Orissa monuments are the heritage components, which Tourism that are available for the tourists. Good uphold the long tradition of Hindu culture. For English speaking Trained Guides are available the tourism purposes the monuments and on hire. Kuruma (Buddhist Remains) is at a temples can be regarded as heritage potentials. distance of 5 km away from Konark. So also a Mahodadhi or the Sea at Puri is regarded beautiful picturesque site of Ramachandi which as the most sacred and beautiful for which is also located 6 km away from Konark. people from far and wide assemble here for Kakatpur, famous for the shrine of Mangala, ritual purposes as well to enjoy the natural and Chaurasi, famous for Varahi temple are also beauty. The long, lonely and sandy beach at located at the distance of 25 km from Konark. Puri, neither muddy like the western coast, nor The 35 km long marine drive from Puri to conjested like Kovalam or Goa, attracts lot of Konark with a break at Beleswara (14 km from people from worldwide. It is safe, but be Puri) for buying at the craft centers is a careful for Sea Bath ! Always seek police wonderful experience. assistance and life -guard if you are in trouble Another important tourist spot to the in the Puri sea beach ! south of Puri is Satapada-on-Chilika, at a

6 Orissa Review * September - 2004 distance of 50 km from Puri. This place is for the life size image of Hunuman in a famous for coveting Dolphin fishes which are picturesque ambience. abundantly found here. The major attractions Sakhigopal, at a distance of 17 km from are boat cruising, bird watching, visit to the Puri on the National Highway, otherwise sea-mouth and Rajahans Island. The Visitors known as Satyabadi is famous for the shrine of Centre developed by Chilka Development Lord Krishna. It is said that the unique image Authority is a store-house of knowledge for of Lord Krishna was brought from Kanchi the tourists. One can enjoy the night stay in the (South India). The other nearby areas like Siva Yatrinivas of OTDC (Orissa Tourism Temple at Biswanath Hill, Barala Balunkeswar Development Corporation) here. On the way Temple at Barala and Bhakta Dasia Bauri Pitha to Satapada one can touch the shrine of goddess at Baligaon are also worthy of visit. Bali Harachandi and Alarnath Vishnu Temple at Brahmagiri. Manikapatna can also be visited On the National Highway, 40 km from to see the remnants of an ancient port and also Puri is Pipli, another famous craft town, best the Bhavakundaleswara Temple of 10th -11th known for its applique work. The colourfully Century AD. designed applique materials like umbrellas, lampshades, table covers, sofa covers and bed The tiny Raghurajpur village with busy sheets etc. are available in the series of hops artisans upholds the long tradition of mural beeline on either side of the main road. paintings as well as Patta paintings, palm leaf paintings, paper mache and stone carvings etc. Thus the tourist potential of Puri is The tourists can find a good number of overwhelming, particularly of heritage households demonstrating the art materials attractions. As we have seen the living culture, while doing the paintings. dance form the monuments, the handicrafts, the lakes and is another attraction of this village. One can beaches, all are conglomerating into Heritage witness Gotipua dance by the dancers of the attractions. A few cities of India have this Dasabhuja Gotipua Nrutya Parishad. This craft privilege. The yearly tourist flow to the city of village has been taken as a base for Puri is about 30 lakhs including day visitors. development of Rural Tourism in India. However, the domestic tourists constitute the Raghurajpur is chosen by Govt. of India major segments. The foreign tourist arrival is alongwith 16 other villages for this purpose. about 15,000. Many projects like illumination The roads and rest rooms, Gurukuls and and development of Sea Beach at Puri are in shopping complexes, Amphi theatres etc. are the implementation state. The trend of tourist being undertaken for development. This will flow to Puri is increasing mostly by the be a model 'Tourism Village' in the whole of domestic tourists, who have accepted Puri as eastern India, within a short span. a cultural centre and a modern beach resort. There are other places like Sasana villages which can also be visited. Those are typical in village planning and have been established by Gajapati kings of Puri. Siruli, Sunil Kumar Patnaik is the Tourist Officer of Puri. He is another place worth visiting, which is famous lives at E-l63, Shrikshetra Colony, Puri.

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