Puri district is one of the thirty districts of the Indian state of Odisha, situated along the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent on the Bay of Bengal. The district takes its name from its headquarters town of Puri, an ancient pilgrimage centre celebrated for the Jagannath Temple and the annual Rath Yatra.
Key facts
| State | Odisha |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Puri |
| Region | Coastal Odisha |
| Coastline | Bay of Bengal |
| Major language | Odia |
| Administrative division | Central Division, Odisha |
Geography
The district lies in the coastal plains of Odisha, bounded by Khordha district to the north, Cuttack district and Jagatsinghpur district to the north-east, the Bay of Bengal to the east and south, and Ganjam district and Nayagarh district to the west. The terrain is largely flat, formed by the deltaic deposits of the Mahanadi system and other coastal streams. Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, extends into the south-western portion of the district and supports a rich fishery and migratory bird habitat.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate under the Government of Odisha. For administrative convenience it is divided into sub-divisions, tahasils and community development blocks, with Puri serving as the principal urban centre. Other notable towns include Pipili, Nimapara, Konark, Satyabadi and Brahmagiri.
History
The region around Puri has a long recorded history linked to successive dynasties that ruled Odisha, including the Eastern Ganga and Gajapati rulers, who patronised the Jagannath cult and the temple complex at Puri. Under British rule the area formed part of the Orissa Division of the Bengal Presidency, later transferred to the Bihar and Orissa Province, and from 1936 to the new Orissa Province. After Indian independence, Puri continued as a district of Odisha. In 1993, in a major reorganisation, the erstwhile undivided Puri district was split into three districts—Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh—giving the present district its current boundaries.
Economy
The economy of the district is predominantly agrarian, with paddy as the principal crop, supplemented by pulses, oilseeds, coconut and betel vine cultivation. Coastal fisheries and inland fisheries on Chilika Lake provide significant livelihoods. Handicrafts form an important traditional sector, including the appliqué work of Pipili, palm-leaf engraving, stone carving in Puri and the Pattachitra painting tradition centred at Raghurajpur. Tourism, anchored by the Jagannath Temple, the beaches of Puri and the Konark Sun Temple, is a major contributor to local income and employment.
Culture and heritage
Puri is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites of Hinduism. The annual Rath Yatra draws large numbers of pilgrims and visitors. The Sun Temple at Konark, a 13th-century monument built during the reign of Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The heritage village of Raghurajpur is recognised as a crafts village for its concentration of traditional artisans. Classical Odissi dance and music have deep roots in the temple traditions of the region.
Transport
Puri is connected by the East Coast Railway zone of Indian Railways, with Puri railway station serving as a terminal for several long-distance services. National and state highways link the district to Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other parts of Odisha. The nearest major airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar.
Related topics
- Puri
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
- Konark Sun Temple
- Chilika Lake
- Districts of Odisha
- Odisha
- Rath Yatra
- Pattachitra
References
- Wikidata: Puri district (Q1817158)
- Government of Odisha, official district portal
- Census of India, district handbooks for Odisha