The Gods On The East Coast

Even in the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, one of the most revered holy cities in India is managing to attract travellers in droves. Visit Puri to know what spirituality, devotion, and the festival of Rath Yatra looks like.

- Taruka Srivastav

SPIRITUAL SEEKERS are no strangers to the appeal of the holy land of Puri—the abode of Lord Jagannath. Now, this enchanting seaside city in Odisha, lined with casuarinas and fabled for its architecture, has become the most preferred destination for ‘Spiritual Tourism’ in India, bypassing even the ancient holy city of Varanasi. And this comes in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Fani that caused massive losses to property and businesses earlier this year. According to a recent report by travel marketplace ixigo, there has been a month-on-month growth in hotel bookings of 60 per cent for Puri, as compared to 48 per cent for Varanasi. Apart from the famous Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, the annual chariot festival that draws scores of devotees from around the world, Puri manages to attract travellers all year round for various other reasons.

In Rigveda, Puri is referred to as a place called Purushamandama Grama, meaning the place where the Creator deity of the world resides. This is where the Supreme Divinity was deified on a mandapa or altar near the coast, amidst prayers offered with Vedic hymns. Puri is also one of the char dham—a set of four holy pilgrimages in India that Vaishnavite Hindus believe should be visited to help achieve salvation. The search for salvation is not limited to Hindus anymore; its quest has influenced foreigners as well for years.