Express Wanderlust: Beautiful sunsets, temples and beaches of Puri await you

About the place: Puri in Odisha is considered to be one of the four most sacred places for Hindus. This pilgrimage site is thronged by visitors year after year — tourists who want to visit the majestic temples, soak up the beauty of the beaches, and enjoy beautiful sunsets. This beach city is located on coastline near Bay of Bengal, and is a must-visit place for travellers coming in from West Bengal. The place is also considered to be the resting place of Lord Shiva, its heritage and history dating back to the 3rd century BC. In fact, Puri, along with Konark and Bhubaneshwar complete the 'Golden Triangle' of Odisha. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

How to reach: Puri is well connected to all major cities of the country. If you are looking to fly, the nearest airport would be Bhubaneshwar which is some 56 kms away. From here, you can get a taxi. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Best time to visit: While the place has a pleasant weather all throughout the year, the summer months (April-June) be best avoided. The months between October and February are ideal for a visit, as the temperature is not too hot, and neither too cold. You can explore and take long walks on the beaches. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Things to see: Begin your journey by visiting the Jagannath Puri Temple. It is believed that the temple was constructed in the 11th century, by King Indradyumna. The glorious abode of Lord Jagannath, or Lord Vishnu, this temple receives thousands of tourists every year. When you enter the premises, besides the main shrine, many other smaller temples will make you feel that you have entered heaven. A revered site, this temple is celebrated along with those of Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Next, you can visit the Chilika Lake, especially if you are on a tight schedule. This beautiful creation of nature, is the largest internal salt water lake in all of Asia. In fact, it is a paradise for bird watchers, photographers, and peace seekers, especially around sunrise and sunset. This lake is believed to be housing a wide assortment of flora and fauna life. Trust this experience to be the most enchanting one of your life. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

You must absolutely visit the famous Puri Beach, which is one of the finest and the most breathtaking coastlines on the eastern side of the country. If as a traveller, you are looking for some quietude, this is where you should head. You will also find many devotees here, taking a holy dip in the sea, praying to the Sun God and Lord Jagannath. Also, this is the very beach where celebrated sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik makes his sand sculptures. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

The Jagannath Rath Yatra: Also known as the 'Festival of Chariots', this is one of the most awaited and celebrated festivals in not just Puri, but all of India. The mammoth chariots are each dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra, and elder brother Lord Balabhadra. But, alas, this festival is celebrated every year around June-July. This year, it will be celebrated in June. It is said that those who manage to catch a glimpse of the idols, enjoy all the prosperity. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Food in Puri: Since so many tourists throng this place year after year, there is a variety of food — both vegetarian and non-vegetarian — that is available to them. Some of the much loved items that are especially found in Puri are: sweet dish 'malpua' (pictured here), 'khicede', which is a cousin of the classic khichdi, 'dalma', which is made using lentils and vegetables, the 'abadha thali', which is an assortment of all the dishes served to Lord Jagannath, prawn delicacy 'chungdi malai', to name a few. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)