The Puri District of Orissa offers many places of interest for locals and tourists alike. Puri boasts a spectacular long sandy beach, from which it is possible to walk to one of the most impressive monuments, Konark Sun Temple . The area is also well known for the Festival of Chariots which is hosted mainly in July, annually. The relics of many saints important to the Hindu faith, are also laid to rest in the Puri area, as belief tells that this area is traditional to die in, or to be cremated in.

The Konark Sun Temple dates back to the 13^th century and is also sometimes known as the Black Pagoda.  The temple originates from the time of King Narasimhadera and was constructed from red sandstone and black granite between 1236 and 1264. The temple is high on the list of tourist attractions for this area and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

The temple was designed to represent the chariot of Surya (Arka) the Sun God. The whole complex depicted a huge chariot on 12 sets of wheels being drawn by 7 horses. The entrance is fiercely guarded by two giant lions.

The Jagannath Temple is another important heritage site. This well known Hindu temple is dedicated to Jagannath (Krishna) and for worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu is especially significant.  The construction can be dated as far back as 1078-1148, however rebuilding works were commissioned that makes the temple as it appears today, later in 1174.

The temples grounds cover in excess of 400,000 square feet, and are surrounded by an impressive high wall. The complex comprises of 120 shrines and temples.