Just 60 kms from Bhubhneshwar lies another city Puri. This is one of the famous city amongst the Eastern Golden Triangle trio cities. The city is quite popular as the pilgrimage destination of India. Being one of the famous destinations of Orissa, Puri becomes a legitimate choice of many travellers coming to Orissa and I was one of them.

As I stepped out of my train, I was mobbed by number of coolies who were ready to snatch my baggage. Being a budget traveller, I avoided all of them. It seems - I am hungry! I thought and I headed towards pantry on the station.

" Sir, you can get a room here for just Rs 100. The railway station has a rest house. Though the room won't be in good condition, I would like you to see it once and decide" said the pantry in charge.

Rs 100 - that was too cheap to expect. The rest room in charge showed me the room and I was surprised because it was in pathetic condition. Especially the washrooms. " Okay! I am a budget traveller but I cannot live in such shit place" I thought. I just moved out in search of a hotel which could actually meet my need and budget.

There are number of hotels in Puri which varies from 4 star to 3 star hotel. I resorted to Mayfair Beach resort, which is just 1 kms from railway station.

Major attractions of Puri are the Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Ghar, Chilka Lake. The first tourist spot that I explored was the Jagannath Temple. The Jagannath Temple of Puri is one of the four most famous holy pilgrimages of the Hindus and it was truly memorable for me to actually spectacle its beauty. This was another place where I was troubled by the 'Pandas' or the saints. Yes! quite surprisingly these people have commercialized Jagannath temple and made it a medium to earn money.

Chilka Lake is the famous wildlife sanctuary of Orissa. It's Asia's largest inland salt water lagoon and located in South West of Puri. Spanning over an area of 1100 sq kms, Chilka lake was truly a retreat for me. I snapped number of photographs which I still hold in my photo album.