Weather in Puri

About Puri

The sacred Jagannath Temple dominates this Odisha beach town, with its annual Rath Yatra chariot festival drawing millions of pilgrims who pull massive wooden chariots through streets in one of Hinduism's most dramatic festivals. The temple's iconic jagannatha idols remain mysteriously renewed each year in a centuries-old ritual. The beach remains less developed than Indian resort standards, preserving traditional character.

Country

India

Best months to visit

January, February, March, April, November, December

Currency

INR

Language

Odia, Hindi

Things to do in Puri

Witness Rath Yatra chariot festival pulling ceremony Tour Jagannath Temple's sacred sanctum Walk along pristine beach during sunrise Visit Raghurajpur artist village for traditional paintings Shop for handicrafts and religious items Relax in beach shacks away from crowds

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

March

31C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

April

32C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

May

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

June

32C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

July

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

October

30C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

November

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Puri is one of Hinduism's holiest pilgrimage towns, anchored by the immense Jagannath Temple and famous worldwide for its annual Rath Yatra chariot festival, when massive wooden chariots are hauled through the streets by thousands of devotees. Alongside the temple crowds, Puri's long Bay of Bengal beach and nearby sun temple at Konark give it a dual identity as both sacred site and seaside town.

Best areas to stay in Puri

Jagannath Temple Area

The pilgrimage heart of Puri, surrounded by markets selling religious offerings and prasad (temple food).

Puri Beach / Marine Parade

The seafront area with hotels, beach activities and the evening promenade.

Swargadwar

A section of beach considered sacred for cremation rituals, an important site for pilgrims.

Konark (day trip)

A coastal town about an hour away, home to the chariot-shaped Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting to Puri

✈

Flights

Fly into Bhubaneswar, then travel by road or rail to Puri, about 1-1.5 hours away.

⏱

From London

~10-11 hours direct London to Delhi or Mumbai with a connection to Bhubaneswar, plus about 1-1.5 hours to Puri.

🚕

Getting around

Puri's centre is walkable near the temple and beach; auto-rickshaws and taxis are used for trips to Konark and further afield.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-Hindus enter Jagannath Temple?

No - entry to the main Jagannath Temple is restricted to Hindus, though non-Hindus can view the temple from the Raghunandan Library rooftop opposite.

What is the Rath Yatra festival?

An annual chariot festival, usually in June or July, where enormous wooden chariots carrying deities from Jagannath Temple are pulled through Puri's streets by huge crowds - one of India's largest religious gatherings.

How far is Konark Sun Temple from Puri?

About 35km, roughly an hour by road, making it a popular half-day trip from Puri to see this 13th-century UNESCO-listed temple shaped like a giant chariot.

What is Puri Beach like?

A long stretch of Bay of Bengal coastline with a lively promenade, sand art displays and fishing boats, though swimming conditions can be rough with strong currents.

When is the best time to visit Puri?

October-March offers the most comfortable weather; the Rath Yatra period draws huge crowds and is best for those specifically wanting to witness the festival.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

Couldn't enter the main temple but viewing it from the library rooftop opposite was still impressive - the scale and activity around it is something else.

Sanjana D. · December 2024

★★★★★

Happened to be there during Rath Yatra and the energy in the streets was incredible - has to be seen to be believed, though plan for serious crowds.

James O. · July 2023

★★★★★

Konark Sun Temple as a day trip was the real highlight for me - the carvings on the chariot wheels are extraordinary up close.

Meera K. · February 2024