Puri

Puri District is a coastal district on the eastern part of Odisha, India. This District needs no introduction, being the abode of Lord Vishnu, most popularly known as Lord Jagannath. This District derives its name from the heritage city of Puri, one of the four pilgrimage centres of India. Handicraft and cottage industries of this District is famous the world over, its original source being the temple craft of Lord Jagannath and the Sun Temple at Konark. Puri is known by several names from the ancient times to the present, and locally called as Badadeula. Puri and the Jagannath Temple were invaded 18 times by Hindu and Muslim rulers, starting from the 4th century to the start of the 19th century with the objective of capturing the treasures of the temple. Odisha, including Puri and its temple, were under the British rule from 1803 till India attained independence in August 1947. The rich traditional culture and heritage of the District gives a boost to this industry. The important products of this industry are in, stone carving, patta chitra, wood carving, modern patch work, terracotta, bell metal, and sea shell items etc.