WEAVER'S WORLD / JAGANNATHPURI / PLACES TO VISIT - 7

WEAVER'S WORLD / JAGANNATHPURI / PLACES TO VISIT - 7

The Sudarshan Crafts Museum was established by Shri Sudarshan Sahoo after coming back from his visit to Japan where he gone to participate in the decoration of the Atami shrine in Japan on 1977. Built at Station Road in Puri, Shri Sahoo, a non traditional artist, had been practicing the art of traditional sculptures in the medium of stone and wood at his ancestral home in Kumuti Sahi, Puri town. After roaming all over India in relation to his art, he envisaged the setting up of a proper workshop, showroom along with facilities for artists so that tourists and dignitaries could see and feel the inheritance and continuous development of traditional sculptures. Art lovers and connoisseurs would also have the opportunity to see the various form of sculptures along with the evolution process. Some big projects could also be undertaken at this center. Non-traditional pupils with aptitude for art could also be encouraged to pursue this field as a profession. This came up in 1977 and since has been doing well.

The center has developed many sculptures from non-traditional families which helped the conservative artistic society to do better work. Side by side, training, residential facilities, a Buddhist temple in Japanese style, library, showroom and workshop were added to facilitate the visitors and artists. For a long time, it is exporting the handicrafts to foreign countries and has been recognized by the Government. Art lovers and visitors from all over the world have appreciated this endeavour.

Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math is a Hindu temple on the main road of Puri. The place was established in the year 1974. It is said to be the birth place of Srila Prabhupad. The temple is a group of pink buildings full of religious paintings. This is one of the few places that you can get in as a non-hindu.

Sonar Gauranga temple is an pilgrim centre of Puri. It is dedicated to Lord Gauranga. It is situated towards the northern end of Puri town and at a distance of 3 kilometers from the Lord Jagnnath temple. It is located on the left side of Chakatirtha Road, leading from Subas Bose Chowk to Penthakota, the fisherman village.