Puri, renowned for its vibrant festivals, offers the perfect blend of culture and devotion. Among the most celebrated events is the world-famous Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), held at the onset of the monsoon season. This sacred procession, which has attracted pilgrims and tourists alike for centuries, marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Mandir for nine auspicious days.As the abode of Lord Jagannath—the "Lord of the World"—Puri holds a unique place in Hindu spirituality. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, located on the picturesque shores of the Bay of Bengal. Puri is also home to the Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal institutions founded by the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, alongside Sringeri, Dwaraka, and Jyotirmath.