Raghurajpur, Odisha – Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango & jack fruit, Raghurajpur is a handicrafts village

“At Raghurajpur, every villager is an artist and every house is an artist’s studio.”

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, Raghurajpur is a handicrafts village in Puri district Odisha. Popularly known for its master Pattachitra painters, the village comprises of two streets and has over 120 houses that are decorated with mural paintings. These are the residents of the painters who practice their pattachitra craft. There are also many other handicrafts practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, and wooden toys. The series of temples at the village are dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods like, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxmi narayan and Gouranga.

It is the only place where the traditional decoration known as the Patas, are used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and also on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

In the year 2000 it became a heritage village by INTACH. The village soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. The heritage walks provided to the visitors by the organization, makes the village a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Places to see at Raghurajpur: Though renowned for the pattachitra paintings the buck does not stop here an array of other craft items – palm leaf inscriptions, stone and wood carvings, papier mache, sodhai work, mural painting, wooden and cow dung toys, filigree, applique, terracotta – are created and proudly displayed in the dainty households.  It is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav – Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in February 4 and 5 and is an important tourist draw.

Besides being a centre of all kinds of handicrafts it is also a home to the living tradition of performing arts, known as Gotipua a traditional form of Odissi dance. Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, a maestro of Odisi dance was born in this village and had early trainings at Gotipua. The dance is performed by boys aged 14 years or younger. In the age of 4 to 6 the boys start their training in a residential Gurukul.

Nearby attractions from Raghurajpur: The pristine pilgrimage town Puri is just 11 km from Raghurajpur.

Things to do at Raghurajpur: A trip to this artistic village will cast a magic spell upon your senses. The village preserves the true heritage of India. Take a stroll along the paddy fields of the quaint village dotted with betel vines and the river Bhargavi flowing by.

Best time to visit Raghurajpur: You can visit the place throughout the year.

How to go ?

It is just 10 km from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, and 50 km from Bhubaneshwar. You have to get down at Chandanpur on N.H no. 203 connects the Puri and Bhubaneshwar town, the two important tourist destinations of the country. A cycle rickshaw ride or a walk on a 1.3km scenic road will take you to the village.

Where to stay ?

At Raghurajpur there are no such accommodation facilities. As it is very near to the popular tourist destination Puri, you can make a day trip in this village and make a return to Puri, having plenty of budget hotels with restaurants. Some options are:

Puri Hotel: (06752) 222114, 223809
Toshali Sands Resort: 1800 123 4555 (Toll Free), (+91)-9937003223
Hotel Sonar Bangla:(+91)33 4006 0787, (0675) 2230009, 2321263, 2230089, (+91) 9777184314
Hotel Chariot: (+91)-7381035022, (+91)-8961088899

Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.

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