Puri in Odisha — home to the Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites — draws millions of devotees every year. Here is a complete guide to reaching Puri by train from India's major cities.
From Delhi to Puri
The Delhi–Puri route covers approximately 1,752 km. Two major trains serve this route:
- Purushottam Express (12801) — departs New Delhi daily, takes ~26 hours. Available in Sleeper, 3A, 2A and 1A. Named after Lord Jagannath, this is the traditional pilgrimage train.
- Neelachal Express (12875) — departs Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) on Tuesdays. Takes ~27 hours.
Sleeper class fare from Delhi: approximately ₹790. 3A AC: ₹2,130.
From Kolkata to Puri
Kolkata is the most convenient gateway to Puri for Eastern India pilgrims.
| Train | Departs HWH | Duration | SL Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah-Puri Express (12837) | 22:40 | 6h 50m | ₹255 |
| Shatabdi Express | 06:25 | 7h 15m | AC only |
At Puri Station
- Jagannath Temple is 2 km from station — auto ₹50–₹80, cycle rickshaw ₹30
- Puri beach is 1.5 km from station — walkable
- OTDC tourist accommodation near the station for budget stays
- Cloak room available at station for luggage
Planning for Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra festival (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, usually June–July) is when Puri gets its maximum footfall. Indian Railways runs special trains during this period. Book as early as possible — 60 days before departure. Monitor your PNR on PNR Alert and subscribe for WhatsApp alerts so you know immediately if your waitlisted ticket confirms.