On the auspicious occasion of Utkal Divas, Odisha celebrates its glorious past while looking ahead to a future of growth and global recognition. In this journey, Puri stands as a symbol of spiritual heritage and immense tourism potential.
Home to the sacred Jagannath Temple and the globally renowned Rath Yatra, Puri attracts lakhs of devotees and tourists every year. Tourism statistics clearly highlight its importance—not only as a religious destination but as the backbone of Odisha’s tourism economy.
Recent data shows that Odisha recorded over 43.99 lakh domestic tourists from other states and nearly 66 lakh intra-state visitors in 2024 alone, along with 53,000+ foreign tourists, reflecting a steady rise in tourism demand.
A significant share of this footfall is concentrated in the Puri–Konark–Bhubaneswar “Golden Triangle”, making Puri the most visited Destination in Odisha.
These numbers underline a powerful reality: Puri is already a major national destination—but its global potential remains largely untapped.
The concept of Puri Vision 2036 was initiated in 2007 by me under the guidance Gandhian thinker Dr. SN Subba Rao, Chairman NYP rooted in values of sustainability, inclusiveness, and community participation. Today, this vision aims to transform Puri into a distinguished international tourism hub by 2036, aligned with India’s broader development goals under the leadership vision associated with Narendra Damodar Das Modi.
The path ahead is clear. Puri has the resources, heritage, and recognition. What it needs now is strategic planning and execution precision.
Key priorities include the preservation of art and culture, ensuring that Puri’s traditions, rituals, and artistic heritage remain intact even as development progresses. At the same time, modern infrastructure development—including roads, transport, accommodation, and urban planning—is essential to manage the increasing tourist inflow.
Tourism must expand beyond pilgrimage. By identifying new tourism circuits, including eco-tourism, heritage villages, and coastal experiences, Puri can become a year-round global destination.
Equally critical is the focus on environmental sustainability and hygiene, ensuring that the city remains clean, green, and visitor-friendly. Strengthening healthcare services and promoting handicrafts and cottage industries will further enhance both economic growth and cultural preservation.
Above all, the success of this vision depends on public participation and collaboration between government, private stakeholders, and local citizens.
Every year, during Rath Yatra, the world turns its eyes toward Puri. The growing tourist numbers clearly indicate its rising global relevance. Puri can one crore tourists as a Ayodhya during Ratha Yatra festival with visionary planning & attract structure infr attract structure infrastructure development.
On this Utkal Divas, let us reaffirm our commitment to transforming Puri into a world-class, sustainable, and culturally vibrant international destination by 2036. Puri is not just a city of faith—it is the future face of Odisha’s global identity.