The hawkers of the Sea beach

Puri,the abode of Lord jagannath, has been a heaven of pilgrimage since ancient times for the Hindus. More than five hundred years ago Mahaprabhu Chaitanyadeva the great religious reformer of India visited the Jagannath Temple of Puri, after accepting Vaisnava saintism. With the widely spread sea shore of the Bay of Bengal, it has been a common attraction for the tourists. Tourists of Puri have almost have a similar schedule-visiting abode of Lord Jagannath, sightseeing, doing shopping according to their budget and keep bathing into the sea for hours. All over the year, people from different corners of India come and enjoy the beauty of the sea and share the beach. First time visitors to this place find it very known to them very shortly and fall in love. Where the entertainment continues throughout the day.

the hawker of the Pearl at the Puri Beach

My attentions were concentrated on the waves of the sea and immediately after witnessing the Sunrise in the morning, the person we encountered was a hawker, selling the Pearl. Using his body for displaying the Pearl of different colours and sizes, the moving showroom of the Pearl approached us with a smile. The person was very relaxed and he spared long time in convincing, to sell the Pearl. A tourist will surely meet these hawkers trying to sell the Pearl. Largely scattered on the beach, they approach to each tourist irrespective of their wish to purchase the Pearl and bargain on the price goes on. The fishermen even try to sell precious stones to the tourists.

life jackets on rent at Puri sea beach

Owner of the tea stalls at the beach have a unique technique, they bring chairs at the beach for the tourists and it is a must to have tea from them to avail the sitting facility or pay for the chair on hourly rental basis. Long sea beach of Puri has been a source of earning a livelihood for many people. Innumerable hawkers run their families from the beach oriented business.

the hawker at Puri beach

I saw small boys selling key rings of sea shell, balloons, toys,local hand bags, life jackets were given on rent, and "Nooliahs" were taking the tourists into the deep sea, some with their Camel and Horses doing a business from giving a ride to the tourists.

the Photographer at the beach,Puri

Apart from paying visit to the Jagannath Temple, a dip into the sea, comes at the top of the priority list of the tourists of Puri. The tourists on their way to have bath into the sea cannot carry their camera, as that might get damaged in the splash of salty water. In the sea beach of the Puri, group of peoples, dressed in white shirt and black pant could be seen, to be approaching to the tourists even in knee deep water. They are the professional photographers of the beach. The days of film loaded cameras were replaced by new handy digital cameras. It has made easier to click and deliver the photographs to the tourists. The photographers were seen coming into the water with their camera and were taking photographs of the bathing tourists according to their demand. I found them were almost wet. Without caring for the condition of their dress, they were then approaching to another tourist for taking a snap. The business of earning through photography continues throughout the day. In the evening, after the day`s trip as I returned to the hotel, my photographs of the sea bathing were already delivered at the reception.
How to reach: Puri is well connected by Rail and Road, with all the parts of rest of India. Puri can be reached by direct trains or trains to Bhubaneswar can be availed, and Puri can be reached by road or rail from Bhubaneswar. Website of Indian rail indianrail.gov.in can be visited for details.