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Raghurajpur, a village located in Puri district of Odisha, is a tiny village dedicated to art and is known for its Pattachitra painters, an art form which is beleived to be practiced in 5 BC. The village of Raghurajpur is also famous as the birthplace of Kelucharan Mohapatra, who is one of finest Odissi exponents and Guru. The village has a community of artisans who specialises in different varieties of handicrafts such as Patta Paintings, Palm leaf engravings, Stone carvings, Paper made toys and masks, Wood carvings, Wooden toys and Cow-dung toys.
Patta Chitra painting of Lord Ganesha
Photo Courtesy: Shakti
Each and every artist in the village have learned the art from their ancestors. Perhaps nowhere else in India one finds such a congregation of so many art works at one place. The village is an ideal place for tourists who appreciates art and some of the Odisha paintings finest pieces of art work can be found in this village. The house of these villagers look like an art gallery with paintings and handicrafts found on the walls and floor of the house.
Beautifully coloured houses at the village
Photo Courtesy: Revanthv552
Travellers who visit this tiny village can see murals painted on the outer walls of every home which is sure to fascinate them. The traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival at the Jagannath Temple in Puri are used from this village. The villagers or better to be known as artists are very humble and hospitable towards travellers visiting the village. So travellers visiting Puri must visit this heritage crafts village.
The Paintings on Betel nut by the artists of Raghurajpur
Photo Courtesy: Revanthv552
How to reach Raghurajpur
To reach Raghurajpur, travellers has to get down at Chandanpur, which is 10 km from Puri and about 55 km from Bhubaneswar on NH-203, connecting Puri and Bhubaneswar. From Chandanpur, travellers have the option to take cycle-rickshaw or walk on the scenic village road which takes about 15 minutes to reach the village. One may also hire a taxi either from Puri or From Bhubaneswar to reach the village. If travelling by air, one has to get down at Bhubaneshwar and hire a taxi or avail private or goverment buses that goes to Puri. From Puri, the village of Raghurajpur is 10 km.
A view of the village surrounded by coconut trees
Photo Courtesy: Carla.antonini
