Konark, Nimapada, Pipili, Satyabadi and Kakatpur are the NACs in this district and Brahmagiri is a semi-urban town.

The city is an important seat of Vaishnavism, and is home to the noted Jagannath Temple built by Anantavarman Chodaganga in the mid 12th century CE.

In the dramatic poem Anargharāghava, believed to date from approximately the 9th century CE, the town of Puri was called Purusottama.

The name of the town is given as Purusottama Kshetra in the records of Anangabhima Deva III from the 13th century CE.

In the Yogini Tantra and the Kalika Purana the town is referred to as Purusottam, and the Puri region was known as Utkal.

Under Mughal Rule (1592–1751), Odisha was divided into three circars for the purpose of revenue administration, Jaleswar, Bhadrak and Kataka.

After the conquest of Odisha by the British in 1803, the province was divided into the Northern and Southern Divisions with the river Mahanadi forming the boundary.

Robert Ker and Charles Groeme were appointed as judge, magistrate, and collector in Northern and Southern Divisions respectively.

Orissa (now Odisha) became a separate province in 1936 and was merged with the states of Nayagarh, Daspalla, Khandapara and Ranapur in 1948.

It has varied geographical and geological divisions defined by rock types, soil, vegetation, water bodies and climate.

Strong monsoon currents blow over the country for nearly 8 months of the year, producing sandy ridges parallel to the coast, varying from 6.5 km to a few hundred metres in width.

[9] Puri's recorded history dates from the third century BCE, and the district has varied religions and cultures.

The role of dance and music in temple rituals in Puri was important enough to set aside a separate enclosure, the Nata mandira, as a focal point.

Nata mandiras are typically decorated with figures in various poses of dance and musicians playing a variety of instruments.

In Odissi dances, the artists play out a mythical story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts, such as Jayadev's Gita Govinda.

It is believed to date back to the 2nd century BCE, when Kharavela, king of Odisha, acted as a patron for this form of music and dance.

Medha dancers participate in processions of temple idols on festival days such as Rama Navami.

Excavated archeological sites in Puri district include: Annapurna Theatre is a pioneer in the field of theatrical performances.