A monk, popularly known as Mauni Baba, was killed with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants in Kumbharapara area on the outskirt of the holy town on Tuesday, police said.
"He (Mauni baba) was attacked and killed by unidentified persons using sharp edged weapons near his ashram while
he was probably going on a morning walk," Puri Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar said.
One person has been detained in connection with the incident for interrogation, he said adding that old enemity was suspected to be the reason behind the killing of Mauni baba alias Rama Charan Das Maharaj.
The Baba, whose Gurukripa Ashram is located at Siddha Mahabira locality of Kumbharapara, was an active member of the Matha Mahanta organisation of Orissa.
Mauni Baba had actively taken part in protests against the killing of VHP leader Laxmannanda Saraswati last year.
Post-mortem on the body, which bore several injury marks, was done.