Orissa Tour

Bhubaneswar

Named after ‘Tribhuvaneswar’, the lord of the three worlds, this beautiful capital of Odisha is home to over 500 temples. An ancient city dating back to over 2000 years, Bhubaneswar has evolved over the years to become a happening city with quality infrastructure yet preserving its ancient heritage.

Major Attractions of Bhubaneswar

• Lingaraja Temple- 11th century ancient Shiva Temple
• Dhauligiri Hills-  Ashoka’s edicts, Buddhist ruins, Japanese Peace Pagoda
• Rajrani Temple- 11th century temple with Khajuraho-styled symbolism
• Udayagiri & Khandgiri Caves- 1st century BC caves, a marvel of stone carving
• Odisha State Museum- Showcasing the art forms, culture and customs of Odisha

Puri

This beautiful city of Lord Jagannath is also known for its gorgeous beaches and brilliant sand art. However, the main attraction of Puri is the gargantuan chariot of lord Jagannath. Witness the exuberance and festive spirit of Puri during the chariot festival and bask on the beaches of Puri.

 Major Attractions of Puri

• Jagannath Temple- Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
• Jagannath Chariot Festival (Rath Yatra) - Celebrated in the months of June or July.
• Puri Beach- Witness the spectacular sand-art
• Gundicha Ghar Temple- It is the destination of the chariot festival that starts from the Jagannath temple

Konark

Konarks’ major allure lies in its magnificent Sun Temple that is a monumental representation of the chariot of the Sun God mounted on 24 massive wheels and drawn by 7 galloping horses. The main structure has mostly fallen and the temple lies in ruins but its architectural elegance and exquisite craftsmanship are unmatchable.

Major Attractions of Konark

• Sun Temple- A UNESCO-preserved Heritage Site
• Archaeological Site Museum-Preserves and displays the fallen sculptures of the Sun Temple and other excavated relics
• Kuruma- Buddhist monastery ruins from 8th -10th century AD

Chilika

The largest brackish lagoon in Asia, Chilika is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Over 150 species of birds from across the world, including Iran and Siberia, flock its waters during the winter months. A range of birds from flamingos, pelicans, and painted storks to fish eagles, ospreys and kites come to Chilika during the winter chill.

The lagoon, with its fine ecological balance, is also known for Irrawady Dolphins commonly known as Ganges dolphin.

Wildlife in Odisha

Odisha is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks teeming with a host of animals and birds. Let’s check out some of the prominent national parks in Odisha:

Major Attractions

• Bhitarkanika National Park- Check out the nesting grounds of Olive Ridley turtles
• Chandaka Elephant Reserve
• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Tribal Culture in Odisha

Odisha is home to around 60 different tribes, mainly inhabiting the Eastern Ghats of Odisha. Some of the tribes like Juanga, Bhuiyan, and Bonda practice shifting cultivation; Koya tribe people breed cattle; Santals, Munda, and Oran people work in industrial & mining belts; and Mohali and Loharas practice basket weaving and tool making crafts.

Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Naurangpur and Malkangiri are the major tribal districts of Odisha.

Fairs and Festivals of Odisha

• Durga Puja- A nine days celebration of goddess Durga and her many forms
• Kalinga Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar- A Martial Dance Festival
• Puri Rath Yatra- The Chariot Festival of Jagannath Temple
• Puri Beach Festival- Celebrating exotic sand art
• Konark Dance Festival- Celebrating Odishi form of classical dance
• Chhau Festival- Celebrating the tribal heritage of Odisha