Odisha has a diverse cultural legacy that combines old traditions with modern influences. Odisha is well-known for its stunning beaches, temples, wildlife preserves, and scenic scenery. The Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Sun Temple in Konark, Chilika Lake, the Simlipal National Park, and the tribal communities of the Koraput district are all renowned tourist destinations. Your vacation to Odisha will leave you surprised, enchanted, and encouraged to tell others about your experiences. Here are some reasons why you should visit Orissa on your next India trip:
Despite having so much to offer, Orissa is not on many people's travel wish lists. However, it does not have to be a bad thing! The Orissa Tourism Board is working hard to promote the state and make it more appealing to anyone who wishes to visit Orissa. You may wander around recently uncovered ancient remains without encountering any other tourists. Or take a boat trip through a wildlife sanctuary without being surrounded by a large group of boisterous tourists. Museums, free heritage walks, beaches, parks, and well-organised festivals and activities are held annually. These will all take your breath away from such an off-the-beaten-path location.
Orissa's most appealing feature is its diverse culture and availability of handicrafts and handlooms. Every region, practically every town and hamlet has its personality and concentrates on a specific craft or ability. Terracotta, silver filigree, stone and wood carving, fine painting, palm leaf etching, applique, metalwork, hand dying, weaving, and many other techniques are used.
Many goods reflect their beliefs, traditions, nature, and way of life. Palm leaf etchings, for example, can be kept for hundreds of years. Historians could learn who and why particular monuments were created over a millennium ago in this manner. The picture of Orissa's major deity, the great Jagannath, is still carved in wood.
Tourism may be a powerful instrument for preserving cultures and rural lifestyles by connecting creative artisans with new customers. Shopping here will not only provide you with fantastic keepsakes. It would also be a fantastic opportunity to support the local communities while visiting Orissa. If you want to learn more about craftsmanship, visit Bhubaneswar's recently opened Kala Bhoomi Museum. It's a fantastic show for learning the artistry and abilities around the state.
Visitors to these cultural properties can enjoy the architectural marvels and see the preservation efforts firsthand. The thorough restoration work, exquisite details, and fusion of traditional and modern components contribute to a wonderfully immersive experience. Each visit to these historic mansions guarantees an amazing voyage through time, whether touring the enormous grounds, admiring the opulent interiors, or participating in cultural events.
Orissa offers several interesting attractions and monuments to visit. Bhubaneswar, the state capital, is known as the "city of temples" since it has up to 800 spiritual structures. The Kalinga temple architecture style is unique to the region, with characteristic curvilinear shapes and ornate delicate stone sculptures. There are numerous magnificent Hindu temples in India, but the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa's most sacred destination, is one of the most spectacular specimens of religious design. However, the Sun Temple of Konark is unquestionably Orissa's crowning achievement, not just in scale but also in the quality of its stonemason work.
Orissa is well-known for its enormous elephant population. The region has three elephant sanctuaries: Mayurbhanj, Mahanadi, and Sambalpur. However, seeing elephants while driving through the Eastern Ghats forest areas or visiting tribal settlements in the forests is not uncommon. Orissa is thought to have roughly 1800 elephants, making it the ideal location to see wild jumbos.
Ornithologists will enjoy the Bhitarkanika sanctuary (8 distinct kinds of Kingfisher) and the Chilika Lake, India's greatest wintering habitat for migratory birds. During the winter, up to 160 bird species come here. The enormous saltwater crocodiles of Bhitarkanika are also a sight to behold - albeit from a safe distance in a boat. Some of the sanctuary's nearly 1700 crocodiles are over 20 feet/6 metres long! They prefer basking in the creeks, so seeing them is not difficult.
Although it is believed approximately 60 tigers prowl the forests of Orissa, sightings are rare. Unfortunately, no decent safaris are available anywhere. The Satkosia Tiger Reserve, on the other hand, is an excellent spot to experience the flora and fauna of a deep rainforest. Here is a list of India's top eight wildlife sanctuaries that you should not miss. One can camp by the river in established tent villages and enjoy the peace of nature.
You can also visit some of the most beautiful beaches in Puri, Gopalpur, Chandipur, and Barahampur. You won't find a beach as clean and pure as Aryapalli. This beach is within an hour's drive from Barahampur station and teems with modest shacks and stay houses frequented by foreign surfers.
Wildlife enthusiasts flock to Gahirmatha Beach because it is one of the hatching grounds for the world-famous Olive Ridley Turtles. You can also assist local non-governmental organisations in assisting these young newborns in finding their way to the sea. You can't talk about the best beaches in Odisha without mentioning Chandipur. Chandipur, one of the country's most popular beaches, is located in the Baleswar District on the Bay of Bengal's coast. The beauty of Chandipur Beach is unsurpassed and deservedly so.
The yellow-golden sands and azure waves create postcard-like vistas. Savouring a gorgeous sunset is one of Orissa's best and most scenic vantage spots, dotted with rocky outcrops, dunes, and thickets of Casuarina trees. This enigmatic beach is infamous for water disappearing and reappearing after about an hour. People make use of this occurrence in a variety of ways. It's an exciting and fun pastime to walk in the middle of the sea, watching fishermen chase crabs and fresh dead fishes and others who just leave their boats on the sand and hope they raise as the water returns.
Odisha is a key chapter in the global rise of Buddhism. After witnessing the immense bloodshed during the war between Mauryan and Kalinga armies, Ashoka is claimed to have abandoned violence. He chose the road of peace and enlightenment. He began preaching Buddhist lessons all over the world. The battle was fought on the banks of the Daya River, which still has a crimson hue that is claimed to have resulted from the slaughter. In Dhauligiri, a massive World Peace Pagoda dedicated to Lord Buddha has been built nearby. This structure has a great view over the river and the battleground..
The excavated sites of Udayagiri, Lalitgiri, and Ratnagiri, located around 90 km from Bhubaneswar, are a resource for people interested in learning more about Buddhism. Excavations show that the religion existed before the eighth century AD. These locations contain the remnants of multiple stupas, including one Mahavihara (big stupa).
How can you discuss Odisha without discussing the food? Odisha is a seafood lover's paradise. Restaurants and street food vendors sell fish, lobsters, and crabs quickly. Aside from the fish, the sweet dishes, such as the Odia version of Rasgulla, misti doi, and chhena poda, are delectable. Chilka Lake has little hut-like setups where you can have the best prawn curry, fried prawns, and mutton in the state. The queue to wait for the seats to become available is long, but the taste is well worth the wait.
Puri and Gopalpur eateries serve a creamy variation of prawn curry called chungdi malai. This creamy component is made from coconut milk, and the well-balanced application of spices enhances the flavour. Odisha greets you with all the love in the world. The people here are quite friendly and welcoming. Odisha should be your next backpacking destination if you have a limited budget.
The Lingaraj temple, one of Bhubaneswar's most famous temples, is one of the city's largest temples. The temple was religiously dedicated to Lord Shiva in the 7th century and was the only one to display Lord Shiva's phallic shape, which appeared naturally at this place. The linga stands as tall as 8 inches, unlike any other Lingas in Indian temples.
This historic city is located in the Puri District of Orissa and is one of the greatest destinations to visit in the state. Konark is an important cultural and heritage landmark in India, and it is one of the most visited destinations in East India. Konark's attractiveness is found in its lush environment. It is one of the country's best spots for a truly spiritual and unique holiday, with various temples, museums, and beaches dotting the landscape and the Eastern Ghats looming.
Visiting Odisha between late August and early March is best to get the most out of your trip. The weather is quite good and comfortable for exploring the sites during this period.
Before beginning your journey, check for any cyclone warnings, as cyclones occasionally hit Odisha. The state receives a lot of rain, especially during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. These strong rains can potentially cause floods in several sections of the state. It is best to stay informed about weather conditions and take the required precautions.
Odisha offers diverse tourist attractions, from magnificent temples and architectural wonders to tranquil beaches and vast national parks. You can experience the enchanting beauty of Odisha by booking an outstanding Odisha Tour package from Chennai Tours & Travels. We carefully create itineraries that consider the interests and preferences of every traveller, whether they are history buffs, nature lovers, or spiritual explorers.
With our Odisha Tour Packages for 6 Nights/7 days from Chennai, you can explore the most well-known tourist attraction in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Bhitarkanika, Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri, Cuttack, Bargarh, and Gajlaxmi. Chennai Tours and Travels also offers customised Corporate Tour Packages, School Tour Packages, Group Tour Packages, and College Tour Packages that suit everyone's requirements.
