Odisha, formerly called Orissa, is one of the fascinating tourist destinations in the eastern part of India encompassing a blend of culture, natural beauty as well as religious significance. This diverse region provides one of the best opportunities to get the feel of the real India, past and present. With its sprawling temples and beautiful beaches to the vibrant spirit of its artists’ colonies, Odisha becomes a journey like no other. There’s no better time to explore Odisha than now. Get ready for an extraordinary vacation as Nixtour offers you an amazing flight booking experience you will always remember. Here are the ten places in Odisha no traveler should miss and include when planning his/her trip.
Bhubaneswar
The relentless dynamism of modern Odisha is represented in the capital city, Bhubaneswar, which remains the prominent mirror of the cultural and spiritual history of the state. Filled with more than 500 temples, Bhubaneswar is commonly called the ‘City of Temples’ where people seek blessings and spirituality. Among these temples, the Lingaraj Temple stands out as the biggest one which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and this has features that include a tall spire and carvings that detail the storytelling of mythology. People including pilgrims and tourists visit the place for sightseeing as well as for seeking religious blessings and protection within the area.
However, apart from religious values, Bhubaneswar has a great deal to do with art and singing. The temple of Mukteshwar, which is renowned for its fine architecture having Kalinga style and motifs, well carved with Orissan touch, is one of the finest pieces of Odisha’s architectural marvel. The remaining structure of the Rajarani Temple and the luminescent sculptural figures displayed on the temple which depict celestial dancers and musicians give art lovers a brief idea about the real talent which Odisha had in the past.
Traveling through the markets, different medieval arts and crafts, the smell of spices, and the colors of the fabrics that can be seen in Bhubaneswar reflect the great role of the city in the cultural life of India. Ekamra Kanan and Buddha Jayanti Park are some of the examples of the parks and gardens that have been developed in the city and afford beautiful islands of greenery in the crowd and bustle of the city and people use these parks for relaxation and taking walks.
Puri
Puri is a beautiful town situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal and its ambience is as spiritual as it is beautiful. The core of Puri is the sacred temple of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. This religious temple is one of the most important spiritual and cultural landmarks of Odisha and the globe-acknowledged Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival takes place here, attracting millions of people each year.
Besides the religious background, Puri has an elegant shoreline of golden sand stretching leisurely along the coastal belt and providing peaceful beaches and lively beach tourism. Soft sand and the murmur of the waves call for long walks, sunbathing, or even energetic surfing or water skiing, all are offered by Puri Beach.
There is cultural beauty in the city in dancing, foods, and traditional clothing manifested in modes of dancing troupes, local markets, and cultural celebrations. Local craftsmen beautifully carve out small Pattachitra paintings and bright, illustrative appliqué work that gives the visitor a taste of Puri’s artsy culture.
Konark Sun Temple
Just a few kilometers away from Puri is the famous temple town of Konark housing the mesmerizing Sun Temple, a splendid example of Odishan architecture and a marvelous piece of human ingenuity. This temple was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva-I and is enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage list as it epitomizes Odisha’s glory and the architectural prowess of its people. The temple describing the facade resembles a gigantic chariot in motion, the outer walls of the temple depict a series of stone wheels and represent a creation myth and story of the Sun God Surya.
Tourists visiting the site expect to see fine artistic works such as sculptures of stars, gods, and other signs implemented in the structure of the temple, scenes of the everyday life of ancestors during the existence of the temple, etc. The work done on the walls of the temple, the carving, and the architectural layout are the epitome of Odishan art.
More notably, the annual Konark Dance Festival holds the event against the background of the carving and showcases the Indian classical dances putting a cultural twist to the site. Tourists may also enjoy rich music and dance, art and history, and religious offerings amidst the scenic beaches of this charming town.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake located on the eastern coast of Odisha is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and a perfect beach destination for tourists who are interested in the species of flora and fauna. This is one of the largest lakes in the world and covers 1,113 square kilometers of space covering an area that has diverse flora and fauna, including birds. Every year thousands of migratory birds flock to Chilika especially Flamingos, Pelicans, and heron butterflies and nature lovers can’t afford to miss this magnificent sight.
It is a popular tourist attraction – ecstasy and relaxation through boat trips, peaceful water, funny dolphins, and beautiful islands and bird islands the most enchanting one of all. The existing marshland surrounding the lake contributes to the overall effort of nurturing a countless number of plant and animal species. Thus, the Chilika Lake is indeed for those who want to get back to mother nature engulfing themselves in its natural beauty, and beautiful sunsets, and staying in environment-friendly lodges.
Jagannath Temple
Out of all the religious places of Odisha, the most famous pilgrim center is the Jagannath Temple of Puri. This temple is one of the oldest and largest temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, all of whom according to modern Hindu mythology are incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
The temple is most famous for the Rathyatra or the Chariot festival, festival, during which the deities are taken in chariots from one end of the town to the other and people from all over the world gather to witness this festivity. The Rath Yatra means the ‘chariot festival’, as God and goddesses move from one temple to another with the society witnessing it with full devotion preaching by songs and hymns.
Tourists who tour the Jagannath Temple are impressed by the towering arches, the sculptures, and, in general, the spiritual atmosphere that dominates the temple area. The temple chambers and other towers and kiosks make the temple a classic destination for pilgrims and purveyors of Odisha’s heritage to meditate or explore.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are nearby Bhubaneswar which are examples of the ancient Odisha style of Rock-cut architectural excavation. These were the natural caves that were planned and cut into the rocks and were in use from the period of King Kharavela in the 1st century BCE where the Jain monks lived like residential spaces.
These mythological depictions are painted along with pictures or carvings of animals, people, and religious symbols, as well as engraved figures accompanying royal progress and scenes of the real life of the earlier era as narrated in the Jain text. The Hathigumpha (Elephant Cave) at Udayagiri is especially famous for the detailed inscription of King Kharavela during his reign which found details of his military achievements.
Opening the gates to the imagination, the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves are wonderful time capsules of Odisha’s Jain history and architecture, the striking beauty of which lies in the setting of these cave monuments in the middle of a dense forest.
Simlipal National Park
Simlipal National Park, the largest tiger reserve of Odisha, occupying the north-central part of the state, boasts a vast expanse of lush forests and mountains that offer pristine natural scenery and abundant wildlife. Known for its widespread tropical moist deciduous forests spread over an area of approximately 2750 sq km, and rich in many species like the Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, various reptiles, and birds.
The park has a rich forest cover, hilly landscape, and waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda for wildlife safaris and watching gorgeous sceneries. Tourists can enjoy different terrains and trek through the park and get a glance at the wild animals in their natural abode as well as witness the unspoiled flora like the lush green forests and the exclusive species of orchids that naturally grow in the Simlipal region.
Dhauli Hill
The Maurya Fort, also called Dhauli Hill, lying on the bank of River Daya is a significant historical and religious place in Odisha. It is the place where after observing the reality of war, Emperor Ashoka became a Buddhist and was against the killing of people. Even today, one can find inscribed texts engraved by Ashoka at a place known as the Ashokan rock edicts on the top of the hill where the great emperor propagated his moral codes, which included non-violence, compassion, and religious tolerance.
Tourists should visit the Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist structure of pagoda architecture style constructed at the beginning of the 1970s by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha to express the ideas of unity and peace. The top of the hill will allow visitors to enjoy the sights of the countryside and the Daya River flowing quietly through the greenery, which creates a good background for a thoughtful attitude.
Hirakud Dam
District Sambalpur has one of the longest dams in the world known as the Hirakud Dam built on the Mahanadi River which is an incredible engineering achievement in Odisha. Initially constructed in the 1950s period, this dam is of multipurpose use in the area mainly for irrigation of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, generation of hydroelectricity, and control of the floods in the region.
Hirakud Dam forms the Hirakud Reservoir which is a stretch of about 55 kilometers which presents the look of a serene water body surrounded by hills. Sightseeing and boating are other related activities that enable tourists to develop an appreciation of the structures and their effect on the surrounding environment especially when admiring the Great Zimbabwe Dam built on the reservoir.
There is also a tourism complex with facilities such as a garden, a children’s park, and a museum to display the history and importance of the Hirakud Dam. For those who love to see structures of engineering majesty as well as scenic beauty, a visit to Hirakud Dam situated amid Odisha is a must.
Raghurajpur Artist Village
District Sambalpur has one of the longest dams in the world known as the Hirakud Dam built on the Mahanadi River which is an incredible engineering achievement in Odisha. Initially constructed in the 1950s period, this dam is of multipurpose use in the area mainly for irrigation of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, generation of hydroelectricity, and control of the floods in the region.
Hirakud Dam forms the Hirakud Reservoir which is a stretch of about 55 kilometers which presents the look of a serene water body surrounded by hills. Sightseeing and boating are other related activities that enable tourists to develop an appreciation of the structures and their effect on the surrounding environment especially when admiring the Great Zimbabwe Dam built on the reservoir.
There is also a tourism complex with facilities such as a garden, a children’s park, and a museum to display the history and importance of the Hirakud Dam. For those who love to see structures of engineering majesty as well as scenic beauty, a visit to Hirakud Dam situated amid Odisha is a must.
Raghurajpur is not only rich in artistic traditions but also provides an opportunity to communicate directly with artists, watch performances devoted to traditional art and art annum, as well as buy the products of the local artists. It is one of the beautiful tourist destinations for art lovers and culture seekers who visit Odisha in search of lovely villages.
Conclusion
In terms of tourism, Odisha is an incredible place offering a great variety of places that connect the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects as well as natural attractions of the state. Every place on this list provides a different look at what it means to be a part of the state’s historical narrative and its diverse geography. Ancient temple architecture, untouched and serene lakes, the craftsmanship of artists, and the untouched beauty of its wildlife and parks – Odisha provides tourists with a diverse traveling experience that can meet every traveler’s and his or expectations. Nixtour is interested in providing you with a wonderful opportunity to travel through the fascinating state of Odisha and to make this traveling experience educational and interesting. Get ready for this beautiful experience, pick up your bags, and let the soul of Odisha mesmerize you.
