Odisha is a state rich in natural beauty and adventure with a long and distinguished history. Odisha, a less-developed state populated by tribal people, should be visited to see the varied delights it has in store for everyone. Among the attractions are a long and unspoiled coastline, palm-fringed beaches, ancient ruins, beautiful temples, glittering rivers, steep mountains, calm lakes, and wildflowers.
Odisha, India's easternmost state, is a coastal state. It is surrounded to the east by the huge Bay of Bengal. Mountain ranges cover a substantial percentage of the state. The state also has plateaus, islands, and rolling uplands. The Mahanadi, Brahmani, Subarnarekha, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, and Rushikulya are the state's major rivers.
One of the major historical and religious attractions in Odisha tourism is the beautiful Jagannath Temple. Every year, visitors will be mesmerised by the magnificent Rath Yatra and the captivating Konark Dance Festival. The state generally comes to a halt during the monsoon season, but the people's spirits remain unaffected. Tourists to Odisha tourism are amazed to encounter a variety of performing arts and traditional crafts. Raghurajpur, a heritage hamlet, is an excellent illustration of the diverse art forms that still survive and thrive in Odisha. Odisha tourism is well-liked by adventurers and off-the-beaten-path travellers.
Puri is one of Hinduism's four char dhams, or must-see holy locations. It is a must-see for any devout Hindu. Puri is well-known for its aesthetic, religious, and historical landmarks. The Jagannath Temple, which is well-known in India, may be found here. Natural features such as Puri Beach (on the Bay of Bengal's coast) and Chilika Lake, India's largest salt-water lake, should not be overlooked in addition to religious and historical landmarks. The best time to visit is during the Rath Yatra, which takes place in June and July.
This 13th-century city with masterwork is a remarkable display of artistic mastery. The Kalinga architectural style reaches its zenith here. The Konark temple, devoted to the Sun God, is shaped like a chariot, with twelve pairs of enormous wheels being carried by seven horses. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sculptures and carvings of the temple are breathtaking. The Archaeological Museum and Chandrabhaga Beach are two other attractions worth visiting.
Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, is renowned as the "Temple City of India." Numerous temples dot the landscape of Bhubaneswar, contributing to the city's reputation as a significant Hindu pilgrimage destination. The temples of Bhubaneswar, such as Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Parasuramewar Temple, and Rajarani Temple, best exemplify the Kalinga style of architecture, which flourished in Odisha.
It is Odisha's former capital and second-largest city, is located at the mouth of the Mahanadi River Delta and is one of the most attractive destinations to visit in the state. The 13th-century Barabati Fort, which is a must-see in Cuttack, is a must-see. The fort was once a 9-story mansion with 102 acres of land built during the Ganga era. Dhabaleshwar is a 10th-century island temple with excellent architecture and a serene environment. You can witness local vegetation and fauna at the lovely Bhitarkanika National Park & Sanctuary. Olive Ridley Turtles, Egrets, Darters, and other birds, as well as crocodiles, can be seen during the migratory season.
It is an 8-kilometer drive from Bhubaneswar and is located on the banks of the Daya River. The historical significance of the Dhauli Hill is attributed to the Kalinga War, which is claimed to have taken place there. It was here that King Ashoka changed his mind and converted to Buddhism. Tourists come from all over the world to visit the Shanti Stupa. Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Dhabaleswar, Kalinga War Battlefield, and CIFA Aquarium are all worth visiting.
Once a thriving port city, Gopalpur now boasts some of Eastern India's most beautiful beaches. If you want to relax and do nothing, this is the tourist spot to visit. The Gopalpur Beach is a wonderful beach, made much more so by its seclusion, lack of tourists, and resulting peace and quiet. Seafood is also worth sampling, as there are numerous shacks along the beach serving delectable fare.
For nature enthusiasts, Jeypore is one of Odisha's most beautiful tourist spots. It's known for its breathtaking views of granite outcroppings, beautiful waterfalls, and lush green biosphere reserves. Deomali, the state's highest hill, is a popular picnic site in Odisha and is not far from Jeypore. Gupteshwar Caves, Sunabeda, Deomali, Duduma Falls, Jagannath Sagar, Hatipathar, and Kolab Falls are some of the most popular attractions in this magnificent location.
You would recognise this town from the critically acclaimed Bollywood film 'Pipli Live.' This is a tiny town in Odisha that has a bustling handicrafts market. Most tourists come to witness the appliqué work and buy some pieces to take home with them. There isn't much else to do in this town besides meander about, although shopping is a big appeal.
Despite the fact that the Puri Rath Yatra takes centre stage, worshippers and pilgrims realise that the Baripada Rath Yatra should not be overlooked. This is where Odisha's largest and oldest Rath Yatra takes place, after Puri. As a result, Dwitiya Srikhetra is the name given to Baripada (Second Puri). The Rath Yatra is unique in that only women pull the Goddess Subhadra's chariot, and large audiences attend to witness this amazing event. Some of the most noteworthy sights here include the Simlipal National Park, Jwala Mukhi Temple, Jagganath Temple, Baripada Museum, and the Palace of Mayurbhanj, a palace belonging to the Mayurbhanj monarchs. Not to mention the Chhau dance, which is a highlight of the festival.
Odisha (previously known as Orissa) is located on the country's east coast and was the site of Ashoka the Great's legendary Kalinga war. When the sun rises over this area, it does so over a land of temples built on a heritage foundation. The "city of temples," Bhubaneswar, was called after Tri Bhubaneswar, the "Lord of Three Worlds," and was the ancient capital of Kalinga.
Odisha is known for having one of the most religiously varied populations in India. Hinduism is practised by nearly 95% of the population in Odisha. This is due to Odisha's Hindus' adoption of a unique Lord Jagannath custom. After Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are the other two prominent religions in Odisha. During Emperor Karakandu's reign in the 7th century BC, Jainism was the state religion. Buddhism was also a religion in Odisha till the late Bhaumakar dynasty's reign. Here you'll find Dhauli, Lalitagiri, Khandagiri, and other amazing archaeological sites. The Buddhist effect on Odisha's inhabitants is also evident.
Because the state is still mostly populated by tribals, agriculture is naturally one of the most important jobs for the people who live here. Fishing, like aquaculture, is a high-earning industry due to its proximity to the oceans and the availability of good ports. Small scale industries and handlooms make up the rest of the vocations market.
The majority of the people speak Odia as their first language. The state's language is related to Bengali and Assamese and belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family. The state's Adivasis still speak a few tribal languages from the Dravidian and Munda language families. In metropolitan regions, Hindi and English are widely spoken.
The traditional clothing of Odia males is the Dhoti and Kurta, whereas the traditional outfit of Odisha women is the Saree. Odisha's handlooms produce a vast selection of sarees, which are sold in various locations around the state. Maniabandha sarees, Sambalpuri Pata sarees, Berhampur Pata sarees, and Puri Patachitra sarees are all famous in India. People in Odisha are increasingly wearing western attire.
Odisha offers a wide spectrum of musical and dance forms. Odissi, which was first performed by Devadasis, has the strongest cultural resemblance to temple culture of any modern dance genre. It mainly depicts Lord Krishna's holy love for his consort Radha and is based on the poetic lyrics of poet Jayadeva. Ghumura Dance is a popular traditional dance style in Odisha. Ruk Mar Nacha (Chhau dance) is a pretend fight in which two groups of dancers use swords and shields to attack and defend themselves. Tiger Dance, or Baagh Naach, is a performance in which dancers paint their bodies to look like tigers. The Dalkhai Dance is done during Dussehra. Dhap dance, Karma Naach, Keisabadi, and Goti Pua are some of the other forms.
Odissi music is divided into several sections and dates back over two thousand five hundred years. By the eleventh century, Odisha's music, in the styles of Triswari, Chatuhswari, and Panchaswari, had been transformed and adapted to the classical style. Folk music includes songs such as Yogi Gita, Kendara Gita, Dhuduki Badya, Prahallad Natak, Palla, Sankirtan, Mogal Tamasa, Gitinatya, Kandhei Nacha, Kela Nacha, Ghoda Nacha, Danda Nacha, and Daskathia.
Odisha is well-known for its wide variety of artistic manifestations. The rock art paintings are some of the best that can be found. The most unusual is sand artwork, which is popular among tourists and can be found on beaches. They were created with Hindu gods' appearances in mind. Handcrafted jewellery and pattachitra, a type of cloth painting, are among the other items available.
Fairs and Festivals of Odisha:
Festivals abound throughout Indian culture and heritage. The state of Odisha is in a similar predicament. Many people believe that Odisha is solely known for the Rath Yatra, however the state celebrates a lot more. It's best to be a part of these events and experience the riot of music, culture, and vivid vibrancy if you want a one-of-a-kind experience.
Odisha cuisine, commonly known as Odia cuisine, is a synthesis of various elements and traditions. The cuisine of Odisha is minimal in spices and oil, yet high in flavour. On your way to Odisha, imagine wonderful dishes served on sal leaf platters, drawing you in with their aroma.
The following suggestions are worth a shot:
Apart from these tourism attractions, visitors to Orissa can enjoy world-class shopping choices, which is a pleasurable experience. Orissa's numerous craft forms reflect the state's rich culture and tradition. You should buy these because they can be used as gifts or memories, and they can be purchased for yourself or for others.
Aside from these well-known markets, various tourist and non-tourist destinations have their own local markets where one may purchase handcrafted tribal and sea shell jewellery and decorations, handwoven fabrics, and lovely ikat print dresses.
By Air – There are 17 airports in Odisha, which handle commercial, military, privately operated, and flying-only aircraft. Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar, the capital city, is the major airport. The airport provides access to major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Raipur. The airport is served by Indigo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India, and other airlines.
By Railway – There are multiple railway stations in Odisha, the most prominent of which is Bhubaneswar Railway Station in Bhubaneswar, the state capital. The railway station is well-connected to a number of other Indian states. Some of the notable trains that run along this route include the Konark Express, Rajdhani, and Coromandel Express. Rail travel is one of the most convenient ways of transportation for many travellers.
By Road – Odisha is well connected to all of the country's main cities because to its easily accessible national and state highways. National Highway 16 runs along the east coast of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. A bus from one of the neighbouring states is also an option. You can take local buses or comfortable Volvos to and from Odisha.
