Odisha

An elaborate patchwork of nature’s bounty, intriguing tribal culture and archeological treasures along with a dash of sun and sand; Odisha is sure to captivate your heart with its offbeat beauty. While the cities are vastly urbanized, the forested hills are home to the tribal communities like Bonda, Koya, Paraja, Kondh, Mali and Didayi where their villages & weekly bazaars offer a quick peek into their traditional lives.

Major Destinations

Major Attractions

• Parasurameswara Temple
• Mukteswar Temple- 10th century Shiva Temple
• Lingaraja Temple- 11th century ancient Shiva Temple
• Rajrani Temple- 11th century temple with Khajuraho-styled erotic symbolism
• Udayagiri & Khandgiri Caves- 1st century BC caves, a marvel of stone carving
• Odisha State Museum
• Dhauli Hill- Buddhist edifices.

Major Attractions

• Jagannath Temple- 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Chariot Festival (Rath Yatra), an ancient ritual celebrated in the month of June or July
• Puri Beach- Famous for exotic sand art
• Model Beach
• Gundicha Ghar Temple
• Atharnala Bridge- 13th century bridge built by King Bhanu Deba of the Ganga Dynasty

Major Attractions

• Sun Temple- Built in 1250 AD by King Narsimha Deva I of the Ganga Dynasty in the shape of a chariot. It is now a UNESCO-preserved Heritage Site.
• Archaeological Site Museum- Established in 1969 to house the fallen sculptures of the temple and other excavated relics.
• Ramachandi Temple- Dedicated to Goddess Ramachandi
• Kuruma-Buddhist ruins from 8th & 9th century BC

Fairs and Festivals of Odisha

• Durga Puja- Venerating goddess Durga and her many forms
• Kalinga Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar- Martial Dance Festival
• Puri Rath Yatra- The Chariot Festival
• Puri Beach Festival- Captivating sand art is the highlight
• Konark Dance Festival- Celebrating Odishi form of classical dance
• Chhau Festival- Celebrating the tribal heritage of Odisha

Shopping in Odisha
Tussar & Sambalpuri silk Saris, wooden artifacts, Dhokra metal ware & jewelry, stone sculpture, creative sea-shell handicrafts and Patachitra or palm leaf paintings are some of must-buy Odisha souvenirs.

Food in Odisha
Chungdi Malai- Creamy prawns curry, Macha Ghanta- fish curry, Dalma- lentils with veggies & spices, Chenna Poda- the local cheesecake, Kanika- sweet rice dish and Poda Pitha- spiced rice and coconut cake are some of the delicacies of kitchens in Odisha.

Best time to Visit
Winter months from October to March are best for visiting Odisha. However, those visiting specifically for Puri Chariot Festival should go in June-July, the dates depending on the lunar calendar.

How to Reach
By Air- Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar connects Odisha to all major cities in India and some selective international cities.
By Rail- Odisha is well connected with all Indian cities by a network of direct and express trains.
By Road- A well-maintained network of roads and highways connect Odisha with major Indian cities.