OVERVIEW

 

In terms of history, Odisha is the heartland of ancient and powerful kingdoms such as Kalinga, Utkal, Odra, Kosala, Tosali, and Kangoda. From the early fifteenth century onwards it has come to be consistently called Odisha both in official and private records. Owing to its peculiar geographical location and wide range of physical features, Odisha embraces a diversified floristic composition. The extensive ranges of hilly forests, several lofty peaks, long stretches of coastline, excellent riverine system, brackish waters, and coastal plains altogether have endowed the state with a wide range of ecological habitats for a diverse and broad spectrum of vegetation. The cultural heritage of Odisha is reflected in its vibrant art forms. Odisha has a distinct tradition of painting, architecture, sculpture, handicrafts, music, and dance. Odisha is famous for its temples. The structural designs of the temples are so beautiful that a visitor never wishes to leave the sight without enjoyment to his heart’s content.

 

1. LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE:

 

Odisha, better known as the land of Lord Jagannath, is the state where the culture exhibits a unique experiment in religion. The temple of Jagannath was built on an elevated ground about 20 feet above the level of the surrounding area and can be seen from miles away. It is a specimen of the Pancharatha style of Odishan temple architecture. The main shrine consists of four distinct buildings the Vimana or the Great Temple, Jagamohana or the Hall of Audience, Natamandapa or the Dancing Hall, and Bhogamandapa, or the Refractory. The images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and the emblem, Sudarshana are installed in the temple's inner sanctuary on a raised platform called Ratnavedi, or the jeweled platform.

 

 

2. KONARK SUN TEMPLE:

 

Sixty-five km from Bhubaneswar on a good road, this unique temple is located on the seashore. Built by Narasimha Deva of the Ganga dynasty, one can’t conceive what it was in its heyday. Now only Mukhasla or the porch and the Nata Mandapa or the Dance Pavilion are left. The work of art is dedicated to Sun God and the identity or the personality of the artist is irrelevant. Some of the gigantic statues like the war elephants or the famous horses show the artist's power of expression and the carpenter's skill in handling such massive materials. The Museum of Archaeological Survey of India which is just outside the temple enclosure houses sculptures and carvings from the ruins of the Sun Temple.

 

3. LINGARAJ TEMPLE:

 

This temple is considered the epitome of Odishan architecture. It dominates the city of Bhubaneswar and its soaring spire dominates the landscape for miles. The construction of this temple was started by King Jajati Keshari and was completed in the reign of Lalatendu Keshari. It gracefully curves towards the top and contains minor turrets and ribs. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva it has many intriguing features. The temple is surrounded by a massive stonewall and the portal to go inside is also a work of art.

 

4. DHAULI:

 

Dhauligiri Hill is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimages in Odisha. Emperor Ashoka retired from the violence of war and embraced Buddhism from this place. Apart from the edicts of Ashoka, one can visit the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), a 20th-century structure of great visual appeal. The stupa from its origin emerges as the central focus of worship. It represents Buddha’s parinirvana and the illusion of the world of bliss and reality. On the four sides of the lower part of the stupa are 4 chambers adorned with 4 beautiful images of Buddha made from a single block of stone.

 

 

5. KHANDAGIRI AND UDAYAGIRI CAVES:

 

The twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri are situated at Baramunda. Both hills are composed of sandstones. These hills are honeycombed with 43 caves of Jain ascetics living about 2000 years ago. There are 24 caves in Udayagiri and 19 in Khandagiri. The rock-cut caves built for Jain monks are a rare specimen of Indian cave carvings and art. The double-storeyed Rani Gumpha has a spacious courtyard and this served as a venue for the musical performances during Kharvela’s regime. The crest of the Khandagiri is crowned by a temple dedicated to Risabhanath. Being picturesquely situated on the highest point of the hill, the temple precincts afford a panoramic view of the city.

 

 

6. NANDANKANAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK:

 

Amidst the lush green Chandaka forest along the banks of the Kanjia lake lies Nandankanan Zoological Park, which is set in a beautiful natural setting and is one of the finest parks in the country. Most of the animals, birds, and reptiles live in open, large-moated areas surrounded by vegetation and undulating terrain. The White Tiger Safari, the first of its kind in the world, spread over an area of 12 hectares, a Lion safari of 20 hectares, and a natural trail of 37 hectares, are 3 major facilities that make a visit to the park more interesting. In its over 50 years of existence, the park has successfully bred many of the endangered species like Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic lion, Indian Crocodilian species, Shanghai, Lion-tailed monkey, Nilgiri langur, Indian Pangolin, Mouse deer many lands and water birds.

 

 

7. CHILIKA LAKE:

 

Chilika Lake is a lagoon with brackish water that stretches through the districts of Puri, Khorda, and Ganjam, close to the sea and opening into it in the rainy season. The area fluctuates in different seasons varying from 1165 sq. km in the rainy season to 906 sq. km in the summer. Dotted with many emerald green islands prominent among which are Mahisa, Berhampur, Nalabana, Kalijai, Somolo, Bird’s Island, Honeymoon Island, Beacon, and Breakfast Island. The finest time to visit Chilika is during winter when the lake reverberates with the din of its avian population. Boats, to tour the lake, can be hired at Balugaon, Barkul, and Rambha. One can persuade the local fisherfolk to take him on one of their native wooden boats. Chilika is a unique ecosystem and is a hotspot of biodiversity it provides ample scope for a scientific study of the ecosystem.

 

 

8. SIMILIPAL NATIONAL PARK:

 

Located in the Mayurbhanj district, Simlipal with its astounding flora and fauna is a heaven for nature lovers. Owing to its thick green foliage, rugged hilly tracts, riverine system, valleys, grasslands, and rich bio-diversity, Simlipal is known for tigers, varieties of snakes, wild dogs, birds, bears, spotted deers, monkeys, reptiles, and many more. There are varieties of honeybees in Simlipal of which the Baghua variety is the best. The best way to see as much as possible would be to take a package tour which could take you to the Barehipani waterfall (217 mt.) and the Joranda fall (181 mt.), the lush grasslands of Bachhuri Chara, the Meghasani peak and the wildlife in the environs.

 

 

9. BHITARKANIKA:

 

Bhitarkanika, at a distance of 130 km from Bhubaneswar, is nature’s treasure trove. The sea, sand, mud, creeks, wildlife, and scenic beauty of Bhitarkanika make it the most sought-after ecological destination. Bhitarkanika is widely acclaimed for its rich biodiversity and it is one of the rare swamps with a compact mangrove ecosystem in India. The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is Bhadrak about 77 km away. The nearest town of Chandabali has situated about 35 km from the sanctuary and the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar at a distance of about 190 km from Chandabali. Bhitarkanika can be approached only through waterways.

 

 

10. PURI BEACH:

 

The beach at Puri is the longest and the liveliest not only in Odisha but in the country as a whole. From morning to evening, the seashore at Puri hums with a charming diversity of activities. When the dawn with its soft paste hues caresses and soothes the restless sea waves, pilgrims in search of peace or salvation also enter the water with folded hands and a prayer on their lips, seeking the blessings of the sun, water, and earth. As the sun climbs higher into the sky and sea birds with their strange cries begin to whirl overhead, holidaymakers intent on fun and frolic also make a beeline for the seashore. With the sacred mission to Puri, one of the holiest places for all believers, pilgrims tend to hurry back after taking their sacred dips. But tourists and travelers who have journeyed to Puri to taste the joys of its beach linger and stroll on the vast expanse of the sands at peace with themselves. The golden sands warmed by the sun quickly become cold to the touch when dusk falls. If the moon is full or waxing, the sea and the beach present yet another series of alluring spectacles to visitors. Strolling hand in hand or alone on moonlit, golden sands, with the moonlight creating changing patterns on the water as the waves roll in is an extraordinary experience.