|
|
|
|
|
|
Odisha (Orissa) Tourism:
There are some places in the India that are special, and Odisha (Orissa) tourism is definitely one of them. Filled with exquisite temples and extraordinary monuments, home to many thousands of prolific artists and craftsmen; and possessing beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural landscape of often-enchanting beauty,Odisha (Orissa) tourism is a unique and fascinating land that is, nevertheless, still largely undiscovered by tourists.
Tourism in Orissa (Odisha) India is a veritable museum of India's sculptural and artistic heritage and has long been famous to scholars and connoisseurs for the magnificent Sun Temple at Konark (The legendary 'Black Pagoda' of European mariners), for the majestic temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri (renowned for the spectacular Rath Yatra chariot festival), and for the glorious temples of Bhubaneswar. The small but ever-growing number of sophisticated tourists who do manage to find their way to Orissa (Odisha) tourism are generally prepared with some knowledge of these temples, Puri tourism, of the delicate Orissan ikat textiles which have been become famous throughout the world, and, perhaps, of the beaches at Puri and Gopalpur on sea.
Odisha(Orissa) Travel Guide is as vivid as the experience of Orissa Travel & Tourism itself. The land of this East Indian state is known for holding uniqueness of culture and nature, making Orissa India Tourism worth thing to do. Go for an Odisha Tour and have a superb experience.
|
| Puri Tourism |
 |
Rest, Relax and Recall stand totally redefined on the seat of Lord Jagannath- Puri india. Known for its Historic antiquities, Religious sanctuaries, Architectural Grandeur, Seascape beauty, moderate climate and spiritual significance, this coastal district of Odisha (Orissa) attracts a number of visitors every year.Puri tourism has always been popular among traveler enthusiast due to the existence of many amazing Tourist Places in Puri including the Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha(Orissa). |
With a rich historic heritage dating back to 3rd century BC, this temple town welcomes both the pilgrims and fun seekers with open arms, offering its splendid beaches to the latter. Having one of the largest briny water lakes in India namely the Chilika Lake, the city offers an ideal resort to migratory birds.
Better known as the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu or Jagannath, Puri has a rich cultural heritage presenting a unique blend of claims of time and eternity with a power answerable only to wisdom. Considered to be utterly pious by the Hindus, Puri is one of the four sacred dhamas representing a rare spark of immortality owned against the powers of negation , through a spirit of university , adaptability by the Oriya people.
The city is also possesses a very significant monastery in the form of Gobardhan matha established by Adi Shankaracharya on his visit to Puri. Other religious heads and dignitaries like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rai Ramananda , Jayadeva, Gorakhanath- the father of Nath cult of religious iconoclasm and Saint Totapuri- a vedant teacher of Ramakrishna have also visited Puri leaving indelible imprints of their philosophies on the cultural curtain of the city. |
| Konark Tourism |
 |
Konark Odisha (Orissa) - Located on the sea-shore at a distance of 33 kms from Puri and about 64 kms from Bhubaneswar, Konark india is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark has been derived from the words Kona and Arka, Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning the sun. Konark Travel & Tourism provides complete guidance about tourist attractions of Konark. |
Konark is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India from the spiritual standpoint and boasts of one of the best known architectural specimen. Konark is known for Sun temple which was dedicated to the Sun God by Samba, Lord Krishna's son who was cured of leprosy by the god. The temple has been designed in the form of a chariot, pulled by 7 horses carrying the Sun god. This chariot stands on 24 wheels, each wheel having a diameter of about 10 meter. Attached with a set of spokes, the wheels have excellent carvings. The main attraction of this temple is the idol of Jagmohana that showcases the brilliance of the contemporary architects of those days. Built in the year 1278 by Ganga King Narasimha Deva, the temple is referred as the Black Pagoda.
Another temple resembling the Sun temple is Melakkadambur Shiva temple. This temple too is in the form of a chariot and is one of the oldest temples of Konark. Built during the period 1075-1120 by Kulottunga Chola I, this temple is believed to have set the pace for other chariot temples in India.
The tourists coming to Konark also visit the Chandrabhaga Beach, one of the most exotic beaches in Odisha (Orissa) offering a picturesque view. Surrounded by palm and casuarinas, the beach is at a short distance from the sun temple. The Archaeological Site Museum, another site of tourist interest is an exceptional collection of the various pieces of loose sculptors from the remnants of the Sun temple complex.
The konark city is also known world over for its fairs and festivals. The Konark Dance Festival held here comes as a true rejuvenator of the ancient classical dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and the local Chhau dance. Another festivity observed with a great fanfare at Konark is the Magha Saptami Mela held on the banks of Chandrabhaga River. Millions of devotees gather here to take a holy dip in this river on the occasion as this dip is believed to be a sure cure for all illnesses. |
| Bhubaneswar Tourism |
 |
The history of the city stretches back over 2000 years. The area first appears as the ancient capital of Kalinga. Bhubaneshwar India, the 'city of temples', named after Tribhuvaneswar, 'Lord of Three Worlds', still preserves over 500 of India's finest temples, around which the religious life of the city revolves. |
Mythological references and the epigraphic sources describe the area as Ekamra Kshetra and Saiva Pitha. In 1936, the Odisha (Odisha (Orissa)) became a separate province with Cuttack as its Capital, which was eventually changed to Bhubaneswar in 1956.
Together with Puri and Konark, Bhubaneswar forms the 'golden triangle'--one of the most visited destinations in East India, for its proud possession of magnificent sculpture and majestic architectural heritage.
History of Bhubaneshwar - The history of Bhubaneswar and its environs, as the several archaeological finds from the dawn to historical period to the end of Hindu rule, goes back much earlier than the 7th to 13th centuries. Its sanctity as Ekamrakshetra led rulers to embellish the area with grandeur temples actuated by the hope of an eternal abode in heaven.
The Bhubaneswar area first appears in history during the 4th century BC. The fortified city of Sisupalgarh, 5 km northeast of Dhauli and 2.5 km southeast of Bhubaneswar, was the site of Kalinga Nagar--the Capital of the Chedi (Mahameghavahan) Kings. Excavations here revealed that this Fort had a well developed civil and military architecture, all through the beginning of the 3rd century BC to the middle of the 4th century AD.
The archaeological remains at Dhauli, and hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri give evidence of both Jain and Buddhist settlements around Bhubaneswar in the first two centuries BC. The waning of Buddhism and vanishing of Jainism with the growth of Saiva Pasupata Sect, in the second century BC saw Brahmanism as the dominant religion under the successive dynasties that ruled Odisha (Orissa)--the Shailodbhava and the Bhaumakaras in the 12-13th centuries.
The temple building reached the zenith of its glory between 7th and 12th centuries when thousands of sandstone temples were erected around the Bindu Sagar, earning it the title 'The city of Temples'. The period under the Gangas saw emergence of Vaishnavism to prominence.
The perfect symphony between its architecture and sculpture, the mastery carvings and the grand repertoire of its motifs make these temples unique. In the 15th century, the Mughals raided the city and razed all but a few of the temples. After independence, Bhubaneswar was declared the new Capital replacing Cuttack.
The southern suburbs of the city have remnants of some of the striking temples, like the Lingaraja Temple, the Muktesvara Temple, etc., together with the famous archaeological and historical sites of Dhauli, Khandagairi and Udayagiri.
The area on the northeast has wide tree-lined avenues and many a modern administrative buildings. The commercial and the business activities are centered around places named as Kalpana Square or Kalpana Chhak on the busy Cuttack Road, Rajmahal Square, Station Square or Master Canteen and the road further on to Vani Vihar, Janpath, housing most lodges, restaurants, shopping arcades and banks.
Set on the Mahanadi Delta, the present city is a modern happening place with top class infrastructure. Many major national and international conglomerates having inked agreements to profitably invest in the State occupy offices here in Bhubaneswar. Star category hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls provide quality lifestyle and refinement. |
| Orissa Festival |
 |
Fairs & Festivals in Odisha (Orissa) - With numerous religions, ancient temples, local shrines, tribes and an array of sacred places, Odisha (Orissa) observes uncountable number of festivals and fairs round the year. Major Odisha(Orissa) Festivals of Odisha is Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra and Durga Pooja.Three different religions flourished on the holy land of Odisha (Orissa) thus making it mandatory to celebrate various religious Odisha festivals with great fanfare. Odisha Cultural & Religious Festivals are very famous in india. |
A land of varied cultures and traditions, Odisha (Orissa) automatically serves to be a land of festivals. Religion or folklores, tradition or agriculture and seasonal variations or ethnic dance forms; all serve to be a setting for the celebration. Odisha (Orissa) celebrates one or other festival every month giving an opportunity to the visitors and natives both to enjoy and have real fun.
With some of the special rituals attached to each, these festivals add bright colors to the landscape of Odisha (Orissa)'s cultural heritage. Some of the festivals of this land of Lord Jagannath are dedicated to His holy self. Some other festivals celebrated in Odisha (Orissa) find a close resemblance to a lot of festivals of North India; however they are called by different names and are even celebrated in a different fashion. But amazingly, every festivity centers around the prayer sacraments to seek the blessings of gods, exchanging goodwill, distributing sweets, decorating houses, wearing new clothes, music, dance and feasting. Whatever is the way, each festival really makes the country come alive throughout the year.
Durga Puja and Kali Puja are the two major festivals of the land that showcase the power of the Shakti worship cult in Odisha (Orissa). Celebrated with utmost earnestness, joviality and eclat, this festival celebrated in the months of September and October truly offer an opportunity for a larger than life type celebration. Other festivals like Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Dola Purnima, Konark Dance Festival and Puri Beach Festival accompanied by some tribal festivals are also celebrated with much gusto here.
Out of all the festivals celebrated in Odisha (Orissa), Rath Yatra - a grand procession carried out in the honor of the presiding deity of Puri is celebrated in the most pompous way possible. |
| Orissa Wildlife |
 |
A true delight for the nature lovers, the state of Odisha (Orissa) offers adventurous Wildlife tours. Renowned for its Widlife parks and Sanctuaries in india, Orissa wildlife is home to a number of rare flora and fauna species. Having the thickest Mangrove forest and abundant Red Silk Cotton Trees, Wildlife parks at Odisha (Orissa) have proved to be the most successful breeding ground for Asiatic lions. |
The protected area network of Odisha (Orissa), spread over a sprawling area of 6611.12 sq. kms, the Wildlife in Orissa(Odisha) is cradled very lovingly in eighteen sanctuaries, a National Park and one proposed National Park. These wildlife parks cover about 4.25% of the geographical area and 11.37% of the forest area of the state.
Adding more to this is the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary spread over1408 sq. kms of seascape. This marine habitat rests on a stretch of 20 kms. |
| Orissa Beaches |
 |
Also famous for its beautiful Odisha beaches, Beaches in Odisha (Orissa) can truly engulf you in a holiday spirit. As you bask in the glory of a moderate sun here, the golden sand beaches leave you still asking for more. Lovingly embraced by the Eastern Ghats at the eastern coast of India, the state of Odisha (Orissa) is one of the most beautiful ones in India. And it is to the striking sandy beaches with white sands and various tribal communities living in the most aborigine style that Odisha (Orissa) owes its beauty to. With a vast coastline spread over a lush area of 250 miles, |
Odisha (Orissa) still houses some relatively virgin or quite unexplored beaches. Endowed with nature's bounty, meandering rivers, impressive waterfalls, forest-clad blue hills of Eastern Ghats with rich wild life, Odisha (Orissa) is dotted with exquisite beaches like Chandipur, Puri and Gopalpur on Sea with each having a unique feature of its own.
With each of these beaches having some rare features, the Odisha (Orissa) Beach Tour can prove to be a real food for thought. Due to their increasing popularity amongst the tourists and locals both, beaches in Odisha (Orissa) have started getting special attention from Odisha (Orissa) Tourism thus bringing about considerable developmental changes. As a result, Odisha (Orissa) Beaches are being flocked by an increased number of tourists with each passing year.
The Chandipur beach is special because it observes a retreat of the sea everyday by several kilometers. Similarly, the Balighai Beach attracts the tourists for offering a clear view of a river mating with the sea, an inspirational picture for creative professionals. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Indian Rupee Exchange Rate