Why People Love to Travel to Orissa

 

Introduction to Orissa 

India's Odisha state. Situated in the country's eastern region, it is bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal, to the east by the Bay of Bengal, to the south by the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and to the west by Chhattisgarh. Cuttack served as the capital of Odisha until 1947, when India gained its independence. Later, the current capital was constructed in the east-central coastal plains of Bhubaneshwar, close to the city's ancient temples. The state was formally renamed Odisha from Orissa in late 2011. 60,119 square miles, or 155,707 square kilometers, in size. Population: 41,947,358 (2011).

Places to Visit in Orissa 

Puri

The historic city of Puri, one of the four Dhams of Hinduism, is brimming with tourist attractions that have the power to instantly win people over. Only when one chants the name of Lord Jagannath while walking along Puri's numerous pilgrimages can one get a deep sense of inner serenity.

Puri, the district's headquarters, inspired the name of the district. Cunningham claims that this town's original name was Charitra, which the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang referred to as Che-li-ta-lo. However, there are questions over the reinstatement of the term Che-li-ta-lo as Charitra and its association with Puri.

Konark

The Indian state of Odisha contains the town of Konark, which is located in the Puri district.  The Sun Temple, also called the Black Pagoda, was constructed there in the 7th century under the reign of Narasimhadeva I and is made of black granite.  A World Heritage Site, the temple is.

The Konark Dance Festival, an annual celebration of traditional Indian dance styles, is also held at Konark. The Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival are held annually at Chandrabhaga Beach in Konark to draw tourists and artists from all over the world.  

Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake, Asia's largest inland saltwater lagoon, is located in Odisha, close to Satapada, and approximately 44 kilometers from Puri. Chilika Lake, the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest saltwater lagoon globally, after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia, is situated near the mouth of the Daya River.

Small islands abound throughout the lake, including the quaint Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island. The pear-shaped lake, which spans 1,100 square kilometers and stretches from Bhusandpur in Puri district in the north to Rambha-Malud in Ganjam district in the south, is isolated from the Bay of Bengal by a 60-kilometer-long thin strip of sand flats and marshy islands. With abundant fisheries resources, the lake is an ecosystem. It provides for almost 150,000 fishermen who live in 132 settlements along the coast and on the islands. Under the Ramsar Convention, Chilika Lake was named the first wetland of international significance in India in 1981.

Bhubaneswar

Once upon a time, the Temple City was home to 7000 temples, hence its name. Odisha's state capital is a vast metropolis that skillfully strikes a balance between respecting traditional values and cultural heritage while also being able to adapt to the rapidly evolving modern world. The city's name literally refers to Lord Shiva, also known as Tribhubaneswara, or "Lord of the three worlds." 

The foundation for the present-day city of Bhubaneswar was established in 1948.  Otto Königsberger, a well-known German architect, created the city.  Bhubaneswar is a smart city that offers all the amenities you need for your tour.  It is the center of nightclubs, pop, disco, upscale lodging, rock music, and a lot more to meet your demands.  As the epicenter of religious tourism, Bhubaneswar is home to several magnificent temples that were constructed centuries ago and have managed to preserve their original splendor throughout time.

Cuttack

Cuttack, which was once the capital of Odisha, is today well-known as the state's business and cultural hub. This second-largest city in the Indian state of Odisha is always bustling with cultural events and hosts several festivals, including the Kite Festival in January, Durga Puja, and the Baliyatra, which honors the historical trade connections between Java, Bali, and Sumatra.

Because Cuttack is home to the majority of Odisha's small and large business establishments, the city is referred to as the commercial capital. The city is often referred to as India's Millennium City and Silver City. The world-renowned filigree work on silver jewelry and ornaments is the reason behind this. The state's textile industry and the work being done with ivory and brass have made it more well-known. The state's most popular destination for reasonably priced shopping is Cuttack. The greatest selection of evening snacks and tiffins is another reason the city is well-known.

Udayagiri Caves

Twenty tunnels carved out of rock make up "Udayagiri," also known as "the mountain of the sunrise," an ancient Hindu ritual site close to Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The Udayagiri Caves, sometimes called "Vishnu Padagiri," or "the feet of Vishnu," are embellished with intricate carvings of the Hindu gods Durga, Vishnu, and Shiva that tell tales of the gods and their temples. Hindu and Jain sculptures from the Gupta dynasty can be found in twenty caves in the Udayagiri highlands. The most well-known cave is number five, where a massive, antiquated statue of Lord Vishnu guarding Bhudevi (earth) during his time as the Boar-Headed Varaha may be found.

Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam, which spans the Mahanadi River in Sambalpur, Odisha, is regarded as India's longest man-made dam. Surprisingly, it is more than 56 kilometers long and is the most popular destination for both locals and visitors looking for a cool day out. Constructed in 1956, this magnificent architectural feat is a great place to witness nature in all its splendor because of its location. A drive-through road that spans 21 kilometers over the dam and allows you to see its skill and ingenuity is one of the main attractions here. The expansive view that can be seen from the Gandhi and Nehru Minarets, which are situated along the dam's northern facade, is undoubtedly another remarkable aspect of the structure. With trees and lots of water on both sides, it's also a great place to go birdwatching.

Paradeep

One of Odisha's most peaceful and quiet beaches is Paradeep. With its golden, glistening sands, indigo-blue waves, and massive rock boulders, the beach is not only a popular tourist destination but also a significant seaport for the nation.

Odisha, which is regarded as one of the biggest ports on India's east coast, is home to Paradeep Port. This port handled more than 57 million tons of cargo between 2009 and 2010, including iron ore and thermal coal.

Balasore

The center of the Balasore District, Balasore, is one of Odisha's top tourist destinations. It is a historically well-liked neighborhood with a rich cultural heritage. Fakir Mohan, referred to as the rescuer of the Odia language, resides there. There are numerous industrial factories in this city, including Oriplast and Birla Tyres. One of the most significant is the Balasore Railway Station.

In the Indian state of Odisha, Balasore is regarded as one of the coastal districts. It is admirable that the Balasore District has such a widespread irrigation system. Additionally, this area is rapidly becoming more industrialized. Among this region's main industrial products are high-end trading items, including paper, rubber, alloy, and plastic.

Dhenkanal

East-central Odisha state in eastern India is home to the town of Dhenkanal. The settlement bears the name of Dhenka, a Savara chieftain from the Middle Ages. It is a hub for handloom weaving and a mart for timber, rice, and oilseeds. Before its 1949 incorporation into the state of Odisha in 1950, Dhenkanal served as the capital of the princely state of Dhenkanal.

Dhenkanal is replete with stunning palaces and forts, as well as fascinating archeological remnants of bygone times, and has a long and rich history of powerful monarchs dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Numerous types of flora and fauna can be found in the area, which is largely covered in thick vegetation and tumbling rivers like the Brahmani and Mahanadi.

Khordha

Only 25 kilometers separate the little town of Khordha and the capital of the state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, which is part of the Khordha district.

On April 1, 1993, the old Puri District was divided into several new districts, including Khordha. Nayagarh was the other new district created from Puri. The district's name was changed from Khurda to Khordha in 2000. Khordha Town, originally Jajarsingh or Kurada (kurada means foul-mouthed), is home to the district headquarters. The term KURADA was once written on the area's historic landmarks, but it has since been bleached and replaced with the word "Khurdha."

Regarding the origin of the word Khurda (as it was formerly known), it is also said that it is derived from two Odia words, "Khura" and "Dhara," which indicate razor and edge, most likely because the soldiers of Khurda were as terrible and sharp as a razor's edge. However, neither of the two origins can be regarded as genuine. 

Odisha Travel Tips 

Plan ahead for your train or flight to ensure that you arrive without any last-minute hassles and that you pass the check-in process on time.

To make sure you can get to your hotel or resort quickly, it would be a wonderful idea to check out some of the airport transfers that are provided by a number of local private, air-conditioned taxis and automobiles.

 Wear primarily cotton clothing because Orissa has a far hotter climate than the rest of the nation.

 Bring clothing that will completely cover your arms and legs to protect yourself from flies and mosquito bites if you want to explore Orissa's fauna.