Orissa is a state that is well-known for its extensive cultural heritage and its historical splendour. It is located near the Bay of Bengal. It is rich in traditions, religions, literature, folk arts, natural marvels, and a diverse array of flora and fauna. The state is filled to the brim with natural beauty, including extensive expanses of beach, kilometres of shoreline, mountain ranges covered in forest, and waterfalls and rivers with attractive settings. Orissa is home to individuals of a diverse range of racial and ethnic backgrounds, which contributes to the state’s distinctive cultural history.
The state of Orissa has an abundance of many kinds of natural resources. The expansion of contemporary Orissa is being driven in large part by the state’s substantial mineral resources. Both Bhubhaneswar, the state’s capital city, and Cuttack, the second largest city in the state, are important concentrations of commercial activity. Both the music and the dancing style known as “Odissi” originated in the Indian state of Orissa. In addition to that, the state is well-known for its handicrafts, which include silver work and terracotta art pieces. Orissa’s tourism industry is booming at an impressive rate because to prominent sites like the Puri Temple and the Sun Temple, both of which bring in hundreds of visitors on a yearly basis.
Main Tourist Attractions of Orissa, India
Parasuramaresvara Temple
The Parasuramaresvara Temple is a wonderful illustration of old Indian art and architecture, and it dates all the way back to the seventh century. It was constructed as a collection of temples numbering maybe about 20, and its architectural design adopts the Kalinga style. Lord Shiva is honoured in the temple that bears his name. In addition, it holds idols of the god Vishnu, the god of the sun, and several other Hindu deities. The walls of the temple have been beautifully carved with sculptures of animals, vegetation, and love couples.
Muktesvara Temple
It is believed that the Muktesvara Temple, which dates back to the 10th century, is the finest example of ancient Orissan architecture. It is worshipped as the Muktesvara, which is a form of Lord Shiva. The walls of the temple are intricately carved with depictions of gods, goddesses, and scenes from everyday life. The carved scenes in this temple are one of its most distinctive characteristics. These images are taken from the well-known collection of Indian tales known as the “Panchatantra.”
Raj Rani Temple
The Raj Rani Temple is a piece of architecture that dates back to the 11th century and is known for being both elegant and seductive. The traditional Orissan architecture that was used in the construction of the temple is considered by many to be of the highest quality. This temple is dedicated to love, as shown by the fact that its walls are engraved with suggestive images of women and lovers. The temple was constructed out of red gold sand stone, and in addition to its stunning surroundings, it is well-known for the one-of-a-kind figures it contains and the lack of any kind of holy idol.
Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple dates back to the 11th century and is recognised as the largest temple in the city of Bhuvneshwar. The temple’s remarkable example of Oriya architecture perfectly shows the level of architectural sophistication that existed throughout that century. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, and the lingam that can be found within is considered to be one of a kind. The walls of the temple are artistically carved with depictions of a variety of subjects, including birds, animals, humans, gods, and goddesses.
Orissa State Museum
When Bhuvneshwar was selected as the new capital of Orissa, the Orissa State Museum was moved from its previous location in Cuttack to its current location in Bhuvneshwar. This museum is well-known for the extensive collection of significant manuscripts that were written on the leaves of palm trees and bamboo. In addition, there are several texts written on ivory, bhurja, and kumbhi bark that may be discovered. Here, the manuscripts come in a wide variety of sizes and designs, including those in the form of a fan, garland, sword, and even a parrot.
Museum of Man
The Museum of Man is distinguished by its singular focus, which is expressed through the exhibition of its tribal collection, of the fundamental human cultural values that have contributed to the formation of the past, the determination of the present, and the direction of the future. The Museum of Man was established in the year 2001. The museum is home to over 1900 objects that were gathered throughout Orissa’s history and are considered to be of tribal origin. It is composed of five exhibition rooms that include artefacts associated with things such as clothes, jewellery, dhokra objects, musical and dancing instruments, agricultural, hunting and fishing gear, weaponry, pictures, and a variety of artistic expressions.
Cactus Collection
The Cactus Collection in Bhuvneshwar is a wonderful location to visit. More than one hundred different kinds of cacti and other plant species may be discovered in this area. It is claimed to be the most extensive collection of its kind in all of Asia. It is a component of the Regional Plant Resource Center (RPRC), which is situated on more than 500 acres of land and includes a huge lake, in addition to plantations and a laboratory.
Udaigiri and Khandigiri Caves
Caves at Udaigiri and Khandigiri are said to have been the locations from where Lord Mahavira addressed the people living in the surrounding area. Caves reaching back to approximately two centuries before the common era may be found in these two locations. It is thought that the caverns were constructed for the use of Jain monks. The caverns at Udaigiri known as Hati Gumpha and Queen Cave, as well as the cave at Khandigiri known as Anata Gumpha or Snake Cave, are among the most well-known.
Dhauli Hill
In the annals of Indian history, Dhauli Hill is a significant location. It was here that the legendary King Ashoka, who had been responsible for the bloody war of Kalinga, converted to Buddhism. Both the well-known Boulder Edicts of Ashoka and the remnants of an elephant sculpture carved out of a stone rock may be found in this area. There is also an old temple that is devoted to Lord Dhavaleswar that may be visited, as well as the Buddhist Peace Pagoda.
Jagganath Temple
The Jagganath Temple in Puri is the most popular tourist destination in the city. The temple is one of the locations that are considered to be part of the Char Dham, which is well-known among Hindus due to the significance it has for pilgrimage. It is estimated that the temple complex has a total area of 400,000 square feet and features architecture that goes back to the 12th century. There are a total of twelve shrines located throughout this enormous region. Bhogmandir, Natamandir, Jagamohana, and a shrine are the four rooms that are included inside the main temple, which stands at a height of 192 feet.
Puri Beach
The Puri Beach is the destination of choice for the majority of visitors that come to the city of Puri. The beach is located on the Bay of Bengal, and in addition to its magnificent golden beaches, it also has the enticing beauty of the water, particularly during the dawn and twilight hours. The Puri Beach festival, which takes place when the beach is decked up in a variety of traditional and cultural hues, is the finest time to pay this location a visit.
Konark Temple
The Konark Temple is a place that has been meticulously conserved, and it exemplifies the splendour of Indian architecture and history from the mediaeval period. It is said to have been built at the location where Lord Krishna’s son Samba offered adoration to Sun God in order to pray for freedom from a curse that had been placed upon him by his father. It has the form of a chariot and has twelve wheels, each of which has a spoke that has been carved to serve as a sundial. The whole of the temple is comprised of a stone building that has been exquisitely and painstakingly crafted.
Simlipal National Park
A distance of around 320 kilometres separates Bhuvneshwar from this national park, which is located in the Mayurbhanj area. The Project Tiger Scheme has set aside this location as one of its 18 protected areas. It has a total area of 2,750 square kilometres and is covered by a thick layer of vegetation consisting of tall grass and Sal woods, both of which are homes to a variety of different animals and birds. This sanctuary is a delight for those who like the outdoors and taking on new challenges since it is home to a number of mountain peaks among which roughly 12 rivers flow, creating a number of waterfalls and magnificent vistas.
Chilka Lake
The Chilka Lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy slope, giving it the appearance of a pear. This lake is renowned across Asia as the continent’s largest inland saltwater lagoon. It has a total land area of around 1,100 square kilometres and is home to a unique environment that is abundant in a wide diversity of flora and animals. The area is home to a huge number of different bird species, many of which migrate through here on their annual journeys. Animals like as blackbucks, spotted deers, and hyenas may be observed there, as well as a great diversity of aquatic life, which includes the well-known Chilka Dolphins.
Taptapani Hot Springs
The word “taptapani” translates to “steaming hot water” in the local dialect. The distance between these hot springs and Behrampur is around 50 kilometres, and they are situated at an elevation of approximately 1800 feet above the mean sea level. A trip to these natural hot springs, which are nestled amid the splendour of the surrounding landscape, is not only beneficial to one’s body but also to one’s state of mind. Due to the fact that the natural spring waters of Taptapani offer therapeutic properties, taking a swim in the pond that is located nearby is highly advised.
