Unexpected
Odisha
Odisha formerly known as Orissa is a wonderful land of fascinating beauty situated on the East coast of India along the Bay of Bengal and is endowed with nature’s bounty, a 482kms stretch of coastline encompassed by the forest clad blue hills of Eastern Ghats. The history of Odisha, which acquired indelible fame and glory under its past names, Kalinga, Utkal or Odradesha dates back to very remote antiquity. The State was known, far and wide, for the heroic deeds and cultural upheavals, maritime trade and over-sea expansion of its people. It is now a locus of traditions, customs, ethnic and tribal groups that can be traced back to the stone ages.
Puri – Konark – Satpada – Pipli – Bhubaneshwar
- Best time to visit October - April
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With India Wanders
Day 1 : Arrive Bhubaneshwar and drive to Puri
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. The seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters. As the city bustles with modern life, the skyline awakens curiosity with its sky-kissing spires of the Lingaraja Temple, the white-domed Peace Pagoda on Dhauli hill and the pink hue of Mahavira Jina on the Khandagiri. The three epitomise the advent of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism during different periods of Odisha history. After arrival, drive to Puri and rest remaining day.
Day2 : Puri Sightseeing
Today visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India.
This 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath –“The Lord of the Universe”. The extraordinary form that Jagannath takes, according to the legend, is the unfinished work of the craftsman god Viswakarma, who in anger left this portrayal of Lord Vishnu incomplete. This majestic temple and its chronicles allure devotees from all over the world. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from outside platform.) Then we drive to the beach at Puri which has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Odisha, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretch of the beach to them is not uncommon.
Day 3 : Excursion to Konark (90 Kms – 2 Hrs. approx.)
After breakfast proceed to visit the Sun Temple of Konark. Experience the third link in the Odishan Golden Triangle, Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved – symbolizing the march of time. This 13th century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobel Laureate & Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘here the language of stone surpasses the language of man’. It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words. Later in the day visit Raghurajpur heritage crafts village and Puri local town market. The big attraction at Raghurajpur and nearby villages is that the whole village community is involved in making handicraft. Many have even won national awards for their work. There are just over 100 households and 300 artisans in the village. The economic, social and cultural life of this village revolves around arts and crafts with at least one member from almost every family involved in the arts.
Day 4 : Excursion to Satpada (105 Kms – 3 Hrs. approx.)
After breakfast leave day trip to visit of famous Lake Chilika at Satpada. A vast lake along the eastern cost of Odisha with beautiful islands, flamingoes wading in the shallow waters and the air echoing with the chirping of birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central and South-East Asia, the Irrawaddy dolphins making the playful appearance in the water…this is only a glimpse of the breath-taking beauty of Chilika-Asia’s largest brackish water estuarine lake. It’s a haven for bird-watchers / nature lovers. Abounding in unique flora and fauna, Chilika supports the livelihood of more than hundred thousand families living in and around it.
Day 5 : Drive back to Bhubaneshwar via Pipli (60 Kms – 2 Hrs. aproox.)
After breakfast check out and proceed to Bhubaneswar enroute visiting colourful Pipli applique crafts village , ancient Ashokan rock edicts at Dhauli Hills and Buddhist Shanti Stupa. Pipli is a centre for appliqué work, which depicts the essence of Oriya culture. It is also known for colorful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. The cocktail effect of the colors is certainly a feast for the eyes. Later visit Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hills which is a significant symbol of love and peace. The pilgrimage is significant because here King Ashoka resigned from violent wars. Later visit Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside).
Day 6 : Departure
Check out and proceed to airport / railway station to end the trip with end and happy memories.
Activities to Opt
- Treks through beautiful hills and forests, parasailing on beach.
Day 1 : Arrive Bhubaneshwar and drive to Puri
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. The seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters. As the city bustles with modern life, the skyline awakens curiosity with its sky-kissing spires of the Lingaraja Temple, the white-domed Peace Pagoda on Dhauli hill and the pink hue of Mahavira Jina on the Khandagiri. The three epitomise the advent of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism during different periods of Odisha history. After arrival, drive to Puri and rest remaining day.
Day2 : Puri Sightseeing
Today visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India.
This 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath –“The Lord of the Universe”. The extraordinary form that Jagannath takes, according to the legend, is the unfinished work of the craftsman god Viswakarma, who in anger left this portrayal of Lord Vishnu incomplete. This majestic temple and its chronicles allure devotees from all over the world. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from outside platform.) Then we drive to the beach at Puri which has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Odisha, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretch of the beach to them is not uncommon.
Day 3 : Excursion to Konark (90 Kms – 2 Hrs. approx.)
After breakfast proceed to visit the Sun Temple of Konark. Experience the third link in the Odishan Golden Triangle, Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved – symbolizing the march of time. This 13th century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobel Laureate & Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘here the language of stone surpasses the language of man’. It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words. Later in the day visit Raghurajpur heritage crafts village and Puri local town market. The big attraction at Raghurajpur and nearby villages is that the whole village community is involved in making handicraft. Many have even won national awards for their work. There are just over 100 households and 300 artisans in the village. The economic, social and cultural life of this village revolves around arts and crafts with at least one member from almost every family involved in the arts.
Day 4 : Excursion to Satpada (105 Kms – 3 Hrs. approx.)
After breakfast leave day trip to visit of famous Lake Chilika at Satpada. A vast lake along the eastern cost of Odisha with beautiful islands, flamingoes wading in the shallow waters and the air echoing with the chirping of birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central and South-East Asia, the Irrawaddy dolphins making the playful appearance in the water…this is only a glimpse of the breath-taking beauty of Chilika-Asia’s largest brackish water estuarine lake. It’s a haven for bird-watchers / nature lovers. Abounding in unique flora and fauna, Chilika supports the livelihood of more than hundred thousand families living in and around it.
Day 5 : Drive back to Bhubaneshwar via Pipli (60 Kms – 2 Hrs. aproox.)
After breakfast check out and proceed to Bhubaneswar enroute visiting colourful Pipli applique crafts village , ancient Ashokan rock edicts at Dhauli Hills and Buddhist Shanti Stupa. Pipli is a centre for appliqué work, which depicts the essence of Oriya culture. It is also known for colorful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. The cocktail effect of the colors is certainly a feast for the eyes. Later visit Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hills which is a significant symbol of love and peace. The pilgrimage is significant because here King Ashoka resigned from violent wars. Later visit Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside).
Day 6 : Departure
Check out and proceed to airport / railway station to end the trip with end and happy memories.
Activities to Opt
- Treks through beautiful hills and forests, parasailing on beach.
