Odisha – the land of paddy fields and palm-fringed silver beaches, temples, rivers, waterfalls and tribal people, is filled with major attractions such as the temples of Bhubaneswar and Puri, miles of clean beaches and the magnificent Sun Temple of Konark.

October to March (winter) is the best time to visit Odisha. During these months the sky remains clear, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The state enjoys a tropical monsoon climate throughout the year because of its proximity to the sea; hence, there are incessant rains during the Monsoon season from July to September. Summers from April to June are quite hot with occasional rainfalls making it quite uncomfortable for sightseeing.

Here is our handpicked list of Odisha’s Dishes: Khicede, Chungdi Malai – the delicious creamy prawn curry, Macha Ghanta – the famous Odisha food, Dalma, Pakhala Bhata, Chhena Poda – this dish is made from burnt home-made cottage cheese, sugar syrup, and semolina.

Cotton and silk handloom textiles, saris, dupattas and dresses from Priyadarshini, Mehers and Boyanika, Silver Filigree from Khimji and Lalchnd, Pattachitra paintings, masks, artefacts and curios from Ekamra Haat, antiques and typical Pipli handicrafts from Utkalika and National Tribal Museum, stone sculptures from Sudarshan Art and Crafts Village and multiple places across the State, to name just a few.

Odia (formerly Oriya) is the both local and official language. Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and Telugu are widely understood and sometimes spoken.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE – (AS OF JANUARY 2023)

• Sun Temple, Konarak

1. PURI

Puri in Odisha is one of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus because of Jagannath Temple that forms the part of Char Dham in India. Puri is a beach city located on the coast of Bay of Bengal. The Rath Yatra (chariot festival) which takes place during the month of June-July should not be missed if you are planning to visit during this time. Known as the resting place of Lord Shiva, the majestic history and heritage of Puri date back to the 3rd century B. C. Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar complete the Golden Triangle of Orissa, with their religious significance and cultural heritage being the centres of tourism in this state.

Places to visit in Puri: Shree Jagannath Puri Temple, Puri Beach, Markandeswara Temple, Gundicha Temple

2. SRI JAGANNATH PURI TEMPLE

Located in the sacred town of Puri, the Jagannath Temple or the pride of India was built in the 11th century by King Indradyumna. This glorious temple is the abode of Lord Jagannath who is a form of Lord Vishnu. It is the most revered pilgrimage site for Hindus and is included in the pious Char Dham Yatra with Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. Apart from the main shrine that rises high, many minor temples within the complex will make you feel like you have entered God’s home itself.

3. SUN TEMPLE, KONARK

Situated on the northeastern corner of Puri, Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the prime tourist attractions of Odisha. Built in the form of a giant rath or chariot of the Sun God, it depicts the chariot being pulled by a set of seven horses, four on the left side and three on the right. It has three deities dedicated to the Sun God on three different sides of the temple which catch the direct rays of sun in the morning, afternoon and evening. There is also a dedicated archaeological museum inside the temple complex. The temple transforms into a stage during The Konark Dance Festival, which is held every year usually in February and attracts a lot of foreign and Indian tourists — dedicated to devotees of the Sun God. Konark Sun Temple is one of the last standing structures before the fifteenth century in the country.

4. BHUBANESHWAR

The capital of Odisha is known as the “City of Temples”. It has a rich history that dates back to 2000 years. The stunning architecture of the temples is an identity of this city. Apart from temples, Bhubaneshwar has great museums, tribal artefact galleries and nature parks. Because of the temples, there is a huge rush of pilgrims all year round. Furthermore, this is a great place to get to know about the history of Odisha and understanding it’s contributions to Indian cultural heritage.

Places to Visit in Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj Temple, ISKCON Temple, Hirakud Dam, Parasurameswara Temple, Raja Rani Temple, Bindu Sarovar or Bindu Sagar

5. GOPALPUR

In the southern coastline of Odisha just 15 km from the city of Behrampur is located a quaint, tiny town of Gopalpur which was a sea port, bustling with trade and commerce, in the Colonial Era.

It is known for being an offbeat destination and a place for relaxation. The sea port remains though largely in ruins, the British have gone too but what remains is one of India’s most loved beaches. The Gopalpur-on-sea is considered to be one of India’s most beautiful beaches largely due to its remoteness, its peace and its offbeat crowd.

Places to visit in Gopalpur: Gopalpur Beach, Ramha (Chilika ), Gopalpur Lighthouse, Chilika Lake, Shakuntala Market

6. JEYPORE

Jeypore, also spelled Jayepore, is a large city in the state of Odisha and is famous for its fresh water lakes, waterfalls and valleys. Jeypore is home to about 62 affiliated communities such as Gond, Dhruba, Paraja, Koya.

Situated at the southern boundary of Odisha, Jeypore is connected with Andhra Pradesh in south. The city has its own historic significance and is the second largest city after Berhampur of south Odisha. Locally pronounced as ‘Joypur’ and the literal meaning of Jayepore is ‘City of Victory’; visiting Jayepore is a welcome break for tourists who want to take a break from the city life.

Places to visit in Jeypore: Bagra Waterfall, Kolab Hydro Electric power reservoir and Botanical Garden, Sunabeda, Gupteshwar Caves, Shakti Waterfalls, Duduma Waterfalls, Raj mahal

7. DHAULI

Dhauli is a small town 8 Km away south of Bhubaneswar, located on the bank of river Daya and holds great significance for the followers of Lord Buddha. Dhauli is said to be the witness of the reform of Ashoka’s character.

Places to visit in Dhauli: Shanti Stupa, Ashoka Rock Edicts, Dhabaleswar and Bahirangeswar Temple

8. RAYAGADA

Rayagada is a district in Odisha with a rich history and a distinct culture which has, over the years, mingled with the local tribal culture. This district has many historical places to visit and is known for its cuisine, crafts and handmade products. Rayagada is one of the most visited districts in Odisha and is located on the South Eastern border of the state. This district offers dense forests, historical monuments, a peek into the lifestyle of tribal populations and authentic food, making it an ideal destination for all kinds of tourists.

Places to visit in Rayagada: Maa Majhighariani Temple, Hanging bridge in Chekaguda, Chatikona Falls, Hatipathar

9. CHILIKA LAKE

Chilika Lake is the largest internal salt water lake in Asia; it is a paradise on earth for bird watchers and nature lovers. The pear-shaped lake is dotted with a few small islands and has fisheries and salt pans around its shore. The Chilika Lake also houses the most accommodating ecosystems in the world, which means that a wide assortment of flora and fauna can be spotted here. The lake offers a flamboyant display of a myriad of avian charms in all diverse hues and colours, ranging from the white-bellied sea eagles to flamingos, and from golden plovers to sandpiper

Along with the vibrant variety of birds: both native and migratory one, the enthralling lake also offers scenic views of sunrise and sunset and a host of other options to choose from. Attractions such as the Bird Island, Breakfast Island and Honeymoon Island are also frequented by tourists who visit the Chilika Lake. The lake also boasts of being one of the only two sites in the world where the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins can be spotted. Visit this enchanting lake to spend a day in nature’s company and experience tranquillity like never before.

10. UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGIRI CAVES

The caves located 7KM from Bhubaneswar takes us back in time and is probably the only recorded history of era that is still shrouded in mystery. Built somewhere around the 2^nd century BC by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, widely regarded as the most powerful king in the annals of history of Odisha, these ancient rock cut caves were first discovered by a young British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19^th century AD.

11. SIMLIPAL NATIONAL PARK

Reflecting the natural beauty of an era gone by, Simlipal National Park is in a beautiful and scenic town in Odisha. Situated in Mayurbhanj, it once used to be a hunting ground for the rulers of the province. Simlipal is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India and is also considered as one of the principal tiger projects in India. The area is rich with dense forests, striking meadows, startling waterfalls and beautiful rivers. It is blessed with great bio-diversity and huge varieties of fauna that make it a great place to engage in wildlife sightseeing! Simlipal Reserve is home to more than 1000 varieties of plants. It has around 96 species of orchids that are endemic to the forest. Baripada is the nearest town to Simlipal and can be considered a gateway to the same.

12. BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Bhitarkanika is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans. The National park is essentially a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala forming a unique ecosystem. Bhitarkanika is home to the largest congregation of the endangered Salt Water Crocodile in the country. The Salt Water Crocodile is the apex predator of the region, besides it, the park is home to numerous reptiles like the water monitor lizard, pythons to name a few. Bhitarkanika is also home to numerous animals like the deer, hyenas, wild boar etc and migratory birds which make it their home during the winter season lending a vibrant hue to the eco system.

The other unique phenomenon is the Bagagahana or the heronry near Surajpore creek. Thousands of birds colonise the creek for nesting and the aerial acrobatics performed prior to the mating makes for an impressive sight. Bhitarkanika is also home to eight varieties of Kingfisher birds which is also a rarity. The erstwhile hunting porch of the Maharaja adds to its heritage value.

13. SAMBALPUR

Sambalpur is the gateway to the western zone of Orissa. It abounds in prolific rivers, lavish hills, lush green forests and affluent wildlife. It is a beautiful amalgamation of modernity and culture. Holding a significant historical importance, the place also has a flourishing textile and handloom industry popular for its unique patterns and style.

Places to visit in Sambalpur: Hirakud Dam, Leaning Temple of Huma, Samaleswari Temple, Deer Park

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