Odisha, home to people of different religions and different languages. It’s a beautiful place for adventurous tourists. It has archaeological wonders, natural beauty, and many more along with an old-fashioned sprinkling of sun and sand. It’s a glowing green jewel. Here presents a large number of masterpieces that shreds evidence to the glorious past and makes it tourist-friendly.
1. PURI-
It is an eastern Odisha state in eastern India, situated on the Bay of Bengal. It is also known as the Sri Kshetra. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Puri takes over 24 festivals among which 13 are majors.
The most popular yearly festival is RATH YATRA held in June-July, which is attended by lakhs of people.
It is also popular for:
- Golden Beach.
- Gundicha Temple.
- Swargadwar Road.
For more details visit https://puri.nic.in/
2. KONARK-
It is a site of Sun Temple, built in black granite during the reign of Narasimhadeva-1. This temple is also a World Heritage Site and also counted among the 7 wonders of India.
It is also home to a dance festival known as Konark Dance Festival.
The government also organizes the International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach of Konark.
It is also popular for:
- Archaeological Site Museum.
- Ramachandi Temple.
- Kuruma, an unkown buddhist site.
- Astranga.
For more details visit https://puri.nic.in/tourist-place/konark/
3. CHILIKA LAKE-
It is a lagoon which is spread over Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
It is the largest coastal lagoon in India.
It is the largest wintering place for migratory birds. A large number of birds from different areas come here. This lake is an ecosystem of large fishery resources.
Its beauty is enhanced by a temple named Kalijai Temple, which is located on an island. This island provides an excellent destination for pilgrims and tourists.
For more details visit https://puri.nic.in/tourist-place/chilika-satpara/
4. NANDAN KANAN ZOO-
It is situated in Bhubaneswar(The capital Odisha).
It is also called The Garden of Heavens. It is the first zoo in India to join World Associations of Zoos and Aquariums.
The zoo is home to nearly 1660 individual animals representing 166 species, including 67 species of mammals, 81 species of birds, and 18 species of reptiles.
It also includes Kanjia lake where one can have a glimpse of natural beauty along with boating in it.
For more details visit http://www.nandankanan.org/
5. KHANDAGIRI & UDAYGIRI CAVES-
These are partly natural and partly artificial caves situated in Bhubaneswar. The caves are situated in two adjacent hills riddled with rock-cut shelters. They are ornately carved caves made for Jania Monks. One can have a pleasant scenic view of the whole Bhubaneswar while standing above the two hills.
Udaygiri has 18 caves and Khandagiri has 15 caves.
For more details visit Website.
6. BARABATI FORT-
It is situated in Cuttack with a carved gateway. This was built to be protected from enemies. It is an earthen mound of 9 storeyed palaces.
7. PARADIP-
It is famous for its Port and one of the largest on India’s East coast. Paradip is emerging as a major industrial hub with several upcoming steel plants including a US$12 billion plant being developed by POSCO of South Korea.
8. JEYPORE-
It is a large city in Odisha and is also known as “City Of Victory“. It is famous for its freshwater lakes, valleys, and waterfalls. It is connected to Andhra Pradesh in the South.
It is enveloped by hills of the Eastern Ghats and the Araku hills on three sides. It’s a city blessed with cascading waterfalls and dense green forests.
The compelling scenic beauty coupled with historical facts makes it every traveler’s delight.
It is also popular for:
- Jeypore palace.
- Gupteswar Caves.
- Duduma Waterfalls.
- Patraput Bridge & many more.
For more details visit https://koraput.nic.in/tourist-place/jeypore/
9. ROURKELA-
It is also called, “The Steel City of Odisha“.
It is one of the first cities of our country to become commercialized for steel production.
It is surrounded by hills and rivers which makes it an offbeat tourist location.
It also holds some religious significance due to its prominence in epics like Ramayan and Mahabharata.
It is also popular for:
- Hanuman Vatika.
- Vaishno Devi Temple.
- Biju Patnaik Hockey Satdium.
- Vedvyas & many more.
For more details visit http://www.rmc.nic.in/
10. DARINGBADI-
It is famous mostly for its hilly vision and also famous for beaches and temples. This hill station lies at an elevation of 3000 ft.
It is known in the name of “Kashmir of Odisha“, because of snowfall and its beauty.
The weather invites – beating the heat in summer and offering snow in the winter. The place does not only have verdant and thick forests but is also bountiful in flora and fauna.
The best time to visit Daringbadi is between December to February.
For more details visit Website.
11. HIRAKUD DAM-
It is situated in the Sambalpur district and constructed over the Mahanadi river.
It is considered as the longest human-made dam in India and also a birdwatching site as it is surrounded by a large number of trees and water.
This marvelous piece of architecture construction was built in the year 1956, and owing to its location is a fantastic spot to watch nature come alive in all its glory.
For more details visit Website.
Apart from the above-listed places, there are many more places in Odisha that make it a tourist destination in India.The state is endowed with vast reserve of minerals as well as other mineral resources.