Odisha (formerly Orissa the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population.
The state has the third largest population of Scheduled Tribes in India. It neighbors the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south. Odisha has a coastline of 485 kilometers (301 mi) along the Bay of Bengal in Indian Ocean.
This coastal state of India along the shores of the Bay of Bengal is a rather unexplored gem. It is blessed and not just by the Chardham destination of Puri but with the exotic wildlife, lush environment, ancient temples, pristine beaches, placid lakes, tribal culture and more contribute to its appeal.
To help you make your travel plans, look at the Top 17 things that Odisha Famous for.
1.Konark:
The name Konark is derived from the name of the presiding deity Konark, which means the Arka (sun) of Kona (corner). The Kona or corner is presumably so being in relation to Trikona, in the corner direction of which the temple was erected.
Myths and folklore have it that the Konark Sun Temple was originally built on the mouth of a river named Chandrabhaga but in the course of time the river has dried up. The present shoreline is nearly about 3 km from the temple.
How to Reach :
BY TRAIN :
Traveling to Konark by Train is another option for a tourist. One can board train from Puri, which is only 31 Km away from Konark. There are 2 trains named Puri Express and Purushottam Express that can take you to Konark.
BY AIR :
The closest airport to Konark is the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar, at a distance of 64 km. The airport is connected to most main cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore,… Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
2.Jagannath Temple:
Located in the holy city of Puri, the Jagannath Temple is one of the four most sacred temples in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.
Besides main temple, there are other temples in the inner compound. According to a map of the temple in the Record of Rights the temples, bije sthalis and there deities are listed below. Shree Balabhadra, Shree Jagannatha, Devi Subhadra, Shree Sudarshana, Bhudevi, Shreedevi and Madhava.
How to Reach :
BY AIR
Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, which is nearly 56 km from the heart of the Puri city. The airport is connected to Delhi and Mumbai. International travelers need to get connections through Delhi or Kolkata.
BY TRAIN
Puri is a major railway junction. Regular direct train services are available from many cities in India, including Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
BY ROAD
Puri is connected with the neighbouring cities through well constructed roads. Buses are considered to be the main option to travel to Puri as the bus stand in near the Gundicha Temple. Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack can be reached in 15mins by bus.
3.Chilika Lake:
The largest coastal lagoon in India, Chilika Lake is a major tourist attraction in Odisha. The lake is home to a variety of migratory birds and is a popular spot for boating and fishing.October to March would be the best season to visit Chilka, because it is the time when the lake is visited by the migrating birds. Devotees and pilgrims come to Chilka in the month of January during Makar Mela (at the time of Makar Sankranti) to pay homage to the Goddess It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent.It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent.
How to Reach :
By plane.-The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, about 120 km away from where taxis, trains and buses are available to the lake.
By train– The nearest rail stations is at Balugaon, on the Howrah-Chennai track. …
By road– A part of Chilika Lake is visible from NH5 and the Howrah-Chennai train track
4.Lingaraj Temple:
The timings for Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar are from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm. Note that the temple is open every day. To further elevate your experience it is recommended that you visit the temple during the months of January and March since it is the best time to visit the Lingaraj temple.
How to Reach :
Road : Bermunda Bus stand in Bhubaneswar is the nearest bus stand.
Train : The nearest railhead is Bhubaneswar railway station 6 Km from the temple.
Air : Biju Patnaik Airport around 6 km from the temple. Airport
5.Dhauli Hill:
A hill located on the banks of the Daya River, Dhauli Hill is known for its ancient rock edicts that date back to the 3rd century BC. The hill is also known for its peaceful and scenic surroundings.Dhauli experiences tropical kind of climate and has scorching summers, humid monsoons with moderate rainfall and chilly winters. This makes winter time i.e.November-March the best visit Dhauli.
How to Reach :
Reach Dhauli through Road – Bhubaneshwar is just 8 km while Puri is 60 km and Cuttack is 25 km
Reaching Dhauli by Rail – Dhauli is very near to Bhubaneswar which is well connected with Rail Network throughout Orissa.
Reach Dhauli by Air – Nearest Airport is at Bhubaneswar
6.Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves :
The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are a series of rock-cut caves that date back to the 2nd century BC. The caves are famous for their intricate carvings and historical significance.The twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri, also known as Kumargiri and Kumarigiri, are renowned for their rock-cut caves, that were built for Jain monks sometime during 1st and 2nd centuries BC. They also feature the lithic record of 13 years of Kalinga king, Kharavela’s reign.
The entry fees for Udayagiri Khandagiri Caves is INR 15 per person for Indians and INR 200 per person for foreign nationals.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves Bhubaneswar Timings
- MONDAY -8.00 -5.00 PM
- TUESDAY-8.00-5.00 PM
- WEDNESDAY-8.00-5.00 PM
- THRESDAY—8.00-5.00 PM
- FRIDAY——8.00-5.00PM
- SATERDAY—8.00-5.00PM
- SUNDAY—8.00-5.00PM
How to reach Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
By Air
Bhubaneswar airport is the nearest airport to reach Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, which is just about 10 km away. It is connected by regular flights to many major cities India including Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad.
By Rail
Bhubaneswar railway station is the nearest major railway station at about 6 km away. It has good rail connectivity with all the major towns of the state and the major cities of India.
By Road
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves can be easily reached through National Highway NH-5 using public transport buses. Regular buses to Bhubaneshwar town are operated from Puri, Cuttack and other major nearby cities. From Bhubaneswar taxis, local transport is available to reach the caves.
TIMEING – SUNDAY TO MONDAY – TIMMMING -8.00 AM TO 5.00 PM
7.Simlipal National Park :
Similipal National park is Located in the Mayurbhanj district, it’s a major wildlife sanctuary in Odisha. The park is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, elephants, and leopards.The park is known for the tiger, elephant and hill mynah. It holds the highest tiger population in the state of Orissa. 55 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 21 species of frogs, 38 species of fish and 164 species of butterflies have been recorded from the Park.The best season to visit Simlipal is the winter season. The temperature remains comfortable and is apt for visiting the monuments and other places of interest in Simlipal. The best months to visit are October, November, December, February, April and May.
How to reach :
Air: The nearest airports are Bhubaneswar (270 km) and Kolkata (240 km). A straight drive down from Kolkata is more convenient. …
Rail: The nearest railway station is Balasore (60 km from Baripada). …
Road: The nearest airports are Bhubaneswar (270 km) and Kolkata (240 km).
8.Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavation:
Best time to visit Ratnagiri is from October to March. The summer season of the place arrives with the month of March and till the month of May the hot climate at the place presists. The highest temperature during the summer season at this place that recorded is about 38°C.
Ratnagiri (Odia: ରତ୍ନଗିରି, meaning “hill of jewels”) is the site of a ruined mahavihara, once the major Buddhist monastery in modern Odisha, India. It is located on a hill in between the Brahmani and Birupa rivers in Jajpur district
How to Reach :
Ratnagiri is well-networked by air, rail and road transport. Its closest airport is Bhubaneswar, connected to all the major cities across India. The nearest Railway Station is Cuttack, 70 km from Ratnagiri and connected to major stations in the country. You may reach Ratnagiri by road from Cuttack through direct and regular buses running between the two spots.
By Air
closest airport is Bhubaneswar, connected to all the major cities across India
By Train
Railway Station is Cuttack, 70 km
By Road
Cuttack through direct and regular buses
9.Puri Beach:
A popular tourist spot, Puri Beach is known for its golden sands and beautiful sunsets. The beach is also famous for its annual Rath Yatra festival, which attracts thousands of visitors.
Puri is located close to Bhubaneswar which has great air, road and rail connectivity. Puri itself is accessible by road and rail from most major parts of India.
How to Reach Puri :
BY AIR
Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, which is nearly 56 km from the heart of the Puri city. The airport is connected to Delhi and Mumbai. International travelers need to get connections through Delhi or Kolkata.
BY TRAIN
Puri is a major railway junction. Regular direct train services are available from many cities in India, including Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
BY ROAD
Puri is connected with the neighbouring cities through well constructed roads. Buses are considered to be the main option to travel to Puri as the bus stand in near the Gundicha Temple. Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack can be reached in 15mins by bus .
10.Hirakud Dam:
The longest dam in the world, the Hirakud Dam is a major engineering marvel in Odisha. The dam is built on the Mahanadi River and is a major source of hydroelectric power
Hirakud World’s Longest Man-made Dam Sambalpur –
The main purpose of the Hirakud Dam project power generation along with water supply for irrigation.The dam helps control floods in the Mahanadi delta and irrigates 75,000 km2 (19×106 acres) of land. Hydroelectricity is also generated. The Hirakud Dam regulates 83,400 km2 (20.6×106 acres) of Mahanadi’s drainage. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 5.818 km3 (1.396 cu mi) with gross of 8.136 km3 (1.952 cu mi).
The distance between Bhubaneshwar and Hirakud Dam is 250 km
The Bhubaneswar to Hirakud distance is 286 kms. Being one of the popular railway routes, several IRCTC trains run between Bhubaneswar and Hirakud (BBS to HKG).
How to Reach :
By Bus- Bhubaneshwar (Capital of Odisha) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh) are the nearest airports. Both of them are 306 km. and 312 km. away respectively.
By Train– Sambalpur Junction which is at a distance of 12.6 KM and the Hirakud railway station is 14.8 KM.
By road– the Roads that lead to the Dam are well connected. However depending upon the origin city the road way might differ.
11.Chandipur sea beach:
Chandipur is a beach like no other. During low tides the beach recedes upto 5 KM offering visitors the opportunity to walk on the sea bed. This unique phenomenon helps the beach to support its equally unique biodiversity.It is home to the endangered horse shoe crabs, star fish, sea urchins to name a few. The water of the beach is muddy making it unsuited for bathing.
Things to do
While walking on the sea bed during low tides always ensure that you heed the advice of the locals for the water comes rushing in during high tides
The confluence of the Buddhbalanga River is a scenic spot and popular amongst locals a picnic spot.
The Panchalingeswara temple located 41KM from Chandipur is a revered temple of the region.
How to Reach :
By Air
Since there is no airport in or around Chandipur, the tourists planning a trip to this town can fly in to either kolkata or Bhubaneswar, followed by a bus or cab ride to reach Chandipur from either city. The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar operate regular domestic and international flights from major cities around the country and outside.
By Rail
Train journeys are one of the best ways to travel for those looking to enjoy a scenic route across the country. The railway junction at Baleswar – situated just around 15 km away from Chandipur – serves as the common railway station for both towns. Baleswar connects to numerous important cities in the country through a number of regularly operating trains.
By Road
People coming in to Chandipur via road can get on to National Highway 5 that connects to Baleswar – the nearest commercial town from Chandipur. Driving in to Chandipur is conveniently accessed through kolkota, which is located just over 250 km away. There are numerous routes connecting the two regions, with the one that passes through Jaleswar being the most convenient one. There are regular buses operating between Chandipur and Kolkata, with private cabs also available for hire.
12.Atri, Khordha:
ATRI is famous for its perennial Hot Spring. The hot spring is reputed to have medical properties which is used both intensively and extensively for the cure of skin diseases. The water of the Hot Spring (57 degrees centigrade) contains small doses of sulphur flavour when heated to 100 degree centigrade. There is a Bathing Complex of Govt. of Orissa at Atri . Not far from the Hot spring there is the sacred shrine of Lord Hattakeswar Mahadev. The temple is the venue of a grand annual fair, Makar Jatra, on the day of Makar Sankranti (mid January) On this day the visitors congregate in large numbers to worship Lord Hatakeswar to fulfill their desires and they also bath in the ponds to get cure of their diseases.
How to Reach:
By Air
The nearest airport is the Biju Pattnaik Airport , Bhubaneswar about 45 km from Atri . One can hire taxi directly from the airport to reach the place.
By Train
The nearest railway station to atri is Khurda Road, which 14 kms. away. Taxi, auto-rickshaw can be hired at the station.
By Road
National Highway No.5, which connects Bhubaneswar and Khurda, also touches Atri.
13.GOPALPUR:
Gopalpur is a town located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Odisha. It is situated in the Ganjam district and is known for its beautiful beach, What is the best time to visit Gopalpur? The four-month period from November till February is the best time to visit Gopalpur, due to cooler climates, lower levels of moisture and greater tourist activities to enjoy. The beach, the water, and the environment in Gopalpur is nothing less than charming during this period.
How To Reach
By Air – Bhubaneswar (180 km) is the nearest airport from where one can take flights for major cities like Delhi and Calcutta.
By Rail – The nearest railway station is Berhampur on the Howrah-Chennai line of Southeastern Railway. One can take trains to Calcutta and Chennai from this place.
By Road – Gopalpur is connected by motorable road to Barkul (75 km), Berhampur (16 km), Bhubaneshwar (180 km), and Puri (242 km). We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
14.Daringbadi:
Daringbadi is a hill station located in the Kandhamal district of the Indian state of Odisha. It is situated at an altitude of 915 meters above sea level and is often referred to as the “Kashmir of Odisha” due to its scenic beauty and pleasant weather.Daringbadi is surrounded by dense forests and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The town is known for its coffee plantations, which were established by the British during colonial times. Other notable attractions in the area include the Daringbadi waterfall, the Hill View Park, and the Belghar SanctuaryTourism is an important industry in Daringbadi, and visitors come to the town to enjoy its natural beauty and cool climate. The town is particularly popular during the summer months, when temperatures in other parts of India can be uncomfortably high.
How to Reach :
By Air: If you are travelling by air the nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport which is 291 km away from Daringbadi and you can easily hire private cabs from there.
By Rail: If you are travelling by train, there is no railway station at Daringbadi. The nearest railway station to Daringbadi is Berhampur which is at a distance of about 125 kilometers away from the hill station. From there private cabs and public buses are easily available.
By Road: If want to be amazed by the beauty of nature, the best way to reach Daringbadi is by roads. You can book private taxis from nearest locations like Berhampur, Phulbani or Balliguda. The distance between Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, and Daringbadi is 250 km which can easily be covered in six hours. You can enjoy and be mesmerized by the beautiful sights that come along the way.
15.Jeypore:
Jeypore, the city of victory is the largest town in the district and home to royal family is steeped in history. The old fort is encircled by high masonany wall with an imposing gateway. Towards the eastern part of the town is a big tank called Jagannath sagar attracts for water sports. It is 22 Kms away from Koraput.October to February are the best months for a trip to Jeypore. Summers in Jeypore is really harsh. Winters are cold, but manageable for tourists. One should also avoid monsoons as this region of the country receives heavy rainfall.Talking of which, there is a waterfall in the Badigada village of Koraput district that is known as one of the highest waterfalls in India, Duduma Waterfall. This waterfall finds its origin from the River Machkund and its water is the backbone of the Machkund Hydro Electric Power Project.
How to Reach:
By Train
7 Km from Jeypore railway station
By Road
Jeypore is 22 Kms away from Koraput.
16.Rayagada :
Maa Majhighariani temple is famous in Southern part of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. This temple is one of the beautiful temple in Rayagada district. Maa Majhighariani (An avatar of Maa Durga) is believed as the prime and most important goddess in this region, Everyday a large number of Devotees are coming to this place for worshiping Maa. The Goddess is worshipped as a form of Shakti. There is a belief in locals that, wishes do come true when you worship here. The Goddess uses a horse as her ride and is said to look out the town to block all types of evil from her devotees. Local residents are said to hear the hoof sounds of the horses Vishwanath Dev Gajapati who belonged to the Suryavansh dynasty was the king of Kalinga who established a kingdom in the region of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The Rayagada City was founded by the Kind, Later He built the Majhighariani Temple on the banks of Nagavali. The temple of Maa Majhi Ghariani located in the middle of Vishwanath Dev’s palace. Hence, the name Majhi Ghariani, (the one seated in the central room) came from.
How to Reach:
BY AIR PORT:–
Nearest air port is at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 200 KMs away which is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur by going flights.
BY RAIL:-
Well connected from other parts of India like Delhi, Chennai, Allepy, Bokaro, Raipur, Gujrat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hyderbad, Bilaspur and Bhubaneswar.
BY ROAD :-
Convenient road transport facilities available as NH-43 is passing through Koraput,i.e. 109 KMs from Rayagada. Direct Express bus services are available from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagarm, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Jeypore, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, etc.
17.Bhawanipatna:
Udit Narayan Deo laid the foundation of the present Manikeswari temple in Bhawanipatna and it was completed in 1947 by Brajamohan Deo. Manikeswari was associated with Kalahandi history as a goddess of wealth, Manik, since the 10th century.The temple of Manikeswari was constructed by King Fatenarayan Deo in the year 1852 but a new temple of gigantic order in the present form was constructed in the year 1935 by king Brajamohan Deo. An excellent season to visit Bhawanipatna, the average temperature falls around 77℉. The weather is great for outdoors, the air being moderately humid. This is most likely one of the best times to visit Bhawanipatna and also a tourist high season. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 40.48 mm.
Maa Manikeshwari Mandir
How to Reach :
BY Air : Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam are the nearest Air-Port
BY Train : Bhawanipatna , Kesinga and Junagarh Road
BY Road: Connected to Bhubaneswar, Raipur and Visakhapatnam . NH-26 crosses across the district
Also read : https://foodntravelstories.com/travel/pilgrimages/panchkedar-shiva-temples-in-devbhoomi-uttarakhand/
