Odisha Tourism

About Odisha

A true extraordinaire, Odisha is the quiet and serene part of India. Fringed by the Bay of Bengal, and flaunting a long coastline, this east Indian gem has some of the most stunning beaches that are often less-frequented. Home to a plethora of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Odisha is a place that will take you back to the glorious time of Ashoka the Great. Explore the majestic Jagannath Temple at Puri and learn about its many mysteries, view the medieval architecture of Odisha’s temple and Buddhist monasteries, attend the annual Sand Art Festival, go boating in the Chilika Lake, or walk on the sea at Chandipur Beach. There's so much to do in Odisha.

Looking forward to learning more about Odisha? Our travel guide can walk you through some authentic and must-have experiences in Odisha. Find detailed information on top attractions, best temples, lakes, hill stations, markets and some of the places you must visit in Odisha in our travel guide that endeavors to make your holiday the most memorable one.

Quick Information About Odisha

An Insight into Odisha Tourism

Odisha is blessed with a varied landscape and consists of hills, rivers, beaches and sea, making it a popular point of interest for the tourists. Its forests make the perfect home for a number of wildlife such as Tigers, Elephants, Black Panthers, Macaque, Bear, Gharial, Chital and the Sambar Deer. The architecture of Odisha is another reason to fall in love with the state with several historic structures adorned with intricate carvings like the famed Sun Temple of Konark, which became the inspiration for the Stone Chariot at Hampi. Not just rich in history, Odisha is also rich with minerals. An important hub for India, the state has reserves of Iron ore, Bauxite, Chromite, Manganese ore, Coal, Limestone, Graphite, Gold, Gemstone, Diamond, among others. It is indeed true that words cannot express the beauty of Odisha. Home to one of the four sacred Hindu pilgrimages, the state will satiate the curiosity of a traveler who is curious to learn about the elements that paint its canvas.

Tour My India presents an Odisha travel guide that can assist in planning an organized tour of the state. Get authentic information on how to plan an incredible trip to the state where you can find complete information on the best places to visit and things to do. Information on different holiday packages for tourism in Odisha is also provided so that you can pick out the best for yourself.

Odisha- The Land of Unique Temples

• Jagannath Temple : The Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha is among the most revered Hindu temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Being among the 4 Char Dham temples, Jagannath Temple attracts hordes of people every year who come to visit this religious site. Built in the 10th century, the holy temple is equally puzzling as it is lovely and is known for its unexplained mysteries.
• Panchalingeswar Temple : Named after the 5 Shivalingas within the temple, the Panchalingeswar Temple is located near the Nilagiri Hill and is dedicated to Lord Shiva which makes it a popular pilgrimage site for the Shaivites. The temple has a perennial stream through which the shiva lingas are forever bathed. According to legends, the shiva lingas were installed here by Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama during their exile whereas another story tells that they were put here by the demon king Banasure to appease Lord Shiva.
• Ghanteswari Temple : The beautiful Ghanteswari Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Ghanteswari and is adorned with bells all over, which the devotees have offered to the Goddess as a prayer. A must visit place in Odisha, the temple is based along the River Mahanadi, and its bells made it work as a lighthouse in the past. Since the river near the temple could get rough and cause boats to drown, the bells in the temple alerted the boats beforehand during strong winds caused by the sound of the bells.

Odisha- Bountiful Buddhist Sites

• Kuruma :Kuruma is a Buddhist site as well as an archaeological site in Odisha and is among the most popular tourist places of the state. The excavations found an image of Lord Buddha seated in a Bhumisparsha mudra, which is a unique one in the state. The site also contains Heruka, who is a Buddhist deity and has long brick walls made with ancient bricks. The excavation of the site has brought forth rooms and halls which were probably made for teaching and purposes of praying. Apart from these, a number of coins, manuscripts, and seals have also been discovered from the site at Kuruma.
• Langudi : After the forest of the Langudi Hill was deforested in the 1950s, a number of Buddhist Stupas and sites were discovered making it today one of the top places to visit in Odisha. Out of the 34 stupas that were found, the big 5 among them were referred to as the 'Panch Pandava' by the locals but the Mahastupa remained underneath a mound which was discovered later. Near the mahastupa you will find the 34 stupas, carved into the rock surrounded by elaborate carvings. There are also carvings of Buddha in dhyana mudras, the goddess Tara, Avalokiteshvara, and Prajnaparamita.
• Dhauli : Dhauli is a Buddhist site which contains stupas, chaityas, and pillars that were laid by King Ashoka and is therefore equally important from a historical point of view. This destination is popular for its elephant, cut out from a rock which is believed to be among the earliest rock cut sculptures in Odisha! Near the elephant stands the Dhauli Stupa or the Peace Pagoda of Dhauli. The dome-shaped structure has stone panels where one can spot Lord Buddha's footprints and the Bodhi tree, the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Heritage Sites of Odisha- Discovering the Past

• Konark Sun Temple : Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Sun Temple at Konark is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya and was built in the 13th century. Building this architectural marvel took about 1200 artisans and was finally completed over a period of 12 years. The temple is designed like a chariot which is pulled by 7 horses and has 24 wheels, all carved out with intricate details. Today, the Konark Sun Temple remains to be one of the most popular tourist attractions of Odisha.
• Mukteswara Temple : Built during the 10th century, the Mukteswara Temple is a fine example of Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mukteswara, a form of Lord Shiva and is popular for its intricate carvings with some of the images on the outer wall of the temple depicting sages and ascetics in meditation. One of the popular attractions of the temple is its arched gateway which is known for its detailed carvings in red sandstone andis a favorite among tourists and historians alike.
• Kichakeswari Temple : Dedicated to the mother deity of the Bhanja Dynasty, Goddess Kichakeswari, the Kichakeswari Temple is a beautiful work of temple architecture. The temple is a unique one in the entirety of India due to being made with slabs of chlorite. During the excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India, the remnants of many sculptures were found and are displayed at the museum that is contained in the temple's premises.
• The Diamond Triangle : The Diamond Triangle at Odisha is one of the more popular sites to visit and consists of 3 buddhist sites namely Udayagiri, Lalitgiri, and Ratnagiri which used to be an important site of learning for the Mahayana and Vajrayana sect of Buddhism.
• The largest of the 3 sites, Udayagiri was the center of learning for the Vajrayana sect where Vajrayana deities and monasteries have been uncovered during excavations. At the site there is also a step well that was probably used by the monks who resided at Udayagiri.
• The Buddhist site of Ratnagiri was an important Mahayana center and housed some of the biggest monasteries with 2 storeyed rooms for the monks to stay. Ratnagiri's monasteries are also known for their elaborate gateways adorned with many carvings. At the site you can also spot many votive stupas, containing the remains of the monks who lived there.
• Lalitgiri is the last leg of the Diamond Triangle and is the oldest among the 3 sites. The site is situated on top of the Lalitgiri Hill and houses a huge stupa or the Maha Stupa which overlooks the village, and also contains a sizable Chaitya Griha or the prayer hall.

Beaches of Odisha- The Sun and the Sand

• Chandipur Beach The Chandipur Beach is also known for its 'Vanishing Sea' and is a popular attraction for tourists in Odisha. During the low tides, the sea moves back in to 2 to 5km. It is truly a mesmerizing site and you should witness it for yourself. When the sea recedes so much, you can even walk on the “sea bed” and feel the magic.
• Chandrabhaga Beach The gorgeous Chandrabhaga Beach in Odisha has been recognized as Asia's 1st Blue Flag Beach, which means it is environmentally friendly and sustainable in its practices. Known to cure skin diseases, this beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Odisha that will surely soothe your eyes.

Hill Stations of Odisha- From Up Above

• Daringbadi : Daringbadi is lovingly referred to as the 'Kashmir of Odisha' due to its scenic beauty. Located at a height of 3,000 ft. this hill station in Odisha is abundant with bountiful green valleys, pine trees, and coffee plantations. Sitting at such a height, this is the only place in the state that receives snowfall during the season of winter, and makes for a fascinating sight.
• Mahendragiri : The 2nd highest peak of Odisha, Mahendragiri is a range of hills and is elevated at a height of 4.925 ft. Due to its biodiversity it has been declared as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the Odisha Government to preserve the various species of flora and fauna found among its forests. Mahendragiri is also a pilgrimage site and houses a number of Hindu temples, specifically those related to the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti.

National Parks- A Safe Sanctuary

• Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary : The Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the deity of Sunabeda, Goddess Sunadei and is spread over a vast area containing plateaus, canyons, and waterfalls within it. The sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, gaurs, sloth bear, hyena, chital, barking deer and the swamp deer along with langurs and monkeys.
• Satkosia Tiger Reserve : The Satkosia Tiger Reserve is contained within the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve and has the River Mahanadi flowing through it. The Reserve is home to tigers, leopards, hyena, various species of deer, and the endangered species of gharial and freshwater crocodiles.
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary : The only marine sanctuary of Odisha, the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known for being the nesting ground for the Olive Ridley turtles who come here from the South Pacific Ocean after a long journey. The turtles reach Odisha usually starting from the month of November and are almost half a million in number! The Odisha Government monitors the sanctuary for the conservation of these turtles which has now turned into a safe space for them.

Fairs and Festivals- A Celebration of Culture

The culture of Odisha is a mix of religion, history, and art which can be seen in the way it celebrates as well. A true connoisseur of art, Odisha organizes the International Sand Art Festival which is organized at the Chandrabhaga Beach and showcases beautiful displays of sand sculptures from sand artists all over the world.

The Konark Dance Festival is one of the most popular festivals of the state and attracts many enthusiastic tourists who come to Odisha to be a part of the festival. The festival is held along the dates of the International Sand Festival in the backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple and features India's classical dance performances from dancers all over the country. Another dance festival that is popular in the state is the Mukteswar Dance Festival held with the Mukteswara Temple in the Background honors the culture of Odisha with performances of Odissi and its variations.

Odisha also celebrates with much gusto the festival of Durga Puja which is dedicated to Goddess Durga, a form of Goddess Parvati and her victory over defeating Mahishasur. The Goddess is offered rice, milk, and various sweets with fairs and melas which are organized in many places. The festival is a 10 day affair with 8th to 10th days being the most prominent ones among them. Another festival honoring Goddess Parvati is Kali Puja, which worships Goddess Kali. Kali Puja is held 3 weeks after the Durga Puja and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm throughout Odisha.

Must-Do Activities While Vacationing in Odisha

• Try jet skiing, parasailing, or speed boating at the Puri Beach
• Boat among the mangrove forests in the Bhitarkanika National Park and view the crocodiles at the Park
• Visit the Kalijai Temple, Satapada Dolphin Sanctuary and boat around in Chilika Lake, the largest saltwater lake in India
• Explore the Panch Pandav Caves and the Gupteshwar Caves
• Visit the Badaghagara Waterfall, Duduma Waterfall, and the Khandadhar Waterfall
• Check out Odisha's traditional handicrafts from the villages of Raghurajpur and Pipili
• Check out the regional cuisine and the many sweets of Odisha

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