Scenic Serene Sublime – Odisha
The long coastlines of Bay of Bengal is dotted with some of the most beautiful beaches in India and also the venue of Surf Festival in Odisha. Major attractions that offers best tourism in Odisha includes Hindu temples, beaches, serene Chilka lake, waterfalls, hot springs, wildlife reserves, monuments, festivals and scenic spots.
Scenic. Serene. Sublime. Odisha – The Soul of Incredible India
Temples
The state of Odisha has list of ancient Hindu temple complex with historical importance and an important pilgrimage destinations in the state.
Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple at Puri is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. The temple is famous for Rath Yatra festival along with near by Konark Sun Temple.
Chandi Temple, Cuttack
Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar
Baba Bhusandeswar Temple, Balasore
Hanuman Vatika Temple, Rourkela
Ramachandi Temple, Konark
Gupteswar Cave Temple, Jeypore
Konark Sun Temple
Konark Sun Temple is dedicated to God Surya and a UNESCO world heritage site in India, The structure and themes are carved from stone including erotic images and artwork.
Temples of Bhubaneswar
The city of Bhubaneswar is known as temple city of India, There are more than 700 beautiful temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Bhubaneswar, Ananta Vasudeva Temple is the only Lord Vishnu temple in Bhubaneswar city of Lord Shiva.
Lingaraja Temple
Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar is the major tourist attractions of Odisha and the largest Hindu temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Ram Mandir
Lingaraja Temple
Rajarani Temple
Brahmeswara Temple
Mukteshvara Temple
Ananta Vasudeva Temple
Chausath Yogini Temple
Chausath Yogini Temple at Hirapur is located 20 km outside the Bhubaneswar city and the complex is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
Festivals
The state offers a lot, From the ancient Hindu temples to exotic sea beaches and religious festivals, List of major festivals of Orissa are listed below.
Ratha Yatra
Ratha Yatra festival at the coastal town of Puri is the largest religious congregation in Odisha and must see religious festival in India, associated with Lord Jagannath brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
Nuakhai
Bali Jatra
Raja Parba
Dhanu Jatra
Sitalsasthi
Prathamastami
Konark Dance Festival
Konark Dance Festival held every year in the month of December at the Sun temple in Konark. Odissi classical dance form is the major attractions and the festival is one of the biggest dance festivals in India.
Exotice Beaches
The long coastline of Odisha is dotted with most exotic and beautiful beaches in India, also the venue for first ever Surf Festival in India at Ramachandi Beach.
Puri Beach
Puri Beach is the most crowded beach in Odisha, located at the city of Puri and venue for the sand art display by Sudarshan Pattnaik.
Talasari Beach
Gopalpur Beach
Beleswar Beach
Balighai Beach
Chandrabhaga Beach
Chandipur Beach
Chandipur On Sea beach in Baleswar district is known for its unique and rare natural phenomenon, water recedes up to 5 kilometers and the beach is home to Horseshoe crab in India.
Wildlife
Odisha state consisting of many wildlife sanctuaries and natural scenic spots, which are home to the royal Bengal tiger,white Saltwater crocodile, Indian rock python and King cobra.
Simlipal National Park
Simlipal National Park is the largest national park in Odisha and home to beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. The park is home to wild elephants, Indian bison, four horned antelope and 99 royal Bengal tigers.
Sunabeda Tiger Reserve
Bhitarkanika National Park
Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Nandankanan Zoological Park and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar is most visited tourist place in Odisha, famous for list of endangered animals, large reptiles and white tigers.
Aquafauna
The 500 km long coastline of Odisha supports rich bio diversity and marine life, Irrawaddy Dolphins are found in Chilika Lake, large Saltwater Crocodile are found in Bhitarkanika Mangroves.
Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe Crabs are found only in and around shallow waters of Chandipur beach in Odisha, Chandipur sea beach is among the rarest beaches in India and a must visit place in Odisha.
Saltwater Crocodile
Irrawaddy Dolphins
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is the most famous tourist attraction of Odisha and most important nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in India.
Waterfalls
Rivers of Odisha create countless spectacular waterfalls in the state, Some of the most famous waterfalls of Orissa are Joranda falls, Duduma waterfall and Koilighugar Waterfall.
Badaghagara Waterfall
Khandadhar Waterfall
Koilighugar Waterfall
Sanaghagara Waterfall
Barehipani Falls
Barehipani Falls in Simlipal National Park of Odisha is second highest waterfalls in India, after Kunchikal Falls of Karnataka.
Hill Stations
Odisha state is known for its temples and sea beaches but the state also has list of natural wonders and tourist attractions such as hill stations, mountain peak, mangrove forest and hot spring.
Daringbadi – Kashmir Of Odisha
Daringbadi, popularly known as Kashmir Of Odisha is the most popular hill station in Odisha, located in Kandhmal district and known for natural beauty, coffee gardens,pine forest and beautiful valleys.
Deomali Peak
Deomali mountain peak near Koraput town is the highest peak in Orissa, with an elevation of about 1,672 m. Koraput town of Odisha is a part of the tribal belt and home to many hill stations in South Odisha.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and also largest wintering ground for list of migratory birds coming to Indian sub-continent.
Mangalajodi village wetlands is famous as a birding destination and part of the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, attract thousands of migratory birds in India.
Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Bhitarkanika Mangroves is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India, cover an area of 650 km2. The river delta and mangrove wetland is designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and home to largest populations of saltwater crocodiles in India.
Monuments
There are list of monuments of national importance in Odisha, Buddhist monuments and Jain monuments are listed below.
Ratnagiri Monastery
Lalitgiri
Udayagiri
Puphagiri
Udayagiri and Khandagiri
Dhauli Peace Pagoda
Shanti Stupa at Dhauligiri is a Buddhist stupa monument, known as Peace Pagoda, located on the banks of the river Daya near Bhubaneswar.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are located near the city of Bhubaneswar and well known due to art and sculptures,The famous caves at Udayagiri are Rani Gumpha, Hathigumpha cave and Ganeshagumpha.
Gupteswar Cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Surrounded by a dense forest and famous for gigantic Shiva Lingam.
