Tourist Places To Visit in Odisha

Asia's largest brackish water lagoon with water spread ranging from 1165 sq km m the rainy season to 906 sq km in the dry season is nestled in the heart of the coastal Odisha (Orissa). It extends from Bhusandpur in Puri district in the North to Rambha-Malud in Ganjan district in the South, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a 60 km long narrow strip of marshy islands and sand-flats.

Some of the prominent islands like Nalabana, Kalijal, Somolo, Honeymoon, Break-fast, Birds and Rajahansa inhabited by small subsistence fishermen families, are popular destinations for daily boat trips. Because of its rich bio-diversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika was designated as a Ramsar site in 1981 to afford better protection.

With a picturesque green setting amongst tropical trees on the bank of the Bhargavi River, Raghurajpur is not only an attractive Indian village but one where every household is involved in a form of handicrafts. There are just over 100 households and 300 artisans in the village. Many have even won national awards for their work. You can wander around, check out the beautiful painted murals on the houses, chat to the friendly artisans and see them in action -- and of course shop! Go there on a day trip from Puri, which is around 15 kilometers away.
Don't Miss: Pattachitra paintings are a specialty in the village, but the artisans make a wide variety of items including alm leaf engravings, stone carvings, wood carvings, and wooden toys.

There are more than 60 tribal communities in Orissa. These ancient people with mystical ancient ways dwell in Orissa's remote, deep forests and hilly interiors. Most of them are in the southwest part of the state. Visiting the tribes can be a fascinating experience, but you'll need to go on an organized tour. Some tribal areas are quite inaccessible and require permits, and language is also a barrier. Heritage Tours are professional and knowledgeable. Also try community-based Grass Routes Journeys in Puri. During a tribal tour of Orissa, you'll get to mix with the local tribal people and learn their lifestyles. Tours run for at least five nights/six days, due to the amount of travel involved.

You could be forgiven for not knowing about the sacred Buddhist sites in Orissa (Odisha). After all, they've only been excavated relatively recently and are largely unexplored. The sites consist of a series of monasteries, temples, shrines, stupas, and beautiful sculptures of Buddhist images. Their rural setting, amongst fertile hills and paddy fields, is both picturesque and peaceful.

Don't Miss: The "Diamond Triangle" -- Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitagiri. These three sites have the most important, and largest, concentration of Buddhist remains.

Casuarina trees, sand dunes, and a tide that receeds out for miles all make Chandipur Beach special. This little known beach is the place to come if you want a tranquil beach getaway. Of course, if you're looking for crystal clear water and golden sand, there are better beaches in India. However, this one is unique! It's also very safe. Chandipur Beach is readily accessible by train from Bhubaneshwar, and also Kolkata in West Bengal.

Don't Miss: Walking on the huge stretch of seabed when the tide is out. It's brilliant for beach-combing. Discover small puddles of water with tiny fish, sea shells, and crabs.

The heart of the town has a 75-feet tall standing statue of Hanuman designed by Sri Laxmana Swami which is one of the appreciated tourists attraction of Rourkela.The vicinity of this temple also houses other temples like Santoshi Ma Mandira, Bruhat Sivalinga Mandira and Ram Daravar.This temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The presiding deities of Maa Vaishno Devi temple Goddess Kali, Goddess Lakshami and Goddess Saraswati.This temple which is situated on top of a hill with a scenic beauty of the city around gives the place a heavenly feeling.

Rourkela has the fourth highest waterfall in India which falls from a height of 244mt.This beautiful waterfall is situated at a distance of about 114 kms from Rourkela.This waterfall gets its root from the perennial Korapani Nala.

Simlipal National Park, OrissaSimlipal Wildlife - Taking its name from the abundance of semul or red silk cotton trees that bloom vividly here, the Simlipal National Park is home to three of India's biggest animal species --Tiger, Asian Elephant and Gaur. Spread over a sprawling area of 2750 sq. kms, the park is at an altitude of 559.31 meters. Set on a wide expanse of Sal forest, this park is nestled in the very centre of Mayurbhanj, the northernmost district of Orissa. Notable variations in topography, conducive climate and required vegetation has supported large varieties of animals, birds and reptiles to flourish in one of the earliest and finest of India's 15 Tiger reserves falling under Project Tiger.

Nandankanan Zoological Park is a 400-hectare (990-acre) zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. Established in 1960, it was opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2009. It also contains a botanical garden and part of it has been declared a sanctuary. Nandankanan, literally meaning 'The Garden of Heavens', is located near the capital city, Bhubaneswar, in the environs of the Chandaka forest, and includes the 134-acre (54 ha) Kanjia Lake. A major upgrade was done during 2000 (after the ruins caused by the super-cyclone of 1999 in coastal Orissa). More than 2 million visitors visit Nandankana

Listing the most famous of Odisha (formerly, Orissa) temples. Add and vote up your favorites to the list.