Bhubaneshwar
Bhubhaneshwar, the capital of
Orissa, is often known as the 'temple town'
owing
to its over 7000 extravagant, Orissan architectural style temples that existed
around the Bindusagar tank. Bhubhaneshwar derives its name from the
Sanskrit word Tribhuvaneswara, another name for Lord Shiva. The area around
Bhubhaneshwar constituted the famed kingdom of Kalinga, which was conquered
after a bloody battle by Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor. Appalled at the
carnage, Ashoka renounced violence and embraced Buddhism. Around the 1st century
BC, under the rule of Kharavela, Orissa regained its lost glory and
Bhubhaneshwar again became the centre of activities. During this period,
monastery caves were constructed of which Khandegiri and Udaigiri are the most
important. By the 7th century, Hinduism supplemented Jainism, and Ganga and
Kesari kingdoms did a lot for the development of Orissan culture. Most of the
kings who ruled Orissa constructed beautiful temples. For a better part of its
history, Bhubhaneshwar remained under the influence of Afghans, Marathas, and
the British (till 1947).
Udaygiri Khandagiri
The twin hills of
Udaygiri and Khandagiri, 7 km away from Bhubhaneshwar, are important sites in
the archaeological history of India. There are 18 caves in Udaygiri, of which
Hathi Gompa (elephant cave) is the most important. Khandagiri, on the
other hand, houses 15 caves and gives a hilltop view of the city of
Bhubhaneshwar. Most of the caves inside have a definite Jain influence. They are
decorated with statues, panels, and friezes displaying amorous and war legends.
The most attractive are the Rani Nur Gompa (2nd century BC) and Ganesh Gompa
that carry the inscription of Kalinga king, Kharavela, of the Chedi dynasty.
Portraits of Kalinga royalty are depicted in the Rani Nur and Manchapuri caves.
The other caves illustrate Jain legends, mythology and iconography. The style of
sculpture demonstrates a technique quite advanced to its age and is suggestive
of the stage of development seen in Sanchi. There is a plethora of frozen scenes
in stone such as the hunt of a winged deer and the abduction of a woman.
Dhauli
Driving down the Puri-Konark Highway from Bhubhaneshwar one comes across
Dhauli hill on the banks of the River Daya. Surrounded by the soothing greenery
of paddy fields, lies the 3rd Century BC Ashokan Rock Edict, a memory of the
gruesome war that transformed Ashoka, the great Warrior into a Buddhist
missionary. The Peace Pagoda built in collaboration with the Kalinga - Japanese
Buddhist Sangha, on the opposite hill, is completely modern and is an excellent
foil.
Puri
Puri is the hallowed seat of
the Hindu religious deities Lord Jagannath
(the Lord of Universe), Subhadra and Balabhadra. One of the 4 dhams venerated by
most Hindus, it is one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, which has
withstood the vagaries of nature and changing times. Puri, situated on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal is also a city of outdoors, of lovely beaches,
golden sands and gentle sunshine, tempting enough to invite visitors, both
Indian and foreign, throughout the year. The sea in its various moods, now
smoothly rolling, now huge breakers crashing down upon the shore, the sunrise as
well as the sunset in all its natural splendour - is a memorable experience
never to be forgotten. It is possibly one of the few religious places which
provides the outdoor pleasures of sea and beaches along with religious piety of
'Darshan', a sanctified experience of divine communion and hence draws crowds
throughout the year. Puri famous for its golden beaches is ideal for swimming
and surfing.
Sight Seeing & Religious Places:
Shree Jagannaath Temple, Daria Hanuman Temple, Gundicha Char, Indra Dyumma
Tank, Narendra Tank, Lok Nath Temple, Swarg Dwar, Sea Beach at Puri.
Konark
The Sun Temple at Konark, 65 km away from Bhubhaneshwar, is a magnificent
13th-century temple. On the shore, Surya, the Sun God, speeding across the sky
in a gorgeous chariot has been captured in stone. With its 12 pairs of giant,
marvelously sculpted wheels and seven richly caparisoned horses straining their
necks to pull the massive weight, the Sun is often described as ”an allegory in
stone”—the highest point of achievement in the Kalinga school of architecture.
The Sun Temple where according to Rabindranath Tagore, 'the language of stone,
defeats the language of man'. Constructed by Raja Narasimhadeva it is an extant
example of Indian devotion to the Sun - the God of all gods, the very source of
life itself.
Chilika Lake
The largest brackish water lake
in Asia, the Chilika Lake is situated at a distance of 121 km from
Bhubhaneshwar. The lake supports a great variety of aquatic birds which arrive
from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia,
Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh and the
Himalayas, to feed and breed in its fertile waters. The shimmering blue waters
of the lake attract large number of tourists to this place year after year. The
shoreline presents some exciting trekking routes and beach camping facilities.
For those in search of leisure or adventure, Chilika makes for an ideal getaway
from Bhubhaneshwar.
Flora & Fauna:
Dotted with many emerald green
islands with colorful names such
as Honeymoon Island and-Breakfast
Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a
sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as
Siberia. Containing a large variety of fish, the lake provides a livelihood to
thousands of fishermen. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake's blue
expanse in search of mackerel, prawn and crabs, providing an insight into the
pageant of rural India at its colorful best. Encircled by hills all along its
arched shape, Chilika lake's color changes with passing clouds overhead and the
shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally rippling with a gentle
breeze across from the Bay of Bengal.
Gopalpur
Gopalpur-on-Sea is a quiet and charming sea resort along the Bay of Bengal, in the district of Ganjam, Orissa. It offers secluded environment and magnificent sun, surf and sand for most of the year.
It is also a favorite spot
for both Indian and foreign sea lovers. Warm with gentle sunshine, the golden
beach is an ideal place to swim or laze around. Its popularity is already on the
rise.
Simplipal
Nestled in the centre of Mayur Bhanj, the northern most district of Orissa i
s the Similipal National Park one of India's better known wild life
National Parks, covering a large forest area of 2750 sq. kms. The variation in topography, climate and vegetation has supported large variety of animals, birds and reptiles. Similipal is one of the earliest and finest of India's fifteen Tiger reserves under Project Tiger.
Thick and green forests, extensive grassy lands and meadows, cloud kissing
peaks, precipitous and sparkling waterfalls, meandering rivers, roaring tigers
and trumpeting tuskers, fleeing deer and flying squirrels, talking myna and
dancing peacocks et al make Similipal a dreamland of Nature in the wilderness
and an irresistible destination.
Flora & Fauna -
Fauna found at the Park include the tiger, leopard, elephants, bison, sambar, porcupine, pangolin, flying-squirrel, hill myna, hornbill, python etc.
Chandipur
An ideal beach resort of
Orissa. Situated 16 kms away from Balasore, this is a unique beach where sea
water recedes about 5 kms during low tide and advances to the shore line again
during high-tide each day.
Tourism in States & Cities of India
Golden Triangle
