Excursion Heritage

Orissa

Orissa, situated in the north-eastern part of the Indian peninsula, is bound by the Bay of Bengal on the east, West Bengal in the north east, Bihar on the north, Madhya Pradesh on the west and Andhra Pradesh on the south. The state offers diverse habitats from lush green and hilly terrain to coastal plains and rolling river valleys, criss-crossed by the Brahmani, the Mahanadi and the Bansadhara rivers.

Orissa has a chequered history that has successfully assimilated and synthesized the best of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu cultures. The first known history of the state comes into light with the Ashokan victory in the battle of Kalinga, which led to mass killings and devastation of the region. The extent of violence perpetrated by his men and its effect on the victims led to a change in the heart of Ashoka and he accepted Buddhism as his way of life.

It is to the Kharavela period that Orissa owes its Jain art and architectural tradition. The sophisticated architectural style of the Jain Monastic caves at Udaygiri and Khandagiri are a story unto themselves. The vastness of Hindu temple architecture can probably be studied only in Orissa that are not just the abodes of deities.

Orissa is a modern state with an ethnic past that is still vibrant. Most of her tribes are to be found in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Phulbani, Sambalpur, Kalahandi and Koraput.

Odissi is the oldest traditional dance form of Orissa and probably owes its origin to the temple dances of the devadasis (temple dancers) in temples like the Brahmeswara and the dancing hall of the Sun temple at Konark. To appreciate further the rare artistry, visit Raghurajpur artists village and Pipli, near Puri, called the land of dexterous artists and craftsmen, proud descendants of sculptors whose hands chiseled the unsurpassable designs on Orissa’s famous temples, traditional Oriya arts and crafts like weaving of Ikat, Bomkai and Sambalpuri Saris, stone carving, appliqué and embroidery, silver filigree work, patta painting and palm leaf engraving.

Places of Interest

Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar is the temple city of the east. Temples in Bhubaneshwar are built on a common plan as prescribed by Hindu norms. All visible parts of a temple are sculpted with various motifs.

Udaygiri Khandagiri

Udaygiri and Khandagiri are the twin hills 7 km from Bhubaneshwar. Built by Kharavela around 1st - 2nd Century BC for Jain monks, they are excellent examples of Jain Cave art. There are famous caves of Hathigumpha (elephant cave) and RaniGumpha (Queen’s cave) in Udaygiri, with sophisticated architectural styles of as early as the first Century.

Dhauli

At Dhauli lies the 3rd Century BC Ashokan Rock Edict when after the gruesome war, he transformed into a Buddhist missionary. The Peace Pagoda has been built in collaboration with the Kalinga – Japanese Buddhist Sangha.

Puri

The seat of Lord Jagannath, it is the site of renowned Rath Yatra Festival. Puri is an ideal and popular seaside travel destination all the year round. The interesting places to be visited include Shri Jagannath Temple, Daria Hanuman and Sonar Gouranga Temple, Gundicha Char, Indradyumma Tank, Narendra/Chandan Tank, Loknath Temple, Swarga Dwar, Sea Beach at Puri.

Konark

With its famous Sun Temple, Konark is the high point of a visit to the Golden Triangle of Orissa. The temple, built in the 13th century and now in ruins, is replete with stone sculptures. The temple is one of the unrivalled technical marvels of ancient India. The intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented in history. The fine and graceful sculptures depicting Court life, celestial deities, epic of eroticism, etc. also adorn the structures. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendor is the relic of a great past.

Chilka Lake

Chilka Lake, spreading over an area of 1100 sq. kms is the largest brackish water lake in the country. It is home to a great variety of Flora and Fauna. It attracts large number of migratory birds besides resident ones. Barkul and Rambha are two places on the lake that serve as the base.

Gopalpur

Gopalpur-on-Sea is a quiet and charming sea resort along the Bay of Bengal, in the district of Ganjam. It offers secluded environment and magnificent sun, surf and sand for most of the year.

Simplipal

Simplipal National Park is one of India's better-known wild life sanctuaries with finest of India's fifteen Tiger reserves under Project Tiger.

Chandipur

Chandipur is a unique beach where the seawater recedes about 5 kms during low tide and advances to the shoreline again during high tides each day.

City List
- Bhubaneshwar
- Puri
- Konark
- Chilka Lake

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