5 Tourist Places in Orissa
Orissa is often revered as the Land of temples and this myopic vision leaves its virgin natural beauty out of focus. Endowed with immense natural beauty Orissa beckons to explore its unique marine wildlife, jungles, lakes, hill stations and its famous art, sculpture and dance forms.
You can either spend a weekend beside the Chilka Lake to soothe your soul, plan a short trip to catch a glimpse of the Dance festival at Konark to witness the best of Indian classical dance forms or be a part of the Rathayatra festival in Puri to witness how a town transforms its identity in devotion. Each of these places in Orissa attract tourists for their own charm and flavour.
However, I am widening your choices by scanning more options for Tourism in Odisha.
The Jungle Trail at Simlipal National Park
SimliPal National Park
Located in the Mayurbhanj district of Orissa, Simlipal is a thick forested area sprawling over 2750 sq. kms. It is a hilly terrain at an altitude of around 559 meters and is home to the big three – the royal Bengal tiger, leopard and the elephant apart from many other animals like sambar, bison, porcupine, pythons and birds like hill myna and hornbill. No wonder, this was the favourite hunting ground of the Mayurbhanj maharajas. This forest is also home to around 1,000 species of flora and around 94 varieties of orchids.
‘SimpliPal’ derives its name from the Red Silk Cotton trees, ‘Semul’ that bloom in abundance here. There are two beautiful waterfalls, Joranda and Barehipani adding freshness to its lush greenery. The forest remains open from mid October to mid June and is easily reachable by road from Bhubaneswar. The nearest railway stations are Baripada and Cuttack. These Shimlipal jungles have imparted Tourism in Odissha with a whole new dimension.
Marine Wildlife at Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha
Orissa Marine Wildlife
Bhitarkanika National Park and wildlife sanctuary is world famous as the nesting ground of crocodiles. It is a unique mangrove forest, which boasts of having been the home of the largest crocodile as per Guiness Book of Records measuring up to 30 ft in length. Located in the Kendrapara district of Orissa, it is spread over 672 sq. kms. You can also find the endangered saltwater crocodile, white crocodile, the king cobra apart from 215 varieties of birds including the migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.
Close by, lies the Gahirmatha beach which is famous as the breeding ground for the rare Olive Ridley turtles.
As a tourist, if you are looking for an escape from the noise and pollution of the city, or seeking some thrill in a jungle adventure, a boat ride amidst the network of sinuous creeks and river alleys is sure to transport you to a different world altogether. You will return with an experience of a lifetime.
Romantic Hill Station at Daringbadi
Daringibadi Beautiful Hills
Situated at a height of 3,000 ft above sea level, it is a beautiful summer retreat. Made of Pine jungles, coffee gardens, black pepper trees, turmeric gardens and beautiful lush green valleys, it a picture perfect getaway from the heat and humdrum of city. It is the only place in Orissa where dew drops freeze in the winters.
A road trip from Bhubaneshwar to Daringbari, especially the last 22kms is extremely beautiful. It takes you through Eastern Ghat Roads, which are covered with a thick growth of Sal trees on both sides of the road.
The Beaches of Orissa
Talsari beach
If you love waves and feel nothing can match the beauty of a moon rising from the sea in the evening, then head for the many beaches of Orissa like Puri, Talsari, Chandipur, Chandrabhaga or Gopalpur.
The turbulent waves of Puri attract tourists for its carefree, wanton beauty. The beach of Talsari, has calmness and red crabs. Gopalpur has its charm in a long lonely beach.
Hindu and Buddhist Temple Tour
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Orissa is increasingly attracting international tourists for the beautiful Buddhist relics scattered all over the state. The caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri located close to Puri provide an insight into the harsh lives of Buddhist and Jain monks around 2nd century BC. Dhaulagiri is another significant site where Emperor Asoka renounced war and embraced Buddhism. Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri are lesser known but bear remarkable remnants of history, archeology and religion.
However, without a visit to the famous Jagannath temple in Puri, the Sun temple in Konark or the many other temples like Lingaraj Temple or Raja Rani temple the Orissa tour will remain incomplete as the soil of this land is replete with religion.
Author:
This guest post is submitted by Devendra Singh. He is a traveller who loves travelling around the World; mountaineering is his first loves also love to reading books.
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eweekendbreaks is a travel plateform where you can read about travel destination, travel tips, travel reviews and many more.