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Orissa - The Soul of India
Orissa, an Indian state situated on the east coast by the Bay of Bengal, is known for its vividness. You can find here a number of splendid temples and wonderful monuments having everything to attract tourists from all over the world. Famous for numerous creative artists and well-known craftsmen, the state is the land of mind-blowing beaches, striking wildlife sanctuaries and captivating natural landscape. The state is extremely affluent in terms of natural and artistic wonders. Still it is waiting for more visitors to come and explore this treasure.
The eastern state quite wealthy in terms of natural richness, from boarder to boarder. You can find here high hills and mountains of the Eastern Ghats shutting the western borders of Orissa. The state comprises of around 96,000 square miles (156,000 sq km) of serene rustic area. An abode to three mighty rivers, the state houses the largest fresh and salt water lake in Asia. The state has a number of the religious places for pilgrimage, the foremost reason for people to make a visit in the state. Bhubaneshwar, the state capital, is renowned for housing numerous ancient temples including the famous Lingaraj Temple built in the medieval period. Puri, one of the four most celebrated Hindu Shrines in India, is the home to the famous Jagannath Temple.
The eastern state quite wealthy in terms of natural richness, from boarder to boarder. You can find here high hills and mountains of the Eastern Ghats shutting the western borders of Orissa. The state comprises of around 96,000 square miles (156,000 sq km) of serene rustic area. An abode to three mighty rivers, the state houses the largest fresh and salt water lake in Asia. The state has a number of the religious places for pilgrimage, the foremost reason for people to make a visit in the state. Bhubaneshwar, the state capital, is renowned for housing numerous ancient temples including the famous Lingaraj Temple built in the medieval period. Puri, one of the four most celebrated Hindu Shrines in India, is the home to the famous Jagannath Temple.
How to Reach
- Air: Orissa�s main airport is in Bhubaneswar, linking it to all the major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, etc.
- Rail:Bhubaneswar is also one of the most important railway stations of the state, linking it to other parts of the country through a large number of trains.
- Road:The state is well linked to other parts of the country by road. The national highway in Bhubaneswar connects Orissa with Kolkata and Chennai.
Best Time to Visit
- The summer season starts from March and continues till June, with very high temperature
- The rainy season of Odisha starts from July and continues till October, with heavy rainfall in the month of August.
- Winter, from November to February, remains the best time to visit the place as the weather remains amusing.
Major Attractions in Odisha
- Bhubaneswar : The state capital is known for possessing numerous ancient temples including renowned Lingaraj Temple, Udaigiri and Khandagiri Caves relating to Jain religion, and mind-blowing beaches.
- Puri : The holy city Puri is knwn for famous Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Chilka Lake, Pipli and amazing golden beach.
- Buddhist Heritage Site : Situated in Jajpur District, this Buddhist pilgrimage place comprises the famous spots like Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Lalitgiri and Dhauligiri.
Fairs and Festivals
- Rath Yatra : Being an indivisible part of the holy Rath Yatra celebration, the Car Festival in Puri is an important festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath
- Pushyavisheka : The Abhishekas or the coronation ceremony of the Lord Jagannath, held on the full-moon day in the month of �Pausha� (Dec-Jan), begins the annual cycle of Puri festivals. This festival is known as �Pushyavisheka� or coronation.
- Dola Yatra : The whole India celebrates the Holi, the festival of colors, in the month of March, so does the Orissa. Lord Jagannath also celebrates this festival on a Pandal, outside the main shrine, as Dola Bedi.
- Chandan Yatra : Chandan Yatra is celebrated as the concluding festival of the cycle comprising a range of religious festivals during the festival of Rath Yatra Puri.
- Devasnana Purnima : Devasnana Purnima is an inseparable part of the famous Rath Yatra Puri. The day is believed to be the birthday of the Lord Jagannatha.
- Anasara : After the festival of �Snana Yatra�, the deities remain in the Anasar House for as many as 15 days. During this period, nobody is allowed to be with the deities, not even the Pandas.
- Makar Sankranti : Like other parts of India, Orissa celebtares this festivel with full enthusiasm.
- Baliyatra : Bali Yatra in Orissa marks the culmination of all the religious festivities held in the auspicious month of Karthik.
Flora and Fauna
Odisha (Orissa) is immensely rich region at its flora and fauna. About 38% of Orissa�s total land comes under forest cover, showing a great extent of biodiversity. A large variety of resident birds stay around the islands covering the lakes, while an assortment of migratory birds find no better place than Orissa�s forests. The state possesses about 7,000 species of flora which include the 120 species of Orchids and 63 species of Mangroves.
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