Odisha and The Sun Temple
The temple city of India, Odisha is home to the World Heritage Site of the Sun Temple at Konarak and the Sree Jagannath Temple at Puri.
The state also boasts of the famous Buddhist Triangle – the archaeological sites of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri. While the nature lovers can revel in the beauty of the Chilika Lake and the many nature reserves, the wildlife enthusiasts can seek an adventure in the Bhitarkanika National Park and spot rare dolphins, endangered sea turtles, and thousands of nesting birds. There are some options of sand and sun, and for the foodie, the local cuisine tosses up a mix of regional flavours.
A quarter of the population is tribal, believed to be Aryan aboriginal inhabitants. In the remote corners of the state, hidden from tourism, these groups have retained their unique traditions and languages. You may visit their fascinating weekly markets and interact with the villagers to get a glimpse of their traditional lives. An off-the-beaten-track favourite, Odisha rewards the soul fascinated with history, culture, and pristine natural beauty.
Recommended Itinerary
DAY 01 - FLIGHT
Fly to Kolkata (on an indirect flight)
DAY 2 & 3 - KOLKATA
Arrive Kolkata on a Wednesday; transfer to The Elgin Fairlawn Hotel (or The Grand/Great Eastern Lalit); visit the sights, see Tagore's home, maybe take a cooking lesson with a local family.
DAYS 4 & 5 - DHENKANAL
Early morning train from Howrah to Cuttack; transfer to Dhenkanal, stay at the Dhekanal Palace; drive to Joranda Ashram where the Sadhus of the Mahima Alekh Cult perform their rituals.
DAYS 6 & 7 - BHITARKANIKA
Drive to Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary visiting Ratnagiri & Udaigiri, Buddhist sites written about by Hiuen T'sang. Stay at Village Retreat or Sand Pebbles; explore the sanctuary by boat to spot the giant salt water crocodiles basking on the bank.
DAYS 8 & 9 - BHUBANESHWAR
Drive to Bhubaneshwar visiting Lalitgiri en route; stay at the Swosti (or Trident/Mayfair). Bhubaneshwar still has some 500 temples from the 5th to 11th century AD, including the famous Lingaraj; visit the temples and the Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain Caves, dating back from 3rd to 1st century BC.
DAY 10& 11 - PURI
Drive to Konarki via Heerapur Chaushathi Yogini Temple, the 3rd Century BC Dhauli Rock Edicts and Pipli applique village; visit the Sun Temple at Konark, then drive to Puri visiting heritage artisans' village of Dandasahi at Chandanpur. Also visit Raghurajpur, a heritage village. In Puri stay at the Mayfair; you can watch the sand art demonstrations on the beach.
DAYS 12 & 13 - CHILIKA
Visit the Jagannath Temple from outside, as entry is restricted; drive to Chilika Lake for stay at the Swosti Resort. Spend a day in a boat on the lake, rich in birdlife with a chance to spot dolphins.
DAYS 14 & 15 - RAYAGADA
A long drive to Rayagada (this should be a Monday) visiting the weekly market of Langia Saura at Puttasingh. Langia Saura live on hill slopes and do shifting cultivation. They are known for their peculiar cloth with long tail at the back; the women use big wooden plates in their ear lobes. Stay at Sai International; visit the villages of the tattoo faced Kutia Kondh, in Kotgarh & Tumudibandh.
DAYS 16 & 17 - GOPALPUR ON SEA
Visit Dongariya Kondh weekly market in the morning; then drive to Gopalpur on Sea for some relaxation at the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort..
DAY 18 - KOLKATA
Drive to Bhiibasneshwar and fly to Kolkata. Stay at an airport hotel.
DAY 19 - RETURN FLIGHT
Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
Extensions
Sunderbans Cruise
Take a three-night cruise on the Hooghly to Sunderbans, to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger in the mangroves.
Simlipal
Add a couple of nights at the Simlipal National Park, studded with beautiful waterfalls, with a chance to sight elephants, gaur, tigers.
Gallery
Testimonials
“We had a wonderful trip and felt very well looked after throughout.... enjoyed visiting the city temples in Bhubaneshwar, in particularly watching the preparation of food at one of the temples... In Dhenkanal we had a delightful trip out to the Ashram which was just starting a festival (Mahima Kumbha Mela). Just a brilliant experience. .. In Bhitarkanika the food was delicious - the naturalist/guide knew his birds. We had a lovely journey from Puri to Chilika through quiet rural roads and then had a brilliant boating trip at Manglajodi... An excellent guide helped us find a huge number of birds including a wonderful sighting of a rare yellow bittern...Thank you again for all your help with the trip. When we next feel the “pull” of India we will be in touch.”