Odisha, one of the most beautiful Indian State, has been a religious and spiritual significance for that the state is explored by thousands of devotees across the world every year. Being a home to temples, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, long-stretched coastlines, rich flora and fauna and above all a home to ancient yet amazing traditions and culture, Odisha (Orissa) takes you to the another stage of spirituality, divinity and devotion. As far as tourist attractions are concerned, the Jagannath Temple, Sun Temple in Konark, Dhauli Hills, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri Caves, etc are names a few that witness the religious and spiritual significance of the state of Odisha. In addition, rich traditions, pristine cultures and friendly people add more spark in the popularity of Odisha tourism. Talking more about Odisha, here is the description of the beautiful state.
Located on the Eastern side of the India on the shore of Bay of Bengal, Odisha is known for pristine beaches, rich flora and fauna, dense forest ranges, divine shrines and ancient cultures. Talking more about Odisha, the beautiful state is also known for various festivals and fairs that are organized all-round the year. Needless to say, it is one of the most beautiful states in India to explore. But before you decide to visit the state, you should also know about the best time to visit Odisha.
In fact, the months of June and July are hot and humid, but it is the best time to visit Odisha because the world famous Chariot Festival (JagannathPuriRathYatra or RathYatra in Puri) is organized in these months. However, the best time to visit Odisha is from October to March. During these months, weather is clear and pleasant with the feeling of a little cold. For those who want to enjoy the sea shore and beaches along with wildlife, these months are the best to explore Odisha.
Being a land of age-old and globally renowned temples and shrines, Odisha is also also known for fairs and festivals that are world famous and participated by people from all across the world. As the entire state (especially, Bhubaneswar, Cuttak, Puri, Konark, Jajpur, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri) is full of pilgrimages, festivals are organized for different religions like tribal festival, Chariot Festival (Car Festival or RathYatra), Konark dance and music festival, Rajarani Music Festival, Puri Beach Festival and the list goes on. Come and enjoy the fairs and festivals in Odisha and you will get an amazing experience that you have enjoy ever before.
In the real way, it is the most awaited festival in Odisha that is participated by people and devotees from all across the world. The joyous and loud all over the holy city during draw the giant chariots (Rath) of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balbhadra cannot be explained in words. The most sacred statues and Sudarshana Chakra is taken out of the temple premises to move around the city in giant chariots. The chariots or Rath are pulled by devotees. Well-decorated chariots with flowers, colorful clothing and sprayed by perfumes are drawn on the Bada Banda that is the grand avenue to the Gundicha Temple that is at the distance of around two miles away to the north. After one week the chariot returns to the main temple that is called as the Srimandira.
It is also organized in the holy and the most sacred city of Puri - the adobe of Lord Jagannath (lord of the universe). It is organized for 21 days, in which the entire area (from Srimandir or Lord Jagannath Temple to NardendraSarobar along with houses and stores on both sides) is decorated with flowers, colors and banana leafs. In addition, in front of Maths (monasteries) and at cross roads or arches, decoration is amazing as the idols or the God take rest and receive offerings the delegate images of deities that are in temples. These idols are taken in a well decorated palanquin by the Sevakas accompanied by the priests, musicians, dancers and devotees to NarendraSarovar at Night. Moreover, the entire sorovar area is also decorated with lights, flowers and colors to add more spark in the festival. In this tank, idols are placed in boats that are rowed by Sevakas.
SnanaYatra or DevdarshanaYatra is also the main festival of Lord Jagannath that is considered as the oldest festivals. It has a religious significance as Raja Indradyumna (according to SkandPurana) installed the wooden deities to arrange the bathing ceremony. The main day is also considered as the Birthday of Lord Jagannath that held full moon day of the month of Jyestha (April-May). The main festival in Odisha is also enjoyed by devotees from all across the country and world.
Celebrated in all parts of the country on a fix date of 14th January of every year, MakarSankranti is the festival organized to worship Lord Sun.
For Dance and Music enthusiasts, it is the most awaited festival in Odisha. Konark festival is organized in the Konark Sun Temple as the backdrop of the classical festival. In this festival, dancers and musicians from different parts perform in all the classical forms of dance.
In order to remember the successful years of commercial sea voyage and journey, the Baliyatra is organized around November-December on the Mahanadi River Bank at Cuttack.
For beach tour enthusiasts, Odisha is a one stop solution. Some of the picturesque and popular beaches include:.
Apart from temples and fairs and festivals, Odisha tourism is also known for world-famous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. According to the Forest department of Odisha, the beautiful state is known as an abode or natural habitat to a number of species of endangered animals, reptiles and birds. 52,472 sq. kms is recorded as forest area or wildlife out of 155,707 sq. kms geographical area of Odisha. Today, there are 18 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks notified as Protected Areas such as Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika national park and the list goes on. In simple words, wildlife in Odisha is a home to tigers, leopards, elephant, bear, deer, sambar, black buck and wolves and the list goes on.
As per the available records, 33% of the total geographical area is forest area that is classified into two categories tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous. The forests are also known for bamboo, teak, and rosewood, Sal, Sanghvan, Haldi and Piasal. On the other hand, the northern part is covered by the tropical moist deciduous forests. According to the Red Data book of IUCN, there are more than 473 species of birds and 86 species of mammals along with more than 19 species of amphibians and 110 species of reptiles are found in different forest ranges of Odisha.
There is a lot to explore in the state. So don't waste your time, pack your bags now to enjoy you Odisha Tours.
By Air : Regular flights landing at the only major airport of the city namely Biju Patnaik Airport connect it to all the major cities of the country such as Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Raipur.
By Rail : There is a good train network also that connects Calcutta, Puri, Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Trivandrum to Bhubaneswar by express and super express trains plying to and fro on a daily basis.
By Road : Orissa is well connected to its neighbouring states through a good road network.