Tourism in Odisha
Chilka Lake
Tourism in Odisha is one of the main contributors to the Economy of Odisha, India, with a 500 km (310 mi) long coastline, towering mountains, serene lakes and frolicking rivers. Odisha is one of the major tourism sectors of India, with various tourists' attractions, ranging from wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, the arts and festivals. Other than wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, the arts and festivals, the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking of Government of Odisha, is also developing tourism sector of Odisha and India.
Major Attractions
Temples
- Aisanyesvara Siva Temple
- Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple
- Akhadachandi Temple
- Alarnatha Mandira
- Anantasaayi Vishnu Temple
- Ananta Vasudeva Temple
- Annakoteshvara Temple
- Astasambhu Temples
- Baladevjew Temple
- Beleswar Temple
- Bhadrakali Temple, Aharapada
- Bhagabati Temple, Banapur
- Bhandara Ghara Shrine
- Bharati Matha
- Bhattarika Temple
- Bhima Kunda
- Bhringesvara Siva Temple
- Bhrukutesvar Siva Temple
- Bhuvaneshwar Temple, Boudh
- Biraja Temple
- Biranchinarayan Temple, Buguda
- Biranchinarayan Temple, Palia
- Brahma Temple, Bindusagar
- Brahma Temple, Niali
- Brahmeswara Temple
- Budha Ganesha Temple
- Byamokesvara Temple
- Chakra Narasimha Temple
- Chakreshvari Siva Temple
- Champakesvara Siva Temple
- Chandrasekhara Mahadeva Temple
- Charchika Temple
- Chateshwar Temple
- Chausathi Jogini Temple
- Chintamanisvara Siva Temple
- Cuttack Chandi Temple
- Devasabha Temple
- Digambara Jaina Temple, Khandagiri
- Dishisvara Siva Temple
- Durga Temple, Baideshwar
- Durga Temple, Motia
- Emar Matha
- Gandhi Garabadu Precinct Vishnu Temple
- Gangesvara Siva Temple
- Godhaneswar temple
- Gosagaresvar Siva Temple
- Govardhana matha
- Gundicha Temple
- Hanuman Temple, Kedara-Gouri
- Harihara Deula
- Harishankar Temple
- Indralath Temple
- Jaleswar Siva Temple Precinct
- Jagannath Temple, Baripada
- Jagannath Temple, Dharakote
- Jagannath Temple, Koraput
- Jagannath Temple, Nayagarh
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
- Joranda Gadi
- Kakatpur Mangala Temple
- Kalika Siva Temple
- Kanaka Durga, Raulapalli
- Kapilash Temple
- Kapilesvara Siva Temple
- Kedareswar Temple
- Khirachora Gopinatha Temple
- Kichakeshwari Temple
- Konark Sun Temple
- Koneswaram temple
- Kosaleswara temple
- Kotitirtha Tank
- Kukutesvara Tank
- Labesvara Siva Temple
- Ladoo Baba Temple
- Lakhesvara Siva Temple
- Lakhmi Varaha Temple
- Lankeswari Temple
- Lingaraja Temple
- Lokanatha Temple
- Maa Barunei Temple
- Maa Borei Temple
- Maa Markama Temple
- Maa Tarini Temple, Ghatgaon
- Madhava Temple
- Madneswar Siva Temple
- Majhighariani Temple
- Mahavinayak Temple
- Mahishamardini Temple
- Mangala Temple
- Mangalesvara Siva Temple
- Manibhadresvara Temple – II
- Manikarnika Tank
- Manikeshwari Temple
- Marichi temple
- Markandeshwar Temple
- Mausimaa Temple
- Mausi Maa Temple
- Metakani Temple
- Mukteswar Temple
- Murga Mahadeva Shrine
- Nagesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar
- Narasimha Temple, Puri
- Nilakantheswar Temple
- Nilamadhav Temple
- Nrusinghanath Temple
- Pabaneswara Temple
- Panchalingeshwar
- Papanasini Siva Temple
- Parsurameswar Temple
- Parsvanath Jain Temple-I
- Parsvanath Jain Temple-II
- Parvati Temple, Odisha
- Patali Srikhetra
- Purvesvara Siva Temple
- Rajarani Temple
- Ramachandi Temple
- Ram Mandir, Janpath
- Rameshwar Deula
- Sakshigopal Temple
- Saptamatruka Temple
- Sarvatresvara Siva Temple
- Sasisena Temple
- Sekhareswar Temple
- Siddhesvara Siva Temple
- Simhachalam Temple
- Simhanath Temple
- Sivatirtha Matha
- Subarnameru Temple
- Subarnesvara Siva Temple
- Suka Temple
- Sukutesvara Temple
- Sundaresvara Tank
- Sureswari temple
- Svapnesvara Siva Temple
- Talesvara Siva Temple
- Taratarini Temple
- Tirthesvara Siva Temple
- Upper Bagh Devi Temple
- Uttaresvara Siva Temple
- Vaital Deula
- Varahanatha Temple
- Varahi Deula, Chaurasi
- Vimala Temple
- Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar
- Yameshwar Temple
Beaches
Odisha has a long coastline of 500 km and consists of some of the most beautiful beaches of the world. Exotic beaches of Odisha are the venue of India Surf Festival 2014.
Monuments
Buddhist Monuments
Forts
- Barabati Fort
- Chudanga Gada
- Raibania Fort
- Sisupalgarh
Museums
- Odisha State Museum
- Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhubaneswar
- Tribal Research Institute Museum
Flora and Fauna
Main article: Flora and fauna of Odisha
Lakes
Chilika Lake
- Chilka Lake: at the mouth of the Daya River, is Asia's largest brackish water lake and second largest brackish water lake in the world. A bird sanctuary for millions of migratory birds, and is also noted for its population of Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella Brevirostris), the only known population of Irrawaddy Dolphins in India. It is one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to these species. [1]
- Kanjia Lake: Lake inside the Nandankanan Zoological Park known for boat riding and scenic beauty situated at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
- Anshupa Lake: a horseshoe shaped fresh water lake on the left bank of the Mahanadi River, opposite Banki in Cuttack district, Odisha, India. Anshupa Lake in Banki is 40 km from the city of Cuttack, which also acts as a shelter for the migratory birds in the wintry weather season.
Waterfalls
- Badaghagara Waterfall
- Barehipani Falls
- Devkund Waterfall
- Duduma Waterfalls
- Joranda Falls
- Khandadhar Falls, Kendujhar
- Khandadhar Falls, Sundagarh
- Koilighugar Waterfall
- Sanaghagara Waterfall
-
Scenic Beauty of the Khandadhar Falls, Kendujhar
Hot Springs
Wildlife
Odisha is a remarkable place as it is the home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, consisting of many sanctuaries and natural scenic spots.
Sanctuaries
- Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Balimela Wildlife Sanctuary
- Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- Bhitarkanika National Park
- Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kondakameru Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nandankanan Zoological Park
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Sunabeda Tiger Reserve
Scenic Spots
- Daringbadi
- Barunei
- Dhamra
- Chandbali
- Gupteswar Cave
- Tensa
- Saptasajya
- Satabhaya
Gallery
-
Sunset at Bhitarkanika National Park Lake
-
White Tiger in Nandankanan Zoological Park
Islands
Eco-tourism provides a degree of alternate employment to the local community and generates environmental awareness, among local residents as well as visitors, about the conservation and sensible use of the lake’s natural resources. Notable locations within the lake are:
- Ramba Bay at the southern end of the lake with the group of islands including:
- The Becon Island, with an architectural conical pillar (to put a light on the top) built by Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector of Ganjam of the East India Company, on a mass of rock in the Rambha Bay near Ghantasila hill. It is surrounded by the Eastern Ghat.
- The Breakfast Island, pear shaped, known as "Sankuda island", with remnants of a dilapidated bungalow constructed by the King of Kalikote, has rare plants and is full of greenery with appealing flora.
- Honeymoon Island, 5 km (3.1 mi) from Rambha Jetty, known as Barkuda Island, with clear waters has abundant red and green macro algae in the bed is also known for the limbless lizard, an endemic species found here.
- Somolo and Dumkudi islands, located in the Central and Southern sectors of the lake, in the backdrop of scenic Khalikote hill range, are inundated remnants of the Eastern Ghats with rich flora and fauna and also known for sighting of Irrawaddy Dolphins.
- Birds' island, located in the southern sector of the lake has huge exposed hanging rocks, are painted white due to folic acid of the droppings of the birds and is known for rich algal communities and few mangrove species and also migratory birds in winter.
- Parikud is a group of composite islands in the Garh Krishnaprasad Block for nature lovers and provides an avian spectacle during winter season
- Kalijai Temple located on an island is considered to be the abode of the Goddess Kalijai
- Satpada, at the new mouth of the lake, provides a beautiful view of the Lake and also views of the Dolphins. Hundreds of boats here provide tours of the lake for tourists.
- Barunkuda, a small island situated near Magarmukh, mouth of the lake, has a temple of Lord Varuna.
- Nabagraha is an ancient deity located along the outer channel.
- Chourbar Shiva Temple is located near Alupatna village, along the outer channel.
- Manikpatna, located on the outer channel has historical evidence of a port which was used for trade with Far East and also has the Bhabakundeswar temple of Lord Shiva, an old Mosque whose entrance door is made of the jaws of the whale.
- Sand-Bar and Mouth of the Lake is a striking and un-explored stretch of 30 km (18.6 mi) of empty beach across the sand bar which separates the Lake from the Sea.[2]
Odisha Tourism Development Corporation
The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation promotes tourism in the State and operate some of the existing Tourist Bungalows and Transportation Fleets in commercial line. OTDC's Tourist Bungalows are named as Panthanivas.
Panthanivas Locations
References
- ↑ Sutaria, Dipani (2007). "Irrawaddy Dolphins - India" (PDF). Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- ↑ Chilika Development Authority. "Eco Tourism". Retrieved 2009-03-31.
External links
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