Awaiting Adventures
Justifying the extraordinaire, Odisha, the quiet and serene east part of India is a travel destination for those aspiring to see the elements that add up to make the country unique. Fringed by the Bay of Bengal on its eastmost side, Odisha is a lesser-known beach destination that by no means should stay a secret anymore. Home to a plethora of Hindu temples and surprisingly, Buddhist shrines, Odisha is tourism place that takes you back in the glorious time of Ashoka the Great. The architecture in this eastern state is one of the reasons to fall in love with but wait till you see the colossal chariot of Lord Jagannath, the articulate sand art by Sudarshan Patnaik, the lively tribal culture, and the surreal landscape.
Meet on arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport / Railway Station and straight drive to Puri. On arrival at Puri check-in at hotel. Later excursion of Konark Sun Temple. In the evening visit to Jagannath Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.Konark Temple: The UNESCO world heritage site, this temple of Sun God was constructed in the 13th century. It has been in ruins for centuries but until the early 1900's it was simply an interesting ruin of impressive size. Then the debris and sand was cleared from around the temple base and the sheer magnitude of its architect's imagination was revealed. The entire temple was conceived as a chariot for the sun God, Surya. Around the base of the temple there are 24 gigantic, carved stone wheels, seven mighty horses haul at the temple and the immense structure is covered with carvings, sculptures, figures. If the temple was completed it would have soared to 70 meters high. Three images of Surya still stand and are designed to catch the sun at dawn, at noon and at sunset.
After breakfast go for excursion of Chilika Lake - the Asia's largest brackish water lagoon which attract one million migrate birds. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and Animals. The Lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher - folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands.After a trip of Satapada Island for the famous Irrawaddy Dolphin & other birds visit to Raghurajpur Artisan village where absolutely crafted handicrafts, pattachitra (Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papiermache toys, and masks an art form dates back to 5BC) made of pure organic stuff are made in each family. Evening return to Puri. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast checkout from hotel and drive to Bhubaneswar, en-route visit the following places.Pipili Village: Pipili famous all over the world for its applique work. Pipili most well known for its handicraft is near to Puri. The usual appliqué patchwork items are Garden Umbrellas, Wallets, Wall Hanging, lampshades, Pouches & Bags.Dhauli Peace Pagoda is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage in India. It is the same place where Emperor Ashoka after the great Kalinga war renounced the war and embraced Buddhism.Raja Rani Temple is another marvel to the temple city of India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma. The temple is called as Raja Rani due to the use of particular type of sandstone in the construction of the structure bearing the name as Raja rani.Lingaraj Temple: As the name suggests this temple is the Biggest temple of Lord Shiva who is worshipped here. Pilgrims across the globe come to visit this holy temple.Khandagiri & Udayagiri Cave: The rocks of the khandagiri & Udayagiri hills were carved & tunnelled to create this multi storied ancient apartment residence for jain monks. They were the work of the first known Odishan ruler, king Kharavela & probably begun in the first century BC.On arrival at Bhubaneswar check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast drive to Ratnagiri. On arrival at Ratnagiri check-in at hotel. Later proceed to visit Ratnagiri Museum - (FRIDAY CLOSED) The museum consists of four galleries with a long stepped corridor displaying art objects and antiquities, mainly related to Buddhism, ranging from 5th to 13th century AD. Majority of these antiquities specially the elegant stone and bronze sculptures belong to tantric Buddhist Vajrayana sect. Continue with the sightseeing & visit Ratnagiri - The place is the gem of the Buddhist complex. The magnificently carved door jambs of the Vihar and superbly finished Buddha images from perhaps the greatest concentration of Buddhist sculpture of the post-Gupta period.Udayagiri in district Jajpur of odisha, at a distance of 90 km from Bhubaneshwar and a significant part of well known diamond Buddhist triangle of Odisha and is famous for the largest Buddhist complexes. The Buddhist Monastic Complexes consists of the Monastery, Stupa and other structural and material remains.Lalitgiri is one of the earliest monasteries and the hills were occupied by buddhist from 1 century AD, is located in Jajpur in Orissa. Excavation reveal four monasteries in the hill. Archeological Department of Orissa excavated Lalitgiri, a site near Ratnagiri which was occupied by Buddhists from the first century AD to the 12th Century. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast drive to Bhitarkanika. On arrival check-in at hotel. Bhitarkanika is a hot-spot of biodiversity. It's home to largest population of giant salt water crocodile in India. Also home to more than 215 species of avifauna including amazing eight variety of Kingfishers. It is the second largest viable Mangrove Eco-System in India Harbours more than 70 species of Mangrove and its associates. Gahirmatha is known to be one of the largest rookery for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast transfer to Airport / Railway station on time to catch Flight / Train for your onward destination. Tour ends with happy memories of Orissa.
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