Kalinga,
as Orissa was known in ancient times, witnessed a lot of bloodbath when
Emperor Ashoka waged a fierce battle to capture the kingdom. Devastated by
the bloodshed, Ashoka denounced warfare and adopted Buddhism. The calmness
that prevailed thereafter still winds through the air of Orissa. The state
has preserved most of the temples and monuments built at different times in
history by different rulers. As a result, the landscape of present day
Orissa is dotted with magnificent temples, some of which dates back to
thousands of years.
But exotic Orissa does not remain content with its display of temples.
Situated on India's eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, the green
valleys, blue hills, lush green forests and scenic beaches of the state also
have a magical impact on tourists. The capital city of Bhubaneshwar has over
500 big and small temples that stand testimony to its glorious past. For the
presence of such a large number of temples, Bhubaneshwar is also called
'temple metropolis of India'. The 11th century Lingaraja temple is one of
the best examples of ancient Orissan temple architecture. Konark, some 64
kms away from Bhubaneshwar has the world famous Sun temple. Built in the
form of a chariot, seven horses are shown pulling the mammoth chariot fitted
with 24 large wheels. The temple has also been declared an UNESCO World
Heritage site. Puri, near Konark, is regarded as one of the four sacred
Hindu pilgrimage centres for the presence of the Jagannath temple. The
imposing 65 metre tall building was built in the 12th century.
Tourists are also attracted to the golden beaches of Orissa namely
Chandipur and Gopalpur. The beaches of Puri and Konark are also visited in
large numbers.
Orissa does not let down wildlife enthusiasts either. Nandan Kanan on the
outskirts of Bhubaneshwar is India's largest lion safari park. The park also
has a botanical and zoological garden. The presence of around three dozen
white tigers further adds to the attraction of the park. Some 320 kms from
Bhubaneshwar in Mayurbhanj district, Simlipal is another wildlife sanctuary
having a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Among Orissa's oldest heritage are the caves of Udaigiri and Khandgiri
dating back to 2300 years. The 113 caves, created by Jain monks, have
exquisite rock cut images of that period.
The naturally gifted artisans of Orissa have filled the markets of the
state with their exquisite products. A tour to Orissa would remain an
incomplete affair if tourists fail to pick some of the state's best buys. Be
it the silverwork of Cuttack, coloured wall hangings of Pipli, the intricate
paintings of Raghurajpur or the glorious hand woven fabrics of Sambalpur,
the list of attractions is virtually endless.
Orissa's staple is mainly rice and curry. But there are many delicacies
both in the vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories which should not be
missed by tourists visiting the colourful state.
Orissa
