Orissa

Introduction

Orissa is blessed with around 500 km long coastline and has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Chilika, Asia's largest brackish water lake, not only provides a haven for millions of birds, but is also one of the few places in India where one can view dolphins. The lush green forest cover Of Orissa plays host to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the famed Royal Bengal Tiger. Amidst the picturesque hills and valleys nestle a number of breathtaking waterfalls and rivulets that attract visitors from all over.

Orissa has the largest variety of tribal communities, which are at various stages of socio-economic development. At one extreme are the groups which lead a relatively secluded and archaic mode of life, keeping their core culture intact. The tribal people express their cultural identity and distinctiveness in their social organization, language, rituals and festivals and also in their dress, ornaments, art and craft.

Orissa is dotted with ancient monuments ranging from the ruins of Sisupalgarh to the magnificent Lingaraj and Jagannath temples, from the world heritage site of the Konark Sun temple to the exquisitely carved Mukteswar and other such temples. The various archaeological finds at Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaigiri and other locations prove that Orissa has also been influenced by Buddhist thought. Jainism too has left its mark on Orissa as the rock cut caves at Khandagiri & Udaygiri.

Tourist Attraction

• Bhubaneswar (External website that opens in a new window)
• Puri (External website that opens in a new window)
• Chilika (External website that opens in a new window)
• Rath Jatra Festival (External website that opens in a new window)
• Nandan Kanan (External website that opens in a new window)
• Puri Jagannath (External website that opens in a new window)
• Konark (External website that opens in a new window)

Beaches

Baleshwar Beach

Balasore (also known as Baleswar or Baleshwar) is a city in Orissa state of eastern India. The calm beach at Baleshwar is surely one among many of the fine beaches of the country. The sand-dunes green with wild creepers and the casuarinas whistling with the breeze create a fantastic moment for a visitor absorbed in observing the play of the tide.

Balighai Beach

The casuarinas fringed Balighai beach, located 8 km from Puri, is a famous picnic spot. The juxtaposition of gentle casuarinas-lined river with crashing, desolate ocean coast is a strange and extremely beautiful. Watching sunrises and sunsets can become treasured memories. A religious intonation lends a visit to this multifaceted beach more meaningful.

Chandipur Beach

Chandipur is backed up by musical sway of casuarina trees and sand dunes. It is a quiet beach. The sea water retreats about 5 kms during low tide and advances to the shore line again during high tide; each day makes this beach unique. This gives one the opportunity to walk into its shallow depths. Added to this seductive beauty is a vast land of antiquities and holy shrines.

Gopalpur on Sea

Hardly 16 km from Berhampur, the club of Southern Orissa, is the tiny town of Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal. Enjoying the reputation of being a popular beach of Orissa, the deep and clear blue waters instantly provoke those who are good swimmers.

Konark Beach

Konark beach is 3 kms away from the famous Sun temple along the Puri road. It is rated one of the finest beach in the world. One can have the glimpses of the local fishing fleet at work. The sunrise at this beach is a feast for the eyes and an ideal spot for sun-bathing. With a long stretch of clean sands and a lovely serenity of its own, this beach attracts visitors round the year.

Paradeep Beach

Paradeep beach is of great importance. Apart from being an attractive tourist spot, the Paradeep beach in Orissa is also one of the most important commercial sea ports of the country. It is covered by green forests and adorned with natural creeks and island, the Paradeep beach is a paradise for all marine lovers. Visitors can easily spend a couple of hours soaking in the sun or frolicking in the lovely blue waters.

Puri Beach

Puri beach has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purification dip at the abode of Lord Jagannath. It is also considered one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destinations. Puri beach is located on the vast and exotic coastline of Orissa and at its south eastern region. One can travel to this beach round the year, however the ideal time of visiting the Puri beach is during the Annual Puri Beach Festival that takes place in the month of November.

Swargadwar Beach

Swargadwar beach is one of the most sought after tourist attractions in Puri. It falls into the category of must visit sightseeing places by the visitors. The place has a lot of religious significance for people, as it was the bathing place of Sri Chaitanyadev, a renowned Vaishnava prophet. The cool breeze together with the roaring sound of the waves is simply thrilling.

Talasari

Talasari beach is situated at a distance of 88 kms from Balasore, 4 kms from Chandaneswar and 8 kms from Digha (West Bengal). One could behold with wonder the glistening glory of the Bay of Bengal spread like a bejewelled carpet as far as one's eyes could reach. Talasari beach is simply awesome when you take a stroll during the evening hours on the golden sand.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Simlipal National Park

Simlipal National Park, 320 km from Bhubaneswar (Orissa), is a 2,750 sq km sanctuary and a Project Tiger Reserve. Simlipal Tiger Reserve is located in Mayurbhanj district in the northern part of Orissa, close to the Bengal-Bihar border. It is a thick hilly area of forests spread over 2,750 sq km. It occupies an important position as the habitat of the Royal Bengal tiger.

There are 7 major rivers. There are approximately 1,076 plant species, 231 bird species and 42 mammal species and 29 reptiles and 12 species of amphibians. You can find tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear and spotted deer. Bird species are peafowl, jungle fowl, hill hynah, eagle and parakeet. Reptiles like crocodile, lizards, turtles and cobras are commonly found.

Nandankanan Sanctuary & National Park

Situated along the Kolkata-Chennai railway line near Barang railway station, the Nandankanan Zoological Park was established on December 27, 1960. Nandan Kanan means "garden of pleasure", and this combination of zoo, botanical garden and sanctuary 20 km from Bhubaneswar, in the splendid environs of the Chandaka Forest, along the rippling waters of the Kanjia lake, fits the description. Within its perimeters the Zoological Park covers 362 hectares of undulating forest areas, natural wasteland and Kanjia Lake which itself covers 66 hectares. It nurtures 46 species of mammals, 59 species of birds and 21 species of reptiles. In addition to the white tigers, endangered species such as the Asiatic Lion, three Indian crocodilians, sanghai, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles, and fish have been breeding successfully here.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park is one of the major tourist attractions of Orissa. It has the distinction of being the host zoo in the world for captive breeding of white tigers which originated in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. Internationally acclaimed for its large collection of white tigers, Nandanakanan is also the first-ever captive breeding centre of endangered species for creating awareness towards wildlife. The unique natural ambience of Nandankanan with a wide variety of animals also serves as a rehabilitation centre of problematic wild animals. It also acts as a rescue centre for abandoned, injured and incapacitated animals.

More on Nandankanan Sanctuary & National Park (External website that opens in a new window)

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is spread in an area of 672 square kilometres. The Sanctuary comprising mangrove forests meandering rivers, innumerable criss-crossed tidal inundated creeks provide last refuge to the already endangered salt water Crocodile (Crocodile Porosus). Besides estuarine Crocodile, the sanctuary is rich in avifauna, mammalian and reptilian population. Theses mangrove forests are good habitat for King Cobra, Indian Python and Water Monitor Lizard. A large number of water birds visit this area. Most of the Birds are asian openbill, egrets, black Ibis, cormorants, darters and others.

Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary

The Chilka Lake is situated in Puri, in Orissa. It is considered to be Asia's largest inland salt-water lagoon. The pear-shaped lake spreads across 1,100 sq km, and has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna found in and around its brackish waters. Other than the birds, Chilka's shores are home to blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals, hyenas.

The lake is rich in aquatic life - its waters harbour around 160 species of fish, crustaceans and other marine creatures, including the famous Chilka dolphin, prawn, crab and mackerel fishing are an important source of livelihood for the local people.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 20-02-2010