Orissa: Beyond the Beaten Path

For the avid traveller, discovering a place that's filled with endless possibilities for exploration is the ultimate prize. And if that place is largely undiscovered by tourists, one would be able to enjoy its unspoilt riches. In India, such a place exists. Its name – Orissa.
Located along the eastern coast of India, by the huge Bay of Bengal, Orissa (now officially named as Odisha) boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, beautiful festivals, and endless beaches to make it one of the best, undiscovered destinations in the country.
So, if you're planning a trip to somewhere exotic where modern influences are minimal, you should consider a place like Orissa. Here are a few more reasons why.
The Beaches
Blessed with a 500-kilometre coastline, Orissa boasts some of the most pristine beaches in the world. There's Puri Beach, which, for centuries, has been a venue for many pilgrims who want to take a purification dip. However, it is also a favoured destination for tourists who come to ride its waves.
Meanwhile, the Chandipur Beach with its casuarina tree-lined shores is a relaxing place to be. Here, you can watch the movement of the shimmering sea as it recedes to about 5 km out to sea during low tide, and comes back again at high tide.
There's the small but spectacular Gopalpur-on-Sea is the perfect place to enjoy a slice of tranquil paradise. When you're here it feels like you're the only person on earth taking pleasure in nature's gifts – sparkling blue sea, swaying coconut tress, and miles of spotless sandy beach.
The Temples
Covering a period of more than 6 centuries, Orissa's temples are an insight into this remote getaway's religious culture. And at the centre of this are the 3 temples that make up the Golden Triangle of Orissa. The first is the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneshwar. This Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva and one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar. It boasts a 54-metre high Sri Mandir that's richly adorned with carvings.
The second is the Jagganath Temple, which is located in Puri and considered one of the most sacred destinations in India. It was built in the 12th century by the Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev and serves as the shrine of Lord Jagganath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra. The temple stands at 214 feet tall and is characterised by a sequence of 3 large halls named the Natamandap, Vitman, and Bhog Mandapa.
The third temple is the Sun Temple Kornak, which is recognised as one of the country's architectural marvels. It was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva to honour the Sun God Surya. It was labelled as the Black Pagoda by European travellers who found the temple's unique darkened pyramidal, intricate roof enchanting. Its architecture features the best of Kalinga School's craftsmanship. It has intricate carvings of animal and human figures that inspire awe. In fact, it has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Wildlife
More than a third of Orissa is made up of thick, lush forests as well as 2 national parks and 20 sanctuaries. Since they are just too many to visit in one holiday, you might want to consider visiting a few. The Similipal Tiger Reserve is among India's best national parks. It boasts a good population of elephants, tigers, leopards, crocodiles, and quite a number of bird species.
The Bhitarkanika National Park, meanwhile, plays host to a spectacular natural, yearly event – the nesting of thousands of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. It is also India's 2nd largest mangrove ecosystem with an area of 672 square km.
The Tikarapada Wildlife Sanctuary, which encloses the mighty Satkosia Gorge, is a must-visit destination in Orissa. Here, tourists can enjoy outdoor activities including trekking, white-water rafting, and fish angling.
The Festivals
Orissa celebrates a fair number of festivals that are mostly associated with religion, temples, and the harvest season. And because Orissa is a convergence of Dravidian and Aryan aboriginal cultures, festivals here are colourful and filled with rites and traditions unlike any other. The grandest event here is the Rath Yatra of Puri, which is attended by hundreds of tourist. Don't worry, though, if you can't make it to this grand event, because every month there's likely to be a form of fair or festival in different parts of Orissa for you to take part in.