TOP 1O WINTER VISITING PLACE IN ODISHA

TOP 10 MOST VISITED PLACE IN ODISHA IN 2023 (IN WINTER ❄️)

1. KONARK SUN TEMPLE

2. UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGRI

3. SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE PURI

4. LINGARAJ TEMPLE

5. NANDANKANAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK

6. ODISHA STATE MUSEUM

7. SANAGHAGARA WATERFALL

8.MAA TARINI TEMPLE 

9. CHILIKA LAKE

10. CHANDIPUR SEA BEACH

1. KONARK SUN TEMPLE

*KONARK SUN TEMPLE PRESENT IN ODISHA

ABOUT

KONARK SUN TEMPLE IS A 13TH - CENTURY 

CE(YEAR 1250)

SUN TEMPLE KONARK ABOUT 35 KM 22 MINUTES NORTH TEST FROM PURI CITY ON THE COAST FINE IN PURI DISTRICT ODISHA INDIA. THE TEMPLE IS ATTRIBUTED TO KING NARASIMHA DEVA OF THE EASTERN GANGA DYNASTY ABOUT 1250 CE.

Temple is an example of Odisha architecture of Ganga dynasty

ETYMOLOGY

- THE NAME KONARK IS DERIVED FROM THE SANSKRIT WORD KANA(MEANING ANGLE) AND WORD ARKA( MEANING SUN) REFERENCE TO THE TEMPLE WHICH WAS DEDICATED TO THE SUN GOD SURYA.

ARCHITECTURE

- DO ENTIRE COMPLEX WAS DESIGNED IN THE FORM OF GOD 'S HUGE CHARIOT DROWN BY SEVEN SPIRITED HORSE ON TWELVE PAIRS OF EXQUISITELY DECORATED WHEELS AT ITS BASE.

- DO HUGE WHEELS CARVED AT THE BASE OF THE TEMPLE ARE ONE OF THE MAJOR ATTRACTION.

 

Famous for.…..

- Konark Sun Temple is famous for its unique architecture. Its geometrical patterns and carved wheels used to serve as sun dials. One can witness three images of Sun God at three directions to catch the rays of the Sun at dawn, noon and sunset. 

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INTERSTING FACTS ABOUT KONARK SUN TEMPLE 

There is no doubt that there are millions of temples, big and small, in India. These temples are dedicated to Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, and Rama to name a few. But, did you know that there are only a handful of temples in India dedicated to Surya, the sun-god? Konark Sun Temple, located in the town of Konark in Puri district in Odisha, is one of these few sun temples in India. 

2. ABOUT UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGRI CAVES

.The Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves relive the reminiscences of the Kalinga Empire beneath the Jain emperor Kharavela. There are approximately forty rock-cut caves redecorating the 2 hills separated with the aid of a road. it's miles believed that the founding father of the Jain faith, Mahavir, visited Udayagiri and Khandagiri in the sixth century B.C. contemporary students are observed in Rani and Hati Gumpha inside the Udayagiri, with descriptions of the culture of dance in Orissa as a long way lower back as the second century B.C. cutting-edge pupils are of the opinion that the Udayagiri cave complex turned into additionally a theater complicated. Emperor Kharavela was a staunch and amazing patron of tradition. it's far feasible that he created the caves for the usage of Jain ascetics as well as for cultural indicates.

- KHANDAGRI & UDAYAGIRI CAVES FAMOUS FOR..

The Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves relive the memories of the Kalinga Empire under the Jain Emperor Kharvela. There are about 40 rock-cut caves adorning the two hills, separated by a road.

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Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves formerly known as Kattaka Caves or Cuttack Caves are located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Near the city, some are natural and some are man-made caves, which have important archaeological, historical and religious significance. These caves are located on the two adjoining hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri and are known as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription.

.They feature a series of intricately carved caves dating from the first century BC. Built. 

. It is believed that most of these caves were built as residential complexes for Jain monks during the reign of King Kalavera.

. Udayagiri means "Sunrise Mountain" and has 18 caves, while Khandagiri has 15 caves. 

3. SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE 

.Jagannath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, one of the three major Hindu gods. Puri is located on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha. 

.Puri (Odisha)

i) is a coastal city and a municipality in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. It is the district headquarters of Puri district, located on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometers (37 mi) south of the state capital Bhubaneswar. It is also known as Sri Jagannatha Dhama, named after the city's 12th-century Jagannath temple. It is one of the original Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus

4.LINGARAJ TEMPLE 

Lingaraja Temple (ODISHA) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India. The temple is the most prominent landmark of the city of Bhubaneswar and one of the major tourist attractions in the state

.The Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar is believed to have been built in the 11th century.

.Lingaraj Temple was built by the kings of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

.It is famous for its intricate carvings and sculptures.

.There are about 150 small shrines in the inner courtyard of the large temple complex. 

5.NANDANKANAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK 

. NANDANKANAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK

is a 437-hectare zoo and botanical garden located in Bhubaneswar,ANAN Odisha, India. Established in 1960, the zoo was opened to the public in 1979 and in 2009 it became the first zoo in India to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). 

It also houses a botanical garden, part of which has been declared a protected area. Nandankanan, literally translated as "Paradise Garden",[1] is located around the Chandaka Forest near the capital city of Bhubaneswar and includes the 54-hectare Kanga Lake.

.ZOOLOGICAL PARK

- Amidst the natural beauty of the natural forest adjacent to Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandankanan lies in the vicinity of Kanjia Lake. Diese Site covers a …

.Nandankanan is the first zoo in India to have a white tiger safari park. It offers a unique environment where visitors are locked in their cars while the animals roam the open jungle. After a twenty-minute drive in a specially protected vehicle through winding roads crisscrossing the natural forest, visitors will enter directly into the pride of Lion Safari Park. On a safari bus, visitors can also observe baby sloth bears in their natural habitat.

6. ODISHA STATE MUSEUM 

.Odisha Museum is one of the largest and most visited museums in the state. Located in BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar, the museum was founded in 1932 by two eminent professors from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, the then capital of Odisha. Later it was transferred to Bhubaneswar.

There are 27 different areas within the building, the main ones being epigraphy, numismatics, mining and geology, natural history, archaeology, armory, anthropology, contemporary art, arts and crafts and manuscripts. The museum houses around 37,000 palm leaf manuscripts on Ayurveda, Gita, Silpa Sastra etc. The museum is also known as the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.

TIMING 

Odisha Museum Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

Museum doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. The box office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Paika Rebellion special light and sound show is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 noon (first show) and 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (second show). The museum is closed on the second and fourth Saturdays and all Mondays of the month and state holidays. The entrance fee is Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners.

7.SANAGHAGARA WATERFALL 

7.Sana" means "small" and "ghagara" means waterfall. Sanaghagara is an exotic eco-tourism spot located just 5 km from Kendujhar town on the Keonjhar-Sambalpur National Highway. The San Manchanda River flows gently down the hills forming a stunningly beautiful natural waterfall. Every year thousands of tourists from different parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha come to this place for picnics and excursions. The calmness, tranquility, relaxation, natural green forest environment and the beauty of the waterfalls are the best choice for nature loving tourists to visit Sanaghagara Falls again and again. Although winter is the picnic season, the Sanaghagara waterfalls in Keonjhar are suitable to visit throughout the year due to the cooler climate.

8.MAA TARINI TEMPLE 

.It is a famous pilgrim center in Odisha. The Temple of Maa Tarini was built in modern times. God's original form testifies to his original origin. According to legend, Maa Tarini was kind and kind to her followers. The nearest forest reserve is a nesting ground for various wildlife, adding to the beauty of Maa Tarini Pitha. Devotees offer coconuts to the goddess with great affection and she is still worshiped by tribal priests. Maha Bisu Ba Sankranti is celebrated by locals with great enthusiasm and pomp in the month of Chaitra Purnima. Visitors from across the state and beyond flock here throughout the year to pay their respects to the Mother Goddess. Maa Tarini Pitha is just 45 km from Keonjhar town.

.The Maa tarini Temple in Ghatgaon is a famous Hindu goddess temple dedicated to Maa Tarini. Locals say that the king of Kendujhar brought maa tarini from Puri to Kendujhar on the condition that if he turned back, she could not go further. The king rode on his horse and the goddess followed him to Kendujhar. The king knew that Maa Tarini was coming back when he heard the sound of the ornaments. However, he did not hear the sound of the ornaments near Ghatgaon deep in the forest. The king looked back and thought that she would not come back. But Maa Tarini came, her decorative voice not present due to the mud in the forest. Due to circumstances, Maa Tarini remained there and was revered as the Queen of the Forest.

.HISTORY

Maa Tarini was used by Sri Gobinda Bhanja Deo, the then ruler of Keonjhar state, during the Kanchi War in 1480. The king of Kendujhar brought Tarini Maa from Puri to Kendujhar on the condition that if he turned back, she could not go further. The king rode on his horse and the goddess followed him to Kendujhar .The king knew from the sound of the ornaments that Maa Tarini was coming back, but near the Ghatgaon deep in the forest, the sound of the ornaments did not come. The king looked back and thought that she would not come back. But Maa Tarini came, her ornaments making no sound because of the mud in the forest. Due to her illness, Maa Tarini stayed there and worshiped her as the queen of the forest.

9.CHILIKA LAKE

.Chilika Lake is the largest saltwater lagoon in Asia and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. It spans the Puri, Koda and Ganjam districts of Odisha at the mouth of the Daya river on the east coast of India. It flows into the Bay of Bengal and covers an area of more than 1,100 square kilometers. Vembanad Lake, another lake in India, is the longest lake in India (considering length alone, it is 96.5 km (60.0 mi), compared to Chilika Lake's length of 64 km (40 mi)). Lake Chilika stretches along the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. It has been listed as a provisional World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its salinity varies from region to region, ranging from almost freshwater due to river flow to oceanic salinity due to tidal inflows.

.The huge and beautiful Chilika Lagoon is located on the east coast of India. It is the largest estuarine saltwater lagoon stretching along the east coast. This is the largest wintering area for migratory water birds in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the country's biodiversity hotspots, with several rare, fragile and vulnerable species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals living at least part of their lives in the lagoon.

Chilika is an integral part of the coastal culture of Odisha. About 400 years ago, the saint-poet Purshottam Das, a devotee of Lord Jagannath, wrote a poem about Lord Krishna and a man named Manik. The story of the dancing milkmaid who came to the banks of the Chilika river to sell curds.

.Chilika supports some of the largest colonies of migratory birds in the country, especially during the winter. Flocks of migratory waterbirds come from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, the Aral Sea, remote areas of Russia, the Mongolian Kyrgyz Steppe, Central and Southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas to feed and breed in their fertile waters. In 1989-90, an estimated 2 million birds visited the lake.

10. CHANDIPUR SEA BEACH

.Chandipur is a beach like no other. At low tide, the beach recedes up to 5 kilometers, providing visitors with the opportunity to walk under the sea. This unique phenomenon helps the beach support its equally unique biodiversity. It is home to endangered horseshoe crabs, starfish, sea urchins and more. The water at the beach is very turbid and therefore not suitable for swimming.

.Chandipur Beach is one of the unique beaches in the country. The water recedes from the shore and flows in a regular rhythm twice a day. The open beach without water invites visitors to stroll along the 5 kilometers of sea.

.Chandipur is located on the Bay of Bengal, about 16 kilometers from Baleswar. Seeing the sea disappear before your eyes and then come back again is a very rare sight, this natural wonder can be seen at Chandipur Beach twice a day. Chandipur is a seaside resort town in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. What's special about the beach is that the water recedes for up to 5 kilometers at low tide. You can walk along the wet sand to the seaside. The spectacular views of sunrise and sunset are a real feast for the eyes. Due to its unique location, the beach supports biodiversity. Horseshoe crabs are also found on beaches towards Mirzapur, in nearby fish markets and in communities at the confluence of the Balaramgadi river. This beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Balasore.

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