Odisha or formerly known as Orissa is a land of temples, the land where Ashoka the great triumphed and made the place famous, where people meet with their soul and introspect their inner feeling. As goes by their tourism motto which states “The soul of Incredible India”, this place is very rich in its culture and heritage. Located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, Odisha has a rich diversity in its place with the coastline offering marvelous recreation to the adventure seekers while the enchanting beauty and historic culture gives the people of yesteryears a peak in their soul. The glorious architecture of the temples and the serene nature of the lake and oceans, Odisha gives you a mesmerizing place to spend your holidays. We take a sneak peek in some of the best places in Odisha that you can visit during your holidays in Odisha.

1. Puri

Puri in Odisha is one of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Jagannath Temple in puri forms a part of Char Dham in India. Puri is a sun-kissed beach city located on the coast of Bay of Bengal which is one in all the favorites among people of the state for a short trip. The place is also famous for its sand art and the local market which gives tourists the traditional view of the state. The world-renowned chilka lake is located here and a boating trip there is a no-brainer.

2. Bhubaneshwar

It is popularly called the temple city of India, because of the presence of many modern and ancient temples. If you want to see a mix of the modern trend of urbanization with the ancient culture and history this is the perfect place for you. The Udayagiri and khandagiri Caves are a must-visit while the Nandan Kanan zoological park is a great attraction for the tourists especially the kids. Temples are almost a go-to here with some of the famous one being Lingraj and Mukteshwar Temple.

3. Cuttack

Cuttack is one in all the vintage cities and popular tourist places in Orissa. It is often referred to as the cultural capital of Odisha. The business capital of the state has several ancient pilgrim centers, forts, museums, lakes, and islands. Moreover, this place also boasts of local handicrafts. The Barabati Fort is also a great place to visit due to its ancient heritage.

4. Konark

Konark may be a hub of ancient art and sculpture and of the simplest Odisha destinations. The carvings of the Konark Sun Temple are one among the seven wonders of India, attract large flocks of tourists throughout the year. The sun-temple has also been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. There is an annual dance festival held for five days each year showcasing some of the best traditional dance forms of the state as well the country.

5. Chandipur

If you’re searching for a sea resort, then this should be the highest pick from all the places to go in Odisha. Besides from its unique disappearing sea, Chandipur is legendary for its seafood. Do try the prawns and pomfret here. Also, the town is sort of peaceful. The place is calm and quiet with its tranquil nature and is known to be the home of the sea turtles. Head here to spend some quality time along with your loved ones.

6. Gopalpur

If you prefer port towns, then Gopalpur should be your pick. The town may be a port city and has famous beaches. Go beach hopping here, in this town and chill and relax here on the beaches enjoying the waves and the sunset, on your next trip to Odisha. This is a pre-historic town famous for its trading during the colonial era. If you want to avoid crowd and spend quality time on the beach, this is your go-to place.

7. Sambalpur

From the east, let’s move to the west. Sambalpur is the gateway to the western Odisha. This place holds a special place due to its history, lush green forests and wild habitat. The world-famous Hirakud Dam is located in this place which is a major tourist attraction. The place is also famous for its traditional handloom and textile industries.

8. Dhauli

The land which is famous for the great Kalinga War, Dhauli is located on the south of Bhubaneshwar on the bank of river Daya. It is said that to be the place where Ashoka the great transformed and started preaching Buddhism. It is an important centre for Buddhism in India. Shanti stupa is the famous attraction here which brings home a lot of tourists. The place is generally referred to as land of Peace Pagoda.

9. Rourkela

Rourkela is one of the most important cities of Odisha. The place is primarily known for the manufacturing industries and associated industrial growth. However, it also pulls tourists with its vintage temples, parks, dams, and waterfalls making it one in all the best places to go to in Odisha. A number of the wonderful things to try in Rourkela are trekking, picnic, and shopping. The iron and steel factory located here gives a major boost to the state’s economic condition.

10. Behrampore

On the eastern coastline of Odisha lies the town of Berhampur, also called Brahmapur or the silk city. It is believed to the home of Hindu deity Lord Brahma. Reaching here is easy because the town is connected to all the main towns of the state through roadways. The place is famous for its silk sarees and handlooms as well for its pickle and “papads”. Handicrafts and jewellery are also quite famous for this place.

11. Baripada

The place is located around 250kms from Bhubaneshwar. Its Rath Yatra which is exclusive for the women folklore is taken into account the largest and oldest after Puri and thus Baripada is additionally called Dwitiya Srikhetra (Second Puri). Chau Dance events are a major attraction for the tourists here.

12. Barbil

Located by the bank of Karo River in Keonjhar, Barbil could be a lesser-known tourist spot in Odisha. The place, surrounded by luxuriant forests, offers breathtaking beauty and a prospect far away from the maddening city crowd. The waterfalls are one of the best attraction for the people visiting here.

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