Odisha is one of the most populated and diverse states of our country. Over the years people from all over the country come to visit the state due to its nature and beauty. The place is famous for its temple and sea-side shores. There is the next level of calmness one can feel when they visit it, be it the holy temples or the marvelous sunrise or sunset on the beachside. The whole place has a feeling of nature bestowing its love and care for the humans out there. Here look at some of the best places you can visit and have a great outing in the state of Odisha.

1. Puri beach, Puri

The best beach in Odisha with numerous food stalls providing the most effective seafood. Puri beach is known for its roaring waves and fine golden sands. It offers opportunities to the daring souls to challenge the ocean waves. It’s one of the best places to see in Puri since you cannot miss the views of the sunrise and sunset.

2. Swargadar Beach, Puri

Another heavenly beach in Puri, the literal meaning of the beach translates into “door to heaven”. The beach is one of the best in the state Odisha as well as the country. People come to bathe and offer homage to their deity as the water is considered a doorway to heaven. The best time to go to the beach is from October to March. The beach boasts serenity and good experience within the city.

3. Jagannath Temple, Puri

It was built in the 12th century by the ruler of the Ganga Dynasty. The foremost famous festival of Ratha−Yatra is held here. The most deities worshipped here are Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The temple is a mysterious historical structure built millennia ago. People visit Odisha to achieve the blessings of Lord Jagannath. People come to visit here as it is believed to be the part of the “char-Dham” yatra.

4. Lakshmi Temple, Puri

It was built by the Hoysala Empire king and inaugurated by a spiritual leader in dedication to Laxmi Narayana. The temple was built inside a seven-foot-tall fencing enclosure with an entrance through a porch with a roof supported by circular lathe-turned pillars. This temple is located adjacent to the Jagannath temple and people visit both the temple simultaneously.

5. Chilka Lake, Puri

It is the biggest salt-water lake in the whole country and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Odisha. Located about 40kms away from Puri, this place is famous for its boat-ride adventure where people can see dolphins roaming in the lake with other flora and fauna that make the place even more beautiful. You can even try out the local-cuisine here which is also great.

6. Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneshwar

Lingaraj Temple is one amongst the oldest and largest temples in the capital city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha and one in every of the 12 most famous non-Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. It is believed that it is the only temple that shows the phallic form of Lord Shiva among all the other 12 temples and is unique in its sense and architecture.

7. Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwar

Nandankanan Zoological Park is the first zoo in India to affix the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It also contains an arboretum. Nandan Kanan is one of the most visited places in Bhubaneshwar and is a major attraction for the kids. White Tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian crocodiles, Nilgiri langurs are some of the rare species which can be seen here. There is a separate place for reptiles and also houses a beautiful orchid house.

8. Simplipal National Park

Simlipal parkland is an element of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and a part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve. The wildlife sanctuary is home to Royal Bengal tigers, wild elephants, and Indian bison, also home to some beautiful and better waterfalls of Odisha.

9. Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves, Bhubaneshwar

Khandagiri Udayagiri Caves are historical and spiritually important place located near the town of Bhubaneswar Odisha. This was believed to be the home of the monks at an early age. The historical architecture and time-period of the caves give us an insight into how the civilizations were back then, as various court scenes discussions are engraved on the walls of the caves. It is one of the popular places when one visits Bhubaneshwar.

10. Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar

While historians are unable to agree on an exact time during which this temple was constructed, it’s believed to been built between the 11th and 12th centuries, surprisingly, with no deity or idol at its center. It is believed that the temple has paintings depicting the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

11. Sun Temple, Konark

Konark may be a hub of ancient art and sculpture and the simplest Odisha destinations. The carvings of the Konark Sun Temple attract large flocks of tourists throughout the year as it is one among the seven wonders of India. The sun-temple has also been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The sun-temple is visited by thousands of worshippers every year and the architecture is a wonder on its own.

12. Paradeep City

One of the foremost important and oldest seaports within the country, the historic Paradeep is found in the Jagatsinghpur District. This 17th-century sea-transportation area, initially a harbor, played a vital role during the British regime and also in the famine of 1886. People visiting here enjoy the natural beauty. They can also see huge ships coming and going from the Paradeep Port in Odisha.

13. Hanuman Vatika, Rourkela

The hanuman Vatika has one of the largest statues of Lord Hanuman located in it. The place is filled with gardens and is surrounded by temples of other deities. The inspiration is believed to take from the Ashoka Vatika which lord hanuman raided as well as destroyed as prescribed in the holy text of Ramayana.

14. Jeyepore City

Located amidst the Eastern Ghat ranges, Jeypore, one amongst the foremost popular places to go in Orissa, is bestowed with dense forests, beautiful misty valleys, and waterfalls attract travelers from everywhere the country. Known as the ‘city of victory’ Jeypore city was founded within the 16th-century by the Suryavanshi dynasty. 

15. Hirakud Dam, Sambalpur

Another attraction to see in Odisha is that the Hirakud Dam, home to many migratory birds and exotic trees. Hirakud Dam is one amongst the primary river valley dam started after India’s independence, built across the Mahanadi River in Sambalpur. The Dam is the longest major earthen dam in India and also forms the largest reservoir in Asia which provides a perfect environment for wildlife.

There are some other places too that you can visit especially some temples on your visit to Bhubaneshwar and Puri in Odisha. Overall the tourist attraction here gives the people a unique blend of the rich history of the state and its culture along with the mix of modern traditions and culture. Visiting these places will surely refresh your mind from and hectic schedule and will give you a long away weekend you deserve.

Also read: Major cities to visit in Odisha