Places to Visit in Orissa

Known famously as the “City of Temples”, Bhubaneswar has a strong foothold in the history of India. Better known as the capital city of the state of Odisha, this place was under the rule of King Sisupala for a long period of time. The remains of Sisupalgarh found near Bhubaneswar city imply that they predate even the Mauryan empire. Holding a 2000-year old rich history, this place presents the perfect amalgamation of a rustic world that features grand temples and brilliant architecture and a modern era that features flourishing business and commerce.

The city of Bhubaneswar exhibits timeless beauty with its iconic monuments dating back to more than 3000 years. The colourful temples, serene dams, breathtaking parks, ancient caves, picturesque lakes, and renowned museums add to the charm of this city and cater to its rich tourism industry.

It goes without saying that Bhubaneswar is home to some of the most important attractions and exciting places to visit in Orissa that attract travelers of all moods to the city. Important religious sites like Parasurameswara Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Peace Pagoda, Rajarani Temple, and Ananta Vasudeva Temple propel a heavy influx of devotees and pilgrims to this place. While Udayagiri & Khandagiri, Ashoka Rock Edict, Odisha State Museum and Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavation attracts history buffs, Nandankanan Zoo, Indira Gandhi Park, Atri, Bindu Sagar, and Ekamra Kanan form a paradise for nature lovers.

If you are an action-living holidaymaker, be sure that Bhubaneswar won’t disappoint you. While you can explore the state’s culture at Odisha Modern Art Gallery and Museum of Tribal Arts & Artifacts, you can interact with wildlife at Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary and Nandankanan Zoological Park. While you can seek blessings at ISKON Temple, you can go boating at Nicco Park. Bhubaneswar has a tropical savanna climate with summers experiencing high temperatures and humidity and monsoons bringing in torrential downpours. The winters make for the most ideal time to visit this city, when the weather is soothingly cold.

This historic town, one of the best places to visit in Orissa, lies on the Bay of Bengal coastline in the District of Puri. Konark is an important cultural and heritage landmark in India making it one of the most-visited places in East India. The beauty of Konark lies in its diverse landscape. Dotted with several temples, museums, and beaches, with silhouettes of the Eastern Ghats in the background, make it one of the best places in the country for a deeply spiritual and unconventional getaway.

Konark houses one of the most extraordinary architectures in the country- the 13th-century Sun Temple. This UNESCO protected site depicts a chariot of Sun God with 12 pairs of intricately carved wheels pulled by 7 horses. Built in traditional Kalinga architecture, one can still see the remains of the vimana, shikara, audience hall, dance hall, etc. Another popular attraction here is the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach, one of the cleanest beaches in the country, famous for its crystal clear waters, expanses of soft powdery sands, and tree-lined shores.

Another great beach to visit is Astaranga Beach, which is famous for offering stunning sunset views. Visit the ASI Museum, the oldest in Konark, to trace the unique culture and see hundreds of antique sculptures like a sandstone Surya image, Kandolite wheels, etc. that were recovered from the Konark Temple.

One of the best things to do at Konark is to enjoy watersports at the beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach. You can spend hours surfing, snorkelling, and swimming and round off the day with a beachside bonfire. No trip to Konark is complete without experiencing the surrealism and the beauty of the Konark Dance Festival to see classical dance performances, listen to traditional music, and admire the beauty of stunning handicrafts displayed with the Sun Temple in the background.

Konark experiences extremely hot summers during March-June with temperatures reaching 43°C. Monsoon months of July-September see heavy rainfalls accompanied by sporadic cyclones. Winter months of October-February are the best to visit when the temperatures drop to as low as 12°C.

One of the most unique beaches in the country, Chandipur is located on the shores of Bay of Bengal in the Baleswar District. The beauty of Chandipur Beach is considered to be unparalleled, and rightly so. Its yellow-golden sands and blue waters create a stunning picture-postcard like imagery. Dotted with rocky outcrops, sand dunes, and thickets of Casuarina trees, it is one of the best and the most beautiful vantage points in Orissa to savour a beautiful sunset.

Also known as the ‘vanishing sea’, and ‘hide-and-seek beach’, the waters at this beach recede twice every day during the low tide for about 5-6 kilometres revealing the seabed, making it one of the most intriguing places to visit in Orissa. Visitors love to walk on the seafloor and find colourful treasures of seashells and colourful stones and seeing the unique sand formations. The beach houses the rare Horseshoe Crabs along with a huge variety of fish. Another reason why the beach is famous is that this has been the site of the launch of DRDO’s Agni, Prithvi, and Akash ballistic missiles.

One of the best activities here to walk deep into the seabed during the low tide. Biking enthusiasts can even ride up till the end of the shores. The beach has some amazing cafes and shacks that offer great seafood like prawns and pomfret, which are a must-try. This is a great place to meet friendly fishermen and observe their fishing activities. Every year in January, one can enjoy the Chandipur Beach Festival that includes cultural performances by local artists of dances like Chhau, Bihu, exhibits by DRDO, watersports like rafting & parasailing, etc.

The summer temperatures range between 25-40 degrees making the place hot and humid. The best time to visit the beach is during the winter months of October-March when the temperatures range between 17-27 degrees making it cool and pleasant to enjoy the outdoors.

One of the most important and oldest seaports in the country, the historic Paradeep is located in the Jagatsinghpur District. This 17th-century sea-transportation area, initially a harbour, played an important role during the British regime and the famine of 1886. The coastal landscape of Paradeep is dotted with beautiful beaches, miles of dense forest, waterfalls, and forts. One of the best destinations in the country for an offbeat beachside getaway, Paradeep is visited by nature lovers from all over the country.

One of the best places to visit here is the main port area, considered to be the most scenic areas on the East-Indian coastline. One can see fascinatingly huge ships and other marine activities at this beautiful confluence of estuaries of Paradeep, Mahanadi, and the Bay of Bengal. Head over to the Gahirmatha Beach to spend a day under the sun savouring views of turquoise-green waters and spotting white crocodiles and Olive Ridley turtles. Visit the Bhitarkanika National Park to see the luxuriant mangroves and exotic animals like Saltwater Crocodiles, Wild pigs, Darters, Pythons, etc.

If you want to spend some time with yourself amidst serenity, do so at the tranquil ambience of the Jhankad Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Sarala, this temple also hosts festivals like Chandan Jatra, Dola Purnima, and Parbana. Marvel at the rare species of fish housed at the Marine Aquarium here. Climb the lighthouse at Paradeep Beach to get stunning sunset views and enjoy local snacks at the shacks near the lighthouse.

The summer months of March-May see sweltering heat with temperatures rising to 41°C. Heavy monsoon rains begin in May and continue till September. The best time to visit the place is between October-March when the weather is cool and pleasant dropping to around 12°C.

Known as the ‘city of victory’ Jeypore city was set up in the 16th-century by the Suryavanshi dynasty. Located in the Koraput district, the historic city constantly changed hands between empires, leaving an unmissable footprint on its culture and architecture. Located amidst the Eastern Ghat ranges, Jeypore, one of the most popular places to visit in Orissa, is bestowed with dense forests, beautiful misty valleys, and waterfalls attract travellers from all over the country. The rich landscape also includes limestone caves, temples, palaces, and age-old bridges.

The stupendous architecture of the Raj Mahal here is one of the most popular attractions. Though in ruins, the architecture of intricately carved walls, arched doors, and minarets tells the story of its once glorious past. Another great attraction is the British-era iron bridge known as Patraput Bridge that connects the Ranchi-Vijayawada corridor. This magnificent 88-year-old structure is a magnificent symbol of stunning architecture. Visit the intriguing Gupteswar Caves located amidst forests atop a hill. These limestone caves have a hidden Lord Shiva temple along with a huge ‘lingam’.

If you want to spend some time with yourself in calm quietude, head over to the beautiful waterfalls at Jeypore. Shakti, Bagara, and Duduma waterfalls here are perfect for activities like swimming and trekking. Soak in the views of hundreds of varieties of colourful flowers at the Kolab Botanical Garden. The place is perfect for taking a long stroll amidst fragrant surroundings as you savour the rich landscape.

The summer months of March-June are quite hot as the temperatures frequently rise to 45°C. The monsoon months of July-September see a moderate amount of rainfall. The winters here are quite cool, the months of October-February being the best time to visit. The temperature during this time drops to as low as 12°C.

Located at the tip of Mahanadi River Delta, this erstwhile capital and the second-largest city of Odisha, and is amongst the most beautiful places to visit in Orissa. Cuttack traces its history back over 1000 years to the Keshari dynasty in 989 BC and is counted amongst the most well-planned ‘Millennium’ cities in the country now. The beautiful waterside landscape of Cuttack is interspersed with small rivers like Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Birupa, and Mahanadi. The several beautiful pokharis (ponds), temples, forts, and lakes are nestled amidst the eastern hills and forested areas.

The 13th-century Barbati Fort landmarks Cuttack and is a must-visit. Built during the Ganga dynasty, the fort used to be a 9-storey palace spread over 102 acres. You can still see the moat, huge sandstone walls, and earthen mounds.

Visit the 10th-century island temple of Dhabaleshwar, which is popular for its beautiful architecture and serene ambience. One of the most intriguing places to see is the stone revetment on the banks of the Kathjuri River. This astonishing architectural feat was established in the 11th-century to break the flow of floodwater.

While in Cuttack, don’t miss to take a street food tour to sample the unique Oriya cuisine. You can try bamboo biryani, prawn malai curry, Macher Kalia, Dalma, etc. Spot exotic flora and fauna at the beautiful Bhitarkanika National Park & Sanctuary. Mainly known for crocodiles, you can also spot species like Olive Ridley Turtles, Egrets, Darters, etc. during the migratory season. Attend the dazzling Durga Puja celebrations if you happen to visit in October. The gold and silver embellished sandals here are famous around the country.

Summers are sweltering in Cuttack with temperatures reaching 39-degrees. The monsoon rains are heavy with cyclonic winds. The best time to visit is during the cool and pleasant winter months of October-March when the temperatures hover around 20-degrees.

One of the oldest places in the country, Sambalpur is Western Orissa’s largest district and edges along the banks of the Mahanadi River. This historically important place, in existence since the 4th-century, finds its name in the country’s freedom struggle and has changed hands between dynasties of the Koshalas, Sarbapriya, Somvanshiya, Marathas, and finally the British. It is an important trade centre and houses ancient temples, forts, and one of the largest railway junctions in the state known as Sambalpur Junction.

Sambalpur’s rich and varied landscape attracts tourists from all over the country for an offbeat vacation. The district is abundant in dense forests, hills, and valleys dotted with beautiful streams and waterfalls. Sambalpur has an intriguing tribal history that is evident in its various landmarks and traditions. The place is famous for producing the intricately threaded Ikat fabric ‘Sambalpuri’. One of the biggest attractions here is the 16th-century Samaleswari Temple from which the district takes its name.

Another attraction here is the Hirakud Dam, which is the world’s longest earthen dam that forms the largest artificial lake in Asia and is the home to several migratory birds and exotic trees. Another intriguing attraction here is the Leaning Temple of Huma, dedicated to Lord Shiva, that tilts at an angle of 47-degrees. Nature enthusiasts must visit the Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary to spot its famous residents like wild bears, tigers, sambars, etc. and to savour the luxuriant greenery away from the crowds. While here, one must try the unique Oriya cuisine especially foods like Bhat Pakhala, Basi Bhat, Kukra Jhol, and Jhuri Bhaja.

Sambalpur sees three distinct seasons of summers, monsoons, and winters. Summers are excruciatingly hot here with temperatures rising to around 45-degrees. July-August is the rainy season that sees a rise in humidity and temperature between 20-30°C. Winter months of October-March are the best to visit the place when the temperatures range between 12-27°C.

Located in Sundergarh District in Western Orissa, Rourkela is one of the most important industrial centres of the country housing India’s first integrated steel plant. Besides being a planned city, Rourkela has stunning natural beauty and is amongst the most prominent tribal hinterlands in India. The beautiful and diverse landscape of Rourkela is dotted with waterfalls, temples, gardens, and wildlife sanctuaries; this is one of the best places to enjoy an offbeat vacation amidst nature.

One of the best attractions in Rourkela is the Khandadhar waterfall, the 12th highest waterfall in the country. Famous for its sword-like shape and scenic surrounding, this is a must-visit here. Another great place to visit here is the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium, managed by The Steel Authority of India. This stadium is an iconic landmark and has been important in promoting the sport in the country. There are several great markets in Rourkela, all unique in their offerings. Some of the best markets to visit are VIP Market, SuperMarket, and Ambagan Market.

Move away from the noise of the city to spend a day amidst fresh air and rustic village ambience at the Darjeeling countryside. You can enjoy great local foods here and spend tranquil time at the riverside. Savour the views of the tallest Hanuman structure in the country standing at 75 ft. at Hanuman Vatika. The beautiful gardens surrounding the Vatika are perfect for taking long peaceful strolls.

Rourkela experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures reaching up to 40°C during the months of March-May. The monsoon months of June-September see heavy monsoon rainfall and humidity. The best time to visit Rourkela is in the winter months of October-March when the days and nights are chilly and the temperature ranges between 9-24°C.