Heritage Walks in India is an increasingly popular way to explore the iconic marvels and hidden gems of the city you’re at. This is how you get up close with the city’s existence, culture, traditions and folk tales. You would also catch up with locals and learn about the place through its people. Peppered with a myriad of experiences, our Heritage walk in Odisha is here to get started.
Odisha is known its wondrous saga of buildings that date back to almost two thousand years. These manifest fine artistry and are a sight to behold. While this state is replete with many historical sites, the capital city – Bhubhneshwar is lined up with more than 500 majestic temples built with utter perfection. So if you have a good religious appetite and are a history buff, a heritage tour of Odisha will never leave you dissatisfied.
Heritage Tour of Odisha: Where Culture meets Art!
A heritage tour of Odisha takes you to the rich historical attractions that offer a beautiful fusion of state’s culture and skilled craftsmenship. Here all you would discover:
1. Lingaraj Temple: This 11th century temple is dedicated to Lord Lingaraj, a form of Lord Shiva. Its intricate designs and carvings are inspired by Kalinga style of architecture. It’s the largest and most sacred temple of the state. The MahaShivratri (February/March) and Lingaraj Rath Yatra (April) festivals are celebrated with great pomp and zeal here.
2. Mukteshwar Temple: This 10th century temple is dedicated to Lord Mukteshwar, a form of Lord Shiva. It is one of the sacred gems of the state which is located in a peaceful setting. You can enter the temple’s complex unlike the Lingaraj Temple and stroll around the temple grounds to fully take in its artistic excellence.
3. Raja Rani Temple: This ancient Lord Shiva temple dates back to the 11th century and is known as the ‘Love Temple’ as you can see sculptures of couples on its walls. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it flaunts intricate carvings portraying the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It observes an annual three-day Raja Rani Music Festival that brings together artists from across the country.
4. Parasurameshwar Temple: This 7th century is yet another creation devoted to Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest and well-preserved temples of the city. It houses a thousand ‘Shivalingas’ at its north-west corner. Its lush green settings offer a nice setting to relax and savor the splendour of sculpture around.
5. Konark Sun Temple: This 13th century temple is devoted to the Sun God. It is located in the Puri district, approx. 70 km from Bhubhneshwar. It displays fine example of of Hindu Orissan style of architecture and is designed in the form of a colossal chariot with 12 beautifully-ornated wheels drawn by seven galloping horses. The temple is a state of ruins but still continues to fascinate its visitors.
6. Chilika Lake: The largest lagoon of India, the Chilika Lake is a pear-shaped lake studded with small islands and a hub for migratory birds. You can hop on to a power-driven boat to watch the Irrawaddy and Bottlenose Dolphins swimming across the waves here. You can also choose to cruise to the nearby island for more scenic nature views.
7. ChandraBhaga Beach: It is one of the finest beaches located along the eastern coastline of India. Also called the Golden Beach of India, it is Asia’s blue tag that is labelled to beaches with an eco-friendly environment. You can indulge in various water sports – snorkelling, surfing, boating, and enjoy to your fill. You can club your visit to the Sun Temple with this attraction as both are close by.
Most of these sites have won the people’s hearts and there’s a lot to discover in the city of Orissa. Our heritage tour in Orissa brings together Bhubhneshwar, Puri and Konark – Golden Triangle of East India. The state comes out to be an incredible feast for tourists and if you want to discover this quirky side of India, this is your time to do it.
Let’s begin your journey to India together!
We at Tra-Eminent India Tours offer a wide range of tour packages such as India tour packages, India Travel Packages, Luxury India Tours, Holidays in India, Vacation packages to India, Trip to India, Golden Triangle India Tour Packages, hotels, resorts, car and other travel facilities at affordable prices that are required for every tourist during holidays in India. It covers almost all of the best tourist destinations in India such as Rajasthan, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Agra, Tamilnadu, Mumbai, etc.