The Dhauli Shanti Stupa or the Peace Pagoda as it is known was built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972. Built on the site where the famous Kalinga War was fought, the Dhauli Stupa commemorates the mission of peace that the Kalinga War achieved. Noted historian Shri. Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra aptly said - “The political history of mankind in reality is a history of wars, and no war has ended with so successful a mission of peace for the entire war-torn humanity as the war of Kalinga”. Any article on Dhauli Shanti Stupa is incomplete without a brief on the Kalinga War- recorded as one of the bloodiest wars ever fought in the annals of the history of mankind.
Located 15 KM from Bhubaneswar, Nandankanan literally means “celestial garden” came into existence on the 29th December 1960. However strange it may seem; the zoo came up as afterthought. During the World Agriculture Fair held in New Delhi in 1960, Odisha pavilion displayed animals from Odisha in its stall. Once the fair was over, the realization dawned that the animals needed a home. After a lot of deliberations, the current site located in Jujhagarh Forest block was selected. Unlike other zoos, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set amidst natural environments. The animals are housed in spacious enclosures which replicate the habitat they live in, enabling them to settle down and lead a healthy life.
Dating back to 1932, the Odisha State Museum is the premier museum of the state. It is a repository that offers a glimpse into the history of Odisha’s across eras. The sprawling museum complex houses a vast array of galleries each catering to a specific aspect of our history. The gallery displaying coins of the ancient and medieval age of Odisha is of particular interest for those who are inclined towards history and have numismatics as a hobby. It also showcases specimens of rare mammals and birds through evolution of the species. The Armoury Gallery displays weapons excavated in archaeology sites as well as personal weapons of donated to the museum by various Kings of Odisha. The Paika Gallery focusses on the Paika revolution- The uprising of the Paika’s (the warrior clan of Odisha) against the British Imperialism.
Kalabhoomi - Odisha Crafts Museum Kalabhoomi was established on 22nd March 2018 under the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Govt. of Odisha. It showcases the Handicraft & Handloom Craft traditions heritage of Odisha state. The heritage museum spreads around 12.68 acres of land, with awesome ambience. In addition, it comprises of 9 galleries. Apart from these facilities, such as the AV room, children play zone area, open air amphitheatre, workshop zone for Handicrafts and Handlooms also exists. The Museum is working with a vision to promote the existing Crafts as well as to revive the languishing crafts. It also seeks to position Odisha’s rich heritage in the global eye. This is the only organisation in the state that provides ample opportunity to intellectuals, students, research scholars to conduct research in this sector.
Utkalika and Boyanika proudly present an exquisite collection of handloom and handicraft products from Odisha, showcasing the state's rich cultural legacy. This curated selection celebrates the skilled artisans and timeless traditions of eastern India, featuring elegant Ikat sarees and fabrics, intricately woven Pasapali and Sambalpuri textiles, vibrant cotton and silk blends, intricate stone and wood carvings, delicate Pattachitra paintings, and beautifully crafted terracotta and pottery. By supporting local artisans and preserving traditional techniques, you can own a piece of Odisha's cultural heritage and elevate your home decor with unique, handmade items. Visit Utkalika and Biyanika to discover the captivating beauty of Odisha's handloom and handicraft traditions and experience the authenticity of this ancient craft.
Boyanika – https://www.boyanika.com/
Utkalika - https://utkalikaodisha.com/shop-2/
The caves located 7KM from Bhubaneswar takes us back in time and is probably the only recorded history of era that is still shrouded in mystery. Built somewhere around the 2nd century BC by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, widely regarded as the most powerful king in the annals of history of Odisha, these ancient rock cut caves were first discovered by a young British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19th century AD. The caves built on the Kumari Mountain range were built for the Jain monks and offered them a place to stay and meditate. Out of the one hundred and seventeen caves that were built originally only thirty-three survive till this day. Eighteen caves are located in the Udaygiri hill and fifteen in the Khandagiri hill. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is in charge of the Udaygiri caves and it’s a ticketed monument.
The imposing temple standing at 180 ft strikes awe and respect amongst its visitors. Built during the 11th century AD. The temple has been described as “One of the finest examples of purely Hindu Temple in India” by noted critic and historian James Fergusson (1808-1886). The temple marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar which was the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. The sprawling temple complex has one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines. The temples are considered a masterpiece of Indian Architecture for its detailed plan, proportions, seamless joints, elegant craftsmanship and impressive dimensions.
Mukteswar Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is a 10th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is renowned for its exceptional architectural beauty. It is considered the "Gem of Odisha" for its perfect proportions and artistic beauty, marking a transition in temple design that influenced later temples in the region. The temple is famous for its exquisite torana (arched gateway), elaborately decorated with depictions of ascetics, celestial beings, and mythological scenes. The temple’s sanctum, adorned with fine sculptures, embodies the elegance of early Odishan architecture, and its compact yet richly decorated structure stands as a masterpiece of the period.
The circular open roofed temple is one of the four surviving temples in India of the yogini cult which flourished in the country from the 8th Century AD to 13th Century AD. The temple located 15KM from Bhubaneswar at a hamlet called Hirapur was built in the 9th century AD and has been attributed to Queen Hiradevi, mother of King Subhakar Dev II of the Bhaumakar dynasty. There are four surviving yogini temples in the country. Out of the four such temples two are in Odisha (one in Hirapur and the other one in Ranipur-Jharial in Bolangir Dist and the other two are in modern day Madhya Pradesh). The yogini cult practiced yoga along with tantrism. The object of worship was usually a Chakra or Wheel which had sixty-four spokes, hence the name (Chausathi translates to sixty-four in Odia). The presiding deity is Goddess Kali. The yoginis are believed to be offshoots of the Saptamatrika and are incarnations of Shakti and depicted as vivacious and seem to embrace life rather than withdraw from it. The yoginis define and represent the ultimate feminine power.
“Nimantran” is an authentic Odia Cuisine fine dine restaurant inaugurated on 03rd September 2021. An initiative of Odisha Tourism, Nimantran is managed by OTDC with a view to promote Odia cuisine as part of Odisha’s culinary tourism offerings. As the taste of local cuisine helps travellers to get a sense of the place in a more immersive way, Odisha Tourism’s flagship initiative Nimantran promotes culinary tourism across the State. The restaurant serves Odia cuisines that are synonymous with the culture of different regions in the State. Currently Nimantran operates in Bhubaneswar, Blue Flag Beach, Puri and Rani Bakhri, Sambalpur.
Odisha is known as the land of Lord Jagannath (literally meaning the Lord of the Universe). The temple built in the 12th Century AD has been the epicentre of Jagannath cult and sees pilgrims flocking the temple town of Puri from all corners of the world throughout the year. It is the most sacred shrine in India, a vibrant and living temple. The Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a grand and historic festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath, celebrated in Puri, Odisha. This happens during the month of June/July. It marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for nine days. This procession involves massive, elaborately decorated wooden chariots being pulled through the streets of Puri by thousands of devotees. It is the only festival where deities are brought out of the temple premises, allowing people from all faiths to witness and participate.
The Blue Flag beach in Puri, Odisha, is one of the few beaches in India to earn the prestigious Blue Flag certification, awarded for meeting high environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards. Located near the iconic Jagannath Temple, this eco-friendly beach offers pristine sands, clean surroundings, and well-maintained amenities. Odisha Tourism has developed facilities like watchtowers, seating areas, and restrooms, while also promoting responsible tourism by ensuring waste management and accessibility. The beach is a perfect destination for visitors seeking a serene experience by the sea while contributing to sustainable tourism practices in Odisha.
The Sun Temple at Konark is the pinnacle of Odisha Temple Architecture and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is a culmination of seven hundred years of grind in search of perfection. The temple was designed as a chariot of Sun God driven by twenty-four beautifully carved wheels and pulled by seven horses. Apart from its beauty what captivates historians are the scientific precision. For e.g.- the wheels are designed in such a way that one can gauge the time of the day by looking at the shadow cast on the spoke of the wheels by the sun. Not only that the carvings of the spoke and axesls denote the activities that one normally does at that time of the day. The wheels popularly known as Konark Chakra is a popular souvenir collected by the tourists visiting the temple.
The heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur is Odisha’s best known for its Pattachitra art. The art form is used to decorate none other the Lord of the Universe- Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The attachment with the holy trinity elevated the art form helped it gain prominence. Steeped in ancient culture, portraying scenes from mythology with vibrant colours, superb craftsmanship, simplicity in design, the Pattachitra has captured the imagination of artists and art lovers alike. Located approximately 12 KM from Puri, Raghurajpur is a quaint village where 120 odd homes are neatly lined up facing each other in two rows. Every house has an artist engaged in the trade making it perhaps the only place in India where one can find such a large congregation of artists. The popular forms of Pattachitra are the paintings on cloth depicting scenes from mythology and epics.
The Applique work at the heritage craft village Pipili are Odisha’s most famous art exports to the world. The applique work of the village was also showcased in the popular movie Sui Dhaaga starring Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma. Pipili is also used to adorn the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings during the annual Ratha Yatra. It is also used in other rituals associated with the Lord. Pipili was set up as an artisan’s village during the Somavamsi dynasty rule in Odisha somewhere in the 10th Century AD. The art exemplifies the perfect syncretisation of the culture of Odisha.
The museum is by far millennium city Cuttack’s best tourist attraction. The maritime museum came up in the old, dilapidated complex of “River Boat Construction and Repair Workshop” constructed during the British era. The workshop was renovated and renovated and converted into the present-day Odisha State Maritime Museum in 2013. The exhibits of the museum give an insight into the ancient Odisha’s famed maritime industry. The chief attractions are the wooden boat replica’s, the huge boat shed and the lathe which was the largest in Asia during its time. The addition of the 3D shows along with the aquarium section to the museum is a huge draw especially for the kids. The museum is located on the banks of River Mahanadi near Jobra along with its finely manicured and maintained lawns makes for a pleasant outing with family. The museum regularly conducts painting competitions for children regularly which attracts a lot of participants, and the interactive initiatives adds to the feel-good factor about the place. It also has an open-air auditorium with a sitting capacity of 250 people.
The Cuttack Chandi Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack, Odisha. The temple is located nearby the banks of the Mahanadi River. It is famous for the annual Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivals. The Goddess popularly called as Maa Katak Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient city. Maa Chandi is worshipped in various incarnations of Durga during DASAHARA puja. In Cuttack, people strongly believe Maa Cuttack Chandi as 'The Living Goddess'.
Barabati Fort is a 987 CE fort built by Marakata Keshari of Somavanshi (Keshari) dynasty in Cuttack, Odisha. The ruins of the fort remain with its moat, gate, and the earthen mound of the nine-storied palace. This medieval fort is situated at 20°29′1.32″N 85°52′3.36″E, about 8 km away from the center of the Cuttack, at the apex of a delta formed by the river Mahanadi on the north and its distributary, the Kathajodi on the south, and is located at 14.62 metres above sea level. The fort is square in plan. It spreads over an area of 102 acres and surrounded with a stone paved moat of 10 Mtr. width in northern and western sides and 20 Mtr. width in the eastern and southern sides. The entire fort wall except the entrance is missing. Since, 1915, in view of its national importance, the place has been declared as a protected site by Archaeological Survey of India.
Located at Oriya Bazar, the place is an important landmark in the history of India’s freedom struggle, it’s here in this very house on 23rd January 1897 did the famed freedom fighter and founder of the Indian Armed Forces Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born to eminent lawyer Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. He was the ninth child amongst fourteen siblings.
Cuttack is famous for its Silver Filigree works. The shops located at Nayasadak offers visitors a plethora of souvenirs to choose from. Silver Filigree or fondly known as ‘Rupa Tarakasi’ received the GI tag on 3rd March 2024.
