Nestling on the eastern coast of Bay of Bengal, the state of Orissa embodies the soul of ancient India with a treasure trove of magnificent temples, caves, chaityas, stupas and centers of pilgrimage. But that is not all. Sun drenched beaches, beautiful lakes, tribal villages form major tourist attractions in Orissa.
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Some important tourist attractions in Orissa are:
Temples in Orissa: The most important tourist attractions in Orissa are its temples. Myriad number of Hindu temples literally dot all over the states. Among them Sun Temple in
Konark
, Jagannath Temple in
Puri
, Raja Rani Temple in
Bhubaneswar
are famous across the globe. The intricate sculpture on the temple facades bear testimony to achievements of ancient Indian architecture. Ratha Yatra festival in June-July in Jagannath Temple in
Puri
is a big draw for tourists.
Beaches and Lakes in Orissa: Orissa boasts of a few beautiful beaches most of which remain still lie unexplored. The beach of
Puri
is quite popular in the country owing to its breathtaking view of the Bay of Bengal.
On the other hand Chandipur and Gopalpur on Sea promises you a slice of serenity. The largest brackish water lake of the continent - Chilika is a bird lover's paradise.
Buddhist Sites in Orissa: Ancient Orissa played a major role in spreading Buddhist religion in India and abroad. One of India's biggest historical battles (Kalinga war) took place in Orissa, which led to the conversion of Ashoka the great into Buddhism. In places like Dhauli, Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, one can view the rare rock edicts, Buddhist sculptures and statues.
Jain Monuments in Orissa: Close by the city of Bhubaneswar, in the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri, Jain caves are located which were the residences of Jain monks. There are elaborate sculptural friezes from legends and history.
Wild Lives in Orissa: Wild Life Sanctuaries of Bhitar Kanika, Simlipal, Nandan Kanan would offer you spectacular views of a variety of birds and animals in their natural habitat.
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