20 Attractions to Explore Near Chilika lake , Odisha

Chilika is Indias biggest inland lake. Spread over 1,100 square kilometers stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water. Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna.

Mangalajodi is Birds' paradise. More than 200 species of birds both resident and migratory are found in this area of Chilika Lake, the beautiful blue lagoon, at different points of time in a year. The flying architecture of Godwits under bright sunshine is mind blowing and fabulous. The silver and black clouds appearing alternatively and suddenly at few hundred feet away from one's boat while on travel mesmerize one's intrinsic thought of being immersed with the beauty of this part of world.

Shree jagannath Temple, Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to lord jagannath. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.

Rajhurajur is known as crafts village of Odisha. This place is famous for the beautiful crafts developed by the villagers. Villagers or the craftsmen of this place were supplying decorative items to temples and Mathas (temples constructed mostly by famous devotees located around Sri Jaganatha temple.) of Puri. They also supply Patas which used in the throne of Lord Jaganatha inside temple. During car festival several the chariots are decorated by paints of these artisans.

It is a pre-secondary and Secondary school, located at Sakhigopal (Satyabadi block), a part of puri district, in the Indian state of Odisha. It was established by renowned writer and social worker Gopabandhu Das in 1909 (British India). According to Das, schools had to become man-making industries and had to be instrumental in the harmonious development of a child's personality.

Ladubaba Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva worshiped as Ladukesh Mahesh but affectionately called Ladubaba in the town of Saranakul in Nayagarh District of Odisha. The Shrine of Lord Ladukesh Mahesh, known popularly as Ladubaba is situated 100 kms from Bhubaneswar on the Nayagrah-Aska Road and 13 kms from Nayagarh town. The temple dating back to medieval times shows a fusion of kalinga and dravidian temple architecture.

It is a famous religious place in Southern Odisha where the twin sister Goddess i.e. Tara & Tarini adorn the sanctum situated on the top of a hillock girdled by the waddling holy river Rushikulya. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotes, picnickers and visitors through out the year.

Atri is famous for its perennial Hot Spring. The hot spring is reputed to have medical properties which is used both intensively and extensively for the cure of skin diseases. The water of the Hot Spring (57 degrees centigrade) contains small doses of sulphur flavour when heated to 100 degree centigrade.

It is one of the famous Temples in Odisha dedicated to Lord Ramachandra. Ramanavami is the most important festival celebrated here. Odagaon is 26 km away from Nayagrah (town). It is said that the renowned poet of Odisha Upendra Bhanja meditated here and attained perfection in the Rama Taraka Mantra. This temple was built around 1903. The ‘Kalas” of the Temple was made of gold. There is a small museum inside the temple premises.

Melancholy and Salubrious Sea beach with blue waters and attractive back water bed in the form of cracks and sleepy lagoon covered with canopies of lush green foliage. The remnants of a vanishing British made port buildings speak the golden days of Southern Odisha from where ships were saddling to Rangoon.

Dhauli Giri is the site, on whose plains Kalinga War was fought. Adorned with a rock edict erected by the great emperor Ashoka of Maurya Dynasty, the hills are located on the banks of the Daya River. Seeing the Daya River that had turned to red by the Kalingan martyrs, Ashoka renounced war and embraced Buddhism. The bloodshed led Ashoka to change his mind, after which he laid down the weapons of violence and accepted a life of Ahimsa in the form of Buddhism.

Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone. Once over 200 feet (61 m) high, much of the temple is now in ruins. The structures and elements that have survived are famed for their intricate artwork, iconography, and themes, including erotic kama and mithuna scenes.

This is a very old temple in Bhubaneswar, Khordha. It is located from 2 km distance from Lingaraj shrine. The architecture of this temple is a wonder of the ancient age.

Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvata . They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during 2nd-century BCE. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks. Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 cav

Bhubaneswar the temple city of India is the capital of Orissa. It is believed that there were about 7000 temples in Ekamra Vana of Bhubaneswar . Reminiscence of the days of yore dating back to the 6th century.Satrughaneswar and laxamaneswar temple to the gigantic Lingaraj temple of the 11th century are available in the old township .Centuries of temple building activity continued well in to the 12th and 13th century in the shape of Anant Basudev temple on the southeast of the Bindu Sarovar Tank

Chausathi Jogini Temple is situated in a hamlet called Hirapur. The temple is believed to be built by the Queen Hiradevi of Bramha dynasty during the 9th century. It's built in a circular fashion, completely put together with blocks of Sandstone. The inside of the circular wall has cavities, each housing the statue of a Goddess. There are around 56 such idols, made of black granite, inscribed within the wall cavities, centring on the main idol which is the Goddess Kali.

This is one of the major rivers in Odisha and covers the entire catchment area in the districts of Kandhamal and Ganjam. The Rushikulya originates at an elevation of about 1000 meters from Daringbadi hills of the Eastern Ghats.

The temple is situated on the banks of the River Mahanadi. As per Puranic tradition Parasuram facing certain defeat at the hands of Saharasjuna prayed to Durga who appeared in this spot to impart her divine power to the aid of Parashuram. Shakti Pitha Bhattarika of Badamba in the district of Cuttack is one of the notable holy place of Orissa, India. This sacred pitha is associated with Devi Bhattarika.

Standing elegantly on the banks of the river Mahanadi, Kantilo is famous for the temple of Lord Nilamadhaba, on top of the twin hills with surrounding green forests. Lord Nilamadhaba occupies a prominent position in the cult of Lord Jagannath. This temple is a miniature form of the Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri and observes similar rites rituals. One can also find amazing brass and bell metal crafts here, which are lovingly carried by many visitors as souvenirs.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Varahi. This temple was built in the first quarter of 10th century AD during Somavamsi rule. Locally known as Matsya Varahi, the presiding deity Goddess Varahi sits in lalitasana on a plain platform with her right foot resting on the buffalo mount carved on the pedestal. She is presented as the pot-bellied goddess with the face of a boar.