Odisha, formerly known as Orissa, is a heritage & culturally enriching state in East India. The long list of beaches, biosphere reserves, temples, museums, and other tourist places in Odisha make the state a must-visit destination. This coastal state offers marvelous architectural wonders of forts & temples and natural beauty of sun kissed beaches and serene lakes.
Take a look at some of the best tourist places in Orissa. While some of these are known names, others are quite uncommon. Have a look.
Places To Visit In Orissa For Pilgrims & History Buffs
1. Bhubaneswar
Known as the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar is among the best tourist places to visit in Odisha. It is a classic example of history, heritage, and urbanisation. The place has marvelous temples showcasing amazing artwork, wildlife sanctuaries, and exhilarating caves.
Key attractions: Dhauli Hills, Udayagiri & Khandagiri caves, Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavations, Bindu Sarovara, Nandan Kanan Zoological Park, Satkosia Tiger Reserve, and temples of Mukteswar, Lingaraj, Brahmeswara, & Parasurameswara
Suggested Read: 15 Spectacular Caves In India That Should Be Explored At Least Once In A Lifetime
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2. Puri
If you are planning to visit Odisha for a relaxing vacation by the sea, Puri is the place to be. Ranked among the top tourist places in Odisha, Puri is known for its sun kissed beaches, age-old temples, and local bustling markets that tempt tourists round the year. It is also among the original Char Dhams that hold significance in the Hindu religion.
Key attractions: Puri Beach, Puri Beach Festival, Puri Jagannath temple, Chilika Lake & Bird Sanctuary, and Gundicha Ghar Temple
Suggested Read: Char Dham Yatra: A Quest For Moksha
3. Konark
Konark is a hub of ancient art and sculpture. The carvings of the Konark Sun Temple, one of the seven wonders of India, attract large flocks of tourists throughout the year. Along with the marvelous temples, the city has a serene beach and an engrossing archaeological museum to explore. Discovering the finest art work & sculptures of the Konark Sun Temple is surely one of the primary reasons to visit Odisha, especially for the art lovers.
Key attractions: Archeological Museum, temple of Sun God & Ramchandi, Chandrabhaga Beach
4. Cuttack
Cuttack is one of the vintage cities and popular tourist places in Orissa. The business capital of the state is known for many ancient pilgrim centres, forts, museums, lakes, and islands. Moreover this place also boasts of local handicrafts.
Key attractions: Mahanadi Barrage, Fort of Barabati, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Ansupa Lake, and Temples of Singanatha & Bhattarika
5. Bargarh
Bargarh is one of the less popular tourist destinations of Odisha. However, the amazing century old temples and the surrounding scenic beauty makes it a must-visit destination. The place has a mythological significance as Gandhamadan Parvat, which finds a mention in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, is located here.
Key attractions: Chal Dhar Waterfall, Gandhamadan, Papanga Hills and Temples of Nrusinghanath and Kedarnath.
Places To Visit In Odisha For The Nature Lovers
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6. Jeypore
Jeypore is one of the delightful tourist places in Odisha for the nature lovers. It is known for offering spellbinding views of rocky outcrops, picturesque waterfalls, and lush green biosphere reserves.
Deomali, the highest peak of the state, is another popular picnic spot is Odisha that is located not very far from Jeypore.
Key attractions: Gupteshwar caves, Sunabeda, Deomali, Duduma Falls, Jagannath Sagar, Hatipathar, and Kolab Falls
7. Barbil
Located by the bank of Karo River in Keonjhar, Barbil is a lesser known tourist spot in Odisha. The place, surrounded by luxuriant forests, offers breathtaking beauty and a break away from the maddening city crowd.
Key attractions: Hawa Mahal, Gonasika, Thakurani Hills, Murga Mahadev Waterfalls, Uliburu Reserved Forest, and temples of Hanuman & Shiva
Other Must-visit Tourist Destinations In Orissa
8. Paradip
Paradip or Paradeep, the famous sea port of India, finds its place in the list of popular tourist destinations of Odisha. It is located at the confluence of Bay of Bengal and Mahanadi. In addition to the busy dockyard, the city also has some amazing beaches that offer mesmerising views of the surroundings.
Key attractions: Paradip Port, Gahirmatha Sanctuary & beach, lighthouse, and Jhankad
9. Rourkela
Rourkela is one of the largest cities of Odisha. The place is primarily known for the steel plant and associated industrial growth. However, it also pull tourists with its vintage temples, parks, dams, and waterfalls.
Key attractions: Darjeeng, Nehru Traffic Park, temples of Vedavyas & Vaishno Devi, Hanuman Vatika, Mandira Dam, Pitamahal Dam, Badaghagra Falls, and Khandadhar Falls
10. Sambalpur
Sambalpur, known for natural splendors & cultural sites, is one of the important tourist places in Odisha. The landscape is dotted with numerous waterfalls and plush green forests that allure photography buffs, nature lovers, and adventure enthusiasts.
Key attractions: Hirakud Dam, Cattle Island, Chiplima, Huma, Samaleswari Temple, Vikramkhol, Hatibari, and Debrigarh & Ushakothi wildlife sanctuaries
11. Chandipur
Key attraction: Chandipur Beach, where the sea recedes up to 5 km providing the scope to walk on the sea bed see collect sea shells, red crabs, turtles, and other underwater marine particles
Suggested Read: 15 Natural Wonders In India That Your Geography Teacher Forgot To Tell You About
12. Pipli
Key attraction: Beautiful Applique handicrafts and colorful bazaars
Suggested Read: 38 Most Colorful Places In India That Will Make Your Heart Skip A Beat
13. Roopark Village
Key attraction: Roopark Tribal Village Resort
Suggested Read: The Ultimate Weekend Getaway Bucket List From Kolkata
14. Taptapani
Key attraction: Hot springs atop a hill surrounded by lush forest cover
Suggested Read: 20 Hot Springs In India Perfect For Your Next Getaway
15. Atri
Key attraction: Hot springs and bathing complex maintained by Government of Odisha
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and plan an immediate vacation to these amazing tourist places in Odisha. Let us know about the holiday, once you are back.
Further Read: 30 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30
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