Orissa, officially called Odisha since November 2011, is a state in India. It is located on the eastern coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. In ancient time it was known as Kalinga. It has rich history dating back to over 5000 years. It also has rich flora and fauna along with rich culture & tradition. It has been one of the most sought after states for tourism in India. There are many fascinating travel destinations and circuits in this state which are visited by a number of domestic and international tourists each year. Have a look at some of popular tourist places which are popular on Orissa tours in India.
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha. It is a much sought after tourist destination in the state. It is situated on the eastern side. Drenched into rich culture and glorious past the city is best known for its ancient temples and shrines. It is home to some of the finest temples in the country. Temples are notable for their awesome architectural brilliance and never fail to lure visitors. Lingaraja Temple, Yogini Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Vaital Deul Temple, Parasurameswar Temple, Siddheswar Temple and Kedargauri Temple are the important temples in the city. The twin hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, 8 km from Bhubaneswar, are famous for Jain cave temples. Orissa State Museum and Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary are also some of the must see tourist spots during Bhubaneswar tour.
Puri
Puri is an important city in Orissa situated about 60 kms south of the state capital Bhubaneswar. It is a holy city for Hindus and delightful holidaying spot for beach lovers. It is also a part of the Chardham pilgrimages for Hindus. It is believed that a pilgrimage tour to Indian Hindu temples is not complete without visiting the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri in Orissa. Hence this holy city is also known as the Jagannath Puri. The sacred town of Puri is also popular among beach lovers. It has one of the finest beaches for swimming. It also has a popular beach resort offering spectacular views of sunset and sunrise over the sea.
Konark
Konark is another popular town and tourist destination to visit on Orissa tours in India. It is best known for the worldwide famous outstanding Sun Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to Hindu God Surya (Sun), the Konark Sun Temple is an architectural wonder and must see on Orissa tour.
Kuldeep Singh is an expert writer primarily focusing on travel and tourism related topics. He has written many articles for travel and tourism in India.
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