Orissa Tourism & Travel Guide - Know Before you Go!

Orissa Overview

Orissa, situated on the eastern coastal region of India and edged by the Bay of Bengal, is a state, large areas of which remain unexplored and unfrequented by travellers. Fed by various rivers such as Brahmani, Mahanadi and Baitarini, the interiors of the land happen to be covered by forests and are inhabited by tribal groups. The tribals form almost a fourth of the population of the state. Orissa receives considerable amount of rainfall throughout the year and the coastal regions often experience cyclones. As a mineral-rich state, it’s a prime spot for steel, mining, power generation and aluminium industries. Most of the tourist attractions of the state are centred near the coast, mostly in the region of Puri, Bhubaneshwar and Konark. The highlights of the state are its beaches and ancient temples and even the capital city of Bhubaneshwar houses thousands of temples. Wildlife lovers should head to the state’s natural sanctuaries including the Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitaranika Sanctuary where flocks of Olive Ridley Turtles come ashore in February each year. Tourism in the state has steadily grown in recent years, with travellers coming to see its beaches, its wildlife reserves, its temples and its festivals and arts. Eco-tourism has also gained popularity, namely in the Chilka Lake area. The history of the land dates back to ancient times and the state is home to monuments like the Jagannath Temple, the Konark Sun Temple, the ruins of Sisupalgarh and the Lingaraj Temple. Buddhist sites are also present in abundance at Lalitgiri, Dhauli, Udaygiri and Ratnagiri.