Enchanting Odisha! (Published in Anokhi Magazine)

 Here is the link - http://anokhimagazine.com/lifestyle/enchanting-odisha

When you head east, keep going, as on the East Coast of India lies Odisha (Orissa), where you can explore its untapped (non-touristy) magic.

If you are thinking about visiting India, places like the beaches of Goa, the Taj Mahal at Agra, and the backwaters of Kerala are likely to come to your mind. But with several hundreds of international visitors making a trip to these places every year, wouldn’t you be interested in exploring a place that has it all and hasn’t been exploited commercially? Odisha, which until a year ago was called Orissa, is a state located on the east coast of India and is yet to be explored by the international tourists. It has scenic landscapes, verdant valleys, cascading waterfalls, amazing flora and fauna, rich architectural heritage and colourful tribes adding to the cultural diversity.

Realizing the immense potential the state offers to international tourists, Jitendra K. Mohanty, chairman of Odisha Hotels and Restaurant Association, along with India Tourism, introduced Odisha, the land of pristine beauty, to Canada last April. Be it an adventurous family vacation, a peaceful tour for the elderly or a romantic memorable trip for the young couple, Odisha has a lot in store for tourists from all walks of life.

Prepare for the spiritual voyage

If you love temples and carvings on the ancient monuments, Odisha is a perfect destination. The state is a subliminal integration of exotic past with contemporary strength. It is dotted with temples all over. Every temple has a tale of its own and still reverberates with the sound of chanting and worship. The Golden Triangle of Odisha, Bhubaneswar – Puri –Konark, is a treasure-trove of art and architecture. The capital city Bhubaneswar boasts of monuments starting from 2nd century B.C. while the Khandagiri-Udaygiri Caves go back to the 13th century A.D. Puri, one of the four holiest places of India, is world famous for its Jagannath Temple. The temple, a monument from the 12th century A.D., possesses all the richness and uniqueness of the Kalinga style of architecture. The magnificent Sun Temple or Black Pagoda of Konark is another great wonder of ancient India and is also UNESCO’s World Heritage Monument. Commenting on the Sun Temple, Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore once said, “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.”

Experience the azure blues

The sparkling waterfalls, virgin beaches, bubbling hot springs, meandering rivers, large lakes and reservoirs along with the tranquility of verdant valleys can keep the visitors spellbound. Taptapani, surrounded by hills, is a place famous for its natural hot sulphur springs and beautiful environs. Among beaches of Odisha, the famous Puri beach with golden sands, soothing sunbath, colourful sunrise and sunset has excellent beach facing hotels and guesthouses and is an ideal holiday spot to bathe and laze or enjoy seeing the local fishermen plying their catamarans and sailboats. Chandipur beach is unique in India, as the water recedes up to five kilometres during the ebb tide. During low tides, it can be a paradise for swimmers. The Chandrabhaga or Konark beach has been famous for its spectacular sunrise. The vast numbers of beaches of Odisha have been forming a timeless heritage, and continue to share and gift its innumerable bounties to all who care and visit the shoreline of Odisha.

Enjoy the wild!

One of the greatest benefits of Odisha’s natural landscape has been its ability to offer a protected yet natural habitat to the state’s incredible wildlife. Some of the most important experiments of wildlife conservation are taking place in these natural habitats, giving the tourists an excellent opportunity to see nature’s beauty and bounty, propagated in an environment that is both healthy and beautiful. The Similipal Sanctuary, with its astounding flora and fauna, has won the distinction of being a Tiger Reserve. Known as “a slice of paradise on earth,” the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary has the second largest mangrove forest in India and provides an ideal habitat for reptiles, including crocodiles, sea turtles and water monitor lizards. An experience of a lifetime can be seen at Gahirmatha, the world’s largest nesting site for turtles. Every year, thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles migrate in huge numbers for mating and nesting along the coast. This one is a must-visit for all those who love wildlife. Dotted with small islands – including the picturesquely Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island – Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lake. The pear-shaped lagoon is one of the few places in India where one can find Irrawadi dolphins and exotic migratory birds. The Nandankanan Safari has been another major attraction for tourists for its white tigers.

 Meet the colourful tribes 

Odisha has a large concentration of tribals of India, forming about one fourth of its total population, mostly inhabiting the jungles and hilly regions. Each tribe is unique as it has its rich music, dance and traditions. The tribals decorate their bodies with tattoo marks, occasionally painting with red and white strips. They use ornaments like bangles, anklets, earrings and huge necklaces. “Odisha embraces 62 diverse tribe ethnicities that still adhere to and guard their respective distinct traditions. These traditions have remained relatively unchanged throughout centuries. If would like to meet the tribals, you’ll need special permission and we can arrange that for you,” adds Bipasa Mohanty, executive director of Swosti Travels.

There is more to explore at Odisha. Apart from the wildlife, temples, beaches and tribes, Odisha’s Buddhist antiquities like the Peace Pagoda or Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri and Langudi are an example of the bygone era. For those who love shopping, there is a world of possibilities. A visit to Pipli, a village known for handicrafts and fabrics, will provide you plenty of options.
 Odisha is a state that offers something unique to everyone. There are some places in India that are special, and Odisha is one of them. So, do explore this undiscovered destination of India!

Season: The best season to visit Odisha is from September to March.
Connectivity: Air – Odisha is linked with major cities of India through Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar. Kolkatta is the nearest international airport.
Rail – Bhubaneswar is linked by fast and express train services from all major cities of the country.
Websites for more information: www.orissatravels.com and www.swostiindia.com

BY SMRUTI DAS / PUBLISHED IN THE FASHION & STYLE ISSUE, OCTOBER 2012PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SWOSTI INDIA