Odisha Tourism: From Konark Sun Temple to Chilika Lake, 16 Top Tourist Attractions of the Land of God
By Rashmi MishraMarch 25, 2021
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Barabati Fort
A historical landmark in the city of Cuttack, Barabati Fort is a 13th-century fort built by the Ganga dynasty.
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Konark Sun Temple
Undoubtedly the most popular tourist attraction, Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun temple. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
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Chilika Lake
Declared 'Destination Flyway' by the United Nation's World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Chilika Lake, a brackish water lagoon, is home to rare and endangered species.
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Dhauli Shanti Stupa
It is a prominent white peace pagoda and Buddhist shrine that was constructed on top of the Dhauli Hill in 1972.
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Odisha State Museum
Situated in the capital city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha State Museum was first established in 1932. It moved to the present building in 1960.
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Hirakud Dam
The longest dam in the world is built across the Mahanadi River. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India's independence.
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Shri Jagannath Temple
It is an important Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord to Jagannath, an avatar of Vishnu. The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival.
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Satkosia Gorge
It is a gorge carved by the Mahanadi River. The gorge is located within the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, which is a United Nations Protected Area.
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Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, partly natural and partly artificial caves, was built during the reign of King Kharavela in the 1st century BCE.
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Lingaraja Temple
Lingaraja Temple, dedicated to Hindu God, Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest temples in Bhuvneshwar and the top attraction of the capital city.
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Mukteshvara Temple
Another Shiva temple in Bhuvneshwar is Mukteshvara Temple. The 10th-century Hindu temple dates back to 950–975 CE.
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Nandankanan Zoological Park
Sprawling over 437-hectare, Nandankanan Zoological Park is a zoo and botanical garden that opened for the public in 1979.
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Rajarani Temple
locally known as a "love temple" because of its erotic drawings, Rajarani Temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple located in Bhubaneswar.
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Golden Beach or Puri Beach
Puri Beach or the Golden beach on the shore of the Bay of Bengal is a popular tourist attraction as well as a major Hindu pilgrimage site.
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Leaning Temple of Huma
One of the two leaning temples in the world (the other being Ratneshwar Mahadev temple in Varanasi), the Leaning Temple of Huma is dedicated to Lord Bimaleshwar.
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Khandadhar Waterfall
The scenic beauty of Khandadhar Waterfall makes it one of the top tourist attractions of Odisha. It is located at Nandapani, Bonaigarh, in Sundargarh district.