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Orissa is an enchanting land of sea, sand and fabulous temples along the long coastal stretch of the Bay of Bengal. This state has its mention in the epic Mahabharata and attracts tourists with its gorgeous beaches and grand architectural splendors. The natural splendor of this land with affluent culture and heritage is simply awe-inspiring.
There are innumerable tourist attractions in Orissa and some of the major ones among them are:
Bhubaneswar: It is the capital town of this magnificent state and is located on the eastern side. It flaunts some of the finest temples and shrines that are counted among the tourist attractions in Orissa. It is an exemplary instance of the blend of age-old customs and traditions and contemporary aspirations. Lingaraja temple, Rajarani temple, Parasuramesvera temple and Yogini temple, Mukteswar, Siddheswar and Kedargauri temples are the important temples here. Handicrafts Museum, Khandagiri-Udayagiri Caves, Orissa State Museum and Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the must watch tourist spots located here.
Konark: It is well-known all over the world for its outstanding Sun Temple, which is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. In addition to its breathtaking architectural wonders, the Konark Beach is also a famous place of tourist interest which also has one of the most delightful beaches of eastern India.
Puri: It is one of the most frequented tourist destinations of Orissa and is known to be the abode of Lord Jagannath. Its beaches and splendid temples form the most important Orissa tourist attractions. Puri is also among one of the four important Hindu Dhams in India and is quite revered by the Hindu pilgrims. The leading attraction of Puri is the Jagannath Temple, one of the most popular as well as the biggest temples of Orissa. This temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and was established in the 12th century.
Udaigiri & Khandagiri Caves: Udaygiri & Khandagiri caves are some of the famous tourist attractions in Orissa. The most popular ones to mention would be Akshay Ganga, Gupta Ganga, Shyam Kund and Radha Kund. The most mystical among them all is the 24-Tirthankaras Cave as it features the carvings of the twenty-four Apostles of Jainism on the massive stones.
Ratnagiri: It is an impressive Buddhist site which is located on a small hill and is surrounded by rivers all over. While ascending the hill you will come across wonderful vistas of vast plains with lush greenery. Two large monasteries, including Sri Ratnagiri Mahavihara Aryabhikshu Sangha were unearthed during the excavations that were carried out here.
Chilka Lake: Chilka Lake is recognized for its exotic splendor and is one of the largest lakes not only India, but in the entire Asian continent stretching over an area of 1,100 sq km. It is an ideal picnic spot and offers ample scope for boating, fishing and bird watching. You can relax and spend some quality time here during your tour to Orissa.
Lingaraj Temple: It is one of the important tourist attractions in Orissa and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is ornamented with stunning sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. The temple has a height of around 54.8 meters high and enshrines a massive statue of Lord Shiva which is made up of granite.
With so many things to watch in Orissa, make certain that you have sufficient time in hand for exploring this impressive state during your vacations in Orissa.
Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information on the Orissa Tourist Attractions and also offers useful inputs on Orissa Hotels.
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