Odisha Tour - Puri, Bhubaneshwar, Konark

Orissa
Odisha has been called by various names at different points of history : Kalinga, Utkala, Kongada and Odra-Desha. The land of Odias, earlier known as Kalinga, lies on eastern coast of India.  Odisha the state on the eastern sea cost of India is the land of hoary antiquities, magnificent monuments, exquisite handicrafts and wide ranging flora and fauna. It luxuriant forests, beautiful lakes, bracing sea resorts and eye filling water falls are of perennial interest of tourists. This great historical land is known for the Kalinga war which ASHOKA(273-232 BC) fought. Odisha is a Kaleidoscope of past splendours and contemporary expression. It is India in essence, right down to her roots. Blessed with the natures bounty, the land is dotted with fertile plains, blue mountains, beautiful beaches and mighty rivers with magnificent waterfalls. The sun temple at Konark, North of Puri is in itself reason enough for a trip of India like the Taj mahal at Agra or at Kailasha temple at Ellora.
The holy city of Puri is known for Lord JAGANNATH temple, one of India's for holiest places- "Char Dham" and many more ancient Hindu and Jain temples. Great traditional and dance and music, handicrafts, temple architecture and sculptures, the colourful hospitable people are the part of Odish's resplendent blend of past and present. The state covering an area of 1,55,707 sq. kms.  The Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri, Sun temple at Konark and Lingraj Temple of Bhubneshwar are the Golden Triangle of Orissa.    

 Godlen Trriangle of Odisha - Puri, Bhubaneshwar and Konark. I have been to this Triangle more then four times with different groups of people. And every time when I went there I found something new about this place. The history of Odisha is so rich that I keep reading about it even when I am not on the Odisha trip.  


General Information 

Best season                 October to March 
STD Code                   Puri             - 06752
                                  Bhubneshar  - 0674
                                  Konark        - 06758


Day First - Puri and Konark temple 

 Puri enjoys a special place of pride as one of the four "dhams" or holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.The district of puri encompasses most of Chilika lake, Asia's largest freshwater lake.




Lord Jagannath Temple , Puri 

Sandeep Kumar - Tour escort
The Lord Jagannath Temple


















 The temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is one of
 the four main Holy Centres (Dhamas) of India.
It is situated on the Bay of Bengal. It is also called Purusottam Khshetra and Sankha kshetra.
The present temple of Lord Jagannath begun in the 12th century A.D during the reign of Choraganga Deva and completed by King Ananga Bhim Deva.
It is about 214 feet high.The presiding Deities in the temple are Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. The three deities are known as Trimurti(Trinity).

Foreigners and Muslims are not allowed in the temple.

If you are in group of 45 people then your bus will not go ahead then parking which is half  kilo meter away then temple. So you can easily walk to the temple.

Or you can also hire an auto for Rs 40 up to the temple.  

Camera, leather purse, mobile are not allowed inside the temple. Deposit them outside the gate at locker room.

To see the deities from nearest point you need to purchase a ticket of Rs 25 from counter.


History


"The whole of Orissa is holy ground" but Lord Jagannath has most importance place in Hindu religion. The importance of Sri Jagannath was necessity of the Hindu world in 12th century, but also supplied the emperor Choraganga Deva a marvellous opportunity of making a single and comprehensive humanity of all sorts of people in the Kalinga(Orissa was part of Kalinga) and its contiguous regions of India including the regions of very influential non-Aryan people and their Kings-thus giving a living basis for the Kinship and oneness of the entire humanity consisting of all people, big and small, high or low. This in sense a real practise of Maitri(friendship) so covetable to the Jain faith imitated also by monotheistic bhakti(devotion) cult of Vasudeva. Yet since the days of King Choraganga, Jagannath has experienced many vicissitudes in Muhammedan invasions and destruction from 1568 up to 1751 A.D. But the real fact remains that though the Hindu world too was no less oppressed, yet Jagannath still stands as he was then conceived by Chorganga Deva, the most prominent Deity in Hindu world.       

It was during this time when Vaishnavism  itself divided for reasons  in two parts
 - 1 Radha Krishna
   2 Sita- Ram

From after Chaitanya's coming to Orissa in 1510 A.D., The Radha-Krishna cult has great ascendancy in Puri.

During Muhammedan conquests and destructions, sri Jagannath was once completely destroyed in about 1568 A.D., this period of Muhammedan conquest of Orissa is known as Kala Pahar. After about 20 years Ramachandra Deva, Ist made the images again in their present form and reinstated them in the temple. They are a little different from original images set up by Chorganga. For instance Subhadra who had two hands , is now hand less.
These deities are made of neemwood.       

As a religious institution it is a symbol of monotheism, yet with all Jaina or Indian philosophy attached to it.



Sun Temple, Konark  

Sun temple, Konark
The present Sun temple Konark is also known as the Black Pagoda. It is 36 km away from Puri. The present sun temple was built by the King Langula NarasinghaDeva in 13th century AD.with the help of 1200 architects in 12 years time and at 12 years State Revenue, in form of a chariot of Sun God. The height of this temple is 228 feet. The temple is fitted with 24 wheels and 7 horses. Its architecture and sculpture is a sheer poetry in stone. The Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore was so moved by its beauty  that he said " Here the language of man is defeated by the language of the stone".

Here also you will have to park your bus or any vehicle in parking and then you will have to hire a auto which charges Rs 5 each person to drop at Konark temple. If you will hire whole auto for yourself he will charge you Rs 25.

The ticket of Konark Temple is Rs 10 for Indians. and for foreigners it is Rs 100.


The Sun God of Konark

The Sun God
 There are three forms of Sun God. The southern side God called 'Mitra' is described as the Rising sun. it is 8'3" in height. The western side God is called 'Punsan' is described as Mid Day Sun, its height is 9'6" and the northern side God called 'Hartasva' is described as the Setting sun, its height is 3.58 Mt's.









Stone Chariot Wheel, Konark

Sandeep Kumar - Tour escort

The Chariot wheel,Konark
 The sun temple was constructed as Chariot of Sun God. 24 wheels have been affixed to the plate form. Each wheel is 9'9" in diameter having 8 spokes. The entire wheel is full of fine art works. The 24 wheels signify 24 hours and the 8 spokes signify 8 prahars (three hour periods) of a day

 

  Sea Beach, Puri   

Golden Beach
This holy town has a long wide and attaractive Sea Beach. The sea is called Mahodadhi. It is the Bay of Bengal. The Puri sea beach popularly known as the Golden Beach is the finest beach on the east coast. The beach attracts sunbathers and swimmers because of the calmness of the sea. The fine white sands of puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in form of Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the year. You can also find massage boys over here to give you relaxation.
At golden beach also visit swargdwar for shopping. 


The War Horse, Konark

The War Horse, Konark

There are two gorgeously caparisoned War Horses in front of the southern side of the Konark Temple. They are each 10 feet long and 7 feet high. The sculptures depicts each of them with its massive strength and vigour trampling down a warrior. This figure of war horse of Konark has been accepted as the symbol of the State Government of Orissa and her erstwhile martial glory. 


Second Day  - Chilika Lake 

The chillika lake
Although a lot has been described about this lake. But I did not find this lake impressive at all. The water is not very clear. You can not see dolphins jumping over here. These are not dolphins(different species), do not come out of water. The boats over there are in very bad condition. But tourism department is just selling it. You will not feel excited after spending time here.
But these are my personal views.    

Third Day  - Bhubaneshwar

The ancient capital of Kalinga empire, and now the capital of Orissa, Bhubneshar's history goes back over 2000 years. "Bhubneshar" means the "abode of god" or "master of the universe" and it was also, once known as the 'Cathedral of the East', on the account of the large number of shrines. At one time, the Bindu sagar tank was bordered by over 7000 temples. Of these, 500 still survive, all built in the extravagant Orissan style. 



Lingaraja Temple      

The lingraj temple
Built in 11th century, Lingaraj temple's most distintive features are its ornately carved tower and its spires that soar to a height of 54 meters. Dedicated to Tribhuvneshwar (Lord of three worlds - Shiva), also known Bhubneshwar, it is one of the most prized examples of the Temple architecture in the country. It was built 100 years before then Lord Jagannath  temle,Puri. That time shaivism was very strong in Odisha.      






The applique work
On the way towrds  to Bhubneshwar from Puri you can stop at a village "Pipli" it is famous for its handicrafts known as "Applique work" which is art of cutting small pieces of colorful cloth and stiching them together in shape of animals, flowers, birds, trees and other decorative motifs.  These applique work is used as wall hangings, bags, colourful canopies, garden and beach umbrellas and even on sarees and other ladies garments. 





How to reach Bhubneshar- 

Sandeep Kumar at Palam Airport, Delhi
The Biju Patnayak Airport

The biju Patnayak Airport, Bhubneshar

You can catch flight from Delhi Airport for Biju patnayak airport, Bhubneshar.

Flight takes 1 hrs and 45 minutes to reach at Bhubneshar. You can get Indigo flight from Terminal 1D.

From airport you can hire a taxi to reach Puri which is just 60 kms away.


Hotel- 

TOSHALI SANDS is four star resort at Puri.It is a good hotel with beautiful and comfortable cottages. I will suggest you to hire cottages not the deluxe rooms. Deluxe rooms are not good. 
cottages


Resort has swimming pool and also a private beach. Hotel staff is co operative and friendly.

The bar tender Mr Rangadhar Saoo(F&B) is an interesting personality. He looks very funny by face and always have smile on his face. After all day tiring schedule order two pegs of whiskey and talk to him and your tiring day will become sweet.

Sandeep kumar at Toshali sands

 

Hotel Chariot

An other hotel which I like in Puri was Hotel Chariot, the staff of this hotel was very professional, services were good and facilities were satisfactory.

Sandeep Kumar - Tour escort

Sandeep Kumar at Hotel Chariot

The chariot

The hotel Chariot

Swimming pool of Chariot



The Tour Itinerary which you can consider - 

Day 1  Board Indigo flight from Palam airport (Terminal 1 D - Gate no 7) at 6:55 am.

         09:00 am -  Arrival at Biju Patnayak Airport, Bhubaneswar
         
                           Hire a taxi and reach to Hotel. You will reach hotel in 01 hrs

         04:00 pm -  Go to Golden Beach and do shopping from there at local market


          End for the day

Day 2
         07:00 am - Leave hotel for Jagannath Temple

                          Take break fast after returning from there.

                          Take rest at Hotel and have lunch

        02:00 am - Got to see Konark Temple

        05:00        While returning stop at Chandipur beach on the way.

        End for the day

Day3

                        Check out from hotel.

       07:00 am - Go to see the Nandan kanan zoo at Bhubaneswar after having break fast
       02:00 pm - See Udaigiri and Khandgiri caves 

       03:00 pm - See Lingraj Temple at Bhubneswar


      06:55 pm board the aircraft for Delhi.





      





        




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