An Odissi Dancer at Puri Beach
Top Most Activities To Indulge In Odisha
There are times when you hear Odisha being referred to as the ‘Goa of the East’. No denying that Odisha has done enough to earn this sobriquet.
No other state in the whole of India has had to withstand nature’s wrath in quite the same way as Odisha. It has valiantly withstood all those to remain one of the best tourist destinations in India.
Odisha is blessed with its fair share of beautiful beaches, forests and temples. You are surely going to find yourself quite spoiled for choices while deciding activities and places to see on a tour to Odisha.
Discussed below are recommendations you should include as a part of Odisha tour packages that you choose.
Make Sure to Do These Things When You Go to Odisha on a Tour
• Explore Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves
Khandagiri Caves, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
A beautiful mixture of natural and human made art, Udyagiri and Khandagiri Caves are among the most memorable monuments you are ever likely to come across anywhere else.
These caves are easily accessible. They are located in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Well laid roads are there till these caves.
There are some 15 cave complexes in Udaygiri and 18 in Khandagiri. The intricate work and the mechanism behind the working of these caves will take your breath away when you visit those for the first time, and every time thereafter too.
• Take a Stroll on Puri Beach
You can’t really call yourself a proud resident of Kolkata if you haven’t managed to visit Puri at least once in your lifetime! Puri beach is just one of those places which beckon Bengalis and people from Kolkata all the time.
Such is the beauty of the beach and ambiance around it that tourists keep getting attracted towards it. Have a relaxing stroll on the beach in Puri. You can choose to try some local cuisines sold at the eateries lined up every evening at Puri Beach.
Puri Beach is actually a big attraction in Puri after Jagannath Temple. Many tourists, who have visited Puri before, actually come for strolling on Puri Beach. In gist, you can consider your Odisha trip to be a success only when you have taken a relaxed walk on the vaunted beach of Puri.
• Witness the Wildlife at Nandankanan Zoological Park
White Tiger at Nandan Kanan, Bhubaneswar
Another attraction that Odisha’s capital holds is the famed Nandankanan Zoological Park.
This sprawling zoo holds around 166 different species of animals and birds and also boasts of the largest concentration of white tigers.
You can expect to lose yourself to nature when you are experiencing the beautiful fauna that the Nandankanan Zoo has to offer.
Kids always have a gala time seeing all the animals and birds while learning about them at the same time.
Watch big crocodiles and large bird varieties at Bhitarkanika National Park
A Salt Water crocodile basking on the banks of a river channel
Bhitarkanika is the second largest viable mangrove eco-system in India. It has a population of more than 1700 salt water crocodiles.
These crocodiles bask on the banks of river channels during winters. Size of many of these crocodiles is more than 20 feet.
This national park is a wetland of international importance. It has been listed among the RAMSAR sites in India. It is also home to some 215 species of birds. These include wetland migrants from central-Asia and Europe. There are a lot of other fauna species in Bhitarkanika. These include spotted deer, hyenas, fish cats, leopard cats, and big monitor lizards.
This is one of best spots for wildlife and nature lovers. It is a heaven for bird watchers, ornithologists and wildlife photographers.
Those who like rural tourism will enjoy visiting villages situated along the periphery of Bhitarkanika National Park.
These are the things that you will do well to ensure that you have done while you are in Odisha. Millions of tourists flock to Odisha every year and with good reason.