ORISSA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Orissa is gorgeous states, surrounded by Jharkhand in north, on the north-east by West Bengal, on the east by the Bay of Bengal, on the south by Andhra Pradesh and on the west by Chhattisgarh.

Orissa has an exotic coastline approx 200 mls/320 km long. The narrow, level coastal strip, including the Mahanadi River delta, is exceedingly fertile. Rainfall is heavy and regular, and two crops of rice (by far the most important food) are grown annually. The state is known for its temples, especially in the cities of Konark, Puri, and Bhubaneswar.

Orissa has several popular tourist destinations. Puri, with the Jagannatha's temple on the sea, and Konark, with the Sun Temple, are visited by thousands of westerners every year. Along with the Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneswar, the Jagannatha Temple and the Sun Temple of Konark are the must sees for anyone doing research on the archaeological marvels of India. Hirakud Dam, the fourth largest in the world is also worth seeing. Chilka, the largest brackish water inland lake in Asia, stretches over an area of 1100 sq. km. The largest Lion Safari of India, and the only White Tiger Safari in the world, are located in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Odissi, one of the dance forms of India continues to draw admirers throughout the world.

Orissa is a littoral state with a long coastline and a storehouse of mineral wealth. Because it has begun attracting massive foreign investment in steel, aluminum, power, and refineries recently, the state holds the promise of becoming one of India's major manufacturing hubs in the near future. In spite decades of neglect by the government in New Delhi, the state could emerge as one of the most significant FDI destinations in the world, rivalling Shenzhen in China. Orissa is also a major outsourcing destination for IT (Information Technology) and IT services firms.

Tourism has been recognised as an industry in Orissa and a sizeable revenue is earned for the State from domestic as well as foreign tourists. The idea of tourism was first mooted by the Government during the 3rd Five Year Plan. It was revamped during the 5th Five Year Plan. The creation of Department of Tourism, Govt. of Orissa dates back to 1973. There have been modifications from time to time as regards the sphere of function of the Department. The Department of Tourism and Culture has been functioning in the present shape since 1995. The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation was created in March 1979 and it was incorporated under Companies Act in September 1979.

Form both the sides, Government as well as Corporation, thrust was given on the modernisation of the sight seeing spots of Orissa. The spots are generally Konark, Puri, Nandankanan, Chandipur and other tourist spots having a close proximity with the capital city. At the initial stage, with a meagre budget, the Department could not cope with the pressing demands of tourists. Later, the Government decided to streamline and spread its activities not only to coastal districts but also to Western Orissa where tourist spots are also attractive.

Places of natural beauty are in abundance in Western Orissa. The natural stream and forest resources at Harisankar in Bolangir moves the heart of the tourists. Equally Nrusinghanath presents a panoramic view. The deity of Nrusinghanath sitting in the shape of a half-human and half-lion form tearing apart Hiranyakasipu against the backdrop of a stream is a scene to witness. Of course, now a days, both the Department and Corporation have swung into action to create infrastructural facilities for the tourists. Apart from those two natural spots, Kalahandi district is endowed with the wealth of forests with rare species of black tigers, a natural water fall at Rabandar and a host of temples situated at the peak of mountain hills at Bhawanipatna. These are also places of tourists importance. The Patala Ganga spot at Nawapara District is also a place of attraction for tourists. Ushakothi, Hirakud and Budrama in Sambalpur district attract the attention of tourists. Similarly, the Khandadhar Waterfall in Sundargarh district is also a tourist spot. The Mahanadi and the Tel river in Suvarnapur district present beautiful natural scenes and the confluence of the two rivers present a memorable sight.

Major Travel Destinations

>>  Bhubaneshwar
>>  Cuttack
>>  Puri

Refer Map of Orissa