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Sightseeing in Bhubaneshwar :
Khandagiri
&
Udayagiri (8 km)*The twin hills of Kumargiri and Kumarigiri
known as Khandagiri and Udaygiri contain varieties of rock-cut caves,
built mainly for the jain monks around 1st - 2nd century B.C.#The
thirteen years lithic record of King Kharavela engraved in Hatigumpha
(elephant cave) is a magnificent specimen of Pali records so far found
in India.
Dhauli
(8 km)*Surrounded by paddy
fields, the Dhauli hill brings back memories of the historic 'Kalinga
war' which was fought around here. It is here that Ashoka, the terrible,
was transformed into Ashoka, the compassionate and championed the cause
of Buddhism. On the foot of the hill one can see the Rock Edicts of
Ashoka and the forepart of a skillfully sculpted elephant hewn out of a
huge rock. Dhauli has gained prominence due to the establishment of a
Buddhist Peace Pagoda, popularly known as Shanti Stupa, built in the
early seventies by the Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Buddha
Sangha. An old temple of Lord Dhavaleswar, reconstructed in 1972, also
stands on the hill-top.
Sisupalgarh
: Just two km from the famed Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar lie the
ruins of Sisupalgarh. Dating back to the third or fourth century BC,
these ruins show that even at that early date there was a well fortified
city here, and establish the fact that the Orissan civilization has very
ancient roots.
Hirapur
(15 km)*: Hirapur has the 11th
century Hypaethral temple of sixty four Yoginis. It is second of its
kind in Orissa and one of four such unique temples in India.
Atri
(42 km)*: Situated amidst greenery and famous for the hot sulphur
water spring, Atri, 42 km. from Bhubaneswar and 14 km. from Khurda, is
also a holy place with the shrine of Hatakeswar. A bath in the spring
water is reputed to cure skin diseases apart from being a pleasant
experience.
Nandankanan
(20 km)*: Picturesquely carved out of the Chandaka forest,
Nandankanan is a Biological Park where animals are kept in their natural
habitat. A centrally located lake divides the Zoo from the Botanical
Gardens. Tigers, Lions, Clouded Leopards, Black Panthers, European Brown
Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Gharials, Rosy Pelican, Grey Pelican, Indian
Python, King Cobra, etc. are among the attractions of the zoo, which is
famous for its White Tigers. The exotic Botanical Garden on the other
side of the zoo preserves varieties of indigenous plants. Regular bus
services are available to reach the place.
Cactus
Garden: Situated
close to the 'Ekamara Kanan' in Bhubaneswar, the Cactus Garden, with its
huge collection of Cactii should not be missed.
Places of tourist interest in Puri : The
Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th
century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around.
Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most
magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16
sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally
stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century
A.D. Some of the other important temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga,
Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy tanks like
Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries
locally known as Mathas also of touristic interest.
Balighai (8 km )*:
The Casuarina fringed Balighai beach is a famous picnic spot. The Sun
and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.
Brahmagiri (25 km)*: Brahmagiri is known for the living
shrine of Alarnath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alarnath during Anabasara of Lord
Jagannath. Nearby is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the solitary sand dunes.
Satyabadi (20 km )*: Satyabadi or Sakshigopal is known for the
shrine of Lord Sakshigopal. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete
without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km away from the main road
leading to Puri and is convenient to visit.
Baliharachandi (27 km
)*: 27 km to the south-west of Puri is the temple of Baliharachandi. Situated on a sandy hill near the
sea and adjacent to the mouth of the river Bhargavi, Goddess Durga is worshipped
here as Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is ideal for group
picnic.
Raghurajpur (16 km)*: One of the most famous artists
village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not only of the exquisite
pattachitra's and talapattachitra's, but also of being the native place
of Guru kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the
tutelage of renowned Guru's, young boys can be seen practicing the
Gotipua dance here. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete
without a visit to this little village.
Satapara (52
km)*: Satapara, a retreat in nature on Chilika
Lake, has been thrown open to visitors. Its location near the confluence of
the Lake with the Bay of Bengal, and proximity to Puri (52 km), makes it an
ideal spot to enjoy Chilika. The thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and
abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter make it a preferred place
for a vacation with nature.
Places of tourist interest in
Konark :
Kuruma (8 km )*: 8 km from the world famous Sun Temple
of Konark, Kuruma is a small village. Recent excavations here have brought to
light the reminiscence of some ancient Buddhist antiquities like the image of
Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra along with the image of Heruka, and a 17
metres long brick wall (brick size: 22 cm X 17 cm). Scholars are of opinion that
this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas described by Hiuen T'sang.
The place is approachable by jeep.
Chaurasi (31 km)* : 14 km from
Kakatpur and 30 km from Konark one can visit the shrines of Amareswar,
Laxminarayan and Barahi at Chaurasi. Barahi is the Mother Goddess with the
face of a boar. Pot-bellied, she holds a fish in one hand and a cup in the
other. The deity belongs to 9th century A.D. and is worshipped according to
tantric practices.
Ramachandi (7 km )*: On the confluence of the
river Kushabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi, the presiding deity of the Konark
region is worshipped here with reverence. On the Marine Drive, the place is
ideal for week-end picnic.
Astranga (35 km)*
:Right on the
sea-shore, it is 91 km from Puri and 10 km from Kakatpur. Astaranga presents a panoramic view especially
during sunset on a multi-coloured horizon as if to justify the literal meaning
of its name. It is a centre of salt production and fishing.
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