Also, during the annual Rath Yatra festival (also known as Chariot Festival or Car Festival) in Puri, the Lord comes out of his holy abode to bless the devotees, and is celebrated with great delight. During this festival, the giant idols of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his siblings – brother Balarama and sister Subhadra – come out of the temple in decked up chariots (Rathas) to meet their devotees.

As the legend goes, the Lord Jagannath Temple was originally built by King Indradyumna after Lord Vishnu blessed him in his dreams and guided him to find Nila Madhava. Historically speaking, the antiquity of Jagannatha can be taken to the second century B.C. when Kharavela was the emperor of Kalinga (Odisha’s ancient name).

Besides, there are some strange and unique facts about this temple which we have tried to highlight in our piece. Check them out below and be surprised for yourself.

1- Astonishingly, The Flag at The Top of The Jagannath Temple Always Waves in the Opposite Direction in Which The Wind is Blowing: Defying the natural scene, wherein any piece of cloth waves as per the course of the wind, the flag mounted at the top of Jagannath Temple, Puri makes a unique exception of waving in the opposite direction. There hasn’t been any scientific theory until now to back up this process.

2- The Sudarshan Chakra Riddle will Perhaps Always Remain A Mystery:
If you must have ever been to the Jagannath Temple, you must have surely noticed the Sudarshan Chakra. Well, it is believed that the Chakra was brought and installed in this temple around 2000 years back. It is 20 feet in height and weighs about a tonne. One of the mysteries surrounding this Chakra is which technique was used back then to install this Chakra. Was there any machinery used, was it put up there by some human force? Nobody knows! Another interesting fact of this Chakra is that it looks exactly the same from every direction. Now, how can that be possible? Well, we still have no answers to it.

3- You’ll Never Find Anything Flying Above The Temple:
Is it not strange when you find the sky absolutely clear, devoid of any birds, airplane or anything that can fly? That’s exactly the scene above the temple; literally nothing can be observed flying above the temple, not even a single bird. There has been no scientific explanation for it yet, but we would really like to know, and we’re sure you must be curious too.

4- The Climb to Change The Flag:
Every single day, without any fail, a priest of the temple has to climb the temple’s dome which has a height equivalent to that of a 45 storey building, in order to change the flag. No protective gears are used by the priest while climb, and it’s all done using bare hands. In fact, this particular ritual is older than many civilizations, and it’s almost been 1800 years. It’s also said that if the ritual is skipped even for a day, the temple will have to be shut down for a long period of 18 years. What a sight to behold!

5- No Shadow of The Temple:
Have you come across any living being or object that is not supported by their own shadow? Literally, never! But in the case of Jagannath Temple, Puri, it has been reported that the temple reflects no shadow, at any time of the day from any direction. What do you have to say about that? Truly, an architectural marvel and a surprising fact

6- The Temple’s Prasad Never Gets Wasted:
Having visited Jagannath Temple, you can never truly miss out on savoring its prasad, which is cooked in earthen pots using firewood and tastes extremely delicious. One theory of this prasad is that exactly 7 pots are put on top of one another and surprisingly, the top most pot is cooked first followed by the bottom pots in order. Other than that, the food never gets wasted here. The number of devotees visiting on any day in the temple ranges between 2000 to 20,00,000, but the quantity of the Prasad cooked here remains exactly the same throughout the year. Yet none of it goes insufficient or wasted. That’s a strange phenomenon and we’re really inquisitive to know how that happens

7- No Sound of The Ocean Inside The Temple:
You must have missed this out, but do take a note that while stepping into the Simhadwaram (the main door of the temple), you’ll not hear any sound of the ocean waves. And once you leave the temple, you can hear the same. While there’s no scientific explanation for this, it is believed that the phenomenon of sound of ocean waves inside the temple was actually the will of Subhadra, the sister of the two lords who wished for serenity within the temple gates. That’s an interesting will to ask for!

8- The Reverse Breeze:
Any place we visit on Earth, on daytime the breeze from sea comes to land and the opposite occurs in the evening. But surprisingly, that’s not the same in Puri. Here the breeze opts for the exact opposite direction. In the daytime, the breeze blows from land to sea and the opposite happens in the evening.

Apart from all these interesting facts, it’s also believed that the idols of the Lords are buried from every 14 to 18 years, one above another, and are replaced by new ones. Interestingly, these deities are said to be disintegrated on their own. These and many other unique facts revolve around the temple of Lord Jagannath, Puri. So, the next time when plan your Puri tour and visit here, you know exactly what all to observe.

To book any Odisha tour or outstation tour email us at book@bestchoiceholiday.com or Call/WhatsApp on +91 8114378182!

The post 8 Interesting Facts About Jagannath Temple, Puri Which You Might Not Know first appeared on Best Choice Holiday.

One of the most popular regions in Odisha to experience the birding culture is Mangalajodi Chilika Lake, which attracts a lot of bird lovers round the year. Herein exotic migratory birds from far off regions like Siberial, Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea and a lot more places visit. In fact, this paradise of birds host more than 3,00,000 birds, especially during the winter season. The ecosystem in Mangalajodi is also one-of-its-kind, and is one of the perfect destinations to spot the beautiful birds. You may have different accommodation options in and around here, and even an eco-tour resort which can let you enjoy the scenic beauty of Chilika even more.

Next is the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, situated in the Angul district, which is a natural habitat to two of the most endangered fresh water crocodiles, the Gharial and Mugger and is also home to many elephants, leopards, deer and its flagship species, as well as the tiger. Moreover, Satkosia is the meeting point of two bio-geographic regions of India; the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats. Here you can not only get a chance to sight the “big cat” in its natural habitat, but will also enjoy soaking in the rich & untouched biodiversity of the forest. Meandering through this forest will offer you some stunning sights, while you can catch the brilliant views of the sunrise & sunset. If you’re planning to stay here for the night, you can be at one of the guest houses provided by the forest department.

Apart from that, you can also visit “The land of crocodiles” in Odisha, which is the Bhitarkanika National Park. It’s a great place for reptile and crocodile enthusiasts. The two main entry points of Bhitarkanika are Khola and Gupti, and visitors are required to take entry permit from the forest check gate at these entry points. No doubt you’ll be amazed and totally mesmerized to witness the wilderness of this national park and the rich biodiversity it comprises of.

It’s advisable to be careful while touring on a boat through the Baitarni River, which is basically the home of the crocs. If you’re lucky enough, you can also get to see some large crocodiles, and be amazed to see what lies ahead of you. Besides, this place is also a sanctuary for migrating birds from all over world. That apart, the sanctuary also comprises of a mini museum and has small collection of reptiles. And there’s even an ancient temple of Shiva deep inside the forest, which belongs to the 5th century B.C.

Some of other best wildlife tours in Odisha where you can have a great time include Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary, Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary, Kotagarh wildlife sanctuary, Gahirmatha wildlife sanctuary, Simlipal wildlife sanctuary, Tikarpada wildlife sanctuary and many others.

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But there’s another thing which people from outside and even the local residents are fascinated about, want to explore more of it and to be educated. What we are talking about is the vibrant tribal culture of Odisha which has since long been one of the reasons to visit here.

There are 62 tribes in the state of Odisha, which covers about 24% of the population here, and it is considered that the number of tribes that reside here is the highest anywhere in India.

In fact, the tribes and tribal community is so extraordinary here that they serve as the soul of the state, who have till date kept their culture, traditions, religion, festivals, food, and even their dressing styles intact. Tribal people out here are content to lead a subtle life, and are not much influenced by the modernity of the world. Talking about their attributes, they are quite strong, industrious and hospitable in nature, and indulge in various kinds of occupation such as agriculture, hunting and fishing etc. to lead their lives and earn a living.

Tribal communities in Odisha mostly reside in the regions covering the Eastern Ghats, and can be found in the districts namely Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Kandhamal and more. Especially in Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabrangpur and Malkangiri, more than half of the population is tribal. To name the kind of tribes found here, the Kondh, Koyas, Gadabas, Juangs and Santal tribes are the most widespread in Odisha, and there are also other tribes like Munda, Oram, and Gond, who also have a major impact on the state’s tribal population.

When it comes to celebrations and observing festivities, these tribal people have also taken great care in retaining their age old rituals and customs in the fests they celebrate. In fact they worship numerous deities and their festivals are celebrated with much excitement and happiness. Some of their most important festivals include Chaita Parab and Push Parab wherein the men folk go on hunting expeditions. They celebrate every festival with such togetherness, that it’s all accompanied by song and colourful dances.

Just like the uniqueness in their festivals & culture, the dressing sense of tribes found here are also quite brilliant and even inspire the modern generation to follow their fashion sense. Generally the men folk wrap a piece of cloth around their waist whereas women wear long pieces of cloth wrapped around their body. The kinds of ornaments they wear are also spectacular, and the ornaments form an integral part of their attire. You can find tribal women nicely adorned & decked up with armlets, bangles, necklaces, anklets, rings, etc. Also, both men and women like to tattoo their bodies and children as young as 5 years are found with tattoo marks on their bodies and faces.

And, if you really want to dig into their lives and history, you can also visit the Museum of Tribal Arts & Artifacts, situated in Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar. Each of the 5 galleries situated here houses a collection of hundreds of items belonging to different tribes of Odisha. Over here, you’ll feel like you’ve entered right into the homes of the tribal, as the entire museum showcases everything about their lifestyle, history, culture & so much more.

Book a fantastic tribal tour of Odisha with Best Choice Holiday.

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Reaching Koraput is also easily accessible through the rail and road routes. In case you’re starting from Bhubaneswar, you can either take the Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur-Hirakhand express, which leaves around 7:30 PM at night, from Bhubaneswar, and reaches Koraput next day at 9:30 in the morning. And if you’re opting to drive down from Bhubaneswar, you can reach Koraput in almost 10-11 hours, as Koraput is situated roughly at a distance of around 500 kms from the capital city. No matter which route you take, the views and path to Koraput will be super scenic and enchanting. Especially if you’re on a train, you’ll get some enchanting views and would really enjoy the journey.

Although accommodation options are not too plenty in and around Koraput, yet you’ll find fairly decent places in Koraput town and also in Jeypore. It’s better to stay in the Koraput town itself, from where you can visit the tourist destinations, experience the local market, and also engage with the tribal community. It’s advisable to spend at least 3-4 days in Koraput, if you really want to enjoy the vibe and beauty of this place. The weather remains pleasant round the year, but if you get a chance, do visit Koraput in the monsoon season, when the entire area looks lush green, with the rains giving a dramatic look to the entire landscape of the region.

Some of the must-visit places in Koraput include Deoamli, Duduma waterfalls, Gupteshwar caves, Rani Duduma waterfall, Tribal musuem, Kolab reservoir, Kolab botanical garden, Kolab falls and few temples as well. That apart, you can also plan to take a tour of the coffee plantations out here, and also visit the local market which will elevate your Koraput experience even more.

No matter where you are in Koraput, you’ll always get mesmerising views and take back some amazing memories to cherish for a lifetime. The place is a traveller’s paradise and is truly majestic from all corners. We suggest, whenever you visit Odisha, do spend few days of your trip to Koraput, because the calmness and serenity that you will experience here are truly unmatchable. You’ll get to reconnect with nature, rejuvenate amidst the green surroundings and also sight some of the best mountain and waterfall views that you might not have seen somewhere else.

The best part is all the destinations are easily accessible, and there’s also less crowd round the year, so that you can get a chance to have the entire destination to yourself. That’s the magic and charm of Koraput!

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Every place you visit in this state you’ll find something unique and attractive. While Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital city is renowned and revered for its temples, Cuttack on the other hand is the state’s Millennium City where the greatest memorabilia you can take back with you is its enchanting silver filigree. And what do we say about Puri, it’s the land of Lord Jagannath and is one of the most loved tourist destinations of Odisha. Also, Rourkela, Odisha’s Steel City has got some amazing views to offer, and is the state’s third largest city.

And the phenomena which Balasore is known for is simply so mystical – the Chandipur Beach located here is Odisha’s hide and seek beach. Herein the sea disappear recedes by almost 5 to 6 kilometres every day during low tide and then comes back at high tide. This rare event occurs twice a day. This beach still remains one of the picturesque and less explored destinations of Odisha, which will give you an opportunity to relax on the tranquil patch of sand and take back some delightful moments.

Also, Gopalpur can give you some excellent moments and you can enjoy the sea beach, savour delicious sea foods, feel rejuvenated in the serene vibe of the town and even learn a thing or two about the state’s history.

Moreover, thanks to the beautiful handloom of Sambalpur, fashion lovers fromacross the globe are adorning its sarees and highlighting Sambalpur’s name and fame. Also, the leaning temple of Huma situated in Sambalpur, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was built in the 17th century is the only leaning temple in the world. Now that’s something that can surely make you go Odishaaah.

And if you really wish to witness what Odisha’s beauty is comprised of, you ought to visit Koraput, which is a less explored paradise in itself. Deomali, Odisha’s highest hill range and Duduma waterfalls situated here will transport you to some different world altogether, where piece, serenity & nature’s immense beauty is what you’ll seek. In Koraput, you can also experience the tribal culture & lifestyle, which can add on to your perspective of this state, and make you feel so amazed at all the things which Odisha offers.

Apart from that, you can also spend some excellent moments in the Paradeep town, which is the primary port in Odisha, and also one of the largest on India’s east coast. It is also known for its lush green forest, pristine beach, especially the Gahirmatha Beach, which is a home to olive ridley sea turtles.

In case heritage, history and architecture is what entices you, then you cannot miss out on visiting the Konark town, which features a 13th-century Sun Temple, also known as the Black Pagoda, built in black granite during the reign of Narasimhadeva.

Not just these places, you’ll also find amazing destinations in Angul, Baripada, Bhawanipatna, Jeypore, Chhatrapur, Dhenkanal, Paralakhemundi, Bargarh, Ghatgaon, Phulbani, Belpahar, Pipili, Berhampur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Talcher, Titlagarh and so many other cities and towns of Odisha. Basically every city situated here has a charm of its own which you can only know once you explore these spectacular places.

Listing down some of the top things that you can do in Odisha, you can visit its museums and be at Raghurapur to learn the state’s handicraft heritage. You can also catch the sun rise over Udayagiri and Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar, enjoy some peace time near the Chandrabhaga beach, pay a visit to Puri’s Jagannath temple, enjoy bird watching at Chilika, visit Odisha’s spectacular Buddhist sites, trek through Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and do so much more. Truly and simply #Odishaaah!

The post Top Reasons in Odisha That Will Make You Go Odishaaah! first appeared on Best Choice Holiday.

While India is home to countless family destinations, Odisha is also blessed with many places which are suitable for families and will let them have a memorable time. In fact, there are such gorgeous landscapes in the state that it is well suited for families with all kinds of age group.

Be it for a short or long vacation, Puri is always considered as a great getaway place in this state. The youngsters get to hit the beach, while the elders go on for a spiritual tour in the highly renowned Jagannath Temple. While accommodation is also easily available here, families can choose and book their hotel without any chaos. More interestingly, they can also get a chance to visit the closely situated Konark Sun Temple, through the scenic Puri-Konark Marine Drive route.

Spending few days in Bhubaneswar to soak in the culture of Odisha is also a great way for families to enjoy this place. This capital city has a lot of options for people to indulge in – kids can visit the Pathani Samanta Planetarium or the Regional Science Centre for a fun and enlightening time, youngsters can go café hopping in several trendy cafes out here, middle aged people can unwind in a nice spa out here, or even go for shopping in the multitude of stores present here, and the elders of the family can be amazed at the architecture and be blessed by visiting the several, spectacular temples out here. Above all, if there’s one destination in Bhubaneswar which tourists mostly prefer and have a great time is the Nandankanan Zoological Park, which is certainly a must-visit place for every family.

Next, if the family prefer a serene getaway in the state, then they should always opt for visiting Gopalpur and spending a day or two there. There’s not much crowd here as compared to Puri, and the view is also amazing. One can also opt for visiting the “Padma Sambhava Maha Vihara Monastery” from Gopalpur and have a memorable time.

Last but not the least, families who prefer longer road trips and don’t mind indulging in adventurous activities can head to Koraput, Daringbadi, Satkosia and several other places wherein they can enjoy nature’s best, soak in the real culture and also go for some light trekking and hiking activities. Visiting these destinations will surely give tourists a completely serene, scenic and sublime perspective of this state, which is also rightly named as India’s Best Kept Secret. Families can either drive to these places or even go through the rail route which is also extremely convenient and scenic.

Summing up all, Odisha is one of the most preferred states for an ideal family tour, who are looking for new places to explore, and wish to take back some amazing memories along with them. That’s the charm of this state – there’s something for everyone, and should therefore be on top of your bucket list!

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While the entire state is dotted with some amazing temples, the capital city Bhubaneswar is itself dotted with some magnificent places of worship, and that too around 600 temples. Anyone who visits here can easily relate to the architectural heritage which the state offers. While Lingaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most famous religious landmarks here, there are plenty of other temples also which are worth a visit and also reflect the rich glory of the state. Some more temples in Bhubaneswar which definitely should form a part of your bucket list has to be Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Ram Mandir, Iskcon Temple and many others.

The Ananta Vasudeva Temple dates back to the 13th century, and is considered to be one of several religious shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Mukteswar Temple also forms a lot of significance here, and is a must-visit site for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Summing up, Bhubaneswar, The Temple City is home to a large number of significant religious places which are of prime importance and also give a reason for tourists to visit again.

Besides Bhubaneswar, visitors also like to witness the grandeur and architectural beauty of The Sun Temple in Konark, which is a 3rd Century CE Sun Temple, and is dedicated to Surya, the Hindu Sun God. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984, the Konark Sun Temple remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February.

The pilgrimage tour of Odisha is considered to be incomplete without visiting the Jagannath Temple, Puri, which is one of the most important holy sites in the country, and forms a part of the Chaar Dhaam Yatra of Hindus. The temple attracts a lot of devotees from around the world, and the world-famous festival Rath Yatra celebrated here is a one-of-its-kind spectacle.

Also, the Buddhist significance in the state of Odisha has been well talked about, and people from every nook and corner of the world visit to sight the Buddhist destinations. Of all the places, one must not miss out on visiting the Dhauligiri, Khandagiri & Udayagiri caves, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and other similar places. For experiencing a real Buddhist culture found in this state, one can also head towards the Jirang Monastery, which is super scenic and gives a great feeling to anyone who visits here.

It is really impossible to list down all the religious places found in the state in one piece, because every part and district of Odisha speaks of something grand in terms of its heritage and architecture. This is definitely the state to visit if someone is looking for a divine pilgrimage tour. In fact, a pilgrimage tour to see the most popular temples in Odisha should be on everyone’s travel itinerary when visiting India. That’s how amazing the religious tour of Odisha is, and should be visited by people of all age-groups, not just the adults or senior citizens.

The post What All You Can Expect In The Pilgrimage Tour Of Odisha first appeared on Best Choice Holiday.

Not known to many, the birth of Chilika Lake actually has got an interesting tale, and has many folklores surrounding it. It’s believed that a long time ago, there was an evil pirate king named as Raktabahu who planned to ransack Puri along with his navy, and a huge fleet of ships. That was a time when angels and demons inhabited the earth as freely as humans. Well, as per the plan, the ships anchored offshore to avoid detection so that the pirates could launch a surprise attack.

As they anchored out of sight to avoid detection, the sea gave their secret away by washing up the refuse from the ships to the shore, hence sending out a warning to the townsfolk who sensed trouble and fled away. Raktabahu found a deserted city when he finally arrived, which made him extremely furious. He marched to the sea, intending to punish it for the ‘betrayal’. However, the sea dutifully parted to let the pirates march in, and surged back as soon as they entered, drowning everyone and forming a large lake in the process, which is now the Chilika Lagoon.

That’s how the legend of Chilika goes. As it’s known today, a lot of local, national and international tourists visit this spectacular lake to view the sight and do some exotic bird-watching. The lagoon is said to be a favorite of migratory birds with nearly 225 species flocking to it during the winters, some covering as much as 12000 km to reach here.

As much as the place is a photographer’s paradise, it is also more serene and looks magical during the sunrise and sunsets. A lot of life can also be seen surrounding the place here – fishermen setting their nets for daily harvest, hawkers selling wares for their livelihood, and a lot more glimpses. This clearly indicates the symbiotic connection of people with the lake, and their close dependency on the lake itself.

Apart from bird watching and other activities, visitors can also go for boating here, walk across the lake side road, take a close look at the fish aquarium and dolphin watch tower at Chilka Development Authority and indulge in a lot more exciting activities. Best part is, while boating you may even spot the Irrawaddy Dolphins out here, which makes up for a rare and beautiful sight.

And if that’s not enough, you can stop by at the mouth of the lake, wherein it meets the sea, for spending some nice, quality time at the Crab Island, which is mostly uninhabited and has got a nice, scenic charm to it. While there, you can also try out the fresh sea-food, which tastes just amazing.

Apart from being an extraordinary place for bird lovers, there are also a large number of beautiful and serene islands around the Chilika Lake, which are a must-visit and also attracts millions of tourist every year. Some of them include Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, Somolo, Nalabana, Kalijai, Rajahansa and a lot more. Besides, Maa Kalijai Temple is even one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chilika, wherein thousands of Hindus visiting frequently to offer their prayers to Maa Kalijai.

So, the next time you’re in Odisha, do plan on visiting the majestic Chilika Lake and explore it well.

The post Why You Must Visit Chilika When You Are In Odisha first appeared on Best Choice Holiday.

As compared to other Indian states, Odisha’s contribution to Buddhism is immense. As the ancient tale mentions, it’s said that the hair relic of Lord Buddha was brought to Utkala (Odisha’s ancient name) by two merchants named Bhallika and Tapassu. These traders then deposited the hair-relic in a Chaitya (Kesha Stupa) built by them. Interestingly, these two merchants were also the first disciples of Lord Buddha. And in the course of time, even the tooth and nail relics of Lord Buddha were bought to Odisha. That’s how the sacred Buddhist learnings initially entered the state.

As per the archaeological excavations, around 200 Buddhist sites are scattered across the length and breadth of Odisha, which date back from the 6th century BC to at least the 15th-16th centuries AD, with the 8th-10th centuries being the period when Buddhism actually prospered in the state.
As of today, the largest concentration of Buddhist remains in the state can be sighted in three sites namely Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri, which is also popularly referred to as “The Diamond Triangle.” Not just these sites comprise of picturesque views, series of monasteries, temples, shrines, stupas, and beautiful sculptures of Buddhist images but also offer a visceral experience of the rich Buddhist heritage in the state.

Udayagiri(Sunrise Hill) is the one of the largest Buddhist sites in Odisha, and is easily accessible in the city of Bhubaneswar. Most importantly, it is situated in the basin of a U-shaped hill, and the remains comprise of a huge monastic complex, a brick Mahastupa, two brick monasteries, a massive shrine complex, a beautiful stone stepped well and various rock cut sculptures. Tourists can also spot ancient inscriptions embellished all over the picturesque stone-well and stunning rock-cut sculptures which adorn Udayagiri.

Next up, Lalitgiri is even a fantastic site to visit for its beautiful monasteries and stupas. Belonging to the 1st century, it is considered to one of the oldest of the three sites included in the ‘Diamond Triangle Tour.’ Lalitgiri is also sacred in terms that a massive stupa where a relic of Buddha was discovered – his teeth in the form of a bone inside a stone casket. While here, you can also visit the museum which houses several sculptures including the casket with Buddha’s relic.

The third site, Ratnagiri, is also one of the most important destinations of the Diamond Triangle wherein a large monastery, a giant stupa and several other Buddhist shrines have been excavated. As per the historians, Ratnagiri was established around the 5th century by the Gupta kings and the region flourished till the 13th century. Also, the most important monument here is the giant and beautiful mahastupawhich has been surrounded by several smaller stupas, and is believed to have been built around the 9th century.

One of the other Buddhist destinations in the state which is highly popular among the tourists and offers a spectacular view is the Dhauligiri. It’s nicely tucked in a hill range in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Being of a historic significance, it was here at Dhauli by the side of Daya River that emperor Ashok laid down the weapons of violence and accepted a life of Ahimsa (non-violence)in the form of Buddhism after the great Kalinga war.

Besides all these beautiful sites, Buddhist monuments are scattered throughout the state which are still awaiting further excavation and study. Cuttack, Sambalpur, Balasore, Ganjam and Phulbani are some places in the state, to name a few.

The post The Buddhist Significance In Odisha And What You Can Expect first appeared on Best Choice Holiday.

Puri is popular for not just one reason, be it its picturesque beach, the mighty pilgrimage center, the spectacular beach side views and hotels, or even the renowned sand artists who have taken the name and fame of Puri to a global extent. In fact, Puri has got such a nice charm that it has also turned into a wedding destination for a lot of people, especially the ones who are dwelling in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack as well as the nearby regions.

While a visit to the Jagannath Temple in Puri is a must, one should not miss out on sitting by its beach side, catching that excellent sunset or sunrise, taking some great pictures, going on a camel ride or even just lazing on the beach with some music by your side. And if you really want to take back something, you can always indulge in memoir shopping in the local stores located close to the beach itself. If possible, do also try the Mahaprasad at the Jagannath Temple, wherein everyday 56 food items are offered to the Lord, which is then served to the devotees. As much as it seems tasty, the food will also feel divine.

Also, if you’re lucky enough, you can even be awed at the sand artist at work, and crafting magic from the sand, especially that of Sudarsan Pattnaik’s. Depending on the number of days you’re staying in Puri, you can have an extremely nice vacation out here, be it with your friends and family, and take back some amazing memories.

To have that perfect pilgrimage tour, as well as to explore the real charm and culture inherent in the state, visiting Konark is also a must here. Rightly renowned for the world-famous Sun Temple, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Konark, the place even has an aura which will let you experience and enjoy the rich cultural heritage. Not just that, Konark is also famous for a beach named Chandrabhaga, which is so serene that you’ll feel like spending a day here.

For that, you can book a nice stay at the Lotus Ecotour resort and have a really fantastic time out there. You can also indulge in some water sporting activities out here, like Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and also Kayaking. If that’s not enough, you can also go for longboarding or skateboarding out here, and have a super adventurous time.

While this been a brief compilation of Puri Konark tour, what will make it more memorable is by driving on the Puri-Konark marine drive route wherein you will experience some magical moments of lush greenery and will always remember for the rest of your life.

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