How is Odisha Relevant to the Travellers?
When you hear the national anthem of India ‘Jana Gana Mana’, you come across ‘Utkala’ in the second line, right? Well, that’s Odisha, home to the largest population of the Scheduled Tribes in India.
The artefacts, the architecture; they all have descended from the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. Way before Bhubaneswar was advocated the title of ‘The Capital of Odisha’, Cuttack ruled the region as the capital until 1948.
Odia is the predominant language spoken throughout except for the indigenous dialects originating from the tribal areas. This is the only State in India where I have seen every single sign, placard, advertisement, bus number, written in the regional language, Odia. Few of the shops and buses have the English translations as well, but never without their own language. With the growing ‘trend’ among the urban Indians to rather speak English with another native than their own language (except for South India), Bhubaneswar impressed me with its daily language.
Bhubaneswar is not like your next-door capital city. It has not been long since the roads have been constructed and paved. The shopping malls are comparatively new, as a part of Government’s mission to make Bhubaneswar a ‘smart city’. But that’s the new, ‘developed’ part of the city. The old part still retains Kalingan temples, all throughout the single path.
Odisha only attracts the local handfuls, and an overbearing crowd of Bengalis (Odisha being very close to Bengal). Nothing much is said about tourism in Odisha. But it won’t be unjust of me to say that Odisha has one of the most distinct architectural patterns in India, the temples can speak for themselves, clear and loud.
I am willing to go back again to explore the tribal villages, but for now, Bhubaneswar and Puri – temples and the sea.
Must Read: 13 Best Things To Do in Bhubaneswar
You can skip the ‘smart city’ bit.
How was my Journey to Odisha?
A tiny seat and the discomfort throughout the night! The seat was so small that it could mindfully make way for my butt, and my backpack had to be kept on the floor! It was an obligatory choice to book an overnight ticket for a 22-hour-long journey from Ranchi to Bhubaneswar, in a general compartment! December is a peak season in India for travelling, and everything else was already booked!
I held on to myself all through the night, knowing that this choice was inherent to be in continuity. And my Couchsurfing host made it all rather smooth for me. From picking me up in his car at 5:30 am, to placing me in an overindulging streak of perks, the Kalingan architecture of Odisha stupefied me, with a growing interest to meet the tribal communities.
My host, almost 70 years of age, had a long life of travelling and misfits, from African jungles to the threshold of the tribes. He is also the one to map out half of the city. His knowledge of the roads was so intimate that he drew a handwritten map for me.
Why Should You Visit Odisha?
The Museum of Tribal Arts
Established in 1953, The Tribal Museum is under the highway at the CRP Square in Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar has its own National Museum, but the Tribal Museum would give you much emphatic insight about over 60 tribal communities in Odisha. They have claimed that the replica of the tribal dwellings are much the same; so are their attire, ornaments, traditions and food habits.
Husking lever, carrying pole, straw collector, spear, axe, sword, knife, fish trap, fishing net, bow and arrow – they have preserved all the tribal belongings.
Also, paddy & bamboo craft (Bhottada, Lodha), Dharua textile, wine pipe and tobacco pipe, paintings of Juang, Lanjia Saora, Gond, Santal and Kodha.
Temples in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar
#1. Kotiteertheswara Temple (11th Century AD) in Odisha
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This temple was built by the Somavansi Kings in Kalinga pancharatha style in 11th century AD. The name deciphers that a deep in Kotiteertha Tank followed by worship of the linga in the sanctum is equal to one crore pilgrimages. It is constructed in pidha (pyramidal) style and bears turrets on the spire. During the Dhamanaka Chaturdashi festival of Chaitra month, the moving representation of Lord Lingaraja (known as Chandrasekhara) is carried to this temple for worship.
#2. Parsurameswara Temple in Odisha
Parsurameswara is said to be one of the earliest intact temples in Bhubaneswar. The temple is lavishly decorated in triradha plan, having a vimana and a jagamohana. Parsurameswara was originally named after a Lakulisa teacher and it was called Parasavara. Apart from the depictions of Lakulisa, there are also images of Durga, Nataraja, Surya, Saptamatrika, musicians and dikpala deities. The episodes of Shiva occur in three different places of the main temple. The first in the front face, just above the Jagamohana shows the scene of Ravana raising Mount Kailash. The second episode is that of Annapurna offering alms to Shiva and the third is of Shiva’s marriage scene.
Must Read: 10 Best Places To Celebrate Maha Shivratri Festival In India
#3. Kedar Gauri in Odisha
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An example of Kalingan Architecture, Kedareswara is popularly known as Kedar Gauri. The lingam is named Dakshina Murti and believed to have been installed by Giriraj Himalaya. Built in panchayatana style, the temple has both vimana and pyramidal jagamohana. Within the complex, is located Gauri temple built in 10th century in Khakra order.
The temple tank is a perennial spring and water is said to have medicinal properties.
#4. Mukteswara Temple in Odisha
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Mukteswara Temple is one of the most beautiful temples of Bhubaneswar showcasing an elegantly ornate facade which marks the transition between the earlier and mature temples of Odisha. Hence, it is famous as the ‘Gem of Kalingan Architecture’. The exquisite Torana, the only of its kind in Odisha, one of the notable features of this temple. As one steps in, one can find the architectural plan engraved on the temple floor. One out of the six shrines in the front is of Khakra order. Siddheswara Temple is situated on the northwest edge of the complex consisting of both Vimana and iagamohana.
#5. Lingaraj Temple in Odisha
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Timings – 5 am to 9 pm
The largest temple in Bhubaneswar, Lingaraj Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the 7th Century. Mythologically important, as the idol here is believed to have appeared naturally, structuring a height of 8 inches above the ground and a diameter of 8 feet. A spectacle of Odisha style of architecture with a hint of Kalingan architecture, the temple has been carved out of the darkest shade of sandstone.
Must Read: World’s Second Tallest Shiva Statue at Shri Murudeshwar Temple
#6. Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Odisha
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Built by Queen Chandrika, Ananta Vasudeva Temple is a beautiful 13th century shrine on the banks of Bindu Sagar. The intricate carvings, even though resembling the neighbouring temples of Bhubaneswar, are lavish in brilliance and unique in contour.
At Ananta Vasudeva Temple, traditional Odia food is served in banana leaves for Rs. 80-200.
Caves in Bhubaneswar
Khandagiri and Udaigiri Caves, artificially made by Jain and Buddhist monks in the 2nd Century, were once the refuge of these monks for prayers and meditation. Alternatively known as Cuttack Caves, these caves reside on two adjacent hills. Khandagiri and Udaigiri respectively have 15 and 18 caves.
One of these caves, Ranigumpha, stands out for its two-storeyed monastery. Archeologists believe that 117 caves were excavated, but 33 caves are now existent in the hills. Hatigumpha inscription, prevailing of 17 lines in Brahmi letters, has been incised on the interior of the caves.
The Lake in Bhubaneswar – Bindu Sarovar
Situated in the vicinity of the ancient temples of the old town of Bhubaneswar, Bindu Sagar is a water tank revered for its religious roots. A nice walk around the lake in a circle would be just about right to have a golden tour of the temples.
The National Museum of Odisha – Orissa State Museum
Being the State museum of Bhubaneswar, Orissa State Museum preserves a wide collection of ancient art and craft.
One of the most important sections of the museum is epigraphy. It deals with the inscriptions engraved on stone, metal and materials like wood and shell. Inscriptions are the main source materials for reconstructing the glorious past of a country or culture. The epigraphy section has the proud collection of epigraphical antiquities ranging from the earliest historical inscriptions of 3rd century BC to about 18th Century AD. The section at present possesses 119 no. of copper plates, 24 nos. of stone inscriptions and a larger number of plaster cast estampages of original inscriptions. The alphabetical chart and numerical chart present an overview of evolution of letters and numbers.
A gallery full of posters from the Odia film industry was my favourite.
Must Read: 11 Amazing Historical Destinations You Must Visit in India
Sea Beach in Puri
Only 60 km away from Bhubaneswar, Puri, the coastal city in Odisha, is a heritage site. The pilgrim town is famous for Ratha Yatra celebration, and for being the house of Jagannath Temple, Lokanath Temple, Vimala Temple, Gundicha Temple and so on. Along the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, in the Puri Beach, the shores take up different names. Balighai Beach, Baleshwar Beach, Baliharachandi Beach, Swargadwar Beach, Astaranga Beach and quite a few.
Once a guy from India asked me, is Odisha a State or a city? Odisha remains mostly inconspicuous and hardly gets much recognition, compared to most States. But Odia is one of the foremost Classical languages in India, and Odisha, an epitome of Oddissi dance form.
Author Bio –
Ipsita Paul is a solo female traveller and a travel writer. She has been backpacking for over a year now, and writing her blog www.nomadenroute.com
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