A paradise of art & culture

Odisha has a long tradition of art and architecture. The early monuments date back to the third century B.C. The remnant of an Ashokan pillar, turned into a Siva Lingam and enshrined in the Bhaskaresvara temple at Bhubaneswar and the lion capital of an Ashokan pillar, presently in the State Museum, speak volumes of Odisha’s past glory. The rock-cut caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri and the inscriptions recording Emperor Kharavela’s short but eventful reign during the first century B.C. constitute the second phase of the evolution in Odishan art. The Naga and Yaksha images found in places around Bhubaneswar belong to the post-Kharavela period.The fortifed site of Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar is yet another evidence of the bye gone era.

Flowing through the veins of Odisha is the thriving and pulsating culture of India. Its multi-faceted expressions and its myriad variety are more than evident in this land. The stone sculptures found here eloquently narrate the historical legacy of the nation. Odisha’s temple-culture is a magnificent reflection of the grand temple architectural essence of India. Be it the sanctified environs of the Lord Jagannath temple at Puri, or the mystic eroticism of the Sun temple of Konark, or the deep caves, or the Buddhist monasteries, the vibrant folk paintings or the weaver’s handspun magic, Odisha sings with pride a ballad resonant with the richness of a living past and the dynamism of a flourishing present. A visit to the vibrant state equipped with a modern airport and luxury hotels is sure to convince any tourist that Odisha has much to offer in the form of an unmatched blend of the traditional and the contemporary.

Monuments

History took a U-turn here after the Kalinga war in 261 B.C. when the Maurya Emperor Ashoka renounced war, embraced Buddhism and spread the message of peace and non-violence. The image of the forepart of an elephant at Dhauligiri is the earliest rock-cut sculpture. The remains at Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udayagiri and Langudi are a treasure house of Odisha’s Buddhist Heritage. The illustrious emperor Kharavela who came to power around 1st century B.C. championed the cause of Jainism. The sophisticated art and architectural style of the Jain monastic caves at Khandagiri-Udayagiri and elsewhere like Subai in Koraput are a story unto themselves.

Above all, Odisha is known for its innumerable temples. It is probably the only state where you can study the chronological development of temple architecture from the earliest specimens of 6th century A.D. to the 13th century A.D. in the eastern part of Odisha.

A visit to the temples at Bhubaneswar alone will take you on a walk through five centuries of the golden age of Hindu Temple building (8th–12th century A.D.) and you will see the architectural style developing, expanding and refining before your eyes.

In the western part, temples of a different style continued to be built between 14th and 19th century A.D.

The temples of Odisha are characterised by profuse decorations, exquisite carvings and ornamentations that radiate the artist’s inner love and dedications. The Sun Temple at Konark(a world heritage monument), Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri, Lingaraj, Rajarani, Mukteswar, Brahmeswar, Vaital and Parsurameswar Temple at Bhubaneswar, Nrusimhanath temple at Nrusimhanath are among some of the superb monuments. Puri is one of the four Dhams (holiest of holy places) in India.

Some of the temples baffle the historians by sheer architectural style. The Leaning Temple at Huma near Sambalpur (like the leaning tower of Pisa) and the Sashisena temple at Sonepur which has no door are still an enigma to the onlookers and researchers alike.

Out of four distinguished Hypaethral Yogini shrines of India, two are in Odisha (at Hirapur near Bhubaneswar and Ranipur-Jharial near Titilagarh in Western Odisha). The brick temple at Budhi Komna and Ranipur-Jharial are among the very few brick temples of India.

Dance & Music

Odisha is known for its own form of classical Odissi Dance and Music originating from the temple dances of Devadasi or Mahari. The graceful dance is mentioned in scriptures and depicted in sculptures. There is also a plethora of folk and tribal dance and music prominent among which are Sambalpuri, Ghoomra, Ranapa, Koya, Gadaba etc. as well as the Chhou dance which has traces of tribal, folk and classical forms and appears to be a rendition of non-verbal theatre.

Fairs & Festivals

Odisha is a land of colourful fairs and festivals.where every season has a variety of occasions to celebrate. The mood of the people is up beat. They put in their best of attire and ornaments and exhibit the way they lead their lives. There is no better occasion to see the people in their true colour, custumes and pageantry.

Most of the festivals are associated with the innumerable shrines or family traditions. They provide an opportunity for social harmony and religious fervour.

The Traditional Festivals round the year provide occasions for a closer look of the local culture. Apart from the famous Rath Yatra (Puri), Magha Saptami (Konark), Ashokastami (Bhubaneswar) etc., the Dhanuyatra of Bargarh (Western Odisha) is a unique festival in style and dimension (it is a theatrical presentation of Krishna Leela performed over an area of 5 Kms. radius with the largest cast as each one present on the occasion is treated as a character.)

The Tourist Festivals like the Konark Festival at Konark (Dec 1-5), Beach Festival, Puri (Nov-23-27), Folk Festival, Sambalpur (Jan 4-6), Tribal Festival (Parab) at Koraput (Nov 16-18), Adivasi Fair at Bhubaneswar (Jan 26-31) and Chhou Festival at Baripada (April 11-13) are memorable cocktails of Dance & Music, Craft and Cuisine Fun & Frolic.

Handicraft & Handloom Products

Evolved slowly and gradually through disciplined efforts of generations, Odishan Hanicrafts have retained their seasoned traditional values along with the freshness and charm of their own. Beauty and utility combine in them. Dedicated labour of the artisans scattered all over the state has made Odisha a fabulous market of souvenirs and mementoes. Varieties are many—stone work, silver filigree, wood craft,appliqué work, brass & bell metal work, dhokra castings, horn work,pata paintings,papier mache,terracotta, tie & dye textile in cotton,tassar & silk and a lot more.Stemming from centuries of excusite craftsmanship, they are a colourful testimony to the integral life force of the people.

The tribal artisans make varieties of typical ornaments from brass,bell metal,silver and white metal. An interesting variation is iron artifacts by heating and beating process using traditional implements like furnace,anvil,tongue and hammer. The artifacts include a host of decorative items from animals and bird figures to human shapes and composition meant for wall hangings in addition to the agricultural tools which are utilitarian.

Odia Cusine

As would be expected in an agrarian State whose fields shimmer with a hundred different shades of green, Odisha produces a variety of vegetables. Fish, crabs and prawns make delicious dishes.

Traditional Odia meal, served in many small dishes arranged around a large thali (Platter) is prepared and spiced with a light touch. If you have an occasion to have a meal at some one’s home, you will be able to sample the traditional local style at its best. Many hotels / restaurants feature some local delicacies and can serve an Odia meal on request.

Sweet meats like Chhenapoda (baked cheese), Chhenajhilli, Rasabali (all made from milk) etc are among the typical sweetmeats. Odisha is also famous for its own Pitha (various types of cakes) .

‘Mahaprasad’ a special variety of food items, cooked by unique steaming process is offered to the deities in some temples like Sri Jagannath at Puri and Lingaraj & Ananta Vasudev at Bhubaneswar and then sold to the people. You should have a taste of the same at least for a change.

And, no visitor should leave Odisha without sipping fresh green coconut water. The top of the young coconut will be sliced off in front of you; straws are then inserted to enable you to drink the naturally cool (and pure) liquid inside. It is more refreshing than a soft drink, and will leave a lingering sense of refreshment and freshness.

Imagine a land where the sun illuminates the ‘black pagoda’, where the sea flirts with the sand and a lake which onsets for a perfect holiday with its avian friends. Odisha also known as Kalinga or Utkala of Mahabharata fame indeed holds an ancient substratum with its splendid temples, glistening golden beaches and prominent architectures. This state lies in the tropical zones along the eastern coast of India. Kissed by the pearly waters of the Bay of Bengal and crowned by the heavily forested hills of the Eastern Ghats, this dreamland offers a splendid amalgamation of rural tranquility with boisterous modern urban adroitness. Ductile coastlines, deep valleys of the Mahanadi River,the lush paddy fields may inspire the poet within you, but cannot stop you from experiencing the gushing waterfalls, which dive down with a thunder in sanctuaries and forestlands well known for their white tiger safari in the world. Odisha has vast mineral, marine and forest resources for setting up large, medium and small scale industries.