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ORISSAN SPLENDOUR
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LAND
OF THE BLACK PAGODA
Despite the fame of the Sun temple, also known as the Black
Pagoda at Konark and of the Jaganath temple at Puri, Orissa
remains one of the least visited parts of India. Yet Orissa
has had a long and distinctive history, and contains some
of India's most beautiful scenery. This region of magnificent
temple sculpture has given rise to classical dance forms which
have adopted postures, expressions and lyrical qualities of
the carved figures. Orissan arts and crafts have been highly
developed for over 2000 years. |
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DELHI / BHUBANESHWAR / PURl / KONARK / BHUBANESHWAR / DELHI
» Day 1. DELHI /
BHUBANESHWAR : Morning transfer to airport for flight
to Bhubaneshwar. (2hrs).Arrive by noon.Check into hotel. Bhubaneshwar
is the capital of Orissa and was also the capital of the Kalinga
empire. It is the architectural glory of that period and remains
Bhubaneshwar's greatest attractions. Afternoon city sightseeing
of the temples starting with the Parasurameswara, Muktesvara,
Raja Rani and the Lingaraja temples In the evening witness
on Odissi dance recital at the Rabindra Mandap. Overnight
Bhubaneshwar.
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2. BHUBANESHWAR / PURl In
the morning drive to Udayagir and Khandagiri caves 6 kms from
Bhubaneshwar Trek up to the caves which are situated on two
low hills bearing witness to the Jain and Buddhist occupation
of the region in the second century BC and are among the earliest
in India. After lunch proceed to Puri enroute stopping at
the village of Raghurajpur. This village is famous for its
paintings of temple deities and murals for the temple and
manuscripts on paper and palm leaves. Watch the artists a
work in their special homes. Arrive Puri late afternoon. Check
into beach resort. Evening at leisure on the beach. Overnight
Puri.
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3. PURI / KONARK / PURI
: After leisurely
breakfast drive to Konark (1 hr). Konark is one of
the most vivid architectural treasures of Hindu-India and
is a World Heritage site. It was called "The Black Pagoda
" by European sailors to distinguish it from the white-washed
Jaganath temple in Puri, though some of it lies in ruins most
of the structures in the complex are magnificent and a culmination
of Orissan art. The Sun temple at Konark is often described
as a masterpiece in stone, the highest point of achievement
in the Kalinga school of architecture. This temple built like
a gorgeous chariot with its twelve pairs of giant, marvelously
sculptured wheels on seven richly caparisoned horses straining
their necks to pull Th massive weight, is truly a marvel crafted.
Return to Puri by the afternoon. Later visit Jaganath temple
in heart of the town. Evening stroll along the beach and visit
the colorful night markets. Overnight Puri.
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4. PURI / BHUBANESHWAR:
Morning
on the beach and after on early lunch drive back towards Bhubaneshwar.
Enroute visit the village of Pipli,which is famous for its
applique work,houses and shops all along the road ore covered
in samples of the brightly coloured work. 8 km short of Bhubaneshwar
is Dhauli. It was here that the horrors of the Kalinga war
lead Emperor Ashoka to acknowledge the values of Buddhist
teachings. There are two Kalinga rocks edicts at the bottom
of the hill daring back to 260BC. On top of the hill is the
Peace Pagoda or the Shanti Stupa which was built in the early
1970's by the Japanese. The view from here is magnificent
as you watch the sun descend into the flat paddy fields behind
the coconut palms. Overnight Bhubaneshwar. |
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5. BHUBANESHWAR/DELHI: Early
morning drive to Nandan Kanan (20km), which is a zoo and botanical
garden set in dense forest. There are tigers, including over
29 rare white ones, lion , rhinos, panthers, leopards and
a variety of wild fowl and reptiles in their natural surroundings.
It has also succeeded in breeding black panthers and gharials
in captivity. Return to Bhubaneshwar for connecting evening
flight to Delhi.
OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
1. Ratnagiri and Udaigiri -90km northeast of Bhubaneshwar.
The whole area with its hills rich in excavated Buddhist remains
showing an excellence in the quality of sculpture combining
different coloured stones; from blue green chattris to the
purple red garnets encrusted in brownish silver kondalite.
The finds include three monasteries,eight temples and several
stupas believed to date from the 7th century
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2.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Paradwip - 120 km northeast
of Bhubaneshwar is marine sanctuary which has some of the
most fascinating virgin beaches,nature trails and tidal creeks
to explore. Thousands of giant Olive Ridley turtles ,migrate
from as far as South America from October to May,to lay their
eggs on a 10km beach stretch bordering the sanctuary. The
mangrove swamps harbour the estuarine crocodiles, deer fishing
cats and a number of migratory and endemic birds come here
at Golden Anchor Mariner's Inn,Paradwip.
3. Chilika Lake - 1 kms southwest of Bhubaneshwar,
It is the largest brackish water lake in 'Asia. It covers
an area of 1 '100 sq kms and has an abundance of bird and
marine wildlife. It takes 4hrs by motor launch from Barkul
to get to Nalabana Island
Sanctuary, the winter homes of the birds flying in from Iran,
Central Asia and Siberia. It is in the months of October to
February that you can watch white bellied sea eagles, aspreys,
golden plovers, sandpipers, flamingoes, pelicans, shovellers
and gulls. |
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4. Gopaipur-on-Sea -
200kms southwest of Bhubaneshwar a luxurious resort with sand
dunes, groves of coconut palms and causarinas, backwaters,creeks
and koasons. Accommodation The 5star Oberoi Palm Beach hotel.
BEST TIME September to March.
POSSIBLE VARIATIONS
1) DELHI I DARJEELING I GANGTOK
I CALCUTTA I BHUBANESHWAR l PURl l KONARK
l DELHI |
2) .DELHI I AGRA I KHAJURAHO
I VARANASI I BHUBANESHWAR IPURl I KONARK
I DELHI
3). TRIBALS,TEMPLES AND TIGERS
(Possible INTERESTING VARIATION,)
Orissa is the only state where the classical folk tribal continuum
exists. Each tribe has its distinct pattern of lifestyle, music,
arts and crafts and dance. This variation combines the best
of Orissa reflecting the various facts of interior Orissa.
DELHI I BHUBANESHWAR I KONARK I PURl I
PHULBANI IBALLIGUDA I CHHATIKONA I BELAHAR
I NIYAMGIRI I JEYPORE I KUNDLI I LAMPTAPUT
I MUDULIAPRA / JAGDALPUR I BASTAR I NARAVANPUR
I KAWARDHA PALACE l KANHA TIGER RESERVE l DELHI
(17 Days)
BEST TIME October to April |
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