Religion is in existence from the day of man’s existence on earth. Though the primitive religion had no explanation, that era had heavenly procedures. As time change even religion does, in today’s world we have many religions with different followers overall the world.
Orissa is a well known pilgrimage place; this place is done with several experiences with own set of traditions. Pilgrimage of Orissa is an enchanting know-how meant for the person who is implicated in it. The pilgrimage sites in Orissa have its existence from the primitive 200 BC. These sites are as drawing cards to people from all parts of the world. The mostly visited festivals of the state are the Puri’s Rath Yatra of the temple Jagannath.
The Pilgrimage of Orissa admits several temples of Hindu’s namely Bhaskareswar, Bharateswar, Ananta Vasudeva, Papanasini, Rameswar, Sunarneswar, Taleswar, Uttareswar, Subraneswar, Rajarani, Swarnajaleswar, Tirtheswar and Baladevjew temples. The chief pilgrimage spot of Orissa is the Jagannath Temple of Puri, lord Jagannath is considered to be the Lord of Universe. The construction of this temple was done around 12th century. There is a protection to this temple by 2 walls, this shrine is devoted to Balabhadra, Subhadra and Krishna, and also there is a restriction for non-Hindus for entering the temple.
The Pilgrimage of Orissa is not complete without taking the Mahaprasada, this is Lord Jagannath’s spiritual food, and the devotees attend immense satisfaction by having this Mahaprasada. Here is the mention of the imperative Pilgrimage sites of Orissa :
Bhubaneswar
- Location: East India, Orissa
- Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Festival: Jagannath Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of the state Odisha. This is located in the Khordha district in Orissa. Bhubaneswar has been in the earlier times also known by the names- Kalinga Nagari, Toshali, Nagar Kalinga, Mandira Malini Nagari, Ekamra Kshetra and Ekamra Kanan. In today’s modern time, this is the largest city along with being the main centre of attraction in the fields of religion and economics.
Bhubaneswar is also known as the “City of Temples” and along with the cities of Konark and Puri this forms a Golden triangle, also known as the “Swarna Tribhuja” of eastern India.
The city has very rapidly emerged as one of the very important and a hub as far as the trade and commercial sectors are concerned. Odisha was stood at the 9th position for the software export which was conducted by NASSCOM, due to the establishment of many IT and ITES companies in Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar has also grown as a tourist destination. One can go in for day trips to places like Dhauli, and Konark. The place is known as the seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’. You would be amazed to know that there are as many at 2000 old Hindu temples are located in the city.
Bhubaneswar has now been classified as a Tier 2 city in India. If you are fond of wildlife then you could visit the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary and Nandankanan Zoo, these are located in the western and northern regions of Bhubaneswar. The place is well known for tie and dye textiles, brass and metal work, horn work, Pattachitra, wood carvings, silver filigree and stone carvings. You could purchase these at any of the government owned shops or in the markets.
Puri
- Location: Eastern part of Odisha, India
- Deity: Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath
- Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- Entry fee: Free Entry
- Festival: Ratha Yatra
The city of Puri is well known as, the land of Lord Jagannath, is a religious place towards the eastern India. Many people visit the city of Puri mainly for spiritual reasons. This is the only place where the shrines of Radha, along with Sati, Durga, Lakshmi, Shakti and Parvati, are the abodes with Krishna, also known as Jagannath.
Puri is considered to be a very pious city for the Hindu. The well known Rath Yatra (Car Festival), or the “Festival of chariots”, which is held in the Jagannath Temple every year, is attended by thousands of people from all over the world. Even tourists especially come to see the procession of the Rath Yatra and like to be a part of the celebration held during this time. The Hindus consider this to be an extremely religious place where one can die or be cremated and then go straight to heaven.
Yet another attraction for the tourists is the long and sandy beaches in Puri. There are many hotels available in Puri where one can enjoy a comfortable stay, while visiting this holy and religious city.
Atri
- Location: At a distance of 42 kms from Bhubaneshwar, Orissa
- Travel Drawing Card: Lord Hatakeswar Temple & Hot Sulphur Springs
- Languages Spoken: Oriya
Sited in Khurda region of Orissa, at the distance of forty two kms as of the principal city, Atri has very well known hot water sulfur springs in the interiors of Orissa. The sulfur spring of Atri is positioned in focal point of paddy turfs, and a divergent whiff of sulfur environs the intact environment. The stream at the Atri blistering water spring upholds a sturdy temperature of fifty five degree Celsius the entire day. The waters as of the spring are standoffish for the use of public in the simulated Lake.
By means of the deepness of roughly fifteen feet bearing a fringe of ten feet, the lake accumulates a sufficient amount of water to furnish all visitors of this place. The sparkler lucid water of sulphur spring in Atri is alleged to encompass medical chattels that have therapeutic powers. By the assumptions of the local inhabitants, infertility in women can also be treated in this spring.
Sulphur Spring of Atri is sited in a pictorial situation and alleyway that goes reaches the spring is surrounded by peepul, neem and banyan trees. In Orissa, the tourism department has assembled a bathing multifaceted in addition to spring that set asides the pilgrims to seize blistering water bath within. Above and beyond having remedial powers it rejuvenates the soul and body.
Dhabaleswar Temple
- Location: At the distance of 4 kms from Cuttack in Orissa
- Presiding Deity: Lord Shiva
- Popular For: A Hindu Pilgrimage
- Main Festival: Shivratri
Puckered in the heart of the Mahanadi River is a tranquil islet known as Dhabaleswar. This place is of immense connotation due to the residing deity of Lord Dhabaleswar which as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Sculptures dating back to the 10th century A.D. stand testimony to the antiquity of the temple.
While Dhabaleswar is a drawing card to lots and lots of pilgrims in a year, 1000’s of people horde the place on unique occasion’s such as Shivaratri. To be found far from the exasperating crowd, and bordered through the Mahanadi River, Dhabaleswar furnishes a outstanding ambience for visitors.
Here at Dhabaleswar, is also a place for Aqua sports and here is the arrangement of 2 boats and 2 water scooters made available by the Tourism Department of Orissa.
- Also Read: Most Popular Rivers & Lakes in Odisha
Konark
- Location: At the distance of 33 kms from Puri in Orissa
- Main Drawing Card: Konark Beach, Sun Temple, Konark Dance Festival
- Presiding Deity: Lord Surya
- Also Popular As: Black Pagoda
- Timings: 6 am – 8 pm
- Entry Fee: Rs.40 for Indians & Rs.600 for foreigners
- Festival: Konark Dance Festival
Arka – Tirtha is also the name given to the Konark and this temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, the god of Sun. It is positioned on the seashore at the distance of 33 kms from Puri and from Bhubaneshwar is at the distance of 64 kms. This temple was being constructed in the 13th century with the black stone and is also well thought-out as the most flamboyant architecture of the show pieces in India. In spite of the reality that the ‘Black Pagoda’ is in carcass, the enduring porch vicinity and other configurations of this shrine complex lingers as a crown gemstone of artwork of Orissan.
Misidentifying the sea for Yamuna River at Puri, jumping into the sea Sri Chaitanya was washed away by the ocean which is at the distance of thirty three kms north in the area of Konark, where an flabbergasted fisherman wedged him in the net.
Prime Attractions
Sun Temple:
Raja Narasimha Deva’ the Orissan King while construction of this temple in the 13th century required one thousand and two hundred workmen which they took 16 years for completing. It is also believed so as to that from the 17th century the temple was not in use as it was damaged by the Muslim invaders. The sand around the temple was cleared in 1904.
This extraordinary temple looks like a massive chariot with twenty five gigantic wheels being extracted by 7 horses. Immense pairs of hefty elaborately engraved wheels were engraved on all sides of the temple. On the either side of the temple they are 2 rows of twelve wheels. According to the beliefs of many people it is considered that these wheels are the representation of twenty four hours of the day or can also be the twelve months of the year. Seven days of the week is symbolized by the 7 horses. Here is a hall for dancing, a huge tower and a hall for audience. The sailor called this temple has Black Pagoda for the reason that it was believed to portray ships into the seashore and grounds shipwrecks.
Konark Beach
There is a amusing quiet beach which is located at the distance of about three kilometres away as of the temple. The waves of this Beach are very strong so swimming is very treacherous here. At some distance away from the beach is the pond where the leprosy of Samba who was the son of Lord Krishna. Every year during the full moon phase in the month of Magha there is a festival called “Magha Saptami Mela”. People bathe in the pond at night and then watch the sun rise over the sea the next morning.
Must Read: Explore Most Beautiful Beaches in Odisha
Tarabalo
- Situation: At the distance of 75 kms as of Bhubaneswar in the Nayagarh District of Orissa
- Popular As: Hot Spring of Sulphur
- Area Covered: Eight Acres
Covering the distance of 75 kilometres from Bhubaneswar in the district of Nayagarh is the Tarabalo. This place is a very popular place for hot sulphur spring, this covers the area of eight acres.
Tarabalo is also a wonderful place for an outing, being surrounded by scenic beauty and greenery, so enjoy it with your family and friends.
Parsurameswar Mandir
Address: Kedar Gouri Ln, Old Town 751002 Bhubaneshwar , Orissa
The Parsurameswar Mandir is located towards the west of Lewis Road in Bhubaneswar. These are basically a lies a group of approximately 20 smaller, yet very important temples. The main statue in the temple is of Lord Shiva which is decorated. The statue is very old and goes back to the 650 AD. Here you would notice many images of processions of horses, elephants and lord Shiva.
Jajpur
- Location: At distance of 92 kms from Cuttack in Orissa
- Popular As: Pilgrimage Centre
- Presiding Deity: Goddesses Durga or Biraja
Jajpur was the affluent and imperative centre for commerce and trade in the ancient period. Its varied cultural cross- currents invigorated and ameliorated the city yet in the days of stay of the Hiuen TSang, the Chinese traveller.
Jajpur is too one of the blessed pilgrim place in Orissa. Goddess Viraja (Durga) is deity presiding here. This is also a very well known place as Navigaya Kshetra’ someplace where Pind is presented by the Hindus to their ancestors.
Positioned on the bank of River ‘Vaitarani’, Jajpur has the sanctified temples of mother Goddess ‘Sveta Varaha’, Viraja (Durga) – the manifestation of white boar as Lord Vishnu, ‘Sapta Matrika ‘ and a host of other places of worship.
- Must Read: Top Best Things to Do in Orissa
