Orissa

mod_14_large_1.jpg

Orissa

Bhubaneshwar, Puri & Konarak

The Bhubaneswar temples have delicate, almost filigree-like carvings whilst the erotic sculptures of Konarak are said by some to surpass even those at Khajuraho. Chilika Lake, Asia's largest salt-water lake, boasts of Irrawady dolphins and rich birdlife. The long sandy beach at Puri with its distinctive green/blue waters makes for a great evening stroll.



Day 1 - Bhubaneswar
Arrive in Bhubaneswar and transfer to your hotel. The capital of the state of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar is a pleasant city containing a real contrast between the modern new buildings and the famous old temples, of which there are many hundreds (it seems impossible to establish an exact number!). The most famous is the large Lingaraj Temple. In the afternoon you can enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the temples.

Day 2 - Puri
Today you drive to Puri (1 1/2 hrs) via the artisan village of Pipli and the Sun temple at Konarak. Pipli, 15 km south of Bhubaneswar on the highway to Puri, is a village of artisans famous for their colourful appliqu�-work fabrics. The craft originated to serve temples but nowadays is used for garden umbrellas, cushion covers, wall hangings and bags. They follow the same techniques, in which cloth is cut into bird, flower, animal and other decorative shapes, and stitched on to fabric of a contrasting colour. The splendid Sun temple of Konarak, built in the 13th century and located about 35 km from Puri, is the finest example of ancient Orissan temple architecture. The temple was conceived in the form of a colossal chariot for the sun god Surya, standing on 12 pairs of eight-spoke-wheels and drawn by seven galloping horses. The horses represent the seven days of the week, the wheels the 24 fortnights of the Indian year, and the eight spokes of each wheel the periods into which the ancients divided day and night. Every aspect of life has been carved on the facades of the temple. The most striking sculptures are the erotic figures locked in postures drawn from the Kama Sutra.

Day 3 - Puri
Puri is a popular seaside resort, famous for the great `Car Festival' held at the Temple of Jagannath in June or July. During this festival, the image of Jagannath is placed on an enormous 15 metre high wooden chariot and drawn through the streets by thousands of penitent devotees. In times past, ecstatic pilgrims would hurl themselves under the wheels of this rumbling "juggernaut". Just a 20-minute drive from Puri is the idyllic village of Raghurajpur, where every thatch-roof dwelling houses a family of artisans. Their skills in stone-and-wood carving, talapatra (extremely complicated and delicate palm-leaf paintings), and patachitra (fine drawings on silk or cloth), are passed down from one generation to almost every member of the next generation. If you're interested, the artisans will demonstrate their processes. The afternoon is free in Puri to enjoy the beach or further explore the city on your own.

Day 4 - Bhubaneswar
Today you drive from Puri to Chilika Lake (110 km, 2 ½ hours), Asia's largest salt-water lake. The lake supports a staggering variety of aquatic life and birds, both resident and migratory. Winters, the lake gets surrounded by migratory birds' nesting colonies, including the delicate pink flamingos. The lake is also home to dolphins that can be seen regularly near the islands. Chilika is also an important place for turtles that come in large numbers in winter to lay their eggs in hundreds. You can enjoy a private boat trip on the lake, an ideal way of spotting some of the lake's interesting inhabitants. After the boat trip, you drive back to Bhubaneswar (130 km, 3 hours).

Day 5 - Bhubaneswar
Today you will leave Bhubaneswar to continue your travels through India. We will arrange your departure transfer to the airport or railway station to connect with your onward travel.

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

Price Guide

  • From EUR 523 per person based on two people sharing.

Inclusions

    • Accommodation on twin share basis at selected hotels.
    • Stay on bed & breakfast basis.
    • English-speaking local guide for sightseeing of Bhubaneswar and Konarak.
    • Transport by private chauffeur-driven airconditioned car.
    • All transfers as per the itinerary.
    • Boat trip on Chilika Lake.

    Tour price excludes

    • Tips and gratuities.
    • Services, Meals and Drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
    • Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
    • Entrance fees (unless specifically mentioned in the inclusions) and extra charges for camera and video.
Make an enquiry

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

Bhubaneswar Temple city

The capital of the state of Orissa, Bhubaneswar, is a pleasant city containing a real contrast between the modern new buildings and hundreds of old temples. The most famous is the Lingaraj Temple. Unfortunately the temples are invariably closed to non Hindus, but with typical Indian enterprise a method has usually been found of offering visitors a vantage point from which to view the life of the temple.

Puri Dedicated to Lord Jagannath

Puri is a popular seaside resort, famous for the great `Car Festival' held at the Temple of Jagannath in June or July. During this festival, the image of Jagannath is placed on an enormous 15 metre high wooden chariot and drawn through the streets by thousands of penitent devotees. In times past, ecstatic pilgrims would hurl themselves under the wheels of this rumbling "juggernaut".

Bhubaneswar Temple city

The capital of the state of Orissa, Bhubaneswar, is a pleasant city containing a real contrast between the modern new buildings and hundreds of old temples. The most famous is the Lingaraj Temple. Unfortunately the temples are invariably closed to non Hindus, but with typical Indian enterprise a method has usually been found of offering visitors a vantage point from which to view the life of the temple.

1

Tell us what you like

Half the fun of travel is planning and all you need is an idea.

Start converting your dreams into reality by sending us an enquiry It is absolutely free and without any obligation to make a booking.

Please fill out the form below and let us know with how many people you plan to travel, when you plan to start and finish your trip, and what standard of hotels you prefer as all these details have a bearing on the price.

2

Plan and refine

After you receive our tour proposal, you will want to check it over carefully to make sure that you are happy with it.

This is the time to make tweaks or revisions. Is it more expensive than you had anticipated? If so, let us know and we will be able to make suggestions to reduce the price. Is it cheaper than you had anticipated? If so, perhaps you might want to upgrade to a snazzy hotel for your last night?

3

Confirming the arrangements

Once you are satisfied with all the arrangements, we ask you to complete a booking form and pay your deposit, at which point we start to confirm all the arrangements.

It is quite likely that you may think of some questions or clarifications anytime between booking the holiday and leaving home for it. No problem - just get in touch with us and we shall be happy to answer any question or simply to have a chat! That's the beauty of a tailor-made holiday. Our travel specialist will always be there for you.

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

Send us a Message

$ signs against Hotels indicate its Category

Bhubaneswar 

The New Marrion Hotel

The New Marrion Hotel $

An unexceptional boxy exterior and a conventional and small lobby disguise some ...

SEE ALL
Mayfair Lagoon

Mayfair Lagoon $$

Low roofed, fat pillared cottages and long courtyards make up this resort, built...

SEE ALL
 

Puri 

Hans Coco Palms

Hans Coco Palms $$

The Hans Coco Palms is a resort in the true sense of the word: with swaying fan ...

SEE ALL