Experience Odisha

On arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport, pick up, check in hotel in Bhubaneswar. After refreshment visit to
KedarGauri Temple, then visit to Lingaraj Temple. If time permits then evening free time shopping at Local market. Back to hotel, overnight stay at hotel.

KedarGauri Temple–Kedareswar/KedarGauri Temple, one of the eight Astasambhu Temples. The presiding deity is Shiva, referred to locally by the name ‘Kedareshwar’. It is said that a couple named Kedar (male) and Gouri (female) loved each other and decided to marry. The society was against the union, so it led them to flee from village. During the journey Gouri felt hungry, so Kedar went for food and was killed by a tiger. Later Gouri hearing this at this place jumped into the pond. The king of Utkal, LalatenduKeshari, knowing this raised a temple named Kedareshawr or Kedargouri Temple. Still lovers come here to pray for a happy wedlock without any obstacles. The pond here is said to have some medicinal property.

Lingaraja Temple – It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar. In this temple Shiva is worshipped as Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. The central tower of the temple is 180 ft (55 m) tall. The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar. The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The temple complex has 50 other shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall.

After breakfast drive to Jagatsinghpur, visit MaaSarala Temple. Then drive back to Cuttack, en route visit to MaaCharchika Temple, then proceed to visit MaaBhattarika Temple in Badamba, Athgarh. Then Back to Bhubaneswar, en route visit to MaaKatakChandi Temple. Back to hotel, overnight at Bhubaneswar.

Sarala Temple – It is a Hindu temple, one of the eight most famous Shakta shrines of Odisha. In Hindu
culture, ‘MaaSarala’ (Mother Sarala) is a Goddess who acts as a patron of the followers of Vaishnavand Shakta. It is rare for a single deity to straddle both of these Hindu denominations. She is sometimes suspected to be a Buddhist tantric figure, as she holds a book, Veena and hand bell, which are Mahayanasymbols. Goddess Sarala is also known as Vak Devi, the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom, and Jhankad VaasiniSharada.

Charchika Temple – Charchika Temple is one of the oldest Shakti Pitha in Odisha, India. The presiding deity is an eight-armed goddess Chamunda, locally known as Maa Charchika Devi. She is seated on a prostrate human body and wearing a garland of human skulls. She displays khadga, shula, katari and varadamudra in her four right hands whereas the four left hands represent severed head, blood-cup, ‘’damru’’ and leaving a finger of the remaining hand soaked in blood.

Bhattarika Temple – It is located on the bank of Mahanadi River. It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Maa Bhattarika worshipped as a manifestation of Shakti. As per the Puranic tradition, Parashurama, facing certain defeat at the hands of Saharsrajuna, prayed to Durga who appeared on this spot to impart her divine power to his aid.

KatakChandi Temple – The Katak Chandi Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack, Odisha. The goddess popularly called as Maa Katak Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient city. She has four hands holding Paasha (noose), Ankusha (goad), gestures dispelling fear (Abhaya), and granting boon (Varada). She is worshiped as Bhuvaneshvari Mahavidya (the queen of universe) by Sevayatas belonging to Utkala Brahmins every day.

After breakfast check out from the hotel, drive to Puri, en route visit to MaaMangala Temple in
Kakatpur. Then drive to Konark, enjoy the eternal beauty of one of the seventh wonder of World, Konark,
The Sun Temple, Then visit to Maa Ramachandi Temple. Check in hotel in Puri, after refreshment relax at the Golden beach of Puri, free time shopping at Local market. Then back to hotel, overnight at Puri.

Mangala Temple – This is a 15th-century Hindu temple and a symbol of the ancient heritage of Kalinga.”Maa Mangala” is a Hindu goddess who is one of the manifestations of “SHAKTI”.Before she was worshiped as goddess “Tara” by Buddhist monks. But when the deity was established at kakatpur, she was worshiping as the manifestations of Goddess “Durga”. She is worshiping in the hymn of the goddess “Vanadurga”. The curving style of the deity Mangala is typical odia style, having khilana & prabha back to her sitting place.Also the style of temple is “Utkaliya Peedha Vimana Style”.

Konark Temple – The temple was built by King Narasimhadeo in the 13th century, it is counted among the 7 wonders of India, famous for world heritage site & also known as “Black Pagoda”.Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone.

Ramachandi Temple – It is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra River. Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark is thought by some to be the presiding deity of this temple, while others thought it to be the temple of Mayadevi, wife of Surya.

After breakfast drive to Banapur, visit Maa Bhagabati Temple, then proceed to Tara Tarini Temple.
Drive back to Puri, visit World famous Jagannath Temple and Maa Bimala Temple. Back to hotel, overnight at Puri.

Bhagabati Temple–MaaBhagavati, the presiding deity of this revered temple is Goddess Burga locally called as Bhagabati, The idol depicts eight armed Goddess and the chopped head of Mahisasura (demon). The present temple is believed to have been built by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.

Tara Tarini Temple – The temple on the Kumari hills at the bank of the River Rushikulyanear Brahmapur, Odisha, is worshiped as the Breast Shrine (SthanaPeetha) and manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient TantraPeetha and Shakti Peethas in India.

Jagannath temple – One of the four dhams, the temple is sacred to all Hindus and especially in those of the Vaishnava traditions. Many great Vaishnava saints, such as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya,
Nimbarkacharya, Vallabhacharya and Ramananda were closely associated with the temple. The present
temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by
King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

After breakfast check out from hotel, drive to Jajpur, visit Maa Biraja Devi/Girija Devi Temple, Jajpur.
Then drive to Angul, check in hotel in Talcher, overnight @ Talcher.

Biraja Temple – Biraja Temple or Birija Kshetra, is a historic Hindu temple was built during the 13th century. The principal idol is Devi Durga, who is worshiped as Viraja (Girija), and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames “VirajaKshetra” and “BirajaPeetha”. The Durga idol has two hands (dwibhuja), spearing the chest of Mahishasura with one hand and pulling his tail with the other. One of her feet is on a lion, and the other is on Mahishasura’s chest. Mahishasura is depicted as a water buffalo. The idol’s crown features Ganesha, a crescent moon and a lingam.

After breakfast check out hotel, visit Maa Hingula Temple. Then proceed to Sambalpur to visit
MaaSamalei Temple, then visit Maa Ghanteswari Temple. Check in hotel, after refreshment visit Hirakud Dam. Back to hotel, overnight at Sambalpur. 

Hingula Temple – The holy place (peetha) of the Goddess Hingula is situated on the bank of the river
Simhada. In Assam, there is a place of pilgrimage named Jwalamukhi where a similar goddess Hingula or Hingulei or Hingulaksi is being worshipped. It is for this reason that the presiding deity of Talcher in village Gopal Prasad who bears the form of fire is named Goddess Hingula. Such holy places (peethas) of Hingula are also situated even outside India in Karachi and Kabul. Both Hindus and Muslims worship at this holy place which is unique in nature.

Samaleswari Temple – It is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur, Western Odisha, dedicated to the goddess known as ‘Samleswari’, also known among the natives as Samalei Maa, meaning Mother Samaleswari. The mother goddess Samleswari is worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, and is the mother of the universe.

Ghanteswari Temple – It is a temple located in Chiplima which is 30 km from Sambalpur. As the name suggests there are bells everywhere. People offer bells to the goddess Ghanteswari or the Deity of Bells, after fulfillment of their wishes. Many pilgrims from across the state visit the temple. It is known as the ‘lighthouse without light’, built by the early sailors, for whom the bells served as warning against heavy winds. The special significance of this place lies in the great number of small bells hanging all around.

Hirakud Dam – It is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kms from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha. Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km (34 mi) long. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India’s independence.

After breakfast check out hotel, visit Humaduma Temple, the Leaning Temple. Then drive to
Bhubaneswar, drop at Airport/Railway station for your onward journey with sweet memories of Odisha.

Humaduma Temple – The Leaning Temple of Huma in India is one of only two leaning temples in the world.It is located in Huma, a village situated on the bank of the Mahanadi, 23 km south of Sambalpur, Odisha. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Bimaleshwar. It is not known if this structure is leaning by design or for another reason. Although the edifice leans, the pinnacle of the temple is perpendicular to the ground.