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.
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.
Day 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.
Day 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.
Day
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.
Day 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 
Day
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
Day
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.
Day 3. Chilika Lake 
1kms
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.
Day
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 /
DARJEELING / GANGTOK / CALCUTTA / BHUBANESHWAR / PURl / KONARK / DELHI
2.
DELHI / AGRA / KHAJURAHO / VARANASI / BHUBANESHWAR / PURl / KONARK / 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 /
BHUBANESHWAR / KONARK / PURl / PHULBANI / BALLIGUDA / CHHATIKONA / BELAHAR /
NIYAMGIRI / JEYPORE / KUNDLI / LAMPTAPUT / MUDULIAPRA / JAGDALPUR / BASTAR /
NARAVANPUR / KAWARDHA PALACE / KANHA TIGER RESERVE / DELHI
(17 Days)
BEST TIME October to April
