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
.
India
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