Top 5 Things You Can Do When in Odisha

Odisha is perhaps the only state in India that offers you a rare combination of a colourful cultural heritage with a rich natural bounty. The land resides in places that attract tourists of all profiles, which is why Odisha Tourism has always been in the talk.

As Odisha enjoys a glorious history and flaunts a unique culture that underwent evolution over time, it possesses the imprints of the rich lifestyle of the people. Odisha has therefore become a natural choice of tourists who want to enjoy the uniqueness of Odisha culture and varied experiences from its diverse tourist places.

Religion is deeply embedded in the culture of Odisha as it defines the lifestyles of the people and conditions their lives. One can witness the impact of religion on the living of the people as it is quite well marked in the Art, literature, sculpture and architecture of the land. The grand Lord Jagannath temple at Puri is one of the major tourist destinations for not only Indians but also worldwide. Apart from that, there are several other things that tourists can enjoy doing. Let us see what they are:

• Explore Rural Odisha at Raghurajpur

Raghurajpur is an ideal place for people who want to learn about the rural lifestyle of Odisha. It also happens to be the home of Odisha’s fine art culture called “Pattachitra“. It is one of those art forms that has survived the test of time and virtually acts as a historical chronicle of India through time. Though they look rustic and simple, it will surprise many to know that these paintings require intense hard work, patience, and skill in craftsmanship. Originally, it showed rituals and religious beliefs of the Vaishnava sect, but today, the same painting style is used to create artworks for home decor.

• Witness the Exquisite Art and Architecture of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

The Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves are landmarks situated in Odisha. Situated in Bhubaneswar, the marvellous architects from the past ornately produced historic caves, which still pleases the onlookers’ eyes. Khandagiri is an 18 cave complex, while Udaygiri has a group of 15 caves. The caves are famous for their exemplary sculptures and reliefs and Brahmi inscriptions.

• Attend the Holy Rath Yatra in Monsoon

The Ratha Yatra in Puri in Odisha is India’s largest chariot festival. This festival is considered quite an elegant festival in more than one way. It has become a symbol of identity for Puri and Odisha state as a whole. Every year, thousands and lakhs of devotees worldwide assemble at Puri to become a part of this holy festival. The festival is an 11-day long festival. The priests of Sri Mandir carry the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Ma Subhadra in a Rath to their aunt Gundicha Ma’s temple, and they return after a period of nine days.

• Lose Yourself to Divinity at Konark Sun Temple

This 13th century Sun temple at Konark has received quite the acclimation, thanks to the beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. Though most parts of this beautiful temple lie in ruins, this Sun God dedicated temple is still worth paying a visit. Moreover, you can also see the intricate Kalinga architecture and erotic sculptures of Maithunas; thus, exciting the history buffs and someone who enjoys photography

• Explore the Tribal Villages to Witness the Backbone of Culture of Odisha

Odisha is the home of many tribes that are food gatherers and farmers. Despite their poverty, these tribes have a rich culture and traditions; they have developed artistic skills such as body painting, ornaments making, weaving and wall paintings. Apart from this, music and dance have also become an inevitable part of these tribes who rejoice at the little happiness they find. If you want to learn about real Odisha, you can take tribal tours to tribes like Bondo, Didayi, Barogadaba, Kondhs and Dongarias.

These are some of the things that tourists can do when in Odisha.

Conclusion

Odisha is a state that is not just limited to having numerous rich historical wonders. It also has many wildlife and a magnanimous ecosystem that is beyond phenomenal. Indulge in these activities and explore the fun and adventure Odisha offers.

Are you looking to buy paintings based on Rath Yatra? Art Minakhi is your answer. Here we celebrate the connection of the Divine power and reinforce it via different art forms. We sell a wide range of handmade art made with watercolours, oil colours, acrylic colours and fabric colours on canvas and cloth. We try to bridge the tropical world with thought leaders through our work, thus bringing ecological sustainability to the forefront. Our skilled artisans are equipped with years of experience, and thus we produce abstract paintings, clay paintings, and many more. You can check all our items by our talented artisans and artists at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtMinakshi. For any query, you can call us at 8984374826 or email us at artminakshi49@gmail.com.