ABOUT PURI

Puri with one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal attracts millions of visitors annually. Situated at a distance of 60kms. from Bhubaneswar, Puri is considered to be one of the four most sacred places for the Hidus, because of the shrine of Lord Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe) here.

The magnificent 192 ft. high, 12th.c.AD temple is one of the finest specimens of Orissan architecture. The temple and the deities enshrined are revered by millions of pilgrims coming to seek Lord's blessings. The unique car festival in the month of July is the most colourful festival of the state in which a sea of humanity actively take part. Hunders of thousand men and women draw the traditionally decorated three giant wooden chariots with gigantic wheels with three deities, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra seated on those. Despite being closed for the non-Hindus, Jagannath continues to attract scholars of Oriental studies from all over the world. It is during the Car festival every year thousands of non-Hindus get a glimpse of the God and they enjoy drawing the chariots.

Apart from being the seat of Lord Jagannath, Puri continues to attract thousands of sea lovers who come here to enjoy the serenity of the golden beach. The sand art being practiced on the beach by the students of this exotic art is a tret to the eyes. The surf here is exciting, but to bath in the sea, it is advised to take the help of the conical capped local seamen (Nolia)
Puri is also the shopper's delight. The artisans and craftsmen living nearby Raghurajpur village and Pipili can give the visitors the best of Orissan paintings, appliqué works and many other souvenirs to take home.

 

The Lagoon-Chilika

Situated between 190.38' and 190.54 North latitude and 850.54' and 850.38' East longitude, Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon with estuarine character sprawls along the eastern seacoast over an area of 1100 sqkms. Any visit to Orissa remains inconclusive without ia vsit to Chilika, which in itself has remained a favourite destination.

With its unique flora and fauna, Chilika has a highly productive eco-system having rich fish resource that sustain the livelihood of more than hundred thousand families living in and around it. Broadly divided into four natural sectors based on salinity and depth, Chilika attracts visitors to its numerous islands, prominent among which are Nalabana, Kalijai, Somolo, Honeymoon, Breakfast, Birds and Rajahansa island, Because of its rich bio-diversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika was designated as a Ramsar site under the convention of wetlands, of International importance.

Apart from being a very important center for studying the bio-diversity, Chillika offers great scope for eco-tourism. The vast congregation of migratory avifauna that flock there in every winter were over 160 species in peak season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, lake Baikal, Aral sea and other parts of Runia, Kirghiz stepper of magnolia, central and south east Asia. Ladakh and the Himalayas come here. The inviting islands of southern sector with vast stretch of blue water, the endless unexplored stretch of empty beach across the sand bar separating the lagoon from the sea, the millions of migratory birds during the winter, the irrawady dolphins are some of the unique features of this beautiful lagoon, Chillika, on emerald in the east.

 

About Konark

Had Konark been discovered first and the Taj Mahal at Agra later by the Europeans, then there is no doubt that Taj would have taken a second place in the mind of the world., remarked the noted art historian Charles Fabri. The 13th.c. AD architectural marvel in stone has remained as a class by itself. Konark is one of the finest architectural efforts, the Indian master-mason ever made. Designated as a chariot of the Sun God with 12 giant wheels each of 10ft. high, fixed on either side, whirled by seven horses, the Sun temple is the translation of a Rig Vedic (the most
What remains today is only the mukhasala (the outer temple) of an old main temple. This world heritage monument, was built by Narasimhadeva in the 13th c. AD .Sun temple in Konark is unique on account of its supremely imaginative character. The traditional representation of the ancient scripture of India) allegory in stone.Sun God visualizes the deity standing in Time's winged chariot urging on his team of seven horses, with which 'he blazes his way through Heaven'.