Tourism in Odisha

Tourism in Odisha is one of the main contributors to the Economy of Odisha, India, with a 500 km (310 mi) long coastline, towering mountains, serene lakes and frolicking rivers. Odisha is one of the major tourism sectors of India, with various tourists' attractions, ranging from wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, the arts and festivals. Other than wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, the arts and festivals, the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking of Government of Odisha, is also developing tourism sector of Odisha and India.

Chilka Lake
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Major attractions

Temples

Beaches

Odisha has a long coastline of 500 km and consists of some of the most beautiful beaches of the world. Exotic beaches of Odisha are the venue of India Surf Festival 2014.

Monuments

Buddhist monuments

Jain monuments

Forts

Museums

Flora and fauna
Main article: Flora and fauna of Odisha

Lakes
Chilika Lake
  • Chilka Lake: at the mouth of the Daya River, is Asia's largest brackish water lake and second largest brackish water lake in the world. A bird sanctuary for millions of migratory birds, and is also noted for its population of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India. It is one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to these species.[1]
  • Kanjia Lake: Lake inside the Nandankanan Zoological Park known for boat riding and scenic beauty situated at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
  • Anshupa Lake: a horseshoe shaped fresh water lake on the left bank of the Mahanadi River, opposite Banki in Cuttack district, Odisha, India. Anshupa Lake in Banki is 40 km from the city of Cuttack, which also acts as a shelter for the migratory birds in the wintry weather season.

Waterfalls

Hot springs

Wildlife
Sunset at Bhitarkanika National Park Lake
White tiger in Nandankanan Zoological Park

Odisha is a remarkable place as it is the home to the royal Bengal tiger, consisting of many sanctuaries and natural scenic spots.

Sanctuaries

Scenic spots

Islands

Eco-tourism provides a degree of alternate employment to the local community and generates environmental awareness, among local residents as well as visitors, about the conservation and sensible use of the lake's natural resources. Notable locations within the lake are:

Satpada
  • Ramba Bay at the southern end of the lake with the group of islands including:
  • The Becon Island, with an architectural conical pillar (to put a light on the top) built by Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector of Ganjam of the East India Company, on a mass of rock in the Rambha Bay near Ghantasila hill. It is surrounded by the Eastern Ghat.
  • The Breakfast Island, pear shaped, known as "Sankuda island", with remnants of a dilapidated bungalow constructed by the King of Kalikote, has rare plants and is full of greenery with appealing flora.
  • Honeymoon Island, 5 km (3.1 mi) from Rambha Jetty, known as Barkuda Island, with clear waters has abundant red and green macro algae in the bed is also known for the limbless lizard, an endemic species found here.
  • Somolo and Dumkudi islands, located in the Central and Southern sectors of the lake, in the backdrop of scenic Khalikote hill range, are inundated remnants of the Eastern Ghats with rich flora and fauna and also known for sighting of Irrawaddy dolphins.
  • Birds' island, located in the southern sector of the lake has huge exposed hanging rocks, are painted white due to folic acid of the droppings of the birds and is known for rich algal communities and few mangrove species and also migratory birds in winter.
  • Parikud is a group of composite islands in the Garh Krishnaprasad Block for nature lovers and provides an avian spectacle during winter season
  • Kalijai Temple located on an island is considered to be the abode of the Goddess Kalijai
  • Satpada, at the new mouth of the lake, provides a beautiful view of the lake and also views of the dolphins. Hundreds of boats here provide tours of the lake for tourists.
  • Barunkuda, a small island situated near Magarmukh, mouth of the lake, has a temple of Lord Varuna.
  • Nabagraha is an ancient deity located along the outer channel.
  • Chourbar Shiva Temple is located near Alupatna village, along the outer channel.
  • Manikpatna, located on the outer channel has historical evidence of a port which was used for trade with Far East and also has the Bhabakundeswar temple of Lord Shiva, an old Mosque whose entrance door is made of the jaws of the whale.
  • Sand-Bar and Mouth of the Lake is a striking and un-explored stretch of 30 km (18.6 mi) of empty beach across the sand bar which separates the lake from the sea.[2]

Odisha Tourism Development Corporation

The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation promotes tourism in the state and operate some of the existing tourist bungalows and transportation fleets in commercial line. OTDC's tourist bungalows are called panthanivas.

Locations of panthanivas

Outline of tourism in India

References
  1. Sutaria, Dipani (2007). "Irrawaddy Dolphins - India" (PDF). Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  2. Chilika Development Authority. "Eco Tourism". Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
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