Simlipal National Park became one of the Project Tiger reserves of India in 1973. It is spread over 2750sq.km in Mayurbhanj district adjoining Bihar and West Bengal. The park consists of hills and valleys, traversed by brooks, perennial rivers, and waterfalls. Influenced by the ecology of both the eastern and western parts of the subcontinent on account of its position, the confluence makes the forest home to exceedingly rare and diverse flora and fauna.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few sanctuaries in India, which has crocodiles and turtles as its prized attractions. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 650 sq km and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. The sanctuary is a protected zone for estuarine crocodiles. The sanctuary is also home to a number of birds and every year a large number of migratory birds come to nest into the mangrove area. The other animals that you can see at the Bhitarkanika sanctuary include King Cobra, Indian Python, and Water Monitor Lizard.
The Chilka Lake in Orissa is Asia's largest inland salt-water lagoon. Studded with small islands- including the picturesquely-named Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island- the lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. The pear-shaped lake spreads across 1,100 sq km, and has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna found in and around its brackish waters. An impressive array of bird life, both native and migrant, makes Chilka one of the best places in India for a bit of satisfying bird-watching.
Puri is most well known as an important Hindu pilgrimage center. The Jagannath Temple, one of the four most important Hindu pilgrimage sites or the chardham is located here. Also, Puri’s wonderfully wide white-sand beaches, fishing farms and superb resorts make it an inviting tourist destination. The surf on the beaches here is one of the best on the entire eastern coastline of India, and dawn is a breathtaking sight. Visiting the Lord Jagannath temple, walking on the beach and experiencing the beauty of the sunrise and sunset are probably some of the best things to do in Puri.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Orissa has many sites worth visiting. Many of the Hindus and the Buddhist flock to the city, a religious center. our trip to the city will cover the pilgrimages of all the religions whose common center happens to be the city of Bhubaneshwar. Your visit to the Parashurameshwara Temple will reveal the masterpiece of the Orissa style of temple architecture. Besides the great Hindu temples stand Buddhist shrines in and around the city of Bhubaneswar. The triangle of ancient Buddhist monuments at Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udaigiri at a distance of 90 kilometres from Bhubaneshwar.
Konark: The Sun Temple is the crowning glory of the temple architecture, which flourished in the 13th century Orissa. Tourists across the world travel to this temple site in large numbers. Also known as the 'Black Pagoda', the temple was built by Raja Narsimhadeva of the Ganga dynasty, The temple is in the form of a huge chariot, with 24 wheels. These wheels are pulled by seven straining horses. The temple has a three-tiered pyramidal roof topped off by a fine spire. The chariot of the Sun God represents the seven days of the week, and the 24 hours of the day, in its concept.
Adventure & Activities
Because of the proximity of the sea, Orissa had a variety of adventure sports related to water. Many such sports like water rafting, water skiing, diving, and yachting are popular in Orissa.