Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Chilka, Puri Odisha India

Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, which falls under the Chilika lagoon, is situated some 100 km away from Bhubaneswar.

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Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lake

Asia’s largest brackish water lake, Chilika, is located about 100 km from Bhubaneswar. A narrow isthmus separates Chilika from the waters of the Bay of Bengal. Spread over an area of 1,100 sq km it was declared a sanctuary in 1987. Winter is the loveliest time at Chilika, with thousands of migratory birds flying in from as far off as Siberia to make their winter sojourn in strange waters. The waters come alive with their raucous cries and colourful plumage as the birds battle to find space to make their new homes. While the lake's Nalbana island has been declared a sanctuary for its varied flora and fauna, Kalijai island is home to Goddess Kalijai and venue for annual Makar mela. Chital and black buck roam freely on the scrubby shores while dolphins gambol playfully in the foam of the churning waters.Visitors can hire boats at Barkul, Balugaon, Rambha and Satapara to enjoy the lake.

Konark - Sun Temple - Chariot Of Sun

This crowning piece of Orissan Architecture and Sculpture, built in the 13th century A.D., the golden era of Orissan art, is a poetry in stone and a world heritage monument. The Mukhashala, or entrance hall continues to interest both devotees and visitors. The walls of this magnificent ruin have exquisite sculptures covering many aspects of life. Scenes of love and war, trade and court transactions, hunting, catching of elephants, teaching of sages, amorous dalliances, dancers and mythical figures- all vie for attention on the panels and niches of this immortal work of art. Surasundaris, heavenly damsels, freestanding, larger-than-life monoblock female statues playing the cymbals, drums, flutes or trumpets, adorn the top of the temple. Beautifully-carved couples engaged in myriad modes of amorous union, with their incomparable charms, are also attractions for connoisseurs of art as well as ordinary visitors.

Everyday the Sun God rises from the lap of the blue ocean close by and casts His first gentle rays on the sanctum sanctorum and then circles the temple during the course of the day, illuminating the three magnificent images of the Morning Sun, the Mid- day Sun and the Setting Sun. The colossal figures of the war elephants holding aloft a dazed soldier or the lions guarding the entrance to the temple

or the enraged war-horses trampling under their .. hooves a fallen warrior- the last fittingly chosen as the emblem of the State- are a testimony of Orissa's war time glory. And above all, the twenty four giant wheels of this temple- chariot, symbolizing the divisions of time with their intricate carvings on the spokes and the axle- heads, the seven caparisoned horses representing seven colours of the Sun, the Nabagraha or Nine- .planet panel are living pieces of the glory of Orissa's past, frozen for a moment on the shores of time. Konark is a many splendoured gem of Orissan art. Its beauty is not for description in words, It is to be seen, enjoyed and savoured, not once but again and again, for it is truly a thing of beauty, a joy for ever.

Konark Festival The Konark Festival held from 1 st to 5th December every year in the amphitheatre is a most exciting dance events of the country The festive nights serve the essential purpose of highlighting an important facet of lndia's composite culture. The immense backdrop of the Sun Temple looks breathtaking when illuminated in the evenings. Museum Run by Archaeological Survey of lndia, the Museum has an excellent collection of sculptures from the temple ruins.

The Beach A short walk, ride or drive from Konark, takes one to the beach known as Chandrabhaga,unspoilt by time and men. Quieter than Puri beach, it offers beautiful sunrise and sunset.

Other Attractions :

Ramchandi (8 km)

Temple of Goddess Ramachandi on the confluence of river Kushabhadra with the sea and also a nice picnic spot.

Beleswar (20 km)

Saiva shrine and sea beach.

Balighai (25 km)

Sea beach and Sea Turtle Research Centre.

Kapileswar (10 km)

Saiva shrine on desolate sand dunes.

Kurum (8 km)

Excavated Buddhist site.

Kakatpur (25 km)

Shrine of Goddess Mangala on river Prachi.

Chourasi (35 km)

Temple of Goddess Barahi, a typical order oJ temple architecture.

Approach

Rail/Road:

The nearest railheads are Bhubaneswar and Puri. 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from Puri on Marine Drive, Konark is connected by good all-weather motorable roads. Public and Tourist bus services and taxis are available.

Air:

Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport- 65 Km. Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai.

Puri - Sankhaketra - Place Of Lord Jaganath

A heaven on earth is the common description of Puri. Both the devout and the pleasure-seeker bestow such praise on the place. The world's biggest Vishnu temple dividing the skyline through a host of smaller temples overlooking Puri's wide, sprawling, clean, sunny, buoyant, and vibrant beach, which too is one of world's finest of its kind are its chief attractions.

Places of interest in Puri

The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D.

Some of the other important temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of touristic interest.

Approach

By air to Bhubaneswar (Puri is 62 km from Bhubaneswar), road and rail.

Excursions in Puri

Balighai (8 km)

The Casuarina fringed Balighai beach is a famous picnic spot. The Sun and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.

Brahmagiri (25 km)

Brahmagiri is known for the living shrine of Alarnath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alarnath during Anabasara of Lord Jagannath. Nearby is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the solitary sand dunes.

Satyabadi (20 km)

Satyabadi or Sakshigopal is known for the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km away from the main road leading to Puri and is convenient to visit.

Baliharachandi (27 km)

27 km to the south-west of Puri is the temple of Baliharachandi. Situated on a sandy hill near the sea and adjacent to the mouth of the river Bhargavi, Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is ideal for group picnic.

Raghurajpur (16 km)

One of the most famous artists village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not only of the exquisite pattachitra's and talapattachitra's, but also of being the native place of Guru kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the tutelage of renowned Guru's, young boys can be seen practicing the Gotipua dance here. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete without a visit to this little village.

Orissa Reachable

Orissa is Situated on the coast along the Bay of Bengal, Orissa stands for its ancient glory and modern endeavour. Endowed with nature's bounty, a 482 km stretch of coastline with virgin beaches, serpentine rivers, mighty waterfalls, forest-clad blue hills of Eastern Ghats with rich wild life, Orissa is dotted with exquisite temples, historic monuments as well as pieces of modern engineering feat. The land, while retaining its pristine glory, also offers the visitors modern amenities.

Its lush green countryside and fertile plains, tiny hamlets fringed with palm, coconut trees and mango groves offer the charm of rural beauty while the urban pockets, the four cities in particular, with the splendour of modern technology provide the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay.

This wonderful land of fascinating beauty boasts of colourful festivals round the year. Orissa is also the land of unique handicrafts and other excellent artefacts.

Orissa has a long tradition of art and architecture. The early monuments date back to the third century B.C. The remnant of an Ashokan pillar, turned into a Siva Lingam and enshrined in the Bhaskaresvara temple at Bhubaneswar and the lion capital of an Ashokan pillar, presently in the State Museum, speak volumes of Orissa's past glory.

The rock-cut caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri and the inscriptions recording Kharavela's short but eventful reign during the first century B.C. constitute the second phase of the evolution in Orissan art. The Naga and Yaksha images found in places around Bhubaneswar belong to the post-Kharavela era. The fortification of Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar is yet another monument of ancient Orissa.

Orissa is also known for her exquisite handicrafts. Silver filigree work of Cuttack, horn work of Cuttack and Parlakhemundi and the famous applique work of Pipili deserve special mention. Pattachitra, a form of folk painting of Orissa, is a unique craft. Brass and bell metalware, particularly vases and candle stands, are beautiful and longlasting.

The blackstone bowls and plates of Nilagiri and Khiching and multi-coloured stone statues are other attractions. Silk and cotton handloom products, especially saris are simply bewitching. The Sambalpuri saris and Maniabandhi patas are matchless in their texture and designs.