Orissa
From World travel guide
Orissa is a state in Eastern India.
Contents |
Regions
Cities
- Bhubaneswar -- state capital and transporation hub.
- Puri is on the train route from Delhi and Kolkata. Local people are usually happy to suggest places ot visit. Chilika lake is beautiful but quite a distance by road, and many roads in Orissa are not in good condition.
- Cuttack -the old capital of orissa
- Rourkela - also known for its steel and fertilizer plants
Other destinations
Understand
Orissa borders on the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the poorest in the country, though there are regional disparities. The eastern part, close to the sea is more prosperous, with a lot of tourist locations and religious places. The western part is a tribal belt, poor and neglected.
Historically, Orissa descended from the historical kingdom of Kalinga. The script for the Oriya language has hailed from Kalinga script which is one of the descendants of the Brahmi script.
Talk
Oriya is the local language but many people in Bhubaneswar speak some English.
Get in
By train
There are regular trains from Delhi, Kolkata Andhra Pradesh and Madras. For the south bound trains from chennai which go to kolkata via orissa, the passing via Mahanadi river gives an excellent view.
By plane
There is also a domestic airport in Bhubaneswar with flights operated by Indian (formerly known as "Indian Airlines") and Sahara.
Get around
By taxi
By autorickshaw
- Private rickshaws cost less than regular taxis but you will have to squash up with whoever else gets inside.
See
Do
There are two fantastic beach resorts in Orissa, Jagannath Puri and Gopalpur.
- Jagannath Puri (approximately 1 and a half hours or 60 km from Bhubaneswar by bus, around RS 15) is a pilgrimage town with a famous temple of Jagannath (means Lord of the Universe). There are many hotels, most overseas tourists stay near to Chakratirtha Road (C.T. Road)or you can ask rickshaws for 'Sea Beach Road'.Some cheaper hotels are Hotel Puri and Hotel New Sea Hawk (in Swargadwar) The Sun temple at Konark is also near by. If you go to Puri by road from Bhubaneswar you will go past Pipli with its beautiful applique handicrafts, worth a look.
The beach is golden sand but the water is a bit rough (which may be good if you like to surf).
Buy
- The State Bank of India near No1 Market (Call it Eka number market) has good exchange rates and will change foreign currency/travellers cheques. UTI bank will also do this and has air conditioning,it is near to Rama Mandir.
Eat
Eat the rasagullas from the dhabas or the little snack stores set in freeways, it comes in yellow white and brown color and very delicious. Taste Chena Pod, Orissa's another traditional sweet.
Drink
Sleep
Stay safe
Beware of the man that comes with a book with different peoples names and nationalities as well as donations written in it, he is quite persuasive but you really don't have to give him a donation!(this is at the Lingaraj viewing platform)
Respect
Orissa is quite a traditional state so it is safer for women to dress conservatively.
Contact
Orissa has not been developed as much as other areas of India. There are Cyber cafes in some areas.
Get out
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