Ode to Orissa

Konark Sun Temple, Orissa

Orissa is one of the many states I have travelled in India. From what I heard from my cousin and folklores, I gather that this state is one of the first few states to be formed based on language. It goes without saying that their love for Lord Jagannath is deeply rooted and nothing can take this place and the people away from Him; not the imperial British colonization, not the Mughal invasions, not the innumerous infusions by foreign organizations. These people are so staunch in their beliefs that they pride themselves on it.

I stayed in IIT Bhubaneshwar, which was moved to Jatani, 40-minute drive from Bhubaneshwar. The campus overlooked Barunei mountain. Legends have it that the first war against any invasion in India started from Orissa warriors. One more shocking news I learnt was that the warriors back then were actually women. As you can see from the souvenirs I bought, women soldiers of Orissa tribe led by the then Queen Baruni marched down Barunei mountain to fight against the British imperialism. 

Barunei hill, as seen from IIT Jatani

Orissa tribe date back centuries old and they are still close knit communities preserving their culture and language. They collectively put up handcrafts exhibitions in Konark Sun temple. This 13th century Kalinga architecture comes under UNESCO world heritage sites and is definitely a world wonder.

With my cute niece at Konark Sun Temple (PC: Srinivasa Ramanujam)

This was a budget travel, although I didn't plan it that way intentionally. Two main reasons why my trip to Orissa came under very nominal budget were, I stayed at my cousin's for one and the cost of living even for tourists is very nominal. Normally, tourist spots are over charged all over the world for maintenance purposes. In Orissa, the tourism is not promoted as much. The bus/train connectivity to tourists spots (except Puri Jagannath temple during the Ratha Yatra) is also not up to the mark. There are very few hotels to stay in, and fewer restaurants to dine in, let alone good ones.

Lord Jagannath's chariot at Puri RathaYatra

I wish to visit Orissa once again to cover the other places that I couldn't last time - Chilika lake: the largest salt water lake, Lingaraj temple, Rajarani temple, Yogini temple at Hirapur en route to Puri, Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves etc.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Early morning flight to Bhubaneshwar, Konark Sun Temple, Puri beach and Pipili village

Day 2: Ratha Yatra at Puri

Day 3: Chilling in IIT Jatani under the foothills of Barunei hills

Day 4: Flight back to home

Damage to pocket: 6000 INR per person (flight tickets only)