Odisha Travel Guide: Puri, Konark, Bhubaneswar, Chilika Lake and Travel Tips

Welcome to our Odisha travel guide. Odisha, on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is a land of great temples, long beaches, lagoons and living crafts. Here the old kingdom of Kalinga built some of India’s finest stone temples, and the Jagannath Temple in Puri still draws pilgrims from across the country. This guide covers the best places to visit, things to do, food, festivals, the best time to visit, how to get there and travel tips.

Odisha at a Glance

Here are the key facts in our Odisha travel guide.

• Capital: Bhubaneswar, the Temple City
• Airport: Bhubaneswar (BBI)
• Language: Odia; Hindi and English are widely understood
• Known for: the Jagannath Temple, the Konark Sun Temple, Chilika Lake, Odissi dance, Pattachitra and silver filigree
• Days needed: four to eight
• Best time: October to March

Bhubaneswar: The Temple City

Every Odisha travel guide starts in Bhubaneswar, the capital and home of hundreds of temples.

Lingaraj and the Old Temples

The 11th-century Lingaraj Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is the city’s greatest temple; only Hindus may enter, but there is a viewing platform outside. Nearby, the small Mukteswar Temple has a carved stone gateway, and the Rajarani Temple is famous for its carvings of women and musicians. Join an Ekamra heritage walk through the old town around the Bindu Sagar tank.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

These rock-cut caves were made for Jain monks more than two thousand years ago. Look for the Rani Gumpha with its carved friezes and the Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela.

Dhauli and the Museums

At Dhauli, a white peace pagoda stands on the hill above the plain where tradition says the Kalinga War was fought, beside rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka. Visit the Odisha State Museum and the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts.

Puri: The Jagannath Temple and the Beach

The next stop in this Odisha travel guide is Puri, one of the Char Dham of Hindu pilgrimage. The 12th-century Jagannath Temple is home to Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Only Hindus may enter, but anyone can feel the life of the Grand Road outside. In June or July, the deities ride huge wooden chariots along this road in the Rath Yatra. Then walk on the long beach, where fishermen bring in their boats at dawn.

Shamrock travel tip: leave phones, cameras and leather items in the car at the Jagannath Temple, and beware of touts offering quick darshan. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Konark: The Sun Temple

No Odisha travel guide is complete without Konark. Konark, about an hour from Puri, is home to the 13th-century Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built as the chariot of the Sun God, with 24 carved stone wheels and seven horses, and its walls are covered with carvings of dancers, musicians, animals and daily life. See the site museum, and walk to Chandrabhaga beach nearby.

Chilika Lake

Our Odisha travel guide also takes you to Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar wetland. Take a boat from Barkul or Rambha to Kalijai island, from Satapada to see Irrawaddy dolphins, or to the bird islands. From November to February, thousands of migratory birds winter here, and Mangalajodi is a favourite of bird watchers.

The Buddhist Diamond Triangle

Our Odisha travel guide also covers the Buddhist sites. About two hours north-east of Bhubaneswar, the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, called the Diamond Triangle, hold the ruins of monasteries, stupas and fine Buddha statues. Ratnagiri has a small site museum. With Dhauli, they make an Odisha Buddhist circuit that links well with Bodh Gaya.

Arts, Crafts and Culture

This Odisha travel guide would not be complete without Odisha’s crafts. In Raghurajpur, near Puri, every home paints Pattachitra cloth paintings and palm-leaf engravings, and young boys train in the Gotipua dance. Pipili is known for its bright appliqué work, and Cuttack for Tarakasi silver filigree. Odissi, one of India’s classical dances, was born in the temples of Odisha.

Wildlife and Nature

Nature lovers will find plenty in this Odisha travel guide:

• Bhitarkanika National Park: mangrove forest, saltwater crocodiles and boat safaris
• Similipal National Park: forests, waterfalls and wildlife in the north
• Olive ridley turtles: nest in large numbers on some beaches in late winter
• Chilika Lake: dolphins and migratory birds

Food in Odisha

Food is a highlight of any Odisha travel guide. Try the Mahaprasad, the temple food of Puri, served at Ananda Bazaar. Taste dalma (lentils with vegetables), pakhala (fermented rice) in summer, fresh seafood on the coast and sweets such as chhena poda and rasagola.

Festivals in Odisha

Plan your trip around these festivals from our Odisha travel guide:

• Rath Yatra: the chariot festival in Puri, in June or July
• Konark Dance Festival: classical dance against the Sun Temple, in December
• Durga Puja: in Cuttack, with silver filigree decorations, in autumn
• Raja: the festival of the earth and womanhood, in June

How to Reach Odisha

This part of our Odisha travel guide explains how to get there.

By Air

Bhubaneswar airport has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and other cities.

By Train

Bhubaneswar and Puri are well linked by train, including from Kolkata, Delhi and Varanasi.

By Road

Bhubaneswar to Puri takes about an hour and a half, Puri to Konark about an hour and Bhubaneswar to Chilika about two hours.

Best Time to Visit Odisha

Our Odisha travel guide suggests October to March, with mild days, migratory birds at Chilika and the Konark Dance Festival. April to June is hot and humid. July to September is the monsoon, but it is also the time of the Rath Yatra.

Odisha Travel Tips

Before you go, read these tips from our Odisha travel guide.

• Dress modestly at temples, and remove your shoes before entering.
• Non-Hindus cannot enter the Jagannath and Lingaraj temples.
• Use a registered guide at temples, and agree prices with touts and boatmen first.
• Swim only at guarded beaches, as the sea at Puri can be rough.
• Book Puri hotels early for the Rath Yatra, Christmas and New Year.

Odisha Travel Guide FAQs

How many days do I need in Odisha?

Four to five days for Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark and Chilika; a week to add the Buddhist sites.

What is the Golden Triangle of Odisha?

Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, the three great temple sites close to each other.

When can I see dolphins at Chilika?

Through most of the year at Satapada, best on calm mornings from October to March.

Is Odisha good for families?

Yes. Beaches, boat rides and short drives suit all ages.

Can I combine Odisha with Kolkata or Varanasi?

Yes, by train or flight. Both make a fine East India tour.

Ready-Made Odisha Tours

If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include hotels and transfers. See all our Odisha tour packages.

• 4-day Puri tour: Pipili, Chilika Lake and Konark from a base in Puri: our Puri tour package.
• 5-day Odisha tour: Bhubaneswar temples, Puri, Chilika Lake and Konark: the Odisha 4 nights 5 days tour package.
• 6-day Odisha tour: adds the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves and an Ekamra heritage walk: the Odisha 5 nights 6 days tour package.
• 8-day Odisha tour: adds the Buddhist Diamond Triangle, Raghurajpur and a night on Chilika Lake.
• 8-day Odisha Taj Mahal tour: Delhi and a Taj Mahal sunrise in Agra, then Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark.
• 10-day Odisha Golden Triangle tour: India’s Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with Odisha’s Golden Triangle of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark.

Plan Your Odisha Trip

We hope this Odisha travel guide helps you plan. Explore more of India with our Varanasi and Bodh Gaya guides, our Golden Triangle tour, our India spiritual tours, our cultural tours of India and all our India tour packages. Request your free quote

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