Orissa

Jagannath Temple

On the eastern coast of India, perpetually washed by the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, lies the many splendoured State of Orissa. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage of old world charms and bestowed liberally with the bounties of nature, sometimes tender, sometimes awe-inspiring, it is a kaleidoscope of past splendeours and present glamour, a fascinating state with unspolit beaches, sprawling lakes, luxuriant forests, teeming wildlife, superb monuments, exotic handicrafts, traditional tribes, colourful fairs and festivals, scintillating music and dances.

Traditionally known as the land of Lord Jagannath, Orissa is a potential State for tourists of various interests. The innumerable temples of Orissa scattered throughout the length and breadth of the State ranging from the miniature on the Mahendragiri to the gigantic Jagannath, Lingaraj and Sun Temple of the Golden Triangle have the magic touch to keep the visitors spell bound

Sambalpur and Sonepur

The Western parts of Orissa, Sambalpur and Sonepur can be called mini temple towns. They have developed a separate style of temple architecture which flourished during the Chouhan rules in Western Orissa. A special mention in this connection can be made of the leaning temple of Bimaleswar at Huma,30 Kms. from Sambalpur on the bank of the river Mahanadi.Out of four distinguished Yogini shrines of India, Orissa has the distinction of having two. One of them is at Hirapur near Bhubaneswar and the other at Ranipur Jharial in the district of Bolangir. At Ranipur Jharial the temple stands in close proximity of numerous Saiva shrines and a Vaishnaba shrine. This speaks of the cultural synthesis that existed in this region then.

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