The Udayagiri caves are wonderfully carved and were used by Jain ascetics. The caves are cut out into rocks on a hill and are of various sizes and shapes. One has a facade of an elephant while Rani Gumpha is a major attraction due to the sheer intricacy. There are many other caves haphazardly distributed on the face of the hill. The scattered location actually adds to its charm. Apart from the caves, the hill itself is a nice spot of scenic beauty. Monkeys are all over the place, and you can feed them peanuts.
Dhaulagiri is located on the banks of the river Daya, 8 km south of Bhubaneswar. It is a hill with vast open space adjoining it, and has major Edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock, by the side of the road leading to the summit of the hill.
In Kalinga Edict VI, he expresses his concern for the “welfare of the whole world”. The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal’s foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement.
On the top of the hill, a dazzling white peace pagoda has been built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in the 1970s.
The Buddhist Excavation of Ratnagiri has some amazingly beautiful 10th century A.D. excavations which have been preserved well. However, the signage is most preliminary and does not give any information on historical significance of the excavated structures.
There is a museum on the site which is no better than the excavation site. The exhibition galleries also do not provide much information.
6. Tribal heritage
There are more than 60 tribal communities in Orissa. These natives with their traditional ways dwell in the remote, deep forests and hilly interiors. Most of them are in the southwestern part of the state.
Visiting the tribes can be a fascinating experience, but you’ll need to go on an organised tour. Some tribal areas are quite inaccessible and require permits, and the language barrier is ever present. During a tribal tour of Orissa, you’ll get to mix with the local tribal people and learn their lifestyles. Tours run for at least five nights/six days, due to the amount of travel involved.
These areas hold weekly markets where traditional tribal jewellery is sold. The Adivasi Mela is held every year in Bhubaneshar where various tribal communities present the rich mosaic of their culture and heritage.
7. Lake Chilika
Chilika is Asia’s largest brackish water lake and lagoon and is an ecological kaleidoscope in itself. It plays host to several types of fish, migratory birds and if you’re lucky you might just spot a dolphin!
Activities out here include camping, bird watching cruises, and boat trips to the several islands that dot the lake.
8. Ekamravan Medicinal Plant Garden, Bhubaneshwar
Literally translated as “one mango tree forest”, it is situated on the left bank of the Bindusagar Lake. The features of the garden are raised platforms dedicated to Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha and the historical Buddhist site of Lalitgiri. Ayurveda enthusiasts are encouraged to visit due to the variety of medicinal herbs that grow there. The landscaping has been done beautifully.
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