Odisha, a state located on India’s eastern coast, was once known as Kalinga in ancient times, famously invaded by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
Odisha’s history is as significant as its importance as a tourist destination.
This beautiful state is nestled along the coastline and boasts ancient and grand religious sites, along with several popular pilgrimage places. Odisha is often referred to as India’s treasure trove.
Famous Spiritual Sites
From the Jagannath Puri Temple to the Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha is home to many renowned pilgrimage sites.
If you’re planning a trip to Odisha and have limited time, it’s a good idea to plan your journey in advance.
Let’s explore how you can make the most of a two-day visit to Odisha and discover the most popular places.
Starting from Bhubaneswar
You can kickstart your journey from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Here, you’ll find some of the state’s best tourist destinations.
Upon reaching Bhubaneswar Airport or the railway station, you can explore attractions like Dhauli Hills, Udayagiri, and Khandagiri Caves.
Don’t miss visiting the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. Additionally, you can also visit the Nandankanan Zoological Park.
From Bhubaneswar to Puri
Puri is approximately 62 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, and you can reach it in about one and a half hours.
Puri is renowned for its beautiful temples, including the famous Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
After visiting the Jagannath Temple, you can explore other attractions in Puri, such as the Puri Beach, Chilika Lake, and Gundicha Temple.
Puri to Konark
A journey of about an hour will take you 33 kilometers away from Puri to the famous Sun Temple in Konark.
This temple is one of India’s Seven Wonders and is known for its exquisite architecture. People from all over the world come here to admire the temple’s intricate design.
You can also explore Chandrabhaga Beach while in Konark.
Odisha’s Most Famous Tourist Destinations
If you have more time to spare, you can explore Odisha’s most popular tourist destinations. Here is a list of some renowned places:
- Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
- Bhitarkanika National Park
- Tribal Museum in Bhubaneswar
- Bhubaneswar’s Dhauli Hills
- Simlipal National Park
- Chilika Lake
- Nandankanan Zoological Park
- Jagannath Puri Temple
- Konark Sun Temple
- Lingaraj Temple
- Hirakud Dam
