Odisha Cultural Heritage and Tribal Authenticity

Day 1 Arrive Bhubaneswar
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. Meet and greet on arrival at Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Hotel Check in 14:00 hrs / Check-out 12:00 hrs
Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples.It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters.
Afternoon proceed to visit the ancient Jain caves of Khandagiri-Udayagiri.
Visit the ancient caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri which were carved and tunneled, to 
create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Odishan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC. Kharavela was a king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty, who is known for expansion of the Kalinga empire and his installation of public improvements, such as canal systems. His queen was evidently quite a patron of the arts, and probably had much to do with the impressive sculptural decoration of the caves.      
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel- Bhubaneswar
 
Day 2 Tuesday Bhubaneswar
After breakfast proceed to visit the Chausathi Yogini temple at Hirapur with countryside walk.
Driving through the beautiful scenery of Bhubaneswar’s rural side, comes a beautiful and ancient temple- Chausathi Yogini. The temple mesmerizes us with its intricate sculptures and carvings. What will catch your attention more is its cultural importance and historical significance. 
Believed to have been built in the 9thcentury, Chausathi Yogini Temple is dedicated to the 64 manifestations of Goddess Shakti who symbolises female energy. Historians speculate that it was during the reign of the Bhaumakaras that Rani Hiradei commissioned the construction of a Tantrik Temple committed to the worship of 64 Yoginis.The cult of Yoginis was very powerful between the 9th and 12th centuries in India. Since the Tantrik movement was of primitive nature with its ideas on the efficacy of magical spells, rituals, sounds and gestures, it was conjectured that the practise had had its roots in the rural or tribal culture. The rationale, thus, is the location of the Yogini group of temples in India which mostly are in the heart of the Gondwana forests of Central India resided by diverse tribes.
Activity : Spend your day interaction and participation in the religious activity of the temple with the local priest . The aura of the temple premises, even today, does take one in a mysterious ride to the time when Tantrik practise was strong and intense along its walls.
Later   proceed for a heritage trail of the ancient temples in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar explore the temple city where you see incredible architecture and connect with the locals for an immersive experience on their local  lifestyles. 
As you wander through its labyrinthine lanes, you’ll encounter magnificent temples adorned with intricate carvings, each a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the past. Bhubaneswar’s Old town is a captivating journey through time, where the sacred Bindusagar Lake mirrors the skies and adds a tranquil touch to the surroundings.
Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11^th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Bindusagar Lake lying to the north of the Lingaraja Temple, is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhubaneswar. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside) . Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Mukteshwar Temple belonging to the 10^th -11^th Century is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar. The 34ft high temple stands gracefully with an elegant torana(arch)in the front. In totality , the decorative designs present magnificent work of visual art . Parashurameswar Temple, built in 650 AD, is one of the oldest temples existing in Bhubaneshwar. The temple is profusely sculptured with amorous couples,animals and floral designs. It has a small but richly decorated shrine of Lord Shiva.
Afternoon visit the Tribal Museum in the city of Bhubaneswar .
The Tribal Museum located at the CRP Square in Bhubaneswar, was established in 1953. Today the museum is a major site of tourist interest as it gives an insight into the life of a tribal. On display are immaculate replicas of tribal huts of various tribal communities and artefacts collected from different tribal groups in Odisha.On display are the way of life of a tribal in the region which includes their attire, traditions, ornaments, food habits. The museum also displays replicas of Tribal dwellings and artefacts.The museum displays elements of anthropological interest and gives an insight on the different stages of evolution of tribal cultures.
Opening and Closing Time – 10.00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Weekly Holidays: Closed on Mondays, National and State Government holidays. Photography restriction in the galleries.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel- Bhubaneswar
 
Day 3 Bhubaneswar- Daringbadi 255 kms /5.5 hrs 
After breakfast drive to Daringbadi drive to the tribal heartland of Odisha en-route visiting typical rural farming villages and the small weaving village of Itamati to see the weaving of traditional local towels daily worn by the community- you will enjoy an interaction and may also participate and learn a technique of this age old weaving tradition.
Daringbadi situated at an altitude of 3000 ft in the Kandhamal district, this hill station holds great appeal for those with an appreciative eye for exquisite beauty. Untainted by commercial tourist development, the place is beautified by the pristine valleys as well as pine and coffee gardens. Thick rainforests teem with wild animals. The place is gifted with natural bounties such as pine jungles, coffee gardens and beautiful valleys.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel-Daringbadi 
 
Day 4 Daringbadi 
After breakfast explore the region of Daringbadi and Baliguda with visit to the local Kutia Kondh tribe community and interaction, village walking to the Dhokra craft community
Kandhamal is bestowed with the beauty of nature. It has wild life, scenic beauty, healthy climate, and serpentine ghat roads for the tourists. It has attractions, like panoramic coffee gardens, pine jungles, Ghat roads, hills and water falls, virgin forest and typical tribal village life. Almost 66 percent of the land area of the District is covered with dense forests and towering mountains rich in green meadows at the attitude of 2000 feet to 3000 feet, the terraced valleys thronged with these colourful tribal in their natural heritage, dancing and sporting has its own appeal.
The Kondh ethnic group; they are one of the most ancient tribes, direct descendant of the pre-Aryan world, which still faithfully preserves the culture and traditions, and is totally dedicated to rituals and ceremonies. Mainly settled farmers, they cultivate rice and vegetables, own numerous buffaloes from which they obtain milk and cheese, live in long, low houses built on the hills and arranged around a square dominated by a sacrificial altar. 
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel-Daringbadi
 
Day 5 Daringbadi – Chilika Lake- Puri 
Today morning after breakfast check-out and proceed to Puri en-route visit of Lake Chilika. 
A vast lake along the eastern cost of Odisha with beautiful islands, migratory birds wading in the shallow waters and the air echoing with the chirping of birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central and South-East Asia, that’s the breath-taking beauty of Chilika-Asia’s largest brackish water estuarine lake. Lake Chilika sprawls over an area of 1100 sq.km covering parts of three districts of Odisha i.e. Puri on the east, Khurdha on the North and Ganjam on the South. It’s a haven for bird-watchers / nature lovers. Abounding in unique flora and fauna, Chilika supports the livelihood of more than hundred thousand families living in and around it. 
Winter ( Mid-Nov-Mid Feb) is the best time to visit Chilika as over hundred  species of migratory birds flock the islands during this time of the year.
Manglajodi – Lake Chilika
A community owned and managed wildlife conservation venture, Mangalajodi Ecotourism is your destination to get a peep into Mother Nature. Mangalajodi is a village located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha, ‘The Bird’s Paradise’ hosts more than 3,00,000 birds in its marshy waters, especially in winters. Mangalajodi also represents one of its kind ecosystems, whose protection is epitomized by a sustainable lifestyle that is at a brink of extinction in urban settings. Enjoy a country boat ride with interaction – an hour with the local fishermen community. 
After visit proceed to your hotel in Puri and check-in. All hotels in Puri have check-in / check-out at 08:00 hrs.
For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt. The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Odisha, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holidaymakers having entire stretch of the beach to themselves is not uncommon. The local fishermen, with their catamarans and wide brimmed cane hats are welcomed by tourists. Later in the day experience local cycle rickshaw ride on the heritage Grand Road.  Visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. This 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath –“The Lor d of the Universe”. The wooden figures of the three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra stand in the sanctorium garlanded and decorated by the high priests.  
(Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from outside across the street). 
Wander away into the narrow lanes of the old Puri roads as you take a thrilling cycle rickshaw ride. Interact with the local temple priest and immerse yourself in the religious fervor of this holy city. 
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel-Puri
 
Day 6 Puri-Konark-Puri 70 kms/1.5 hrs 
After breakfast morning excursion to proceed to Konark to see the magnificent Sun Temple and later in the day the heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur
The Konark Sun Temple.
Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved – symbolizing the march of time, lies in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand three kilometres from the sea, but originally it was reported to be closer for which it was used as a navigational point by European sailors, who referred to it as the ‘Black Pagoda’. This 13th century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobel Laureate & Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘here the language of stone surpasses the language of man’. It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words. 
Also visit the local Fisherman’s village and interact with the local community. 
Later in the day visit Raghurajpur heritage crafts village.
The big attraction at Raghurajpur and nearby villages is that the whole village community is involved in making some kind of handicraft. Many have even won national awards for their work. There are just over 100 households and 300 artisans in the village.  The economic, social and cultural life of this village revolves around arts and crafts with at least one member from almost every family involved in the arts. There is an informal division of work in the family and every member is engaged in doing something or the other related to paintings. While the men folk and the boys work on the paintings, the women are busy preparing the canvas, boiling the gum or powdering the pigments in a mortar.
You can wander around, check out the beautiful painted murals on the houses, chat to the friendly artisans and see them in action!  Pattachitra traditional cloth paintings are a specialty in the village, but the artisans make a wide variety of items including the palm leaf engravings, stone carvings, wood carvings, and wooden toys. 
Diner and Overnight at Hotel-Puri
 
Day 7 Puri-Bhubaneswar departure – 65 kms/1.5 hrs 
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik International airport for departure with lots of memories to cherish for a life time!