Khordha District - Tourist Attractions and Nearby Places of Interest

Tourist Attractions and Nearby Places of Interest

• Arikama : Village Arikama under Bolagarh block is famous for Maa Koshalsuni mandir in the forest. This green forest is protected by villagers of Arikama, Thanapalli etc. It is a picnic spot. The annual festival on Mahasthami, Raja festival, annual Yagna are some of the festivals observed by the villagers. It is around 28 km away from Khurda and lies on Rajsunakhala Dhalapathar Road. It is around 5 km from Dhalapathar & 9 km from Rajsunakhala.

• Atri (Hot Spring) : It is situated in the village of Baghamari, at the distance of 42 km from Bhubaneswar and nearly 14 km from Khordha bus stand. It is famous for its Sulfur-Water springs and a temple dedicated to Lord Hatakeswara (Lord Shiva).

• Banapur : Banapur is famous for Maa Bhagabati (one of the incarnation of Hindu Goddess Maa Durga) temple. One of the interesting thing on display is that of a heavy iron piece that floats on water.

• Barunei : This temple is situated on the famous Barunei hills. It is at a distance of 28 km from Bhubaneswar. Goddess Barunei is the famous deity of Khurda. A beautiful stream flows from the hills which is known as Swarna Ganga, which enhances the beauty of this place. This place is recognised as one of the most significant historic places of Orissa.

• Bhubaneswar : It is the Capital city of Orissa, which was also know in the ancient times as the Kingdom of Kalinga. Bhubaneswar, is popularly known as the Temple City of India due to its large number of ancient temples (most notable among them being Lingaraj Temple, Khandagiri, Kedar Gouri, Ram Mandir, etc.). This city also features attractions like: Orissa State Museum, Bindusagar Tank, Rabindra Mandap, Raj Bhavan, Legislative Assembly, Nandankanan, City Parks & Gardens, etc. This is one of the major shopping centers in Orissa.

• Chilika : Situated at a distance of 100 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, Chilika (or Chilka) lake is the largest lake of India. The lake is surrounded with natural scenic beauty. The Indian Naval Training center is also situated nearby. Several types of migratory birds visit Chilika with advent of different seasons (mostly during winter). The lake has been declared as a Bird Sanctuary by the Orissa State government. There are numerous islands within the lake, and one such picturesque island is called Kalijai, which hosts Kalijai Temple, an important place of worship for the nearby people.

• Deras & Jhumka : These are two beautiful picnic spots situated at a distance of 15 km from Bhubaneswar. They are two dams surrounded by a dense forest on three sides giving it the sense of exhilarating scenic beauty and is a very good picnic spot. It is very popular with the picnickers during winter season where thousands of picnickers flock there.

• Dhauligiri : It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Bhubaneswar. The rock edict of Dhauli bears the early history of Kalinga and this rock edict was engraved by Emperor Ashoka.

• Garamanitri : Garamanitri is famous for Ramchandi temple and is a picnic spot.

• Golabai : Golabai Sasan is known mostly from its medieval temple architecture. This settlement site is located on the left bank of the Mandakini (locally Mallaguni) river, near the Chilka lake. Trial excavations in 1991 showed a succession of Chalcolithic and Iron Age assemblages, presumably dating to the 2nd and 1st millennia BC.The pottery as dull red and grey wares. Ground lithics bring to mind those of East and South-east Asia. This site and Sankarjang are the main sites in Orissa which represent this time.

• Guapur: Located midway between Bhubaneshwar and Puri, this peaceful village is accessible through a road to the east of the highway. It is 20 kilometers from Bhubaneshwar. Beautiful rice paddy landscapes and serene temples await anyone who goes there.

• Hatabasta : Village Hatabasta (Srichandanpurpatna) is three km from Raj-Sunakhela and Famous for Goddess Maa Jogamaya. There is a big pond which is covered with lotus flowers in all season and very very beautiful known as Bada Pokhari where Lord Sapaneswar worshipped by the villager of Hatabasta. Many festivals are celebrated in this village such as "Jhamu Yatra","Rama Lila","Kartika Purnima "

• Kaipadar : Kaipadar is situated at a distance of 15 km from Khurda. A beautiful mosque is present here. This place is the meeting place of Hindus and Muslims.

• Khandagiri and Udayagiri : These twin hills are situated in Bhubaneswar. There are 117 caves in these twin hills. The Rani Gumpha is the largest cave in the Udaygiri hill. Another famous cave called the Hati Gumpha is also there where the rock is engraved with Hathigumpha inscription by King Kharavela. These caves contain a Barabhuja temple and a Jain temple.

• Lingaraj Temple : Lingaraj temple is the largest and most famous Lord Shiva temple in Orissa. A couple of other temples exist there around it.

• Maa Ugra Tara : This temple is located in between Rameswar chowk & chandpur (Tangi block) in NH-5 & 55 km from Bhubaneswar towards Balugaon & 35 km from Balugaon towards BBSR. It is beautiful natured location for picnic & also movie shooting. Maa ugratara is the deity of entire Tangi block. Nearby, there is a village named Bhusandpur is the largest village among Orissa. This place is famous for fishermen's ground, because Chilika lake is nearby to this village.

• Nandankanan Zoo : This is a famous Zoo of Orissa situated at a distance of 20 km from Bhubaneswar. It is famous for the Botanical garden, zoo and the natural lake. The recently opened Natural lion safari is the largest of its kind in India. The white tigers present here makes it unique across the world.

• Shishupalgarh : Situated at a distance of 13 km from Bhubaneswar. The ruined fort Shishupalgarh and ancient capital of Kalinga named Toshali are being discovered by the Archeological Survey of India.

• Shikhar Chandi : It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Bhubaneswar towards Nandankanan. A temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi on the hill top and the scenic beauty is the main attraction of this place.