Orissa Temples and Beach with Kolkata

Arrive Kolkata by flight . You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Kolkata for 02 nights. Kolkata, formally Calcutta, the largest metropolis in India is a vibrant city of joy, stretched along the eastern bank of the Hoogly River (a branch of the Ganges). Calcutta was the capital of the British India till 1912 and still has a Victorian imprint on its structures and streets. A walk along the city streets will take you on a journey through time. The stern old buildings in the midst of new and more colorful ones, tell you the story of the generations gone by and more to come. A hub of activity in the fields of arts, music, theatre and sports, the city prides itself on the many luminaries it has sent forth.

You will be met and transferred from your hotel to Kolkata airport for your flight departing to Bhubaneswar. On arrival you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar for 03 nights.Bhubaneswar city is an historic city and is one of the first two planned capitals of independent India. Bhubaneswar city was planned by the famous Otto H. Koeignsberger and is renowned for being one of the best planned cities in India. Capital city of Orrisa State, Bhubaneswar is situated on the banks of the rivers Kuakhi and Daya.Densely covered by coconut palms and threaded together by soft creamy sands and calm lagoons, Lakshadweep is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction for the calm lagoons, Lakshadweep is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction for the domestic as well as the foreign traveler. The unique charm perhaps lies in their seclusion, away from the madding crowds of cities or tourists and in its small native population.

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Bhubaneswar city, visiting local temples.Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, is dedicated to Harihar or 'Half Shiva and Half Vishnu', is the typical representation of the Orissan temple architecture. The deity enshrined in temple is also known as "Tirubhuvaneshwar", which means "Lord of the Three Worlds". Though the parts of this temple are more than 1400 years old, the temple was built from 1090 AD to 1104 AD. Among the original structure are the mandap and garbhagriha while the natmandir and bhogmandir are the later addition. The outer walls of the temple are profusely sculpted with of birds, animals, floral motifs, human figures in erotic postures and gods and goddesses. The lingam in the sanctum made of un-carved granite without any embellishment.The Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord Brahma, was built in the 11th century AD. It no longer has the presiding deity and thus is longer used for worship. The temple is noteworthy for the 59 ft high tower as well as exceptional sculptural art depicting floral patterns, gajasimha and erotic postures of nayikas, nymphs and mithuna couple. The temple derived its name from the local red-gold colored stone called Rajraniya, which was used to construct the temple.

Same day excursion to Nandankanan Biological Park.Nandankanan that got it’s name from ‘Nandan Van’ meaning- the ‘Garden of God’, tempts you to come here again and again.Nandankanan is a premier large zoo and one of the finest zoos of it’s kind in the country. Nandankanan Zoological Park amidst natural forest along the banks of Kanjia lake, spreading over a large expanse of undulating topography with forests, water bodies and natural features, is set in a beautiful natural setting. Nandankanan was established on 29th December, 1960. The zoo covers an area of 3.62 Sq.Km while Nandankanan Sanctuary (Zoo together with Kanjia lake and Botanical Garden notified as sanctuary on 3rd August, 1979) occupies an area of 4.37 Sq.Km.Over 1200 wild animals of different groups of animals (reptiles, birds and mammals) are housed in the zoo. A number of species of fishes may be seen in Aquarium. 98 species of free living wild animals are found in the sanctuary area. The floral diversity of Nandankanan manifests itself in 424 species of plants of 87 families.

After breakfast depart by road Puri enroute visiting Konark (The Sun Temple), a journey of about four hours. Overnight in Puri for 03 nights.Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.Legend has it that Samba, the king of Krishna and Jambavati entered the bathing chamber of Krishna's wifes, and was cursed by Krishna with leprosy. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri. Accordingly Samba reached Konaditya Kshetra and discovered an image of Surya seated on the lotus, worshipped him and was relieved of his curse.It is said that the temple was not completed as conceived because the foundation was not strong enough to bear the weight of the heavy dome. Local beleif has it that it was constructed in entirety, however its magnetic dome caused ships to crash near the seashore, and that the dome was removed and destroyed and that the image of the Sun God was taken to Puri.

Early morning visit of Puri Jagannath Temple (Non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple. They can see from the top if the Raghunandan Library at 09.30 hours to 1230 hours). Visit of Gundicha Mandir, Narendra tank. Afternoon visit Raghurajpur the Artisan’s village (Patta panting, Palm Leaf writing, Stone curving).Puri is an ancient shrine, enshrining Krishna - Jagannath in the form of a wooden image. Also enshrined are wooden images of Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra brother and sister of Krishna respectively. Interestingly, the Rig Veda refers to Purushottama in the form of a wooden image, prepared from a log of wood floating on the ocean. Puri is also referred to in the Bhrama purana.The Temple: The vast temple complex occupies an area of over 400000 square feet, and is bounded by a 20 feet high fortified wall. This complex contains about 120 temples and shrines. The shikhara of the Jagannath temple towers to a height of 192 feet.Structurally the temple has four chambers. The outermost is the Bhogmandir, the next is the Nata-mandir pillared hall for music and dance, the next is the Jagamohana - or the mandapa where devotees gather for worship and the last is the sanctum or the Deul enshrining the deities.History: The temple was originally built by the Kalinga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga (1078 - 1148 CE). Much of the present structure was built by King Ananga Bhima Deva in the year 1174 CE. It took 14 years to complete and was consecrated in 1198 CE. It is believed that the image of Jagannath was buried thrice in the Chilka lake for protection from invaders.Raghurajpur pattachitra painting village. Raghurajpur- half hour drive from Puri. The Patachitras- traditional folk paintings make beautiful wall hangings that lend a mystic touch to any decor. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km away from the main road leading to Puri and is convenient to visit. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete without a visit to this little village.

Early morning visit of Chilika Lake see migratory bird in winter, Chilika Mouth – meeting point with sea, wild dolphins. Afternoon is free on beach to see the open air market.The vast and dream like Chilika Lagoon is situated on the east-coast of India. It is the largest brackish Water Lagoon with estuarine character that sprawls along the east coast. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the hotspot of biodiversity in the country, and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened Animals inhabit in the lagoon for atleast part of their life cycle. The total number of fish species are reported to be 225 (Dean and Saaltink, 1991). Along with a variety of phytoplankton, algae and aquatic plants, the Lake region also supports over 350 species of non-aquatic plants (Panda and Pattnaik, 1988). By a recent phytodiversiy survey by CDA ( 2002) 710 number of plants identified from Chilika( within the waterbody, including the Islands and shoreline plants) . A survey of the fauna of Chilika carried out by the Zoological Survey of India in 1985-87 recorded over 800 species in and around the lagoon. This list includes a number of rare, threatened and endangered species, including the Barakudia limbless skink. On account of its rich bio-diversity, Chilika was designated as a "Ramsar Site", i.e. a wetland of International Importance. The Nalaban Island within the lagoon is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act, the National Wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs Committee of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, have also identified the lagoon as a priority site for conservation and management. The Lagoon is a highly productive ecosystem, with rich fishery resources. The rich fishing ground sustain the livelihood of more than 0.15 million fisherfolk who live in and around the Lagoon.

After breakfast depart by road to Bhubaneswar a journey of about 3 hrs on arrival you will be transferred to Bhubaneswar airport for your flight to onward destination.