Odisha, formerly written as Orissa, is a state located in the eastern part of India. Regarding tourism, this state has a rich tribal culture to share with its visitors and magnificent Hindu Temples that date back many years. People often call Odisha “India’s best-kept secret”, and here you will be able to experience spirituality alongside historic architecture and landscapes.
Through this blog, we will help you to plan your next trip to Odisha. So, scroll down to know about the 20 best places to visit in Odisha.
Odisha is packed with a vibrant cultural history. This state houses temples that exhibit stunning architectural excellence. Additionally, the beaches along the coastline are delightful. Over the course of this blog, we will cover the top 20 tourist places in Odisha so that you can know more about this state.
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, is sometimes known as the temple city of India because of the plethora of ancient temples. It is a lively city that is rich in culture. This city is one of the pillars of the Golden Triangle of traditions and cultures of East India.
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Puri or Jagannath Puri is a must-visit pilgrimage for almost all Hindus as the Jagannath Temple is one of the holy places or Dhams in Char Dham Yatra. It celebrates the largest Rath Yatra in the country. This beach city of Odisha is situated 60 km away from capital city, Bhubaneswar. There are a lot of famous places in and around Puri that you must visit while you come here for pilgrimage.
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Cuttack is Odisha's cultural capital and has numerous tourist attractions. Even though it is the cultural capital, it is also a commercial city. People have nicknamed this place the Silver City due to the abundance of silver works that take place in this city. Furthermore, if you travel in January, you will get to attend many festivals that exclusively take place here.
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Konark is famous worldwide because this is where the iconic Sun Temple is located. This SUN Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It depicts the extraordinary architecture of 13th century. Besides marvelling at the beautiful architecture, tourists can visit the pristine and clear beaches in Odisha. Here they can dip their feet in soft sand and enjoy the views of crystal-clear sea.
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Rourkela is also popularly referred to as the Steel City of India or Ispat Nagar because this was among the first few cities that had commercialised steel production in India. Hills and rivers surround this beautiful city that falls under Sundergarh district. Moreover, Rourkela holds much religious significance to Hindus as it prominently appeared in both Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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Chandipur is a quaint seaside village from where one can witness the beautiful coastline of Odisha. Tourists come here to see the spectacular beaches and breathtaking sunset and sunrise views.
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Baripada is among the famous places in Odisha, and it welcomes visitors from Odisha and other parts of India. Furthermore, Baripada is Dwitiya Srikhetra because it hosts the second oldest and largest Rath Yatra after Puri. Another speciality of Baripada's Rath Yatra is that only women pull Maa Subhadra's Rath. We suggest you visit Baripada during the Rath Yatra to be a part of this unique spiritual experience.
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Gopalpur once used to be a busy seaport during the colonial era. Even though the port has been deserted, Gopalpur is still a prominent coastal town in eastern India. Here visitors can enjoy a serene lifestyle for a few days and enjoy the magnificent sea view.
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Sambalpur has abundant rivers, lavish hills, lush green forests, and abundant wildlife. It serves as the entry point to Odisha's western zone. Furthermore, it has a flourishing handloom and textile industry that grows yearly. Sambalpur also has a lot of historical significance as the location of several skirmishes during the struggle for independence of India. Thus, this place is a great mix of modernity and culture.
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Berhampur is famous for its amazing silk Ikkat sarees, and that's why people often refer to this place as Odisha's silk city. This place is also home to the Hindu deity, Lord Brahma and this is where this place gets its name. Alongside the numerous temples, there are also many beaches where people can come and relax.
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Balangir or Bolangir is a small town in Odisha that is a marketplace for agricultural products and a centre of handicrafts in this state. This town was the capital of the feudatory state Patna during the 1880s. Furthermore, Gandhamardhan hills are found on the northwestern side of this town. As a result, many hill streams pass through this town.
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This small town on river Daya's bank is just 8 km away from Odisha's capital. Dhauli is significant for Buddhists and holds historical significance because this place has witnessed Ashoka's reformation into a non-violent ruler.
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This city is located in Odisha's southern region and is very close to Andhra Pradesh. Jeypore is one of Odisha's largest ciiesy, and people often visit this place to see its freshwater lakes, valleys and waterfalls. Additionally, this city is home to 62 indigenous communities like Dhruba, Koya, Gond and Paraja.
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Daringbadi is the mini-Kashmir of Odisha, as this hilly town is no less than paradise. Moreover, this hill station is at an altitude of 3000 feet above sea level. It is said that if you want to feel the natural and beauty of Odisha, then Daringbadi should be in your travel itinerary. This place is a hidden gem, but it offers its visitors many amazing experiences.
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Rayagada is a district in southern part of Odisha and is famous for its longest human history in this state. This place is famous for its Lord Shiva Temple, and the lavish Shivaratri festival celebrated here. Tourists will find ample natural beauty in Rayagada with dense forest and wildlife.
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Barbil is one of the best tourist places in Odisha if you want magnificent waterfalls. This place is located on the banks of River Karo near Keonjhar. Barbil is a lesser-known tourist destination, but it offers incredible views and provides refuge from the busy city life.
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Pipili was established during Somavamsi dynasty in 10th century AD, and here you will find some of the best appliques for products like cushion covers and handbags. Locals also believe that the king of Puri employed artisans and craftsmen from this town to build the Jagannath Temple. Pipili is a must-visit place if you want to satiate the shopaholic in you.
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Balasore or Baleswar is a major city in Odisha and an economic and cultural hub of Northern Odisha. Many ruling dynasties like the Mughals, Marathas and British have annexed this city throughout its history. You will still find remnants of these dynasties in some of the architecture in Balasore.
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Bhadrak got its name from the Hindu Goddess Bhadrakali. In history, this place is well known for housing places like Gohiratikiri, Rakta Tritha Earm and Sahidnagar, all important sites of struggle for independence. Bhadrak has also contributed hugely to agricultural and maritime trade both in past and present.
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Malkangiri is one of the most beautiful places in Odisha to visit if you want to explore dense forests, undulating plateaus, rivers and incredibly rich tribal culture. This place also houses an ancient Shiva Temple now submerged in Chitrakonda Reservoir. It is believed that Sri Chaitanya Deva had also visited this second oldest Lingaraj of Odisha.
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