Exploring the 15+ Best Places to Visit in Odisha

Odisha, primarily called Orissa, is the state of India with its great history and rich religiosity. It is situated in the northeastern part of India with neighboring states Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and also by the Bay of Bengal.

The coastal plains of the state bring forward many of the best places to visit for nature lovers, adventure seekers, spiritual souls, and newly-wed couples for honeymoon.

The present capital of the State is Bhubaneswar. The area covered by Odisha is about 60,000 square miles and has a population count of around 40,000,000.

There are various best places to visit in Odisha, including heritage sites, enchanting views, adventurous activities sites, beaches, sacred pilgrimages, and many sightseeing opportunities.

Most Recommended: Best tourist places to visit Andhra Pradesh

The best time to visit Odisha is during or with the start of the winter season, i.e., in the months of October to March. It’s quite uncomfortable to travel during monsoons and summer seasons.

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(1) List of Best Places to Visit in Odisha

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best tourist places in Odisha and what makes them so special.

Deomali Peak

Deomali Peak is the tallest peak in Odisha and the best place to visit in Odisha. Having an altitude of approximately 1600 meters. It is located near Doodhari village, 70 km away from Koraput district, Odisha.

It’s one of the best tourist places out there but is quite underrated; the Odisha Tourism Department has been putting a lot of effort into making it popular amongst tourists.

Also Read: Offbeat places to visit in Hyderabad

The whole mountainous area is covered with lush greenery, and one can capture the scenic beauty of the waterfalls and the surroundings from the top of the peak. Couples can spend quality time here, especially newly-wed couples, for their honeymoon.

Sambalpur

Sambalpur is one of the best tourist places to visit. This place is worth witnessing the perfect blend of culture and urbanization in a very charming way. The city is popular for its temples like Devi Samaleswari, majestic Hirakud Dam, handlooms and textile works, and shopping centers. March to September will be the best time to visit this city.

Cuttack

Being the cultural capital of Odisha, this commercial city has many tourist places. The city is also called ‘Silver City’ as it is famous for its silver work.

Cultural activities have their own significance here, like the celebration of Durga Pooja, the Kite Festival, Baliyatra, etc. Barabati Fort, Paradeep Beach, and Stone Revetment are some main attractions to visit here.

Rourkela

Rourkela, also titled the ‘Steel City of Odisha,’ is one of the first cities in India to become the first commercially producing steel.

Rourkela is beautifully surrounded by rivers and hills, giving a captivating experience to all the tourists and moments to cherish. This place has got a remarkable reputation in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Ghogar, Khandadhar Waterfall, and Vedvyas are some impressive tourist places to visit. October to March will be the best time to visit this place.

(2) Best Beaches to Visit in Odisha

Puri Beach

The city of Puri is one of the most pious places and is the place of many sacred temples. Many devotees visit this beach for the deep cleansing of their souls and mind.

Many sports activities can be performed on the beach, and the gorgeous sunset gives a panoramic view of the sky.

Chandipur Beach

Chandipur Beach is a tranquil beach located near Balasore village, Odisha. Interestingly, this beach is called a “hide and seek beach” because of its surprising nature of water, retracing its path nearly 5 kilometers, and when the water level comes to its original state, it brings fascinating red crabs and horseshoe crabs at the high tide time.

The place is perfectly suited to the people who want peace from this hustle and bustle world. This place is like a dream doorway for newly wedded couples for their honeymoon trip.

This place is not a commercialized one and offers picturesque views for creating dreamy moments.

Aryapalli Beach

Aryapalli Beach is located 30 kilometers from Berhampur and around 6 kilometers from Chhatrapur. The staggering waves with peaceful climate make it one of the best tourist spots to visit for a true nature lover.

The visitors can enjoy a facile body spa and sunbathe on this goldy-sandy beach. It also offers enthralling water sports for adventure seekers.

Gopalpur Beach

Gopalpur Beach is situated at the border of Andhra Pradesh and approximately 16 kilometers away from Berhampur. The town of Gopalpur is very colorful and is the place of fish-eating lovers more than anyone else.

It is one of the cleanest and bluest beaches of Odisha, with a lot of water sports to performing, plus the natural beauty consisting of the sandy beach with Palms, Coconut, and Casuarina trees gives mesmerizing views to observe and enjoy.

Paradeep Beach

Paradeep Beach is one of the commercial seaports of Odisha and is popularly significant because of its rich culture and heritage. This beach is located 125 kilometers and 94 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, respectively.

One can witness the splendid view of the conglomeration of the Mahanadi river and the Bay of Bengal here. It is one of the best tourist places for sunbathing and capturing the great sunrise and sunset.

Some other beautiful beaches are-

• Talasari Beach
• Beleswar Beach
• Ramchandi Beach
• Astaranga Beach
• Balighai Beach
• Chandrabhaga Beach
• Balramgadi Beach

(3) The Great Historical Places to Visit in Odisha

Sri Jagannath Puri Temple

Sri Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most pious pilgrimages for Hindus and is a part of the holy Char Dham Yatra.

The temple was constructed by King Indradyumna in the 11th century. The sacred temple is devoted to Lord Jagannath, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

There are many other glorious temples there that create a godly environment in that holy place. The four gates at the temple are beautifully carved and prove the outstanding Oriyan architectural work.

The Mahaprasad of the temple should not be denied, made at one of the biggest kitchens in India. The appetizing food is prepared in a great traditional way for thousands of devotees who arrive every other day.

The most awaited festival celebrated there is Rath Yatra which attracts thousands of enthusiastic devotees every year from the country.

Sun Temple, Konark

The Sun temple is situated on the northwest side of Puri, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the significant places to visit in Odisha. The temple is designed in the form of a huge Ratha or chariot of the God Sun, which portrays that the chariot is being pulled by seven horses. There are three divine idols of the God Sun, which receive direct sun rays in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

The Konark Dance Festival is held every year, generally in February. Celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, it attracts many tourists from all over the world.

Timing	Opened at 6:00 am and Closed at 8:00 pm
Entry Fee for Indians	30Rs./person
Entry Fee for Foreigners	500Rs./person
Konark Dance Festival Entry Fee	400Rs./person

Barbati Fort

The Barbati Fort is located in the Cuttack city of Odisha, about 7 kilometers away from the city.
It was built in the 14th century under the Ganga dynasty. The fort covers an area of approximately 100 acres and has a beautifully carved entrance with nine storeys, a Barbati stadium, and a temple named katak chandi.

Entry Fee for Indians	1 Rupees/-
Entry Fee for Foreigners	10 Rupees/-

Dhauli

Dhauli is a small town located on the banks of river Daya and about 10 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar. This place is also called ‘the land of Kalinga War’ as it is said that war took place in this region during the 3rd century. The war caused a huge loss of mass and property, which led to the reformation of King Ashoka’s character. He then eventually adopted Buddhism as his religion.

Ashoka has constructed numerous pillars and stupas. The place is home to a highly peaceful Pagoda which attracts several visitors every year.

Ashoka Rock Edicts, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Dhabaleshwar, and Bahirangeswar temple are the prominent sites to visit in the town.

Humaduma

Humaduma also called as ‘Leaning temple of Huma,‘ is one of the popular places to visit in Odisha. The temple is built to worship Lord Bimleshwar and is the only leaning temple in the world. Interesting to know if the temple’s structure is tilted or leaned in the right direction.

Other Historical Places include,

• Patalganga, Nuapada
• Nrusinghanath Temple, Bargarh
• Harishankar Temple, Bolangir
• Ranipur Jharial, Balangir
• Lingaraj and Brahmeshwara Temple

(4) Haunted places to visit in Odisha

Manglajodi Tree

Manglajodi Tree is located in Khordha, Odisha. As affirmed by the people living there, there was a girl who lived there and had killed 21 people before Dusshera. Therefore, no one is allowed to visit there after sunset.

Rie’s haunted house

This haunted house is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It is said that there lived a group of students who committed suicide. Roaming phantoms late at night have been found there.

Jatan Nagar Palace

Jatan Nagar Palace is one of the most haunted places in India.
This palace was constructed by Prince Narsingh Pratap Dev and consisted of 100 rooms in it. He used to torture and force his workers into his special rooms. It is claimed that many workers died during the construction time, and their spirits reside within those walls and are now in devastating condition.
There are also some other haunted houses and bungalows. It’s a state highway that has its own spooky story, and visitors are prohibited from visiting there.

(5) Best adventurous places to visit in Odisha

The surfing hub, Ramchandi Beach

It is said that a group of surfers had a keen desire to transform this silent beach into a hub of surfing. As a result, the Indian Surf Festival was started in 2012, where many participants from all over the world took part in events like skateboarding, open surfing, padding, etc.

Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is situated about 50 kilometers from Puri Beach. One of the best places to visit in Odisha, one can capture the view of the splendid amalgamation of the lake to the sea while watching various species of migratory birds, dolphins, etc.
Boat riding is also one of the famous activities to perform at this brackish water lake.

Rushikulya River

It’s a place worth visiting for photographers and travelers. This Rushikulya River is home to the largest population of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles; the baby turtles moving toward the sea is one of the most captivating moments ever.

(6) Best National Parks to visit in Odisha

Simplipal National Park

It is the seventh-largest National Park in India.
Location: Mayurbhanj district, Baripada, Odisha
Entry Fee: ₹30/- per person
Timings: The national park is open round the clock, and the Tiger Reserve is open from 6am to 9 am.
Major attractions: The simplicial National Park is home to many animals, including elephants, Sambal, Leopards, grey hornbill, Bengal Tiger, etc.
You enjoy the natural beauty of the place with the splendid waterfalls located there.

Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary

Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of about 1100 sq kilometers, and Chilika is the largest saltwater lagoon in India.
Location: Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam, Odisha
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6 am to 7 pm
Major attractions: this place is visited by many tourists as it is home to a number of native and migratory birds, including Pintail, Open Billed Stork, Flamingo, White Bellied Sea Eagle, etc.

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary has rich vegetation and animals, and one can witness the scenic beauty of the place. It covers an area of about 800 square kilometers.
Location: Odisha
Entry fees: Free
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

Bhitarkanika National Park

The marshy wetlands of Bhitarkanika are the second-largest mangrove forest in India.
Location: Paramanandpur, Odisha
Entry fees: ₹20/- per person
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm
Major attractions: This National Park is home to various kinds of animals like the king cobra, Indian python, wild boar, saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, etc.

Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary

The Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the World Heritage Site, includes five reserved forests, three proposed reserve forests, and two deemed forests.
Location: Baliguda Kandhamal, Odisha
Entry Fee: ₹15/- per person
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Major attractions: This sanctuary is home to many species like Jackal, Antelope, Tiger, Leopard, nilgai, Barking deer, etc.

Some other wildlife sanctuaries include-

• Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
• Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary
• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

(7) Some of the best waterfalls to visit in Odisha

Baheripani Waterfall

Baheripani Waterfall is the second-highest Waterfall in India. It is located in the Mayurbhanj district and is at the height of 400 meters.
The best time to visit the waterfalls is from October to June. It’s a beautiful experience to witness this place.

Pradhanpat Waterfall

Pradhanpat Waterfall is located near Sambalpur and gives a panoramic view as it is surrounded by hills and forests.
The best time to visit the place is between October to February.
You can only enjoy the beauty of this place from a distance; bathing is prohibited.

Duduma Waterfall

Duduma Waterfall is located near the Malkangiri region. Here, the water falls from a height of 155 meters and provides water to Machhakunda Dam.
October to February is the best time to visit the place.

Other wonderful waterfalls are

• Joranda Waterfall
• Khandadhar Waterfall
• Hathipathar Waterfall
• Lulung Waterfall
• Sanaghagara Waterfall

(8) Things to do in Odisha

Parasailing

For adventure seekers, parasailing is one of the must to do activities that can be performed on Brunei Hills, located in the Khordha district.
One can go any day for it with the timings 5:30 am to 10:00 am and 4pm to 6 pm.
You can take this joyous ride and capture the aerial view from a height of about 300 feet.
You can book your ticket on the spot, and the charge for a 15-minute ride is ₹2000/-

Trekking

One of the most enthusiastic activities, there are many trekking places, is Mahendragiri Trek which is located in the Gajapati district at the eastern ghats of Odisha at the height of about 5000 feet from the group.
One can witness the captivating beauty of the forests, hills, crystal clear water, and animals such as Mynahs, Deer, Leopards, Peacocks, etc. It costs ₹1500/- per person.

Camping

Camping at Taptapani, located in Ganjam District, about 1800 feet above sea level, will be an enthralling experience for adventure seekers. The entire place is ideally expected to explore wildlife and trekking. There are many places to visit there, like temples, deer parks, tribal villages, Hot Springs, etc.
There is no charge to visit this place.
Some other enthralling things to do are-

• Water Surfing
• Camel rides
• Jet Ski Ride
• Scuba diving
• Paddle boating
• Water scooter

Key Facts

• Here are some of the points to keep in mind while traveling to Odisha:

1. Respect the culture of the state and its traditional beliefs.
2. Keep all your documents with you having the certification of both vaccinations.
3. Don’t go in dark areas or any risky places alone.
4. Keep only the required amount of cash with you.
5. Take all precautions while having any adventurous activity or water sport.
6. Research prior to traveling about the climate and hotels.
7. Keep yourself away from strangers, as they can dupe you for money.
8. Explore as much as you can; there are many tourist places to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions