Welcome to Odisha — where time slows down, tradition breathes, and every journey becomes a sacred thread in an ancient weave.
Step into India’s soulful eastern state, a region where timeless spirituality meets the living rhythm of craft, culture, and coastal beauty. From the sublime silence of Buddhist ruins to the thundering beat of tribal drums, Odisha invites you to explore a land as raw as it is refined.
Wander the majestic corridors of Bhubaneswar’s 2,000-year-old temples, get lost in Puri’s seaside bazaars pulsing with colour and devotion, or explore the royal legacy and slow living of the princely town of Dhenkanal. In between, feast on flavours that echo centuries of culinary lore — from earthen-cooked lentils to temple sweets wrapped in banana leaf.
Beyond its sacred cities and charming towns, Odisha unfolds into nature that stirs the soul. Drift through the bird-thronged wetlands of Chilika Lake, hike through the wild green hills of Similipal and Koraput, or trace the footsteps of stone carvers in the shadow of the Sun Temple at Konark. Each experience is framed by a rich Indigenous presence, where the language of the land is spoken in songs, weaves, and rituals that date back millennia.
For the traveller who seeks meaning in movement, Odisha is not just a destination — it’s a return. A return to rhythm. To roots. To the deeper India.
🌊 Coastal Odisha
Cities: Puri, Konark, Berhampur
Highlights: Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Chilika Lake, Gopalpur-on-Sea
Vibe: Spiritual, breezy, sacred + sea-salted
Coastal Odisha is where devotion touches the waves. In Puri, the Jagannath Temple isn’t just a place of worship—it’s the heartbeat of Odia identity. Witness the awe-inspiring Rath Yatra, or share a quiet moment during the daily offerings of Mahaprasad. A short drive away, Konark’s Sun Temple, a UNESCO marvel shaped like a colossal chariot, radiates the genius of ancient architects. The coast stretches south to Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish lagoon, home to dolphins and flamingos, where boat rides weave through floating islands and fishing villages. End your coastal loop in Gopalpur-on-Sea, a sleepy seaside town where time naps to the rhythm of the waves and colonial-era charm lingers in the air.
🛕Central Odisha
Cities: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Angul
Highlights: Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Dhauli Peace Pagoda, Nandankanan Zoo
Vibe: Heritage meets urban bustle
Bhubaneswar, the ‘Temple City,’ is a paradox in motion—where 7th-century shrines stand beside IT parks. Begin with a temple trail from Lingaraj to Mukteswar, where Kalinga architecture sings in stone. Reflect at Dhauli Shanti Stupa, where Emperor Ashoka once laid down his sword. Just an hour away, Cuttack bustles with silver filigree, saree weavers, and century-old cricket stadiums. Nandankanan Zoo, part sanctuary and part breeding centre, offers a rare glimpse of white tigers and indigenous species. Central Odisha is where you navigate the spiritual and the modern—seamlessly.
🌾 Western Odisha
Cities: Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh
Highlights: Hirakud Dam, Sambalpuri handlooms, Nrusinghanath Temple, Nuakhai Festival
Vibe: Folk roots, river energy, agrarian pride
Western Odisha moves to the rhythm of the Mahanadi River and the click-clack of looms weaving Sambalpuri ikat. In Sambalpur, watch artisans tie-dye yarn before weaving it into patterns that mirror tribal motifs. Visit the colossal Hirakud Dam, a feat of post-independence engineering, and soak in a sunset over its massive reservoir. Balangir is dotted with heritage temples and royal ruins, while Nrusinghanath—half-temple, half-cave—sits tucked in the foothills of the Gandhamardan. Don’t miss Nuakhai, a vibrant harvest festival that brings the region alive with music, dance, and new-season rice.
⛰️Southern Odisha
Regions: Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri
Highlights: Tribal markets, coffee plantations, Gupteswar Caves, Onukudelli weekly haat
Vibe: Remote, soulful, wild and wise
This is where Odisha’s heartbeat slows to an ancient rhythm. The highlands of Koraput are painted in shades of mist, forest, and red earth. Home to Bonda, Paroja, and Kondh tribes, Southern Odisha offers powerful encounters—weekly haats (markets) where barter still thrives, and rituals echo a pre-Vedic past. Sip locally grown coffee in tribal-run cafés. Hike to Gupteswar Cave, a sacred site hidden in limestone cliffs. In Onukudelli, you’re not a spectator—you’re a listener, a learner. Here, Travel Link doesn’t “show” you a village—we introduce you to its elders.
🌳Northern Odisha
Regions: Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar
Highlights: Similipal Tiger Reserve, Barehipani Waterfalls, Chhau Dance, ancient rock art
Vibe: Forest mystique, masked drama, biodiversity haven
The northern zone is a green spell cast in sal forests, waterfalls, and ancestral echoes. In Mayurbhanj, explore Similipal Tiger Reserve, where tigers prowl, orchids bloom, and butterflies blur into myth. Trek to Barehipani, India’s second-highest waterfall, cascading in thundering stages. This is the home of Chhau dance, where martial grace meets masked expression. Catch a performance in Baripada or a village akhada under the stars. In Keonjhar, discover the ancient Sitabinji rock art, whispers from the past painted in iron-red hues. This is Odisha at its most enigmatic—quiet, wild, and wise.
