Sights in Orissa
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Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
Three rivers flow out to sea at Bhitarkanika forming a tidal maze of muddy creeks and mangroves. Most of this 672-sq-km delta forms Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, a significant eco-system containing hundreds of estuarine crocodiles that bask on mud flats waiting for the next meal to swim by. Dangmal Island contains a successful breeding and conservation program for these crocodiles. Pythons, water monitors, wild boar and timid spotted deer can also be seen. The best time to visit is from December to February.
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Jagannath Mandir
This mighty temple belongs to Jagannath, Lord of the Universe and incarnation of Vishnu. The jet- black deity with large, round, white eyes is hugely popular across Orissa. Built in its present form in 1198, the temple (closed to non-Hindus) is surrounded by two walls; its 58m-high sikhara (spire) is topped by the flag and wheel of Vishnu.
Guarded by two stone lions and a pillar crowned by the Garuda that once stood at the Sun Temple at Konark, the eastern entrance, or Lion Gate, is the passageway for the chariot procession of Rath Yatra. The southern, western and northern gates are guarded by statues of men on horseback, tigers and elephants, respectively.
Jagannath, bro…
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Raja Rani Mandir
This temple, built around 1100 and surrounded by manicured gardens, is famous for its ornate deul (temple sanctuary) and tower. Around the compass points are pairs of statues representing eight dikpalas (guardians) who protect the temple. Between them, nymphs, embracing couples, elephants and lions peer from niches and decorate the pillars. The name of the temple isn’t for a particular king and queen, but is the name of the stone used in the temple’s construction.
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Sun Temple
The massive SunTemple was constructed in the mid-13th century, probably by Orissan king Narasimha Dev I to celebrate his military victory over the Muslims, and was in use for maybe only three centuries. In the late 16th century marauding Mughals removed the copper over the cupola; this may have led to the partial collapse of the 40m-high sikhara (spire) , and subsequent cyclones probably compounded the damage.
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Archaeological Museum
This interesting (and refreshingly cool and quiet) museum, just west of Yatri Nivas, contains many impressive sculptures and carvings found during excavations of the Sun Temple. Highlights include the full-bellied Agni (the fire god) and the larger-than-life, voluptuous Bina Badini. Check out the carved Lady with a Bird – it’s pecking her in a place that can’t be comfortable.
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Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
The 347-sq-km Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, 40km from Sambalpur, is an easy day out. Mainly dry deciduous forest blankets the Barapahad Hills down to the shores of the vast Hirakud reservoir, a home for migratory birds in winter. Wildlife here includes deer, antelopes, sloth bears, langur monkeys and the ever-elusive tigers and leopards.
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Tribal Museum
The Tribal Museum has an extensive exhibition of tribal culture including utensils, tools and clothes, as well as some paintings for sale. The museum will open out of hours if you can find the friendly caretaker. The open-air Jungle Restaurant here does Indian and Chinese dishes in a cool, leafy setting.
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Regional Science Centre
Kids will love this parkland museum with its giant dinosaurs. Included in the admission is a 30-minute movie screened hourly. Other treats are hands-on demonstrations of the laws of physics and displays on astronomy and insects. You may have the whole place to yourself if a school group isn’t there.
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Lighthouse
Peering over the town of Gopalpur-on-Sea is the lighthouse, with its immaculate gardens and petite staff cottages. It’s a late-afternoon draw card and after puffing up the spiral staircase you’re rewarded with expansive views and welcome cooling breezes.
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State Museum
This museum boasts Orissa’s best collection of rare palm-leaf manuscripts, traditional and folk musical instruments, Bronze Age tools, an armoury and a display of Orissan tribal anthropology. Don’t miss the salvaged colonial gravestone on the front lawn.
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Raghunandan Library
Non-Hindus can spy on the Jagannath Mandir from the roof of Raghunandan Library. Ask permission; a 'donation' is compulsory (about Rs10) and your amount is entered in a book. On Sunday a nearby hotel takes over the scam and demands Rs50- easily negotiated down to Rs20.
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Nandankanan Zoological Park
Famous for its blue-eyed white tigers, the zoo also boasts rare Asiatic lions, rhinoceroses, copious reptiles, monkeys and deer. Don’t get food out of your bag in front of any of the monkeys that roam free around the zoo; trust us.
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Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary
Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary was declared primarily to preserve wild elephants and elephant habitat. If you’re lucky you might also see leopard, deer, mugger crocodiles and over 100 species of birds.
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Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefacts
For anyone considering a visit to the tribal areas, this museum, off National Hwy 5 (NH5), is recommended. Dress, ornaments, weapons, household implements and musical instruments are displayed.
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Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves
Six kilometres west of the city centre are two hills riddled with rock-cut shelters. Many are ornately carved and thought to have been chiselled out for Jain ascetics in the 1st century BC.
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Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
The Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary, 37km from Sambalpur, shelters elephants, tigers, panthers and bears. It can be closed with no notice in the event of bad weather.
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Orissa Modern Art Gallery
Housing a high standard of contemporary art by local artists, this small gallery also has prints and originals for sale.
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Similipal National Park
The 2750-sq-km Similipal National Park is Orissa’s prime wildlife sanctuary.
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Pathani Samanta Planetarium
The interesting Pathani Samanta Planetarium features hour-long 'out-of-this-world' shows.
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