Destination India

Orissa (PART-XII)

Some Enchanting Districts of Orissa (3)

 

Ganjam

Ganjam is a district in the India state of Orissa located on the border of Andhra Pradesh. Ganjam is known for its beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, the most famous ones being Gopalpur (a famous tourist destination) and Dhavaleshwar. The most populous city in Ganjam, Berhampur, is famous for silver filigree and silk sarees woven with gold and silver threads. As of 2011, it is the most populous district of Orissa (out of 30).

Places to visit:

 

• Sri Jagannath Temple at Dharakote:  Dharakote Temple  famous for Lord Sri Jagannath temple. It looks similar to Puri Temple (Jagannath temple) and Ekadasi Cart festival is famous in local people. Dharakote is located about 12 km north-west of the river Rushikulya, Aska, Ganjam. It is just 55 km from Silk City Brahmapur.

Sri Jagannath Temple at Dharakote

• Jaugada (Historical place of Ashok raja), at pandia: Jaugada is a ruined fortress in the Ganjam district. Jaugada lies 35 km north-west of Berhampur and 160 km south-west of Bhubaneshwar. Once a provincial Mauryan fortified capital of the newly conquered province of Kalinga, Jaugada is famed by its version of the monumental stone-cut edicts in Prakrit of the Mauryan emperor Asoka.

• Mausimaa Temple: Mausimaa Temple is an ancient shrine in Ganjam District. The temple can be approached by road from Bhubaneswar (140 km) and Chhatrapur (102 km). The nearest railway station is at Berhampur (88 km). It is about 8 km from Bhanja Nagar. The presiding deity of the temple is aunty (Mother's Sister) of Lord Jagannath.

• Maa Taratarini Temple, Purusottampur: Tara Tarini Sthana Peeth is on the holy Taratarini hill (Purnagiri) 30 km from Berhampur. The Twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshiped at the temple as manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Taratarini Hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India.

Maa Taratarini Temple

• Taptapani (hot spring): Taptapani is famous for hot water spring. “Tapta” means hot and “pani” means water. The hot water from the natural spring of Taptapani is attributed with medicinal properties and can be bathed in at the pond created next to the hot spring. The other attractions of Taptapani are its tribal communities and the picturesque landscape. There is also a deer park maintained by the forest department.

Taptapani

• Gopalpur-on-Sea: Gopalpur is a town and a notified area on the Bay of Bengal coast in Ganjam district. Once a commercial port, it is now a famous sea beach and tourist destination around 15 km from Brahmapur. The reconstruction of the port is under development.

Beside that, there are many more Temples and interesting site in Ganjam distrit which are worth visiting:

• Balunkeswar Temple.
• Budhakhol near Buguda.
• Kalingaghati.
• Dhabaleswar Temple.
• Bhairavi Temple and Sonpur beach (15 km from temple).
• Kanaka Durga Thakurani Temple at Kodola Athagarh.
• Maa Mahamayee Thakurani Temple.
• Maa Narayani Temple.
• Panchama Ganesh Temple.
• Malati Mountain at Keshari palli.
• Lord Lakshmi Nrusingh Temple, Bellaguntha.
• Maa bahada thakurani, manikyapur gahira mala, kanheipur
• Maa Rahan Devi Tmple, Kanheipur:

Khordha

Khordha or Khurda is an administrative division of the state of Orissa. It was formed on April 1, 1993 by the division of former Puri District into Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts. In the year 2000 the district name was changed to Khordha. The district headquarters is Khordha Town, formerly known as Jajarsingh, or Kurada. The capital city of Bhubaneswar is located in this district. Khurda is the most urbanized of all the districts of Orissa. Khurda Road, the railway station that serves the town is also the divisional headquarters of the East Coast Railway of the Indian Railways. Khurda is known for its brass utensils, cottage industries, railway coach manufacturing, and cable manufacture.

Places to visit:

• Arikama: Village Arikama under Bolagarh block is famous for Maa Koshalsuni mandir in the forest. This green forest is protected by villagers of Arikama, Thanapalli etc. It is a picnic spot. It is around 28 km away from Khurda and lies on Rajsunakhala Dhalapathar Road. 

• Atri (Hot Spring): It is situated in the village of Baghamari, at the distance of 42 km from Bhubaneswar and nearly 14 km from Khordha bus stand. It is famous for its Sulfur-Water springs and a temple dedicated to Lord Hatakeswara (Lord Shiva).

Lord Hatakeswara Temple

• Banapur: Banapur is famous for Maa Bhagabati (one of the incarnation of Hindu Goddess Maa Durga) temple. One of the interesting things on display is that of a heavy iron piece that floats on water.

• Barunei: This temple is situated on the famous Barunei hills. It is at a distance of 28 km from Bhubaneswar. Goddess Barunei is the famous deity of Khurda. A beautiful stream flows from the hill which is known as Swarna Ganga, which enhances the beauty of this place. This place is recognised as one of the most significant historic places of Orissa.

Goddess Barunei

• Garamanitri: Garamanitri is famous for Ramchandi temple and is a picnic spot.

• Golabai: Golabai Sasan is known mostly from its medieval temple architecture. This settlement site is located on the left bank of the Mandakini (locally Mallaguni) river, near the Chilka Lake. Trial excavations in 1991 showed a succession of Chalcolithic and Iron Age assemblages, presumably dating to the 2nd and 1st millennia BC.The pottery as dull red and grey wares. Ground lithics bring to mind those of East and South-east Asia. This site and Sankarjang are the main sites in Orissa which represent this time.

• Guapur: Located midway between Bhubaneshwar and Puri, this peaceful village is accessible through a road to the east of the highway. It is 20 kilometers from Bhubaneshwar. Beautiful rice paddy landscapes and serene temples await anyone who goes there.

• Hatabasta: Village Hatabasta (Srichandanpurpatna) is famous for Goddess Maa Jogamaya. There is a big pond which is covered with lotus flowers in all season and very very beautiful known as Bada Pokhari where Lord Sapaneswar worshipped by the villager of Hatabasta. Many festivals are celebrated in this village such as "Jhamu Yatra","Rama Lila","Kartika Purnima ".

• Kaipadar: Kaipadar is situated at a distance of 15 km from Khurda. A beautiful mosque is present here. This place is the meeting place of Hindus and Muslims.

• Maa Ugra Tara: This temple is located in between Rameswar chowk & chandpur (Tangi block) in NH-5 & 55 km from Bhubaneswar towards Balugaon. It is beautiful natured location for picnic & also movie shooting. Maa ugratara is the deity of entire Tangi block. Nearby, there is a village named Bhusandpur is the largest village among Orissa. This place is famous for fishermen's ground, because Chilika Lake is nearby to this village.

 

Maa Ugra Tara

• Shishupalgarh: Situated at a distance of 13 km from Bhubaneswar. The ruined fort Shishupalgarh and ancient capital of Kalinga named Toshali are being discovered by the Archeological Survey of India.

• Shikhar Chandi: It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Bhubaneswar towards Nandankanan. A temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi on the hill top and the scenic beauty is the main attraction of this place.

‘The Temple City of India’, Bhubaneswar, Bird Sanctuary Chilka Lake, Deras & Jhumka, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri and Udayagiri,  Lingaraj Temple and Nandankanan Zoo also are the beautiful sites in Khurda dstrict, I narrated in before posts.

  * Orissa is almost complete. There are many more places to visit in Orissa. I just wanted to highlight the best ones.

* Our next destination :-  West Bengal.

Image Courtesy: https://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=577&tbm