Odisha is the State of Indian Union along the eastern coast of India peninsula also known as Bharat . Odisha exists from Mahabharata epic times known as Kalinga Kingdom. The Mauryan king of Magadha also invaded Odisha in 261 B.C. because of its prosperity and hoary past. Odisha people Odia known for their cavalry and courage. Though King Ashoka won the battle but the Odia persons brevity and the zeal to protect their motherland from the clutches of then the outsider had been a courageous story and the way the river Daya flows with blood shed proves the courage of Odia persons who fought to save their earth mother from the then foreigners. River Daya still flowing outside of now capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar and its sound is still vibrating the courage and the patron of Odia people who killed but never gave away their motherland to the then foreigners in their life time. Even during the British acquisition of India , Odisha is the last State to be acquired by them though they have not control of all the territories.
In case of King Ashoka , it was the conqueror who was conquered in the famous Kalinga war. The ancient State of India , Kalinga and now Odisha rose to prominence under the almighty King of Kharvella. He was patron of Jainism, in the second half of first century B.C. Other prominenet rulers are Keshari dynasty and Ganga dynasty. The Kalinga school of architecture was at its best during these times.
The significant architectural development had been completed during his times. The Lord Jagannath of Puri ,The Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar, and the Sun Temple of Konark.
In the modern times Odisha is flourished with waterfalls, nature, sea beaches, rivers, temples, ancient architectures, mountains. Some of the monuments and records dated back to third century B.C. and still now it is being protected and managed. Chilka lake is the only lake through out the world to have it attianance records from third century B.C. and for this any examination and new experiment has been done with this lake as due to the eminent presence of records from the long back of third century B.C.
In the entire area of Odisha , there are four thousand monuments including Jaina caves, Budhist monasteries , Hindu Temples , domed and pillar structures ,palaces and many more.
The capital city:
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha; it is a modern city and a planned city. It is popularly known as the temple city of Odisha. The famous Lingaraj Temple built is eleventh century, the Mukteswara temple built in tenth century with famous stony arch entrance with fascinating sculpture attached to it. Tales from Panchtantra imbibed within its stone walls and this shows the proud possession of Odisha architecture supremacy and it is indigenous and original.
The Rajarani temple is famous for its floral, animal and human sculptures. The temple has no deity and an unusual tower this sounds mystery. The Parsurameswara temple is nearer to Mukteswara temple; it is a Shiva temple and built in seventh century B.C. It has featured sculptures like amorous couples, animals and floral motifs. The Svrnajaleswara temple and Vaital temple are other attractions. The Yogini temple at Hirapur is fifteen kilometres from Bhubaneswar is one of the four Yogini temples of India.
The Buddhist influence at Bhubaneswar:
Ashoka rock edict situated eight kilometres south of the city is perhaps he earliest rock cut sculpture in India. On the Dhaulligiri , the modern day architecture built in Indo-Japaneese collaboration along the river Daya the beautiful Vishwa Shanti Stupa. RNI GUMPHA (Queen�s Cave is) is the largest cave with ornate carvings. It is a double storeyed cave. The Hati gumpha (elephant�s cave) created by King Kharvella depicting Jainism teachings. The ancient township and may be the capital of Odisha in the second century B.C. has been excavated and it is situated towards Puri from Bhubaneswar which is at the South Eastern side of Bhubaneswar.
The Odisha State Museum , Nandan Kanan Zoological Park are some of the famous places to visits inside Bhubaneswar. Nandan Kanan Zoological Park has white tiger safari, Lion safari, ropeway,, toy train ,migratory birds viewing with a natural lake boating faculties. The park is situated twenty kilometres from Bhubaneswar the capital city and it is generally closed on Mondays. Another attraction is the Atri Hot Sulphurs Spring which is forty two kilometres from Bhubaneswar, nearer to the famous Hatkeshwara Temple. It has one convenient bathing complex for the tourists as this water is considered good for the3 skin due to its natural effects.
How to get there:
To reach Bhubaneswar, you have many convenient routes; one can fly from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Mumbai. You can catch regular running trains to and from Bhubaneswar with regular intervals and timings. Superfast and Rajdhani express trains also pass through these routes.
Puri:
It is sixty kilometres by road from Bhubaneswar and thirty five kilometres from Konark by road through marine drive route. It has direct superfast trains from all over India. Puri is the major pilgrim centre of all over the world. The fame of Puri attributes to famous Lord Jagannath Temple. This temple is built and rebuilt from four century B.C. and it is famous for its renowned car festivals ,its annual festive occasion where the Lord Jagannath comes out to the Grand road with His sister and elder Brother to Gundicha temple. Within the precincts fo the temple VImala, Lakshmi, Vishnu and innumerable Gods and Goddesses and the famous Ananda Bazar the biggest food market of the world. Shri Lokanath honured shrine of Lord Shiva is situated on the outskirts of the city. The famous Atharnalla bridge nearer to Puri spans over seven hundred centuries , during that time , where the now hospital situated there used to be a large river but now that river disappears. The Atharanalla bridge is the enginnering marvel at its best and it is still strong and continuing , can you believe this , even some of the modern day marvels still reeling under one centuries but this bridge is staying permanent and making the route to Puri as normal and ever lasting.
Balighai has the river Nuanai (new river) which is eight kilometres from Puri and it is at the north side of the city , it is a famous picnic spot with colourful migratory birds and deer moving here and there. Balighai is famous for its milk production and milk related products.
