|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
The tropical state that flourished during the 13th century on India's central
eastern seaboard, Orissa is famous for its temples, which draw thousands of
pilgrims here throughout the year, predominantly to the Jagannath Temple
in the coastal town of Puri, to worship Vishnu in his avatar as the Lord
of the Universe. Architecturally, the Sun Temple at Konark is of
even greater significance, with its massive stone-carved chariot adorned with
sculptures, rising up to carry Surya, the sun god, to the heavens. Even Orissa's
capital, Bhubaneswar (the 3rd point of Orissa's Golden Triangle), is more
important for its enormous collection of Hindu temples -- at one time 7,000 --
than it is as an administrative or industrial center. Orissa remains largely tribal, with many villages still completely off-limits to outsiders, and the state is therefore also well-known for its "Tribal Tourism" -- for the truly adventurous, or the anthropologically inclined, these offer a chance to get completely off the beaten track and meet people who have seldom, if ever, encountered a foreign face. The state is also a good place to pick up crafts, particularly textiles and paintings -- even when tending to the rice paddies, the women of Orissa are dressed in glamorous saris. Cottage textile industries are the mainstays for entire villages, which produce beautiful ikat (patterned) textiles, palm-leaf paintings, and bright patachitra (cloth) paintings (the best-known of Orissa's handicrafts). Note: Although Orissa has long, golden beaches that curve around the Bay of Bengal, the infrastructure here is limited and the sea can be treacherous; beach lovers are best off heading for Kerala or Goa. |
- Physical Setting
- Cultural and Historical background
- Climate
- Resource and Biodiversity base
- Floral Diversity
- Faunal Diversity
- Existing and Protected Areas in Orissa
- Places of Interest