Bhubaneshwar boasts an impressive skyline – the towering spire of the Lingaraja temple, the magnificent Japanese built Peace Pagoda of Dhauli hills and the remarkable temple of Mahavira on Khandagiri hills. This trio exemplifies the arrival and evolution of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism during different periods of Orissa’s long spiritual odyssey.
The greatest and most vibrant Lingaraja is beautifully carved and stands proud for all to see from miles ways. This temple is off-limits to non-Hindus, although thanks to British Viceroy Lord Curzon, foreign travellers can purvey the scene from a specially erected viewing tower.
The chaotic mix of adidas showrooms and tree-lined avenues of Bhubaneshwar’s city streets are more indicative of the recent shift in focus. Bhubaneshwar is making every effort of develop as a ‘modern’ city with cineplexes and shopping malls catering to the new disposal income of younger generations. However traditional mindsets persist making Bhubaneshwar a city in flux. Today it stands as a patchwork of old and new with concrete shopping blocks caressing thriving medieval temples.
things to do
places to see
1. Lingaraja Temple
2. Bindu Sagar
3. Mukteshwar, Siddheswar & Parsurameswar
4. Museum of Tribal Arts & Artifacts (Mon – Fri 10 – 5)
5. Orissa Modern Art Gallery (Mon - Sat, 11:30-1 & 4-8, Sun 4-8)
6. State Museum (Tues – Sun, 10am – 4pm)
7. Jain Caves (Udaygiri & Khandagiri)
8. Nandankanan Zoo
9. Sudarshan Art & Craft Museum
10. Ekamra Kanan Park
what and where to Shop
1. Handicrafts, Ekamra Haat
2. Handloom Textiles, Boyanika, Sambalpuri Bastralaya & Priyadarshini (Market Building)
3. Just about anything (local market), Market Building
4. Cotton & Jute Bags @ Vriksh
5. Books @ Modern Book Depot
6. Stone Sculpture @ Raghunath Craft Museum
what and where to Eat and Drink
1. Traditional Thali (Oriya style) @ Orissa Restaurant
2. Indian (try the Cook’s Special) @ Cook’s Restaurant
3. Oriya Cuisine @ Royal Garden Restaurant
4. Indian (with a dash of Continental) @ Dawat
5. Thai, Chinese & Indonesian @ Lemongrass (Mayfair)
6. South Indian @ Venus Inn
7. North Indian @ Tangerine
8. Cold Beer @ The Baron & the Baroness (Mayfair)
9. Ice Cream @ Baskin Robbins (The Forum) – I know you didn’t come all the way India to eat ice-cream & drink coffee (next suggestion) but you’ll be thanking me when its 45 degrees in the shade!
10. Iced Coffee @ Café Coffee Day
Grass Routes offers Bhubaneshwar City Tours, Weekend Getaways and extended journeys. Contact us @ info@grassroutesjourneys.com
Grass Routes journeys that include Bhubaneshwar:
6 days : Bhubaneshwar - Puri - Chilika Lake - Puri
7 days : Bhubaneshwar - Puri - Dhavaleswar - Kantilo - Bhubaneshwar
11 days : Bhubaneshwar - Bhitarkanika - Joranda - Satkosia - Chilika Lake - Puri
“I hope initiatives like this also start in other parts of the world ”, said Fiona Jeffrey, head of World Travel Market, as she launched the official website of the Green Circuit www.thegreencircuit.net
Initiated by Socialtours in Nepal, the Green Circuit is a partnership between five rresponsible toursim operators throughout the Indian Sub-continent. Socialtours, Help Tourism, Grass Routes, The Blue Yonder and Ecosphere all specialize in deep rooted community based responsible tourism initiatives. The Green Circuit unites rexperts in their respective regions covering destinations in Nepal, the Himalayas, the North East and East India and the southern tip.
This is a refreshing approach, Rather than competing against each other as traditional tourism businesses often do, the Green Circuit network comes together in a shining spirit of collaboration. Each tour operator in the Green Circuit is a committed expert in their chosen field offering unique tourism product specific to local environmental and cultural conditions.
Tapping into the Green Circuit links provides crucial links to a trusted independent network. That each operator finds faith and sincerity in the other’s work is a huge vote of confidence that speaks volumes about the integrity behind the Green Circuit and the circle of trust uniting each responsible tourism partner.
Further information is available on http://www.thegreencircuit.net or email info@thegreencircuit.net and on each of the responsible tourism operator's respective websites:
Socialtours, Help Tourism, Grass Routes, The Blue Yonder and Ecosphere.
Chilika Lake, Asia's largest estruarine lagoon hosts over a million birds every winter. Migratory waterfowl wing in from places as far away as Siberia to jostle resident species over freshwater wetland. Water lilies open with the rising sun and a symphony of bird calls flutter to our ears.
We are perched on the northern edge of Chilika Lake overlooking the 1100 square kilometre expanse of waters as it stretches seaward toward the Bay of Bengal. Here, a small but remarkable village has come full circle to protect a vital wetland area of international importance.
Historically residents of Mangalajodi village posed a threat to bird life. Many families turned the lucrative poaching trade and it wasn’t long before bird numbers hit an all-time low. A local conservation organization Wild Orissa meet with the villagers a decade ago and has been instrumental in guiding their transformation ever since.
Poachers developed an intricate knowledge of bird habitats, breeding cycles and migration patterns. The challenge was to utilise this knowledge and their existing skill-set for conservation. Awareness campaigns combined with sting operations convinced many to change their ways. The transition was not an easy one for Kishan Behera "pressure from within the community was hard to withstand, but how long can we keep killing (the birds) before there is nothing left." As a reformed poacher himself, Kishan is well versed in the tricks of the trade and provides valuable information and insights against members of his own community. It’s a brave effort that over the years gained momentum and support.
Now a local village committee has been formed by a core group of ex-poachers determined to continue their new role as protectors. Members of the committee conduct daily surveillance patrols to check incidences of poaching. During winter they are also engaged in monitoring the wetlands and are excited by the increase of migratory birds flocking to their homeland.
The new protectors double-up as impressive guides to this newly burgeoning destination. We glide through sun-flecked reeds with binoculars poised. Kishan Behera gently taps the side of the dung-out canoe to indicate he’s spotted something; following his hand. we witness a pair of Asian Openbill Storks stretch their broad wings and take flight with extended necks. Kishan whispers the bird’s common name in English. His ability to navigate effortlessly through the watertable was invaluable. His knowledge of local and migratory birds greatly enriches the experience.
Eco-tourism activities such as boat cruises and nature walks provide a supplementary income for the poachers turned protectors. More than just extra pennies in their pockets, eco-tourism serves to encourage local conservation efforts. Providing support and adding weight to the shift has made remarkable changes in the villages psyche. From a community bent on destruction emerges a concentrated collective focused on preservation.
The village at Mangalojodi is a unique example of how partnerships can give way to conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Eco-tourism plays a vital key; one that draws attention and appreciation to local conservation efforts. Breathing new life into natural habitats and safeguarding local environments for generations to come.
Grass Routes operates special customised tours to Mangalajodi on request. We highly recommend the winter months from November to February. Literally a buzz with activity!
