Orissa is an attractive treasure house of cultures and customs, religions and traditions, languages and literature, art and architecture, scenic beauties and wildlife .

Orissa lies on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal . The state once formed a part of Kalinga kingdom which is best known in ancient history for its brave resistance against the invasion of the Mauryan King Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C., who ultimately conquered it .That the emperor turned to Buddhism and peace after witnessing the bloodshed in this war is well known. This also formed the turning point in the history of Orissa giving a boost to art and architecture in the ancient kingdom.

The ancient state rose to prominance as a kingdom under Kharavela, a great conqueror and patron of Jainism, in the second half of the 1st centure B.C. Other great rulers were the kings of the Kesari dynesty and the Eastern Ganga dynasty who were also great builders.

Puri Beaches

Most popular as the abode of Lord Jagannath and one of the four religious centers of India, Puri offers a mystic pilgrimage to stout devotees with its host of temples, holy tanks and monasteries filling the horizons with a religious milieu. The temple of Lord Jagannath is also the tallest historic monument standing 65 meters tall and built by Chodaganga Deva in 12th century A. D. The architecture of the temple is magnificent and glorifies the ancient time and culture.

Gopalpur Beaches

Most popular as the abode of Lord Jagannath and one of the four religious centers of India, Puri offers a mystic pilgrimage to stout devotees with its host of temples, holy tanks and monasteries filling the horizons with a religious milieu. The temple of Lord Jagannath is also the tallest historic monument standing 65 meters tall and built by Chodaganga Deva in 12th century A. D. The architecture of the temple is magnificent and glorifies the ancient time and culture.