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Orissa
Kalinga, as Orissa was known in ancient times, witnessed a lot of bloodbath when Emperor Ashoka waged a fierce battle to capture the kingdom. Devastated by the bloodshed, Ashoka denounced warfare and adopted Buddhism.
The calmness that prevailed thereafter still winds through the air of Orissa. The state has preserved most of the temples and monuments built at different times in history by different rulers. As a result, the landscape of present day Orissa is dotted with magnificent temples, some of which dates back to thousands of years.
But exotic Orissa does not remain content with its display of temples. Situated on India's eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, the green valleys, blue hills, lush green forests and scenic beaches of the state also have a magical impact on tourists.
The capital city of Bhubaneshwar has over 500 big and small temples that stand testimony to its glorious past. For the presence of such a large number of temples, Bhubaneshwar is also called 'temple metropolis of India'. The 11th century Lingaraja temple is one of the best examples of ancient Orissan temple architecture. Konark, some 64 kms away from Bhubaneshwar has the world famous Sun temple. Built in the form of a chariot, seven horses are shown pulling the mammoth chariot fitted with 24 large wheels.
The temple has also been declared an UNESCO World Heritage site. Puri, near Konark, is regarded as one of the four sacred Hindu pilgrimage centres for the presence of the Jagannath temple. The imposing 65 metre tall building was built in the 12th century. Tourists are also attracted to the golden beaches of Orissa namely Chandipur and Gopalpur. The beaches of Puri and Konark are also visited in large numbers.
Orissa does not let down wildlife enthusiasts either. Nandan Kanan on the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar is India's largest lion safari park. The park also has a botanical and zoological garden. The presence of around three dozen white tigers further adds to the attraction of the park. Some 320 kms from Bhubaneshwar in Mayurbhanj district, Simlipal is another wildlife sanctuary having a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Among Orissa's oldest heritage are the caves of Udaigiri and Khandgiri dating back to 2300 years. The 113 caves, created by Jain monks, have exquisite rock cut images of that period. The naturally gifted artisans of Orissa have filled the markets of the state with their exquisite products.
A tour to Orissa would remain an incomplete affair if tourists fail to pick some of the state's best buys. Be it the silverwork of Cuttack, coloured wall hangings of Pipli, the intricate paintings of Raghurajpur or the glorious hand woven fabrics of Sambalpur, the list of attractions is virtually endless. Orissa's staple is mainly rice and curry. But there are many delicacies both in the vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories which should not be missed by tourists visiting the colourful state.
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