Golden Triangle - Witness Ancient Heritage of Odisha

Golden Triangle - Witness Ancient Heritage of Odisha

Puri Konark & Bhubaneswar form a Triangle, we called it Golden Triangle, and many ancient temples are here to see and experience mesmerizing architectural grandeur of Kalingana Era. This is an unique itinerary includes Heritage, Architect, History, Spirituality, Wildlife, City, Beaches, Temples & Tigers.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE AT BHUBANESWAR & LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

Stop At: Lingaraj Temple, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, India
Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Ananta Vasudeva Temple, In Main City, Bhubaneswar India
Ananta Vasudeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. One can have prasadam (complete indian meal) here.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Bindu Sagar, ବିନ୍ଦୁ ସାଗର, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, India
Bindusagar is located in the right side of the Talabazar road leading from Kedargouri Chowk to Lingaraja Temple, Old Town, Bhubaneswar. This road is also known as Bindusagar Road. It is now under the care and maintenance of Lingaraja Temple Administration. The tank is enclosed within a masonry embankment made of dressed laterite blocks. It is the largest water body of Bhubaneswar. All the rituals of Lord Lingarajaa are closely associated with this tank.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Kedar Gouri Temple, Near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, India
Kedareswar Temple, one of the eight Astasambhu Temples, is near the Mukteswar Temple, in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, referred to locally by the name ‘Kedareshwar’. It is in the precinct of Kedara-Gouri on the right side of the road leading to Puri from Bhubaneswar and at a distance of 40 metres south of Muktesvara. It is one of the ten monuments within the precinct. It is the main temple of the complex. The temple is facing south and the enshrined deity is a circular yonipitha made of sandstone. The linga at the centre is missing. The sanctum is 2.5 square meters which is 0.8 meters below the present ground. It stands near the yard of the Mukteswar Temple.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Mukteswara Temple, Bhubaneswar India
Mukteshvara Temple is a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The temple dates back to 950–975 CE and is a monument of importance in the study of the development of Hindu temples in Odisha. The stylistic development the Mukteswar marks the culmination of all earlier developments, and initiates a period of experiment which continues for an entire century, as seen in such temples as the Rajarani Temple and Lingaraj temple, both located in Bhubaneswar. It is one of the prominent tourist attractions of the city.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Rajarani Temple, Tankapani Rd, Bhubaneswar 751002 India
The temple is believed to have been known originally as Indreswara. It is locally known as a "love temple" because of the erotic carvings of women and couples in the temple. Rajarani Temple is built in the pancharatha style on a raised platform with two structures: a central shrine called the vimana (sanctum) with a bada (curvilinear spire) over its roof rising to a height of 18 m (59 ft), and a viewing hall called jagamohana with a pyramidal roof. The temple was constructed of dull red and yellow sandstone locally called "Rajarani". There are no images inside the sanctum, and hence it is not associated with a specific sect of Hinduism but broadly classified as Saivite based on the niches.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Stay at Hotel Presidency, Bhubaneswar

Day 2: BHUBANESWAR – KONARK - PURI

Stop At: Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa, Shanti Jan Path Dhauligiri, Bhubaneswar 751001 India
Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where the Kalinga War was fought. The Rock Edicts found here include Nos. I-X, XIV and two separate Kalinga Edicts. In Kalinga Edict VI, he expresses his concern for the "welfare of the whole world". The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal's foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement. It is considered as one of the few remains of Mauryan art.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Konark Sun Temple, Kasia-Tamkuhi Road, Konark India
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE sun temple at Konark about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is attributed to king Narasingha deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.

Dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone. Once over 200 feet (61 m) high, much of the temple is now in ruins, in particular the large shikara tower over the sanctuary; at one time this rose much higher than the mandapa that remains. The structures and elements that have survived are famed for their intricate artwork, iconography, and themes, including erotic kama and mithuna scenes. Also called the Surya Devalaya, it is a classic illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark India
Chandrabhaga Beach is situated three km east of the Sun temple of Konark, in the Puri district in the state of Odisha, India.[1] It is 30 km from the city of Puri. Formerly Chandrabhaga was considered a place of natural cure for lepers. Chandrabhaga beach on the coast of Konark becoming Asia’s first to get the Blue Flag certification — a tag given to environment-friendly clean beaches, equipped with amenities of international standards for tourists.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Ramachandi Temple, Near Sun Temple On Banks Of Kusabhadra River, Konark India
Ramachandi Temple, is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra River where it flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is only 5 km away from Konark in the Puri District of Odisha. Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark is thought by some to be the presiding deity of this temple, while others thought it to be the temple of Mayadevi, wife of Surya (Sun God).

The temple of Goddess Ramachandi on the river mouth of Kushabhadra river is a splendid scenic picnic resort. It is situated 7 km before Konark on the Marine drive road from Puri to Konark. Ramachandi is popularly believed the presiding deity of Konark, and the most benevolent Chandi known. It is certainly more ancient than the Sun Temple at Konark. From the architectural point of view, the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the famous Shakti pithas of Orissa.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Jagannath Temple, Puri 752001 India
The Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of lord Maha Vishnu , located on the eastern coast of India, at Puri in the state of Odisha. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.[1]

The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. These gave their name to the English term Juggernaut. Unlike the stone and metal icons found in most Hindu temples, the image of Jagannath is made of wood and is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by an exact replica.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Puri Beach, Puri 752001 India
Puri Beach is a beach in the city of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is known for being a tourist attraction and a Hindu sacred place.[1][2] The beach is the site of the annual Puri Beach Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the city of Odisha, the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Kolkata.[3] The beach hosts sand art displays, including work by international award-winning local sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel Naren Palace, Puri

Day 3: CHILKA LAKE TOUR

Stop At: Satapada Dolphin Centre, Aloopatana, Satapada, Odisha 752011, India
Satpada is located at the northeast cape of Chilika Lake and Bay of Bengal. The famous Chilika dolphins can be seen in their natural best here. There are also ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and boating. A small island called Rajahamsa is situated near this place at the mouth of the lagoon. It is named after the rajahamsa (mute swan). This island is 18 kilometers from Satapada. Rajahans is a small strip of land of which one side is placed near the lagoon and the other side is towards the Bay of Bengal.

Migratory birds do not visit Satapada very often, but a few varieties of migratory birds move to Nalabana bird sanctuary. It takes around four hours by boat from Satapada to reach Nalaban.

You have to hire boat on the counter to visit inside, boat charges are not included.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Baliharachandi Temple, Kurangasasan - Rahura Rd, Kurangsasan, Odisha 754002, India
Baliharachandi temple located at the beginning of the river Bhargavi is not just a pilgrim site but also a scenic spot. This place is also famous for stretches of sandy beach and the meeting point of river Bhargavi with the Sea. It attracts lots of tourist to enjoy the natural site of beach and to seek divine blessings and eternal happiness. The sunrise and sunset scene of beach is amazing for touristis. The tourists can also enjoy sunbath on the calm and quite sea beach of Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is ideal for group picnic. Baliharachandi, the well known tourist destination of Odisha, is worth a visit.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Alarnatha Temple, Brahmagiri, Puri India
Alarnatha Temple or Alvarnaath is a temple dedicated to Vishnu and located in Brahmagiri, Odisha, near Puri. It becomes crowded during the krishnapaksha of Ashadha, after the Snana Yatra when lord Jagannath cannot be seen in Puri. During this period, popularly known as Anasara or 'Anavasara' (literally meaning no opportunity to see the lord of Puri), instead of having darshan in Jagannath Temple, peoples believe that Lord Jagannath during this time manifests as Alarnath Dev, at the Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, which is about 23 km from Puri.

The temple is associated with the visit of the Alwar saint Ramanujacharya to Orissa.[1]Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during his stay in Puri used to see Shri Jagannatha daily. During Anavasara when Lord and his siblings were taken to the secret chamber for 15 days, he was unable to see his dear Lord. So as per legend lord directed him to go to Brahmagiri and visit his another temple called Alarnath. Still today the Shila over which Mahaprabhu used to do Samkeertan is there. Many historians opine that Alwars once visited this place, but there is no mention of it in Divyaprabandam.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel Naren Palace, Puri

Day 4: PURI TO BHUBANESWAR & SIGHTSEEING

Stop At: Raghurajpur Artist Village, On the river Bhargabi, Puri India
Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village out of Puri district, India, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi. It is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sakshigopal Temple, Khordha, Odisha 752021, India
Sakhigopala Temple formally known as Satyabadi Gopinatha Temple is a medieval temple dedicated to Lord Gopinatha located in the town of Sakhigopala on the Puri Bhubaneshwar highway in Odisha, India. The temple is built in the Kalinga style of temple architecture.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Nandankanan Zoological Park, Nandankanan Rd Near Police Station, Bhubaneswar 754005 India
Nandankanan Zoological Park (Odia: ନନ୍ଦନକାନନ ଜୀବ ଉଦ୍ୟାନ) is a 437-hectare (1,080-acre) zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Established in 1960, it was opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2009. It also contains a botanical garden and part of it has been declared a sanctuary. Nandankanan, literally meaning The Garden of Heaven,[1] is located near the capital city, Bhubaneswar, in the environs of the Chandaka forest, and includes the 134-acre.

The zoo is home to about 1660 individual animals representing 166 species, including 67 species of mammals, 81 species of birds, and 18 species of reptiles. The death rate of animals here during the 2008–2009 fiscal year was one of the lowest in India, at 3.1% per year compared to the national average of 10%. The zoo enjoys a good reputation internationally for successfully breeding black panthers, gharials, and white tigers in captivity.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Khandagiri Caves, Udaygiri Khandagiri Road Khandagiri Hills, Bhubaneswar 751030 India
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kattaka Caves or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during 2nd-century BCE. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jaina monks during the reign of King Kharavela.Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.