Attractions

Odisha is a place that is famous for its tourist attractions. There are many places to see, like beautiful hill stations, valleys, national parks, beaches, rivers and lakes. You'll also enjoy visiting famous temples and monuments. Odisha is a wonderful place to visit.

Marvellous architectural wonders and the natural beauty of sun-kissed beaches make it a must-visit destination.

Must Visit Attractions in Odisha

You have to visit the attractions in Odisha if you want to get a feel of this beautiful land.

Odisha is blessed with natural beauty, and there are many places to visit here that are well-known all over the world. Some of these places are well-known for their natural features, while others are less well-known but still very special.

1. Jeypore - A Beautiful Place with Famous Waterfalls

2. Sambalpur - A Place for Nature Lovers

3. Pipli - The Handicrafts Town

4. Taptapani – Hot Water Springs

5. Dhauli - The Place of Famous Peace Pagoda & Great Peace

6. Chilika - The Largest Brackish Water Lake

7. Simlipal National Park - The Famous Bengal Tiger

8. Hirakud Dam - The Longest Dam India Has

9. Khandagiri Caves - The Beautiful Motifs & Carvings

10. Chandipur – Home to Sea Turtles

1. Jeypore - A Beautiful Place with Famous Waterfalls

One of the delightful tourist places in Odisha; Jeypore is a place where you can see beautiful views, beautiful waterfalls, and beautiful nature reserves. It's a paradise for nature lovers!

Key Attractions in Jeypore:

• Gupteshwar Caves

• Sunabeda

• Deomali

• Duduma Falls

• Jagannath Sagar

• Hatipathar

• Kolab Falls

Places to Stay: Hotel City Plaza International, Zabeer Hotel International

Best Time to Visit: October to February

2. Sambalpur - A Place for Nature Lovers

Known for its natural splendour & cultural sites, Sambalpur is one of the favourite tourist places in Odisha. Several waterfalls and lush green forests that allure photography buffs, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts make the place a must visit.

Key Attractions in Sambalpur:

• Hirakud Dam

• Cattle Island

• Chiplima

• Samaleswari Temple

• Huma

• Debrigarh & Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuaries

Places to Stay: Hotel Royal Retreat, Hotel Olive, The Welcome Resorts, Hotel Sai Krupa, Shree Shyam Lodge

Best Time to Visit: September to March

3. Pipli - The Handicrafts Town

This small town of Odisha is world renowned for its craftsmanship & for the Applique handicrafts. The artisans here are particularly skilled at embroidery and using bright colors. You can purchase handicrafts and souvenirs from here.

Key Attractions in Pipli:

• Beautiful Applique Handicrafts

• Colorful Bazaars

Places to Stay: Nest Guest House, Royal Orchid Residency

Best Time to Visit: October to January

4. Taptapani - Hot Water Springs

Taptapani is a place where hot springs flow out of the ground. People come to visit because they believe the springs have healing properties. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Odisha.

Key Attractions in Taptapani:

• Hot Springs

Places to Stay: Srinivas Residency, Hotel Ganesh Bhavan, Nirmalya’s Maharaja, Hotel Bhawani Palace

Best Time to Visit: October to March

5. Dhauli - The Place of Famous Peace Pagoda & Great Peace

Dhauli is a place close to Bhubaneshwar, on the banks of the river Daya. It has significance from the famous Kalinga War. There is a famous Shanti Stupa here, and people from all over the world visit it.

Key Attractions in Dhauli:

• Dhauli Shanti Stupa

• Dhabaleswar

• Kalinga War Battlefield

• CIFA Aquarium

Places to Stay: Dhauli Palace, Treebo Trend King’s Court, Campeners Odisha, Rajani House

Best Time to Visit: July to February

6. Chilika - The Largest Brackish Water Lake

Spread over the districts of Orissa like Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam; Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lake. It is amongst the largest lagoon in the world, and has been given the designation of first Indian wetland of international importance. It is home to a large number of migratory species and birds; which makes it one of the most visited places amongst the other Odisha tourist destinations.

Key Attractions in Chilika:

• Satapada

• Kalijai Temple

• Rambha Bay

Places to Stay: Swosti Chilika Resort, Chilika Island Resort, Daveen Chilika Resort

Best Time to Visit: October to March

7. Simlipal National Park - The Famous Bengal Tiger

Located in the Mayurbanj district of Odisha, Simlipal National Park is a tiger reserve and a national park. Being the 7th largest national park in India, it is also a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Home to Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, Chausingha and gaur, this national park got its name from the abundance of red silk cotton trees growing in the area.

Key Attractions in Simlipal National Park:

• Devkund Waterfall

• Ramatirtha

• Chahala

Places to Stay: Similipal Khairi Resort, Similipal Hotel, Aranya Nivas Lulung

Best Time to Visit: October to May

8. Hirakud Dam - The Longest Dam India Has

The Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi river. Being the longest dam in India, this dam holds historical importance as it was the “First multipurpose river valley project undertaken by India” post-independence. It is one of the best places to visit with friends and family.

Key Attractions in Hirakud Dam:

• Eco Retreat Odisha

• Hotel the Grand SIBA

Places to Stay: Hotel Royal Retreat, Hotel Olive, The Welcome Resorts, Hotel Sai Krupa, Shree Shyam Lodge

Best Time to Visit: September to March

9. Khandagiri Caves - The Beautiful Motifs & Carvings

The Khandagiri Caves are a popular tourist destination for history and art lovers. The caves depict the best of Jain and Buddhist culture, and are beautifully decorated with paintings and motifs. It is believed that the caves were inhabited by Jain scholars. There are fifteen caves in total, and each has carvings of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankars.

Key Attractions in Khandagiri Caves:

• Udayagiri Caves

• Kedareshwar Temple

• Swarnajaleswar Temple

Places to Stay: The Presidency, Hotel Hindustan International Bhubaneshwar

Best Time to Visit: November to March

10. Chandipur - Home to Sea Turtles

A quaint seaside town which offers complete serenity and tranquillity; if you are a fan of sea resorts, then this has to be the top pick to visit in Odisha. Other than its unique disappearing sea, which happens due to the high tide and low tide, Chandipur is famous for its seafood.

Key Attractions in Chandipur:

• Chandipur Beach, where the sea recedes up to 5 km providing the opportunity to walk on the sea bed and see & collect seashells, red crabs, turtles and other underwater marine spectacles

Places to Stay: Hotel Asha Nivas, International Tourism Resort, Hotel Chandipur, Shanti Guest House

Best Time to Visit: November to March

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