India Visit 2022 - Exploring the world heritage sites

 

(Photo Courtesy: Odisha Tourism : Glimpses of Odisha)

This summer, my family and I took a trip to India, to the state of Odisha. Odisha is a part of Eastern India. This was our first trip to India in four years since my family and I last went in 2018. We usually go to India for family gatherings, but on this trip, we decided to see some relatives and several tourist sites. We were in India for around three weeks. We didn't accomplish much during the first week after going there because everyone in our family was jet-lagged. We spent most of our time on our phones and visited a few relatives. We saw several tourist spots after our jet lag subsided. 

Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves: Hill of Rising son

We started by traveling to Khandagiri. Khandagiri is a 110-foot-tall hill that contains 15 caves. Udaygiri, situated adjacent to Khandagiri, has 18 caves. There are numerous Jain drawings in the caves built during the 1^st century BCE. These caves are popular tourist destinations and are crucial to Odisha's history because they provide the earliest proof that Jainism existed. King Kharavela built the caves as the living place of Jain monks. They also contain several inscriptions by the king.

Dhauligiri: Shanti Stupa or Peace pagoda

We traveled to Dhauli from Khandagiri. Dhauli peace monument sits on a lovely and quiet mountaintop. The peace monument was established in 1972 to commemorate King Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism to promote peace worldwide after the Kalinga war(261 B.C.). Asoka, the victorious king, became a Buddhist after seeing the devastation and pain after the war. Popular folklore mentions that the nearby Daya river was dyed red due to the massive number of deaths during the Kalinga war. 

Nandankanan Zoo – Home of White Tiger

We visited the Nandankanan Zoo after Dhauli. The Nandankanan Zoo has a large variety of species. White Tiger, one of the rarest creatures in the world, can be found here. In addition, this zoo houses lions, eagles, wolves, snakes, elephants, and crocodiles. 

Konark – The Sun Temple

We traveled to Konark to see the Sun Temple the next day. This temple was built in the 13^th century for the Hindu sun god "Surya". The original temple was created as a chariot of Sun God driven by twenty-four wheels and pulled by seven horses. The main temple has collapsed over the years; the only remains are the entrance to the temple. It features numerous intricate embellishments. Beautifully carved elephants, lions, and wheels may be seen at the temple's front and sides.

Puri -The abode of Lord Jagannath

The Jagannath temple in Puri was the last spot we visited. This temple is among the most well-known temples and tourist sites in India. The Hindu god Jagannath, often known as the Creator of the Universe, is honored in this temple. Other smaller temples are close to the Jagannath temple, while the main temple is the tallest at 214.8 feet. Puri also has a beautiful sea beach(the Bay of Bengal). We had a fun time on the beach! 

I had a great time on this trip because it was the first time I could explore Odisha fully and see it from various angles. I gained a lot of knowledge about the rich history of Odisha, as well as Buddhism and Jainism. Additionally, I got to view the local wildlife, and the vacation was generally a lot of fun. 

For further information:   Odisha Tourism : Visit Odisha | Travel & Tourism | Official Site