Odisha Golden Triangle With Bhitarkanika

Meet and greet on arrival at Bhubaneswar airport/railway station and transfer to hotel. After fresh-up visit to the ancient temples like Lingaraj-the biggest temple in Bhubaneswar (non-hindu are not allowed inside the temple premises), Mukteswar, Rajarani. & 64 Yogini temple (Yogini sculpture having 64 different hair style & one of the four Yogini temple in India). Evening free for independent activities. O/N- Bhubaneswar.

Note:

1. Lingaraj temple remain open from 05.00 to 21.00hrs and close for 01hr between 11.00 to 13.00hrs. Devotee can go in to the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) between 06.00 to 08.00hrs & 13.00 to 16.00hrs.

2. Non-Hindu are not allowed inside the Lingaraj temple premises. They can see from the specific platform.  

After early breakfast drive to Bhitarkanika N.P (170 kms/3.5 hrs). On arrival board on boat and cruise in different creeks of Bhitarkanika NP to spot crocodiles, different birds, Mangrove Forest etc. Visit to Matha Adia for birds sighting, Sikarakathi-the hunting tower of ancient king, Shiv temple. Later visit crocodile breeding centre & museum at Dangamal.  You can see Deer, Water lizard in and around your cottage. O/N-BKNP.

Morning nature walk in nature trail. Post breakfast drive back to Bhubaneswar. En-route visit through Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri Buddhist circuit, popularly known as Diamond triangle of Odisha. Explore the Stupas, Chaityas, Viharas etc. Lalitgiri is the oldest Buddhist complex of the state and one of the earliest Buddhist establishments of world. visit the museum at Ratnagiri & Lalitgiri (close on Friday). O/N-Bhubaneswar.

Post breakfast visit to Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain Caves and Jain temple, Tribal Museum/ Kala Bhoomi-a craft museum (both close on Monday and Govt. holidays). Later proceed to Puri, en-route visit through Mangalajodi-another end of Chilika lake and popularly known as bird’s Paradise of Asia. Experience the country boat ride and explore birds sighting (local & migratory) in a very close by. (Winter is the best time to visit mangalajodi). On arrival at Puri, check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure. O/N-Puri.

Note:

1. Be aware of Monkeys at Khandagiri & Udaigiri. Keep your wallet & bag carefully. Udaigiri remain open from 08.00hrs to 17.00hrs. 

After breakfast visit to visit to the temple of the universal God, Lord Jagannath (One among four Dham of Hindu religion). After darshan visit other temples of God & goddesses, the Anandabazar, the vast Kitchen & Koili Baikuntha. The word ‘Koili’ means burial ground for the trinity & ‘Baikuntha’ means the heaven. Later excursion trip to Konark. Enjoy your drive through beautiful marine drive road from Puri to Konark along with visit through Ramchandi temple & Chandrabhaga beach. On arrival visit the Sun temple (the UNESCO World heritage monument) & interpretation center.  Evening you may witness the sound & light show at Konark. O/N-Puri

Note:

1. Konark Sun temple remain open from 08.00 to 18.00hrs. Light & sound show time: 18.30 to 19.15hrs (Winter) & 19.00 to 19.40hrs(summer). 

2. Light & sound show operates subject to weather condition and minimum 25-pax. It remain close on every Monday. 

3.Jagannath temple remain open from 05.00 to 22.00hrs and close for 01.3hr between 07.30 to 9.30am & 01-hour between 12.00 to 14.00hrs.

4.For Jagannath temple, Devotees must wear decent clothes to enter the shrine. Wearing half pants, shorts, torn jeans, ripped jeans, skirts & sleeveless dresses are not permitted.

5. Non-Hindu are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple & Gundicha temple premises. 

6. Mobile phones, cameras, leather items, paan, gutkha, tobacco, food items, bags, Polythin & plastic are not allowed inside the Jagannath & Gundicha temple premises.

7. Be careful to monkeys at Jagannath temple. Keep your wallet & bags carefully.

Post breakfast excursion trip to Satapada (One end of Chilika Lagoon). On arrival enjoy the motor boat ride in the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia and explore the virgin beach, Rajhans Island (drive pass), rare Irrawaddy dolphins, local birds etc. On way back to Puri, visit through Raghurajpur/Nayakpatna artisan village. On arrival at Puri visit the Niladri beach & Blue flag beach. Rest of the day free for leisure. O/N-Puri.

After breakfast proceed to Bhubaneswar. En-route visit through Pipili applique market, Dhauli Buddhist shanti stupa, Pipili appliqué market. In-time transfer to airport for onward journey. Tour End.