BEST TIME TO VISIT ODISHA (orissa)

Odisha is for all season and all reason.However , the popular tourist Season is OCTOBER to MARCH .

The weather remains very pleasant with a day temp of 25-30*C and Night can be 15-20*C in an average.

However, the monsoon  in Orissa has its own charm too as the  fields looks GREEN with paddy plantation and the valley at KORAPUT is very special with touch of rain from June till Sept.

In June-July , the famous Ratha Yatra (car festivals) happens in most of the part of Odisha which is also a very unique festival to visit as it is an identity of Odisha culture.

Summer months like April -May can be hot and humid with max temp 40-48*C but tourists come with their families to enjoy the cool sea brezee at the beaches of Puri,Gopalpur , Chandipur etc.Koraput being at an height of appox 1000 mt  is also an ideal destination to skip the heats of Indian Summer.

Festivals like Durga puja Holidays in October, Parab at KORAPUT in November, KONARK DANCE FESTIVAL at Dec 1-5, Christmas holiday during new year, Makar Sankratnti in Jan , Magha Mela and Joranda Sadhu festival  in Feb, Shiva Ratri and Holi festival at March are the best time to visit Odisha.(orissa)

Top 5 Places to Take a Tribal India Tour

Tribes in India has its own identity because of their rich cultural heritage and practise of their own religion, language , attire , festivals etc.

If you are interested to meet these ethnic community or take a trip to the Tribal Villages in INDIA , these are the Top Five destinations.

1- ODISHA (Orissa)for BONDA, DUNGURIA KONDH , GODOBA, PARAJA tribes at South west part of the state .Also a week to ten days trip to KORAPUT ,RAYAGADA DIST will bring you an excellent opportunity to meet theses ethnic tribes .

2-CHATISHGARH OR JAGDALPUR is also an ideal destination for Tribal tour and tribal craft where one can see Muria, Maria , Baiga ,Gund, Dhuruba tribes

Chatishgarh can be combined  with Odisha for the tribal tour and a two weeks itinerary can be ideal to explore this  region.

3-ARUNACHAL in North East is home for several ethnic group such as APATANI, MOMPA, ADI , NAGA etc who has their own identity and rituals.A journey to North East states like ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM, MEGHALAYA is a treat if you want to visit etnic villages and festivals for tribes.

4-GUJARAT in western part of INDIA offers nice trip to various ethnic community like RAVARI, RATWAS  JAT, DANG, GARASIA  because of their traditional costumes and embroidery .During March -april , the tribes in Gujarat celebrates very colourful and ethnic festival which can be a life time experience.

5-MADHYA PRADESH -There are 46 recognized Scheduled Tribes in Madhya Pradesh, India, three of which have been identified as 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups' (PTGs)(formerly known as 'Special Primitive Tribal Groups'}. The population of Scheduled Tribals (ST) is 20.27% of the state population (12.233 million out of 60.385 million), according to the 2001 census.[1] Bounded by the Narmada River to the north and the Godavari River to the southeast, tribal peoples occupy the slopes of the region's mountains.

The main tribal groups in Madhya Pradesh are Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Korku, Bhariya, Halba, Kaul, Mariya, and Sahariya.

Dhar, Jhabua and Mandla districts have a more than 50 percent tribal population. In Khargone, Chhindwara, Seoni, Sidhi andShahdol districts, 30 to 50 percent of the population is of tribes. The largest population is that of the Gond tribes.

Things to Do in PURI

Puri is one of the four holy Dhams of India and every Hindu like to visit once in their life time to Puri Dham or popularly Known as  SHREE JAGANNATH DHAM as this is the living place of Lord Jagannth along with his brother Balabhadra and Sister Subhadra who symbolize the ultimate God or lord of the Universe for this KALI YUGA .

This 12 th century living temple has attracted many saints, philosophers, spiritual leaders, pilgrim’s across the globe in various time and as an evidence they have established various monasteries which worked as a center for prayer and learning. Even various Kings, Land lords or Traders had  set Piligimrimme Centers  known as DHARMASALA which aims to provide logistics for piligrimmes as a charity or religious act .

Being blessed with golden sandy beach of Bay of Bengal, Puri also attracts large numbers of holiday makers who like to rewind by the sea side resort since English time .

Near by places like Sun temple at Konark (40 km) , Chilika lake at Satapada (55km), Temples at Bhubaneswar (60 Km) makes Puri as one of the most popular FAMILYHOLIDAY DESTINATION .

In other word, PURI IS FOR ALL SEASON AND ALL REASON and one need at least 5-7 days of time to explore the best in and around Puri.

The must see while in Puri may be jotted as below but can vary based on the interest of each individual traveler.

·         Meet The Lord Jagarnnath during MANGALA AARATI(around 5am  which may vary based on the rituals)and also BADA SINGHAR BESA (when the God Goes to sleep)

·         Try to have MAHAPRASAD (the holy food cooked inside the temple and known as one of the largest kitchen in India which feeds every day more than 25,000 people) cooked in an traditional way with all indigenous vegetables only.

·         Take a walk on the holy grand road and the old lanes of the holy dham to meet the life at the Dham.

·         Witness Sun rise/ Sunset by the bay of Bengal and walk on the sandy beach to rewind your self with the cool breeze and sounds of the waves.

·         Visit the local Beach Market near Swargadwar in the evening where you can buy small souvenirs.

·         Take a GREEN RIDER RIKSWA TOUR to explore the places of interest at the holy city .(Contact HERITAGE TOURS)

·         Witness the sand art and sculptures at the beach by eminent artist Sudersan Pattanaik.

·         Have sea food at Wild grass restaurant or a try a local PURI THALI.

·         Take a sea bath  and help of Nolia or Life guards for beach service.

·         Try Jhalmudhi or Rajbhoj from the vendors at the beach.

·         Take an excursion to KONARK, CHILIKA LAKE, BHUBANESWAR etc.(pl contact Heritage tours)-

·         Visit Raghurajpur, the famous artisan village near Puri.

See Gotipua or Odishi dance in any school nearby.