Odisha

ODISHA 

Odisha (Formerly Orissa), an eastern India state on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its tribal cultures and its many ancient Hindu Temples. The capital, Bhubaneswar, is home to hundreds of temples.

Capital: Bhubaneswar

Official Bird: Indian Roller

Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik

Official Song: Bande Utkal Janani



Places to Visit

1. Jagannath Temple, Puri

                                      

 The Shree Jagannatha Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to lord Jagannatha, a form of lord Vishnu, located on The eastern coast of India, at Puri in the state of Odisha. The Temple is one of the Holiest Hindu Char Dham. The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400000 square feet and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. The Nila Chakra is the discus mounted on the top shikhar of the Jagannath Temple. The Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath are Distributed amongst the devotees near the Ratnavedi inside the devotees near the Ratnavedi inside the frame of Phokaria, which is drawn by the puja pandas using Muruj. The Most important festival is the Rath Yatra or the chariot festival in June.


2. Konark Sun Temple, Konark 

The Konark Temple was built by King Narsingha Deva in 1250 AD to commemorate his victory over Muslims. This temple is basically dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God. The temple is made up of black granite and is also known as the 'Black Pagoda. 

Its construction took a long time span of 16 years. The carving on the temple is excellent. ASI approved guide will surely add the informative part into this visit. Food and shopping is available near temple campus.

3. Chilika Lake 

Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 km². Bird watching is the main draw at this brackish coastal lagoon, the largest in India.


4. Nandankanan Zoological Park 

                                       

Nandankanan Zoological Park is a 400-hectare 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 in 2009.



5. Hirakud Dam, Sambalpur

Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kilometres from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km long. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India's independence.


6. Duduma Waterfall

The Duduma Waterfall, 175 metres high, is formed by the Machkund river in Odisha & Andhra Pradesh states of India. Duduma is about 92 km from Koraput and about 177 km from Visakhapatnam. It forms a part of the boundary between
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Duduma Waterfalls is one of the highest waterfalls in India.

               BEST FOODS IN ODISHA 

1. Dahibara Aloodum, Cuttack

Dahibara when combined with a little hot and spicy aloodum and ghuguni (Curry) gives such a heavenly taste that the inhabitants of cuttack simply drool and preach about it. Moreover, when garnished with finely chopped onions and coriander leaves, it renders an unforgettable savour.

For Recipe click the link given below..🡇

https://www.desifiesta.com/2018/04/dahi-bara-aloo-dum-ghungni-recipe-dahi-vada-aloo-dum-bengali-street-food.html

2. Rasabali, Kendrapara

Offered to god Baladevjew and believed to have originated from the Baladevjew Temple of Kendrapara, Rasabali happens to be the most Famous sweet dish found in this province of Odisha. Soaked in thick flavoured milk and garnished with cardamoms on top, this authentic reddish-brown toothsome dish is even served as one of the Chappana Bhogas at Lord Jagannath Temple.

For Recipe click the link below🡇

https://www.vegfoodrecipes.in/all/recipe/rasabali/

3. Chenna Poda, Nayagarh

This is the quintessential cheese dessert of Odisha. The enduring taste of burnt cottage cheese equaling with the sweet sugar syrup that's added to it, makes the taste of Chenna Poda kind of hard to forget. Though available at many places, but Nayagarh happens to be the birthplace of this sweet dessert. And to add onto the flavour, dry fruits like cashew nut and raisins are mixed during its preparation.

For recipe click the link below🡇

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/chhena-poda-recipe/

4. Khaja, Puri

A typical and unique sweet used as one of the Chappana Bhogas of Lord Jagganath in Puri, Khaja is prepared in the temple of lord jagannath daily and served as a mouth- watering prasad. Starting from the Shree Mandir to the street side shops, this cuisine is found nearly in every corner of puri. And what makes this extraordinary cuisine famous is its crispiness along with the flavours of sugar-coat that is layered on top of it.

For recipe click the link below🡇

https://www.archanaskitchen.com/khaja-recipe-layered-fritters-dunked-in-sugar-syrup