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The places of tourist importance can broadly be classified into three groups
- international, national and provincial. Apart from places of tourist interest,
many festivals also attracts people from distant areas.
Among places of
international repute, the Sun Temple at Konark is the most important. It is
better known as the 'Black Pagoda'. Its architectural beauty ranks with the best
in the country. This temple, built on the Puri coast, was dedicated to Surya. It
is built of black granite, and the sculpture marks the climax of Hindu
architecture. Konark is linked by all weather roads to Bhubaneswar and Puri. An
air strip is planned to be opened shortly.
 Puri, famous for the temple of Lord
Jagannath, is one of the four 'dhams' of
the Hindus along with Varanasi, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. The temple of Lord
Jagannath is a colossal one. The Puri coast, is
shallow and offers excellent bathing facilities. Puri also has one of the best
natural beaches in the country as far as scenic beauty and bathing facilities
are concerned. Since the town is a religious place and a sea resort, it
attracts devotees and fun-seekers alike. Puri is also famous for its car
festival.
 Bhubaneswar, the capital, known as the cathedral city of
India, is the symbol
of modernity. The Lingaraj temple, the Jain and the Buddhist caves at
Khandgiri and Udayagri, the Ashokan inscription and the Shanti Stupa at Dhauli
have made Bhubaneswar an important tourist centre. The ruins of the fort of
Sisupal of Mahabharata fame can be seen on the outskirts of the city which is
justly famous as the 'city of temples'. The 'Nandan Kenam', the Zoological park is
the greatest attraction for children and grown-up alike. It is the only centre
where white tigers breed in natural setting. It's lion safari, boating
facilities, rope ways, toy railways are some of the unique facilities provided
in natural setting. All these three places are linked by an excellent rail and road network and
form a 'Golden Triangle' from the tourist point of view.
NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
The other
places of tourist interest are the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi and the
hydel power station at Machkund in Koraput district. As centers of tourism, they
are of national importance. The steel plant at Rourkela comes in this category. Lake
Chilika, on the eastern sea board, is one of the beauty spots.
Simpilipal is also a tourist centre as a tiger reserve is located here.
LOCAL IMPORTANCE
Among the places of local tourist interest, the waterfall at Deogarh in
Deogarh district, Taptapani hot spring in
Ganjam district, the Atri hot spring
in Khorda district and the temples of Nrushingnath and Kapilas figures
prominently. Among the festivals which attract a large number of people from the country
and abroad is the world famous car festival of Lord Jagannath of Puri. The
festival lasts about 10 days. It draws a large number of international tourists.
The Durga puja of Cuttack is also famous. Orissa has still a long way to go to develop tourism as an industry. Modern
hotels need to be provided. The transport facilities are to be made more
efficient. Qualified tourist guides are also needed.
CUTTACK
30
Km north of Bhubanewar was the medieval capital cuttack, one of the oldest
town in Orissa. It was the capital and administrative centre until the end
of the British Raj, still the year 1956. The cuttack was founed by Nripati
Kesari (920-935). It occupies an important strategic position in relation
to the network of canals in the region. The town is almost an island and
situated at the head of the Mahanadi delta and surrounded by the great
river and its tributary the Kathjuri.
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