Puri Beach Holiday

Day 01: Bhubaneswar - Puri (54kms/ 1hrs approx)

Arrival at Bhubaneswar airport, meet and greet with our office representative assistance and transfer to hotel in Bhubaneswar/ Puri. Rest day free for personal activities, relax etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Puri

Breakfast at hotel, day free for personal activities relax on the beach etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Puri half day excursion to Konark (25kms/ one way)
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to visit Konark Sun Temple (UNESCO's World Heritage Site). Situated on the coast, site consists of little more than the mighty temple and a handful of shops, stalls and palaces to stay. The temple of Sun God was constructed in the 13th century. It has been in ruins for centuries but until the early 1900's it was simply an interesting ruin of impressive size. Then the debris and sand was clared from around the temple base and the sheer magnitude of its architect's imagination was revealed. The entire temple was conceived as a chariot for the sun God, Surya. Around the base of the temple there are 24 gigantic, carved stone wheels, seven mighty horses haul at the temple and the immense structure is covered with carvings, sculptures, figures. If the temple was completed  it would have soared to 70 meters high . Three images of Surya still stand and are designed to catch the sun at dawn, at noon and at sunset. Also visit ASI museum. Evening back to Puri overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Puri half day excursion to Pipli Artist Village

Breakfast at hotel, half day excursion to visit Pipli Artist Village; The villagers of Pipli produce applique art, a process of cutting coloured cloth into shapes of animals, birds, flowers leaves gods, goddesses and other decorative motifs and stitching them over a piece of cloth. These creations are then fabricated into lampshades, handbags, cushion covers or even garden umbrellas. A famous example is the enormous applique' canopies above the reigning deity of Puri, Lord Jagannath.

In Pipli, one can across rows of shops flaunting the applique work. The applique work in Pipli includes bed covers, letter cases, cushion covers, wall hangings, pillow covers, bed sheets, hand bags, canopies, garden umbrellas, etc. It is said that the kings and nobility of Orissa had patronized the applique work. At one time, the applique work of Orissa is said to have reached the heights of excellence. In Orissa, kings engaged craftsmen in the Jagannath Temple. In 1054, Maharaja Birakshore is said to have appointed 'Darjis' to serve the temple. The 'darjis' provided regular supply of the items required for the rites performed at the temple. The village of Pipli was set up for accommodating the craftsmen of Orissa. Initially, the craftsmen only made banners, umbrellas and canopies for the festive occasions, but with the popularity of the art, the artisans started making many items of utility. The craftsmen of Pipli also supplied the articles of utility to the maths and the monastic houses. But since Independence, the darjis have completely taken to making articles for the tourists.

Day 05: Puri Full day excursion to Khandagiri, Udaygiri & Dhauli

Breakfast at hotel, full day excursion to visit Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves (first century BC): Just 7kms west of Bhubaneswar are the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri, the next major Orissan historical monument after Ashoka's rock-cut edict. The rocks of the Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills were carved and tunneled, to create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Orissan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC. Kharavela was a king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty, who is known for expansion of the Kalinga empire and his installation of public improvements, such as canal systems. His queen was evidently quite a patron of the arts, and probably had much to do with the impressive sculptural decoration of the caves.

Dhauli - where the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka renounced violence and embraced the teachings of Buddha. We visit the Peace Pagoda known as Shanti Stupa built in early 1970s by the Japanese. We also stop at two ancient rock edicts, today eclipsed by the presence of the Pagoda. Dating from 260BC they outline Ashoka's detailed instructions to his administrators to rule with gentleness and fairness.

Shanti Stupa at Dhauli The serenity of the place and the legacy of Buddhism motivated the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha, under the guidance of Guruji Fujii, Founder President of Nipponzan Myohoji of Japan to establish a Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa at Dhauli along with the construction of the monastery called Saddharma Vihar in early seventies of 19th century. Along with the Ashokan Edicts, the Peace Pagoda and modern Buddhist Monastery, Dhauli offers the visitors small-rock cut caves, Hindu temples of early medieval period and a renovated Siva temple known as Dhavalesvara on top of the hill are added attractions. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Puri full day excursion to Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneshwar: The capital of orrissa, known as the temple town due to its many temples in extravagant, Orissan architectural into old and new parts. Lingaraja Temple, the great temple of the city, Bindusagar, the 'Ocean Drop' tank is said to contain water from every holy stream. Sidharanya, the grove of perfect Beings, is a cluster of about 20 smaller temples, including some of the most important in Bhubaneshwar. 11 meters high, Mukteshwar Temple is finely detailed with some excellent carvings, but unfortunately much of it is defaced.

Visit Nandankanan Zoo, located in the midst of greenish environment of Chandaka Forest, has credited with some rare species of animals. Nandankanan is composed of a botanical Garden, a sanctuary and a zoo and is in the shore of picturesque Kanjia Lake. Nandankanan, literally means Garden of Heaven, was established during 1960 and declared open as a sanctuary and zoo in 1979. The spectacular animals in the zoo include the rare species of white tigers. The zoo is also a home to the Captive Gharial Crocodile breeding center, first in the country. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Puri Full day excursion to Chilika Lake (at Satpada 45kms/ 1hrs one way)

Breakfast at hotel, excursion to visit Chilika lake (at Satpada), boat cruise inside the lake, get a chance to see the Dolphins.

Chilika Lake: is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.  The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher-folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. These birds travel great distances, but it must be stressed, that the migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000km, to reach Chilika River.  Evening back to Puri. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Puri – Bhubaneswar

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Bhubaneswar airport (54kms/ 1hrs) to board flight for your onward destination.