Things to Do in Odisha: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Odisha are Bhubaneswar's temples and caves, Puri and the area around the Jagannath Temple, the Konark Sun Temple, the painters of Raghurajpur, and Chilika Lake's dolphins and winter birds — with Rath Yatra for those who time their visit. With a week, cover the golden triangle and Chilika.

Odisha's highlights sit close together, which makes them easy to combine. This guide groups 17 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Odisha itinerary and cost guide.

At a glance

Bhubaneswar

1. Mukteswar and Rajarani temples. Finely carved temples in the old town.

2. Lingaraj Temple. Viewed from a platform by non-Hindus.

3. Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves. Ancient Jain rock-cut caves.

4. Dhauli Shanti Stupa. A peace pagoda near the Kalinga war site.

5. Odisha State Museum and tribal museum. Palm-leaf manuscripts and tribal crafts.

Puri and Konark

6. The Jagannath Temple area. The temple, Grand Road and Ananda Bazaar.

7. Puri beach at sunrise. Fishermen and a long sandy shore.

8. The Konark Sun Temple. A thirteenth-century stone chariot.

9. Raghurajpur. Pattachitra painters and gotipua dancers.

10. Pipli. Colourful appliqué work.

11. Rath Yatra. The chariot festival in June or July.

Chilika and beyond

12. Satapada dolphin boats. Irrawaddy dolphins on the lagoon.

13. Mangalajodi. Winter birds from country boats.

14. Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri. Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

15. Bhitarkanika. Mangroves and saltwater crocodiles.

16. Gopalpur-on-Sea. A quiet beach town.

17. Koraput's tribal markets. Weekly markets in the southern hills.

Temple etiquette

Odisha's temples are active places of worship. Remove footwear, leave leather items and cameras where required, dress modestly and follow the rules at each temple, as some restrict entry to Hindus.

Simlipal National Park

Simlipal, in northern Odisha, is a large tiger reserve with sal forests, waterfalls and grasslands. It is reached via Baripada and suits nature lovers with extra days; it usually closes in the monsoon.

Birdwatching at Chilika

From about November to February, Chilika hosts large numbers of migratory birds. Mangalajodi, on the northern shore, is known for community-led conservation, where former hunters now guide visitors in small boats among ducks, waders and herons at dawn. Nalabana island is a bird sanctuary in the lagoon.

Cuttack and silver filigree

Cuttack, Odisha's old capital, is known for tarakasi, delicate silver filigree jewellery, and for its Durga Puja celebrations. The Barabati Fort ruins and the Netaji Birthplace Museum are nearby, about an hour from Bhubaneswar.

Beaches

Puri's beach is lively, with fishermen at dawn and sand art. Chandrabhaga near Konark is quieter, and Gopalpur-on-Sea in the south has an old-world charm. The sea is rough in places, so swim only where lifeguards are present.

The tribal south

Koraput, in the southern hills, is home to several tribal communities, and weekly markets in towns such as Onukudelli draw people from surrounding villages. Visits need a local guide and a respectful approach; ask before taking photographs.

Dance and music

Odissi, one of India's classical dance forms, originated in Odisha's temples. Performances are held in Bhubaneswar, at the Konark Dance Festival in December and at Raghurajpur, where gotipua dance is taught. Watching a performance adds depth to temple visits.

Visiting Konark

The Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is carved as a chariot with twenty-four wheels and seven horses. Hire an official guide at the entrance, visit early, and see the museum nearby. The Konark Dance Festival in December brings classical dance to an open-air stage.

More of Puri

Beyond the temple, Puri has the Gundicha Temple, the Swargadwar beach and the Narendra Tank. Sand artists create sculptures on the beach, and evenings on the promenade are lively.

More of Chilika

Chilika, Asia's largest brackish-water lagoon, has islands such as Kalijai, sandbars where the lake meets the sea, and fishing villages. Winter brings migratory birds from far away.

Rath Yatra in detail

Three giant wooden chariots carry Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra along the Grand Road to the Gundicha Temple. Our Royal Rath Yatra Chronicles arranges viewing, guides and calm stays.

More of Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, the temple city, once had hundreds of temples around the Bindu Sagar lake. The Parasurameswara temple is among the oldest, and the Brahmeswara and Vaital Deul temples are finely carved. The Ekamra Haat sells crafts, and the Nandankanan zoo is popular with families. An early-morning heritage walk in the old town is the best way to see the temples without the heat.

Raghurajpur in detail

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village where almost every family practises an art: pattachitra cloth paintings, palm-leaf engravings, masks, toys and tussar silk paintings. Artists welcome visitors into their homes, explain the process and sell directly. The village is also known for gotipua, a dance performed by young boys. Allow two or three hours.

The Buddhist triangle

Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, about three hours from Bhubaneswar, were important Buddhist centres. Excavations have revealed monasteries, stupas and fine sculptures, displayed in a museum at Ratnagiri. The sites are quiet and set among green fields, making a peaceful day trip.

Bhitarkanika and the coast

Bhitarkanika National Park, with mangroves, creeks and one of India's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles, is explored by boat. Nearby Gahirmatha is known for olive ridley turtles nesting in large numbers in some winters. An overnight stay suits nature lovers.

Food experiences

Dalma, pakhala, chhena poda, rasagola and seafood are highlights. Vegetarian and Jain food is easy.

Crafts

Pattachitra, palm-leaf engraving, appliqué, silver filigree from Cuttack and Sambalpuri textiles are Odisha's crafts.

When to go

October to March is best; Rath Yatra is in June or July.

What you can safely skip

You do not need every Bhubaneswar temple. Choose a few.

Getting between experiences

Flights to Bhubaneswar, trains to Puri and a car and driver.

Free and low-cost experiences

Beaches, temple exteriors and villages cost little.

How to choose

With a week, combine Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark and Chilika.

For families and parents

Children enjoy dolphins and beaches; parents should visit temples early.

For couples

Couples often favour a quiet beach stay and sunrise at Konark.

Practical tips

Follow temple rules on cameras and leather. Read our planning guide.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Odisha?

For most first-time visitors, the Konark Sun Temple, carved as a giant stone chariot and listed by UNESCO, followed by an evening in Puri.

Which experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy the Chilika dolphin boats, Puri's beach, Konark's giant wheels and the Nandankanan zoo in Bhubaneswar.

Can non-Hindus enter the Jagannath Temple?

Entry to the Jagannath Temple is restricted to Hindus. Others can view it from nearby rooftops and the Grand Road, and the Rath Yatra procession takes place in public.

How many days do I need?

Five to six nights covers Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark, Raghurajpur and Chilika.