A true extraordinaire, Odisha is the quiet and serene part of India. Fringed by the Bay of Bengal, and flaunting a long coastline, this east Indian gem has some of the most stunning beaches that are often less-frequented. Home to a plethora of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Odisha is a place that will take you back to the glorious time of Ashoka the Great. Explore the majestic Jagannath Temple at Puri and learn about its many mysteries, view the medieval architecture of Odisha’s temple and Buddhist monasteries, attend the annual Sand Art Festival, go boating in the Chilika Lake, or walk on the sea at Chandipur Beach. There’s so much to do in Odisha.
At this time, Odisha remains the center of attraction for the country, because the Jagannath Rath Yatra is going to take place on 7th July.
On the day when the Jagannath Rath Yatra starts from the holy land of Odisha, Krishna devotees from every corner of the country and the world reach here to join the Yatra. Apart from joining this Yatra which takes place in July, many people also come here to enjoy the monsoon.
Yes, July is such a month of the year when it rains heavily along the sea coasts from West Bengal to Odisha. In this article, we are going to tell you about some such places where you can enjoy the monsoon to the fullest.
Chilika Lake
When it comes to visiting a beautiful place in Odisha during drizzling rains, many people first name Chilika Lake. Many people also know this beautiful lake by the name of Chilika Lake.
Chilika Lake is said to be Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest saltwater lagoon. This lake is also considered home to migratory birds. It is said that during monsoon, birds come here from places like Siberia, Australia, Russia, Canada, France, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Daringbadi
Daringbadi, located in the Kandhamal district of Odisha, is a beautiful and charming tourist destination. Many people also consider this beautiful place as a popular hill station of Odisha . It is the dream of many people to explore Daringbadi in monsoon.
The high mountains, dense forests and lakes and waterfalls add to the beauty of Daringbadi. For your information, let us tell you that this beautiful place is called ‘Kashmir of Odisha’. This place is considered a paradise for nature lovers. Here you can enjoy monsoon trekking.
Khandadhar Waterfall
If you want to see the beauty of a magnificent and famous waterfall during your trip to Odisha, then you should reach Khandadhar Waterfall. This beautiful waterfall is located in Nandapani of Bonaigarh in Sundargarh district. It is said about Khandadhar waterfall that when water falls here from a height of 800 feet, one feels like just watching the surrounding scenery. The greenery around this waterfall also attracts a lot of tourists. For your information, let us also tell you that Khandadhar waterfall is considered to be the 9th highest waterfall in India.
Konark
It is very rare to talk about visiting any wonderful and popular place in Odisha during monsoon and not mention Konark located in Puri district. Konark, located at a short distance from the Jagannath temple, is considered a world famous tourist destination.
Konark is not only known for its beauty but also for the world famous Konark Sun Temple. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Konark Sun Temple every month. Being located on the beach, there is a different fun in visiting Puri and Konark during monsoon. You can also visit Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The Land of Unique Temples
Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha is among the most revered Hindu temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Being among the 4 Char Dham temples, Jagannath Temple attracts hordes of people every year who come to visit this religious site. Built in the 10th century, the holy temple is equally puzzling as it is lovely and is known for its unexplained mysteries.
Panchalingeswar Temple
Named after the 5 Shivalingas within the temple, the Panchalingeswar Temple is located near the Nilagiri Hill and is dedicated to Lord Shiva which makes it a popular pilgrimage site for the Shaivites. The temple has a perennial stream through which the shiva lingas are forever bathed. According to legends, the shiva lingas were installed here by Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama during their exile whereas another story tells that they were put here by the demon king Banasure to appease Lord Shiva.
Ghanteswari Temple
The beautiful Ghanteswari Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Ghanteswari and is adorned with bells all over, which the devotees have offered to the Goddess as a prayer. A must visit place in Odisha, the temple is based along the River Mahanadi, and its bells made it work as a lighthouse in the past. Since the river near the temple could get rough and cause boats to drown, the bells in the temple alerted the boats beforehand during strong winds caused by the sound of the bells.