The leaning temple of orissa :- Huma is famous as the abode of Lord Shiva and is situated 32 kms away from Sambalpur. Huma contains the lone leaning temple of Orissa and is also famous for it natural scenery. And the river Mahanadi flows near this spot. Here, we can find the kuds fish, and a popular belief goes that these fishes belong to Lord Vimaleswar. PIC-1

the 'Kashmir of Orissa':- Daringibadi, popularly known as the “Kashmir of Orissa”, is hill station situated in the district of
Kandhamal, (Phulbani) with a latitude of 54 – 90 North and longitude of 84.05 to 84.20 East. This place is 3000 ft. above sea level.It is an ideal Summer Resort with enhancing valleys wrapped with serpentine ghat roads with fragmented scenic beauty. A drive to Daringibadi  on the ribbon like roads throught the deep and dense Sal forest on a full moon night is a bewitching experience by itself. The pine and Coffee gardens multiply the beauty of the place and an eternal peace is felt through its unpolluted environment. This place is under Kandhamal district. The district is best wood with the beauty of nature so Daringibadi also has wild-life, scenic beauty, a bracing climate and meandering ghat roads for Tourists who need to relax. Khandhamal is almost covered with dense forests and mountains which provide shelter to the in habitants like kondhs, classified under the ancient Gondid Race of the proto Austroloid group. Rich in green trees, Khandmal is also famous for handicrafts such as Dhokra, Terra-cotta, Cane and Bamboo works. This region is proud of its rich cultural heritage. PIC-1

Asia’s largest brackish water lake Chilika:-spread over an area of 1100 sq. Kms is situated at 100 kms from Bhubaneswar (on NH5 towards Khurda District). A drive on the national Highway no. 5 shall take you to this place that is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow isthmus. This place proves to be a haven for the migratory birds like cranes and flamingoes. It is located across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam.Chilika was declared a sanctuary in 1987. Winter is the loveliest time to visit Chilika with thousands of migratory birds (92 species in all) flying in from as far as Siberia, Iran ladakh, the Caspian Sea, Russia and other countries to make it their winter sojourn. A real paradise for bird watches, Chilika offers visitors a spectacular  display of its colourful avian charms in a thousand different hues. Among  the variety of birds, you can get to see the White Bellied Sea Eagle, the Grey-Legged Geese, purple Moorhen, Flamingos, Pelican among others.The surrounding hills and sandy stretches abound in Cheetas, Monkeys, Fishing Cats, Mongoose etc. Dotted emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island. The khaliji Island is home to Goddess Kalijai. As the story goes, Kalijai was a young bride who has on her way to her husband’s home. Her father accompanied her when she lost her life in a cyclone that struck the place around the Island of KalIJAI.The cyclone is said to have started at the mammu-Bhanaja mountain (or the uncle-nephew mountain calles so for the striking resemblance that the two mountains have with each other.) Her spirit is said to have hovered around the island. It was then that the people established a temple in her name and she is since then worshipped as Goddess Kalijai PIC-1 PIC-2

the original place of Lord Jagannath Lord Jagannath is the mascot of Orissa. Centuries of myths, legends and history have gone into the making of the cult of Jagannath. According to legend, Lord Jagannath’s original form is Nilamadhaba
placed at kantilo. In this original form, the presiding deity of Orissa was worshipped as Kitung, a primordial God, by Sabaras, a pre-Aryan and Pre-Drasvidiantribe of the Austric lingustic family.Originally natives of the fertile plains of
northen India, the Sabras were pushed South and East-ward by the invading Aryans. The vast mountations region, comprised of the undivided districts of Puri, Phulbani, Ganjam and Koraput in Orissa.It all started in a small cave in the Brahmadri hills situated on the banks of Mahanadi, which is known as kantilo of Nayagarh district today. Here, Biswabasu the local Sabra Chief worshipped Kitung, as the God was known in the Sabara dialect. According to the Puranas, the deity was originally worshipped in the form of a blackl stone image known as “Nilamadhaba”. The daru murti(wooden image) came much later.One day, Lalita confided in her husband the fact that her father worshipped Lord Nilamadhaba in a cave  deep inside the forest. Bidyapati realizing that his mission was nearing completion, beseeched her to take him there but on one condition that Bidyapati would have to go there blind  folded.On the day of reckoning, he carried a handful of mustard seeds and kept dropping them on the ways at regular intervals. The advent of monsoon saw the mustard plants from the path leading right up to cave. Soon after Bidyapati went back to Malawa and narrated his expeience to King Indradyumma. And both of them immediately set out toinvade utkal. But while on his way, he was told by a divine voice that Nilamadhaba and disappered and was floating in the sea. Graciosuly acceding to the king’s request,Biswabasu pardoned his son-in-law and agreed to come to Puri.There the4 floating divine image behaved like a log of wood and came ashore. The idols of Lord Jagannath and others were made out of that log and placed in a tiny temple. The present one came up sometime in the 12th Century. The cult of Jagannath too has undergaone its share of changes down the ages.By 9th century AD, the worship of the original tribal God in various forms such as Sabari-Narayana, Nilakasha-Madhaba and finally Nilamadhaba and spread throughout orissa. Gangadharadi in Boudhi, Pattapatam near Paralakhemundi, Rasibalisa near Vijayanagra of the fact that a large number of Madhaba temples existed. The worship of Madhaba continues even to this day. During every puja in an Oriya home,Madhaba is invoked first, to be followed by Ganesha. Among the temples built during the period, the Nilamadhaba temple at kantilo surely holds pride of place. It was built by Gandhamardan Dev, the last King of the Boudh royal family, before the Bhanja dynasty took over.Located near the confluence of three rivers-Mahanadi, Kuanria and kusumi  the temple structure is like the Jagannath temple of Puri. It stands on the right bank of Mahanadi. On the left, the hill ranges merge with the hazy gray horizon. This place is an ideal spot for tourists who are religious and nature lovers. Kantilo is also famous for Brass metal.A permanent flow of holy water from the feet of Lord Nilamadhaba is a wonderful sight to be seen at this place. It is also one of the most interesting Picnic spots in Orissa. How to go :There are good motorable roads. This place is situated near Nayagarh District and is 100 km from Bhubaneswar.PIC-1 PIC-2

Dolphins in Orissa:-Satapada situated at 50kms from Puri this retreat in nature on Chilka lake.The state highway connecting Puri to Satapada is a rough-weather road but the drive via this route is  nevertheless enjoyable with the road lined
on both sides by a row of trees and water-bodies.this spot is a major tourist attraction beacuse of the development of a Dolphin Center.The thrilling sight of the Dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter.PIC-1

Olive Ridley Turtles:-Close to the Bhitar Kanika Sanctuary is another of Orissa's special sanctuaries - the Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary. This stretch of beach is the breeding ground for the giant Olive Ridley Turtles, who travel all the way from the Pacific Ocean to mate and lay their eggs here. Every year, thousands of these wonderous creatures can be seen here. In order to protect the turtles, special arrangements have been made by the Government of Orissa. PIC-1