Upon reaching Bhubaneshwar in the noon/afternoon, we will be transferred from the airport/railway station to the hotel in the city. Spend your time at leisure or shopping at the local market today in the evening and after dinner go for a good night’s sleep.

After breakfast, drive to Ratnagiri, the Buddhist monastic establishment which dates back to the 5th century to the 13th century AD. Ratnagiri is famous for the finest relics of Buddhist art and sculptures which were abandoned for 1000 years and recently excavated. As per Taranatha’s History of Buddhism, Ratnagiri housed 3 copies of each of the scriptural works of Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism. Entering the complex we will head straight for the larger monastery through an intricately curved door frame, leading to an open courtyard. On the far end of the courtyard is the inner sanctum housing a giant statue of Buddha, in bhumisparsha posture, flanked on either side by statues of Padmapani and Vajrapani. The entire courtyard is decorated with artifacts collected from the excavation. They include several Buddha heads of different sizes, several statues, and floral and geometrical motifs.

Post breakfast morning 8:AM morning and excursion of beautiful Bhubaneshwar -‘ the city of temples. Admire the Kalinga Architecture wonders – Lingaraj, Raja Rani, Mukteshwar, and Parsurameshwar Temples. Lingaraj Temple is believed to be the oldest and largest temple in Bhubaneshwar and was built by the ruler Yayati Kesari in the 7th century who shifted his capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneshwar. We shall visit Mukteshwar temple which is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneshwar, famous for its splendid Torana – an ornamental arched gateway. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Parsurameswar temple was constructed around 650 AD, in Nagara style. In the afternoon visit Dhauli and proceed to Puri, the abode of Sri Jagannath. Check in to a beautiful beach resort by the Bay of Bengal.

Proceed to Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri – one of the Char Dham pilgrimages. Built-in the 12th century by King Chodangana Deva to commemorate the shifting of his capital from South to Central Odisha, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna). It is said that King Indradyumna, the ruler of the territory, saw Lord Jagannath in his dreams, and following Lord’s wishes, he constructed Jagannath Puri Temple. The temple walls are embellished with exquisite carvings and the pillars are adorned with pictures depicting the life of Lord Krishna.
Rabindranath Tagore referred to Konark as Poetry in Stone and wrote: ‘here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.’ The name of Konark temple is an amalgamation of two words- Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning the Sun, together which means ‘Sun of the Corner’. Post lunch, we shall visit Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya, across heavens. After spending some time on the Chandrabhaga beach, we shall return to the hotel.

Wake up hearing the sound of waves crashing on the seashore. Post breakfast, we shall drive to Chilka Lake – Asia’s largest brackish water lake and home to thousands of migratory birds. Ruffs, Godwits, Lapwings, Whiskered Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Bailon’s crakes, and many more flocks of birds fly from the far land of Siberia, Mongolia, Iran, Caspian Sea and Baikal Lake in winter. The hills ringing the lake are inhabited by wild animals like blackbucks, cheetahs, and porcupines. Islands dot the vast lake, the best-visited ones being Nalbana, Kalijal Satapada, Parikud, Malud, and Brahmapura. We will take a boat excursion to all these islands to discover the aquatic life of fishermen. We will also spot the Irrawady and bottlenose dolphins jumping and playing in the blue lagoon and return back to Puri overnight stay.

Relish your breakfast and post checkout proceed towards the airport to fly back home carrying memories of architectural masterpieces, pristine beach, and wild life in your heart.