Odisha is home to stunning historic Hindu temples, Buddhist caves, and a thriving tribal culture. The Konark Sun Temple, built in the 13th century, has appeared on numerous lists of India’s Seven Wonders. A massive chariot-shaped structure with finely carved stone wheels, walls, and pillars. In Odisha, there are more than 62 different tribal tribes, all of which differ from one another in terms of customs, attire, and culture. They have distinctive dances and a primitive manner of living. The journey will be made genuinely unforgettable by exploring the tribal haats, engaging with Bonda tribal women, purchasing local goods from Gadaba tribal women, or just exchanging smiles with Dongriya Kondh tribes.
Chhattisgarh is home to a remarkable natural variety, historic sites, a thriving cultural legacy, uncommon fauna, magnificent waterfalls, and exquisitely carved temples. The Bastar area is home to fascinating tribal culture and extraordinarily kind people. There are several weekly marketplaces where you may learn about these indigenous peoples’ way of life. It’s always a memorable experience to watch the young Muria tribes perform the Bison Horn Maria Dance at Ghotul. The Chitrakut Waterfalls, often known as the Niagara of the East, are unique in that they change colour according to the time of year.
Day 1
Our agent will meet you when you arrive at Delhi’s international terminal. After giving you a warm traditional greeting, he will transport you to the hotel in a spacious car.
Day 2
Day 02: Fly from Delhi to the Lingraja Temple in Bhubaneshwar Open popup
Fly to Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Odisha, in the morning. Because it has significant holy cultural landscapes and monuments, Bhubaneshwar is significant from a religious perspective. Check into the hotel upon arrival. In Bhubaneswar, sometimes referred to as “The Temple City of India,” you may see a number of well-known temples. One of Bhubaneshwar’s oldest temples, Parasurameswara Temple, is adorned with exquisitely carved statues.
The Mukteshwar Temple, one of the wonders of prehistoric Odisha architecture, is a picture of tranquilly and peace. The cluster of temples include a number of intricately carved shrines. The Rajarani temple, also called the Indreshwar temple, is situated in the centre of well trimmed grounds.
Visit caves from the second century in the Khandagiri and Udaygiri region thereafter. These caverns, which are both largely natural and partially man-made, are significant in terms of history, archaeology, and religion. Jaina ascetics lived in the caverns, which were constructed during the time of King Kharavela. Return to the motel to spend the night.
Day 3
After breakfast, take photos at the Lingaraja temple from the outer platform. The Lingaraja Temple, a roughly 1000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in the heart of the city. The temple’s construction has a curving tower in the traditional Kalinga style.
Then, take a journey to Puri, one of India’s lucky locations. Visit the 64 Yogini Temple on way; it is a tantric temple where Bhumandala (the five elements of life) is worshipped. According to local legend, Goddess Durga appeared as 64 demi-goddesses in order to vanquish a demon. Following the battle, Goddess Durga created a shrine to honour the 64 Joginis (goddesses).
Visit the Dauli Buddhist Stupa and the Raghurajpur Artistic Villages afterwards to learn about the customs and culture of the locals and to enjoy the picturesque beauty of the surroundings. Continue your trip to Puri, where you may check into a hotel to spend the night.
Day 4
Start your day’s sightseeing after breakfast by going to the well-known Konark Sun Temple. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the main tourist destination in Odisha is the Konark Sun Temple. The 13th-century Sun Konark Temple, which honours the Hindu god Surya (the Sun God) and is considered one of India’s Seven Wonders, is ascribed to monarch Narasimhadeva I.
Visit a fishermen’s village later to learn more about Odisha’s fishing community. After lunch, take a stroll around Puri’s marketplaces to find local artwork to take home as a memento of your journey. Take a stroll around Jagannath Temple’s streets to experience a spiritual atmosphere.
Day 5
After eating breakfast, go to Gopalpur On Sea, stopping along the way to see Chilka Lake (a brackish water feature) and various lakeside fishing settlements to observe migrating birds.
Arrive in Gopalpur at last, check into the opulent beach resort, and unwind on the magnificent beaches. You may take pictures of the stunning women of Odisha wandering along the seashore while dressed in regional attire here.
Day 6
Today, after breakfast, go to Rayagada, stopping along the way to see the Taptapani hot sulphur spring. The natural spring water in Taptapani has a number of therapeutic benefits. Visit the tattooed-faced Desia Kondh Tribes, who speak Dravidian and sport vibrant nose rings, along the trip.
Visit the Saora tribal settlements as well to see the local culture and natural surroundings. When you get in Rayagada, check into a hotel for the night.
Day 7
After breakfast, depart for Kotagarh for a full-day tour to the Kutia Kondh Tribe’s monthly tribal market on Tuesday. To acquire a better understanding of their simple way of life, we shall also stroll around their communities. The Kutia Kondh Tribe is a Dravidian-speaking, hunter-gatherer tribe. Kutia ladies have several nose rings, jewellery, and tattoos on their faces. In earlier times, they used to practise the rite of human sacrifice, but they no longer do so.
Enjoy the picnic meal in a beautiful rural Odisha setting. Arrive back at the motel by nightfall. Dining and lodging in Rayagada.
Day 8
On Wednesday, eat breakfast at a hotel in Rayagada before travelling to Chatikona to check out the Dongria Kondh weekly market. The Kondh tribes of Dongria are the most archaic; they inhabit the highlands and have extremely basic lives. People from the Dongria tribe travel from the hills to the market on foot, where they sell their dairy and agricultural goods in exchange for home goods. The women of the Dongria tribe are often quite reserved and rarely engage with outsiders.
Drive on to Jeypore after lunch, stopping along the route at the villages of the Mali tribe and the Muniaka Kondh tribal communities.
Day 9
After an early breakfast, head to the weekly market at Onukudelli Village to see the Gadaba and Bonda tribes, two of Odisha’s most primitive tribes. The Bonda Tribes are located in the highlands, and the women there dress in layers of silver necklaces and big earrings. They have yellow bead strings across their upper bodies, and a blue fabric is wrapped around their waists.
After that, we’ll take some time to pause and take in the natural beauty of the Duduma Waterfalls and the area’s valley. Visit some of the villages of the Olar Gadaba tribe, another stunning ethnic group in Odisha, after that. In the Gadaba Tribe, the oldest women wear enormous metal necklaces.
Day 10
Visit the Koraput Jagannath temple in the morning. The tribal culture that does not oppose any caste, religion, or faith constructed the Jagannath Temple. Visit the vibrant Paraja and Mali tribal market later to view their exquisitely crafted handicrafts. Most of the time, the Paraja and Mali tribes coexist peacefully with nature.
Continue your trip to Jagdalpur in the Bastar area in the afternoon, stopping along the way to visit the Kotpad weaving hamlet, which is renowned for its handloom fabrics. Local tribal weavers create the vegetable-dyed Kotpad Handloom cloth, which features traditional Beauties/motifs and Scolrfs that are all painted and dyed with natural colours. Visit the Dhurwa tribal market, where a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other goods are sold, if time permits.
Day 11
After breakfast, go to the settlements of the Bison-Horn-Maria tribe. Their culture, dances, and superb hospitality have earned them a great deal of fame. Enjoy a performance of the Bison-Horn-Maria dance in their community; this is arguably the most well-known dance in the Bastar area.
Visit the magnificent Chitrakote Waterfalls, sometimes referred to as the Niagara Falls of India and one of the outstanding natural locations in Bastar, after taking in some traditional music and dance performances. At the fall location, you may see the magnificent sunset. By nightfall, return to the resort.
Day 12
Visit various tribal Bhatra villages close to our resort after breakfast. Later, go to Kanker and stop at the home of the renowned expert in Dhokra art in Kondagaon. These communities are well-known for a variety of handicrafts, including the Dokra bell metal craftsmanship. Terracotta and wrought iron crafts are two more well-known local crafts. Visit Halba and Bhatra Tribal Market later to witness the handcrafted goods created by regional artisans. Finally, get to Kanker Palace and take advantage of the royal family’s wonderful hospitality.
Day 13
Visit the villages of the Muria tribe today; they are renowned for their outstanding hospitality and handicrafts. Visit a couple more tribal settlements later on in the Kanker area to learn about the Gond and Muria tribes’ culture and way of life. Additionally, you get the opportunity to observe Ghotul, which are Abujh Maria and Muria tribe social institutions. Boys and girls from the Muria tribe used to live together at the village’s Ghotul institution, where they were permitted to engage in sexual activity before being married.
Later, take in their mesmerising Ghotul dance, which includes dances like Mandri, Gedi, and Hulki Dance, as well as musical performances. Enjoy your picnic lunch beneath the village tree before returning to the Kanker castle.
Day 14
Drive to Raipur airport after breakfast to catch a flight to Delhi, then take a flight from Delhi to your home. Your amazing trip through Chattishgarh and Odisha comes to an end today.
