The magnificent 192 ft. high, 12th century A.D. temple of Jagannath is one of the finest specimens of Orissan architecture. The temple and the deities enshrined are revered by millions of pilgrims coming to seek Lord?s blessings. Despite being closed for the non-Hindus, Jagannath continues to attract scholars of Oriental studies from all over the world.

Sri Jagannath Temple
The main temple, a majestic structure of 65 metres high, stands on an elevated platform in the heart of the city ? its swirling pinnacle commanding the landscape for the miles around. It is a monument of the 12th century A.D. with all the richness and plasticity of the Kalinga style of architecture. Apart from the main temple one can see within its precincts a host of other smaller temples including Goddess Vimala, Laxmi and Vishnu and Ananda Bazar, a unique restaurant of the world.

The other notable shrines like Gundicha, Lokanath, Sonar Gourange, Siddha Bakul, Gambhira Math, Chakratirtha and tanks like Narendra, Swetaganga, Markandeya, Indradyumna, etc are worth visiting.

Festivals
The festival of chariots known as the Ratha Yatra, an annual ritual spreading over the entire summer and monsoon months, makes Puri attractive and enjoyable for the tourists. The Hindu new year beginning in Mid April heralds the summer and is the season for the famous Chandan yatra at Puri. The Chalanti Pratimas or moving images of the deities take a ritual boat ride after a refreshing bath in fragrant sandal wood scented water. This is followed by Snana Yatra, literally the festival of bath, in which the main images are installed on the bathing platform and given a ceremonial bath. The Lords then convalesce inside the sanctum sanctorum, closed to public view. During theis period the devotees have to be satisfied with a darshan of images of the Lords on cloth paintings or Pattachitra especially made for the purpose. Then comes the annual journey of the three deities, on grand chariots to their garden house ? ?GUNDICHA?. On the way their aunt feeds them with Podapitha (specially baked rice cakes). The deities on reaching Shri Gundicha give darshan to countless devotees everyday and after a lapse of 8 days, return to the main temple riding their chariots. Apart from this, tourist festivals like Shreekshetra Ustav & Beach Festival are also great attraction for the tourists.

The Beach
Puri offers a rare opportunity to the tourists to witness the colourful sunrise and sunset on the same beach where they can bathe and laze for hours on the golden sands. One can also see and enjoy traditional fishermen in hundreds, plying their catamarans or sail boats and drawing into their nets a rich catch of prawn, pomfrets and other fishes on this long and wide beach extending for miles. The roadside hotels and stalls offer the best sea food delicacies to the tourists.

Bada Danda
The grand road, as it is called, is ideal for a leisurely stroll and shopping for souvenirs and mementoes. Typical Puri handicrafts include miniature stone sculptures, woodcarvings, seashell items, patta paintings on cloth canvas and colorful appliqu? work. One can also pick up these pieces from Art and Craft Museum, Sun Crafts, Utkalika and other many of the shop?s located in around Sargadwar, literally, the Gateway to Heaven.

Accomodation
All type of Hotels, Resorts, Holiday Homes are available.

OTDC Assistance: -
Website : www.orissatourism.gov.in and www.otdc.in
Email : ortour@orissatourism.gov.in

Puri
Tourist Office, CT Road, Puri – 752002, Tel : 06752-222664,
Tourist Counter, Railway Station Puri, Tel : 223536.
Berhampur
Tourist Office, New Bus Stand,
Pin – 760004, Tel: (0680) 2280226
Tourist Counter, Railway Station, Pin – 760004, Tel: 2203870
Bhubaneswar
Tourist Office, Jayadev Marg, Pin – 751002, Tel : 0674-2431299,
Tourist Counter, Airport, Tel : 2534006,
Tourist Counter, Railway Station, Tel : 2530715,
India Tourism, B-21, B.J.B Nagar, Pin – 751014, Tel : 2432203.
New Delhi
Tourist Office, Utkalika, B/4 – Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi, Pin – 110001,
Telefax – 011-23364580.
Kolkata
Tourist Office, Utkal Bhawan,
55, Lenin Sarani, Kolkata, Pin – 700013,
Tel: 033-22443653.
Chennai
Tourist Office, Tamilnadu Tourism Complex, Near Kalaivanar Arangam, Wallajah Road,
Pin – 600002, Telefax: 044-25360891.
Mumbai
Tourist Office, Hotel New Bengal, Near Crawford Market, D.N. Road, Pin – 400001, Tel : 022-23401951.

(Content Source – Courtesy Orissa Tourism Development Corporation)

State : Orrisa

Altitude :

Season : Throughout the year

How to Reach :
Air
Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport – 60 km Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. Sahara Airlines has flights from Hyderabad with connectivity facilities to all other important cities. Air Deccan and some other flight operators operates between Kolkata & Bhubaneswar.
Rail
A terminus on the East Coast Railway having fast and superfast train links with New Delhi, Kolkata and Baidyanath Dham (Okha), Ahmedabad, Tirupati, etc.
Road –
60 km by road from Bhubaneswar. One can also approach by road via Konark through the Marine Drive covering about 100 kms.

Nearest Railway Station : Puri

Nearest Airport : Bhubaneswar

Local Watchables :
PURI
Balighai (8 km)
Sea Beach and Sea Turtle Research Centre
Baliharachandi (27 km)
Shrine of Harachandi on the desolate sand dunes and a nice picnic spot.
Beleswar (15 km)
Shrine of Lord Beleswar Shiva on the sea beach.
Brahmagiri (25 km)
Shrine of Lord Alaranath, worshipped as Jagannath during ‘Anavasar’.
Raghurajpur (14 km)
Artisan village & centre for unique ‘Gotipua’ dance.
Sakshigopal (20 km)
Shrine of Lord Sakshigopal and Samadhi of Panchasakha, freedom fighters monument.
Satpada (50 km)
A scenic spot on Chilika, ideal for bird watching & viewing Irawady Dolphins.

Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station in the Darjeeling Hills at a height of 1,250 metres (4,101 ft) situated in the Indian state of West Bengal. Kalimpong is known for its educational institutions many of which were established during the British colonial period. Kalimpong, located on a ridge overlooking River Teesta, is a tourist destination for temperate climate and proximity to popular tourist locations in the region. Kalimpong is famous for its horticulture of various rare species of world famous orchids. Kalimpong is a town of religious centre of Buddhism.
Like the other hill towns, Kalimpong bears a name of historic significance. Once the headquarters of a Bhutanese Governor, the word ‘Kalim’ means King’s Minister and ‘ pong’ – the stronghold i.e, the stronghold of the King’s minister. It is also called ‘kalibong’ or the spur by the hill people. ‘Kalimpong’ in local dialect stands for ‘Kaulim’ which is a fibrous plant which grows in abundance in this region.

How to get there
Kalimpong is located off the National Highway 31A (NH31A), which links Sevok to Gangtok.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION- Cars, Buses and Taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Kalimpong and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra, and also for sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Kalimpong. Private Taxis, Jeeps and Landrovers are available for local sightseeing in and around Kalimpong.

AIR – Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri, is 80 km (3 hours) from Kalimpong.

ROAD – Kalimpong is approachable by roads from Siliguri (66kms), Darjeeling (51kms) and Gangtok (79 kms;Sikkim).
RAIL – The nearest railway connection to Kalimpong is New Jalpaiguri which is around 77 km away.

Places to visit in and around Kalimpong -

Durpin Dara- From Durpin Dara spectacular view of the Himalaya can be enjoyed along with the panoramic view of the Teesta and Relli rivers, and the plains far below.

Zong Dhog Palri Fo Brang monastery- 2 kms from Kalimpong it is situated at Tirpai hills near Durpin Dara is another attraction of the area.

Pedong monastery- Built around 1837, is of Bhutanese origin.

Kalimpong Arts & Craft Center- In 1897 by Mrs. Graham started a center where carpet weaving, dyeing, painting, tailoring, leather craft and carpentry were taught to the local artisans and craftsmen.

Gouripur House- A summer retreat of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore where he created many unforgettable poems.

Deolo Hill – It is famous for splendid view of Mt Kanchenjunga in the early morning. Deolo is famous for Dr. John A. Grahams educational institution built in 1880.

The MacFarlane Church- This church is built by the Scottish Missionaries which is the evidence to Kalimpong’s European influence.

Mangal Dham Mandir- Built in 1993, Mangal Dham is one of the most splendid temples in India.

Tharpa Choling Monastery – A repository of old Budhist scriptures, and documents.

Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery- Oldest monastery in the area.

Dharmodaya Vihar- A Nepalese Buddhist temple.

Tharpa Choeling Gompa – This belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is a 40 minute walk from town.

Flower Nurseries – Kalimpong produces 80% of India’s gladioli and is a significant orchid-growing area.

Sericulture Research Institute -At this institute silkworms are bred and silk is produced as well as herbs and plants. Locate on the road to Darjeeling, the institute can be visited between 9.30 am and 4 PM.