orissa?

maree · Nov 3rd, 2003, 08:40

Flying in to Calcutta December 14 and I thought I might travel down to Orissa first. If I was to spend only a week there, where should I go... Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark? Anywhere else? Recommendations please

.

wonderwomanusa · Nov 3rd, 2003, 10:12

A couple of days at Bhubaneshwar and then a few days at Puri, from which Konark is a nice day trip. Cuttack is supposed to be nice, but I've never been.

Between Puri and Konark is Pipli, where they do that incredible patchwork for wedding tents, etc. Worth a few hours, or longer if you want to order something made -- I have a pattern for a duvet cover with me!

LP says there are tours through Adivasi areas, if you're into that, but they are quite expensive and will take most of your Orissa time.

wonderwomanusa · Dec 7th, 2003, 16:31

Puri was wonderful.. I stayed for 11 days.

Z Hotel is still the best; I looked at a couple of others and the rooms were spacious but dark, Z's are bright and have mossie nets (necessary .. they will eat you alive... bring repellant, too)

Good grilled fish at the Z, and at Peace Restaurant. and at the Swedish-Indian place (fried mackeral for lunch). .. I was eating fish 2x a day.

I went one night to WildGrass restaurant and thought it was over-rated...but then, I don't like Indian food and had something vaguely "Chinese." Supposed to be sweet & sour, but there was no sour in it.

The Chinese restaurant at Lee Gardens (just next door to WildGrass) is quite good, and it's run by Chinese people.

Cuttacki Weaving Co=op has a store close to where the rickshas park near Sri Jagganath Mandir -- it is fixed price and has lots of nice cotton ikat sarees, Sambalpuri longhi pieces, and ikat by the yard!

I didn't go to Konark; there is scaffolding around the temple and I saw it years ago, but friends went and were able to see the carvings and the chariot shape in general.

rangers · Dec 11th, 2003, 11:58

Puri is overcrowded now.
If you love nature trail..follow to the lonely beach at RANGERS a naturefriendly cafe 15 kms from puri on way to konark.
the camping activity is free of cost here.
sanjay

wonderwomanusa · Dec 27th, 2003, 17:36

Traffic Jams on CT Road!

Ranger wasn't kidding that Puri was "full" on 18 December -- the first day of school holidays brought trainloads of Bengalis down here for holidays.

And now, well, some Swamiji is in town for the next ten days, and the town is bulging. And many hotels have jacked up their prices considerably.

The traffic is incredible -- for such a sleepy little town -- right now.

Things will calm down again after the end of January, but for now, if you're planning to visit Puri, better call and get a reservation -- and find out the rate in advance!

Jorge Reverter · Dec 28th, 2003, 01:19

I was in Orissa last fortnight but I've spent most of my time in the tribal area in the hills, I would strongly recommend to visit at least Onokudeli and Chatikona weekly market to have a look at bonda and Kondh people. Once there I'm sure you will continue in the area.
To move there you will need a car and a guide for the permissions etc., is not so expensive.

In Puri in the seaside you will find plenty hotels (no more of 20%
occupation). As you know the entrance at "Lord Jaggannath temple" is not allowed for non hindous, so, the only thing to do is to live the ambiance, something like a rural Madurai.

Do not miss Konarak, you can also visit there the fishermen's village (better than in Puri). Pipli is on your way back to Bhubaneswar.

Near Bhubaneswar(6 Km) do'nt forget to pay a visit to Jain's caves of Udayagiri and Kandagiri. 2nd cent.BC. If interested in
Buddhism the Ashok's Edict Stone is a stone's throw from Bhubaneswar.
Regards

Nov 3rd, 2003, 08:40	#1
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	orissa? Flying in to Calcutta December 14 and I thought I might travel down to Orissa first. If I was to spend only a week there, where should I go... Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark? Anywhere else? Recommendations please .

Nov 3rd, 2003, 10:12	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,996	A couple of days at Bhubaneshwar and then a few days at Puri, from which Konark is a nice day trip. Cuttack is supposed to be nice, but I've never been. Between Puri and Konark is Pipli, where they do that incredible patchwork for wedding tents, etc. Worth a few hours, or longer if you want to order something made -- I have a pattern for a duvet cover with me! LP says there are tours through Adivasi areas, if you're into that, but they are quite expensive and will take most of your Orissa time. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

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Dec 7th, 2003, 16:31	#3
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,996	Puri was wonderful.. I stayed for 11 days. Z Hotel is still the best; I looked at a couple of others and the rooms were spacious but dark, Z's are bright and have mossie nets (necessary .. they will eat you alive... bring repellant, too) Good grilled fish at the Z, and at Peace Restaurant. and at the Swedish-Indian place (fried mackeral for lunch). .. I was eating fish 2x a day. I went one night to WildGrass restaurant and thought it was over-rated...but then, I don't like Indian food and had something vaguely "Chinese." Supposed to be sweet & sour, but there was no sour in it. The Chinese restaurant at Lee Gardens (just next door to WildGrass) is quite good, and it's run by Chinese people. Cuttacki Weaving Co=op has a store close to where the rickshas park near Sri Jagganath Mandir -- it is fixed price and has lots of nice cotton ikat sarees, Sambalpuri longhi pieces, and ikat by the yard! I didn't go to Konark; there is scaffolding around the temple and I saw it years ago, but friends went and were able to see the carvings and the chariot shape in general.

Dec 11th, 2003, 11:58	#4
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Puri is overcrowded now. If you love nature trail..follow to the lonely beach at RANGERS a naturefriendly cafe 15 kms from puri on way to konark. the camping activity is free of cost here. sanjay

Dec 27th, 2003, 17:36	#5
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,996	Traffic Jams on CT Road! Ranger wasn't kidding that Puri was "full" on 18 December -- the first day of school holidays brought trainloads of Bengalis down here for holidays. And now, well, some Swamiji is in town for the next ten days, and the town is bulging. And many hotels have jacked up their prices considerably. The traffic is incredible -- for such a sleepy little town -- right now. Things will calm down again after the end of January, but for now, if you're planning to visit Puri, better call and get a reservation -- and find out the rate in advance!

Dec 28th, 2003, 01:19	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,089	I was in Orissa last fortnight but I've spent most of my time in the tribal area in the hills, I would strongly recommend to visit at least Onokudeli and Chatikona weekly market to have a look at bonda and Kondh people. Once there I'm sure you will continue in the area. To move there you will need a car and a guide for the permissions etc., is not so expensive. In Puri in the seaside you will find plenty hotels (no more of 20% occupation). As you know the entrance at "Lord Jaggannath temple" is not allowed for non hindous, so, the only thing to do is to live the ambiance, something like a rural Madurai. Do not miss Konarak, you can also visit there the fishermen's village (better than in Puri). Pipli is on your way back to Bhubaneswar. Near Bhubaneswar(6 Km) do'nt forget to pay a visit to Jain's caves of Udayagiri and Kandagiri. 2nd cent.BC. If interested in Buddhism the Ashok's Edict Stone is a stone's throw from Bhubaneswar. Regards

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