Tour overview
Odisha since ancient times has a long association with Buddhism. It was at Odisha that Asoka following the great carnage of Kalinga War gave up ‘violence‘ for ‘non- violence’ (ahimsa) and became a Buddhist. To commemorate the event he built at Dhauli- the site of the battle, a rock edict where he not only extol the virtues of dharma, but also laid down the steps and principles that he expected his subjects and officials to follow. It is also from the ports of Kalinga that Buddhist missionaries set sail to countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, China and Japan to propagate the Buddhist faith.
Even today, Odisha close association with Buddhism still continues. The state is home to around 3000 Tibetan population many of whom have settled down at Chandragiri in Ganjam district of Odisha since 1963.
In this 8 Days Odisha Buddhist Tour Package from Bhubaneswar, you will visit a few of these Buddhist sites in Odisha namely – Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri and Chandragiri. These Buddhist sites in Odisha are known for monasteries, stupas, sculptures and Buddhist archaeological remains. You will also get to spend some time at Chilika Lake- the largest brackish lake in Asia and Gopalpur-on-sea, a popular beach located on the southern coast of Odisha.
Day 1: Bhubaneswar-Puri
Meet and greet at Biju Patnaik airport & transfer to transfer to Puri visiting en route the Ashokan rock edicts at Dhauli & the artisan village Raghurajpur. Evening visit the Puri Jagannath Temple and Golden sea beach. Overnight at Hotel in Puri.
Note: Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, hence they have to view it from a nearby terrace.
Day 2: Konark -Ratnagiri (190 kms)
After breakfast, drive to Ratnagiri, en-route visiting Konark Sun temple & nearby fisherman village. Overnight at Ratnagiri.
Day 3: Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, & Udaygiri Buddhist Sites (120 kms)
Full day excursion of the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, & Udaygiri. Here you will find ancient Buddhist ruins, stupas-chaityas, monasteries and sculptures of the Buddha and the Bodhisatvas. Overnight at Ratnagiri
Day 4: Dhenkanal
After breakfast , we drive to Dhenkanal en route visiting Languli hill. Checkin and lunch at hotel in Dhenkanal. After lunch , visit the Monks of Mahima Cult at Joranda. Overnight at Dhenkanal.
Day 5: Bhubaneswar
After breakfast, drive to Bhubaneswar en route visiting Sadeibareni Lost wax process, dokra casting village, Nuapatna weaving village. Afternoon visit the temples of Lingaraj, Mukteshwar, Rajarani at Bhubaneswar. Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
Day 6: Bhubaneswar -Chilika-Gopalpur
After a quick breakfast and checkout , head off to to Gopalpur-on -sea en route visiting Chilika lake, famous for migratory birds. Evening on the beach at Gopalpur. Overnight halt at Gopalpur.
Day 7: Gopalpur -Chandragiri -Taptapani
Full day excursion to Chandragiri to visit Padmasambhava Buddhist Temple, Khasada waterfall and hot sulfuric spring at Taptapani. Overnight at hotel in Gopalpur-on-sea.
Day 8: Bhubaneswar Departure
After break fast drive to Bhubaneswar, visiting en-route Tara Tareni shakti peeth, and the ancient Jain caves of Khandagiri & Udayagiri. before being dropped at the railway station or airport for onward Journey.
