15 Best Places to Visit in Odisha 2018 (Except Temples)

Odisha is one of the major tourism sectors of India, with various tourists' attractions, ranging from wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, the arts, and festivals.

Here are the top 10 place in Odisha to visit. In this list, we have not included the temples. Let's enjoy and don't forget to share your comment.


1 Nandankanan Zoological Park

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Nandankanan Zoological Park is a 400-hectare zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar. Established in 1960, it was opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009.


2 Caves of Khandagiri

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Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvat in the Hathigumpha inscription. 


3 Mangrove Wetland of Bhitarkanika

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The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are a mangrove wetland in Odisha. The Bhitarkanika Mangroves cover an area of 650 km² in the river delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers. The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are home to 55 of India's 58 known mangrove species. The mangroves harbor one of India's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles and Gahirmatha Beach.



4 Wildlife of Simlipal National Park

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Simlipal National Park is a national park and a tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha. It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. The park has a protected area of 845.70 square kilometers (326.53 sq mi) and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. Simlipal is home to 99 royal Bengal tigers and 432 wild elephants.


5 Birding at Mangalajodi

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Mangalajodi is an olden village under Tangi, Odisha block in Khordha district of Odisha at the northern edge of Chilika Lake. The scenic beauty of this village and its vast wetland attracts the visitors.Its vast wetlands attract thousands of migratory birds, journey from as far different places of the world. Danda Yatra is one of the oldest ritual occasions celebrated in the month of Chaitra, performed by the people of this village in an amazing way for imparting Indian culture and social-upliftment.

6 Chilika Lake Dolphins

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Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. The Irrawaddy dolphin is the flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilika is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species.A small population of Bottlenose dolphins, also migrate into the lagoon from the sea.



7 Sea Beach Puri

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Puri Beach is a beach in the city of Puri in Odisha. It is on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is known for being a tourist attraction and a Hindu sacred place. The beach is the site of the annual Puri Beach Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the city of Odisha, the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Kolkata.


8 Chandrabhaga Beach

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Chandrabhaga Beach is situated 3 km east of the Sun temple of Konark, in the Puri district of Odisha. Formerly Chandrabhaga was considered a place of natural cure for lepers. Recently Chandrabhaga was declared as first blue flag beach in Asia.


9 Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

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Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, an important site for in-situ conservation of wildlife and its habitat in the state of Odisha is home to an immense array of biodiversity, over 40 species of mammals, 234 species of birds, 41 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 42 species of fishes, 39 species of odonates, 85 species of butterflies and 38 species of spiders.



10 Chandipur Beach

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The beach is unique in that the water recedes up to 5 kilometers during the ebb tide. Due to its unique circumstances, the beach supports bio-diversity. The horseshoe crab is also found here on the beach towards Mirzapur, the nearby fishing market, and the community at the confluence of the Budhabalanga River(Balaramgadi). It is approximately 16 kilometers from the Baleswar Railway Station.


11 Gopalpur beach

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Gopalpur Beach, Barely 16 km away from Brahmapur, the commercial hub of southern Odisha and close to the border of Andhra Pradesh, is the tiny town of Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal. This languorous beach with coconut groves, casuarinas, and gentle sand dunes is deserted for miles.


12 Chandaka Elephant Reserve

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Chandka Elephant Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve located in the northwestern fringe of Bhubaneswar. Chandaka forest is spread over 175.79 square kilometers (67.87 sq mi) of rolling table land and small sprawling hillocks of Khurdha and Cuttack Districts. 



13 Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

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The Ushakothi Sanctuary is situated at a distance of about 22 kilometers from Sambalpur. To the west of the Sanctuary lies Hirakud Dam. The fauna includes, amongst others, tigers, elephants, sambar leopards and bison.


14 Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary

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Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary in Orissa, India is a popular tourist destination that attracts many from far and wide. Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is a habitat of tigers, leopards, gaurs, simbal, spotted deer, four horned antelopes, sloths, gharial and many others.


15 Hirakud Dam, Sambalpur

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Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km (34 mi) long.