REFRESHING SHORT HOLIDAYS

ODISHA

Also known as Utkala, mentioned in India’s National Anthem, Odisha, is one of the 29 states of India and is the 3rd most populous tribal state. Odisha is the largest city and the capital of the state of Bhubaneswar. Three-quarters of the state is covered in mountain ranges with deep and broad valleys made by rivers. A region comprising of mountains, temples, valleys, lakes and rivers is one of the major tourism sectors of India with various tourists’ attractions ranging from wildlife reserves, beaches, temples, monuments, art and festivals and is the home to the royal Bengal tiger.

KAPILAS, TIKRAPARA, ANUSUPA, SAPTASAJYA

*Anusupa is a fresh water lake in Odisha, shaped like a horseshoe located on the banks of River Mahanadi near the Saranda Hills. During the winter seasons this lake acts like a shelter for migratory birds.

*Surrounded by seven hills, the village of Saptasajya finds its name mentioned in many mythological legends.

TENSA, SARANDA, MEGHATABURU, KIRIBURU

*In the core of Saranda forest lies a famous hill station called Kiriburu.

GOPALPUR, TAPTAPANI, CHILKA . DARINGBARI

*Taptapani is famous for its hot sulfur water spring and is attributed with medicinal properties and can be bathed in at the pond created right next to it.

*Widely known as “Kashmir of Odisha” , Daringbari is set in a beautiful spot surrounded by thick rain forests with wild animals.

PURI, BHUBANESWAR

*The only shrine where Radha along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Bhudevi, Sati, Parvati and Shakti abodes with Krishna, who is also known by the name of Jagannath is located in Puri

JHARKHAND

Jharkhand became the 28th state of the Republic of India on 15th November in the year 2000. In the age of Mahajanpadas around 500 BC, the state of Jharkhand was a part of Magdha. This state has a rich variety of flora and fauna and The Zoological Gardens and The National Parks located in the state present a panorama of this variety, which may be accredited to the Palamau Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger. Jharkhand is often said to be the ultimate destination for tourists for it is endowed with immense bio-diversity, moderate climate, rich historical and cultural heritage, religious places of worship and ethnic aspects.

BETLA, NETARHAT. RANCHI

*Netarhat, the Queen of Chotanagpur, is famous for its glorious sunrises and sunsets during the summer months.

BETLA, NETARHAT, RANCHI, MC.CLUSKIEGANJ

*Ernest Timothy McCluskie founded a town which was named McCluskieganj, after him,. It’s a little town of scenic beauty and a few novels have also been written on it. What attracts tourists the most is a unique cluster of a temple, a mosque and a gurudwara on the same spot.

WEST BENGAL

The state of West Bengal is located in the Eastern India on the Bay of Bengal and is India’s fourth-most populated state and also the sevent largest city in the country. Ancient Bengal was the site of several major janapadas. The region was conquered by emperor Ashoka in the 2nd century BCE and in the 4th century CE, it was absorbed by the Gupta Empire. Strategically located at the eastern part of the Indian peninsula, the state has a very smooth communication network. West Bengal stretches from the Himalayas in the north, to the Bay of Bengal in the south which gives it a variety of climatic conditions and land surface. West Bengal represents a panorama of majestic hills, dense jungles and wildlife, undulating green plains, beautiful beaches, historical monuments, religious sites and a tremendously rich culture.

DARJEELING, KALIMPONG, LAVA, LOLEGAON, RISHOP

*Lava is a small picturesque village located on a hilltop near Kalimpong. It is one one the few places in West Bengal that receives snowfall in the winter seasons.

*Rishop is a small, quiet village with picturesque view of snow-capped mountains during the day and the open skies at night. Almost every lodge have open courtyards where one can sit after sunset and relax under the starry skies.