MAA UGRATARA is a well know 'SHAKTI PITHA' and is located near Bhusandpur Village in Khurda district under Tangi Block. 55 km away from Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, it is a beautiful scenic location. It is a famous spot for picnickers during the stretch of winter. The temple stands amidst picturesque surrounding. A four-handed Chamunda is worshipped as Ugratara believed to be the titulary goddess of the Gajapati kings of Orissa.The surrounding environ is always green throughout the year. A drive on NH-5 always depicts a landscape view of evergreen environ with green mountain peaks covered with mainly cashew plants and mango trees. The breeze flowing over Chilika lake and passing through this evergreen environ cools the minds and heart of the people even during summer when the people remain inside house to save themselves from scorching heat and humid.
RAMBHA: Nesting in the southern end of Blue Lagoon Chilika, a Ramsar site in Ganjam district of the state of Odisha in eastern part of Peninsular India RAMBHA is an emerging site of eco-tourism. The islands in the lagoon provide ample fish culture with hundreds of boats sailing on the blue expanse in search of mackerel, prawn and crabs and many other fish verities. The important and interesting islands near RAMBHA shore are Breakfast Island, Honeymoon Island and Bird's Island. A visit to this part of Chilika Lake will be memorable to each and every tourist.
NARAYANI TEMPLE : is dedicated to ten armed goddess Narayani or Durga and is located in Narayani village situated near Khalikote, Orissa, India. The temple is popular for Durga Puja and a fair held in the Indian month of Chaitra. The temple was renovated by the zamindars of Khalikote in the early 18th century. The temple is a Khakhara deula] like Vaital Deula and is supposed to have existed before 12th Century AD. The temple is known for the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside' including Chilika Lake.
BHAGABATI TEMPLE : Bhagavati, the presiding deity of Banapur, is one of the twelve famous Saktipithas as mentioned by Sarala Dasa in his Oriya Mahabharata. The present temple and its Jagamohana are said to have been constructed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.T h e temple stands on the edge of a deep pool within a high enclose wall. Temple and Jagamohana are built in Pidha order and thickly plastered with lime mortar. The niches of the inner wall of the compound contain loose sculptures of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati and Chamunda. An image of Mahisamardini Durga locally known as Bhagavati is worshiped in the sanctum of the main temple. The deity appears to be eight armed figures of Mahisamardini Durga. Of the eight hands in the four on the right objects are sword, spear, short dagger, and arrow and the hands of the left side display shield, bow, conch and disc. The chopped off head of the buffalo demon is lying on the lotus pedestal. She is adorned with decorative ornaments. Ganesha and Parvati images are kept in southern and northern niches respectively as Parsvadevatas. The Parvati image is locally worshipped as Bhubaneswari. A separate shrine has been constructed in front of the Jagamohana for worship of Goddess Polaksuni, which is an image of Mahisamardini Durga. Another image of Chamunda is kept near the Polakasuni image.
DAKSA PRAJAPATI TEMPLE: DAKSA PRAJAPATI TEMPLE : One of the best preserved temples of the first half of the 13th rentury A.D and a fine specimen of extraordinary artistic excellence of Orissan art is the Daksa Prajapati or Daksesvara Siva Temple at Banapur. This temple attracts the tourists due to its keen beautiful sculpture i.e., Gaja-Vidala, Female figures, Parsvadevatas, Digpalas and other minor images etc. The decorative female figures depicted in the mood of lassitude are known as Alasa Kanyas. They are shown in various roles such as holding a child, looking into the mirror, taking out anklets, playing on musical instruments etc. On the walls of the temple there can be seen the king with all his majesty, soldiers, Siksadana scenes, dancers, hunters etc. Royal tigers also appear on the walls of temples. Erotic sculptures form an important aspect in the decorative programme. The scroll work called dali or lata, is extremely beautiful and varied in design.
SALIA DAM : Salia Irrigation Dam Project of Odisha, 15 kms from Banpur town under the Khordha Irrigation Division of water resources department, government of Odisha. Picnicers are attracted towards its natural scenic beauty. It is a spot of nature.
KALIJAI : Another rocky island is the Kalijai, home the Goddess Kalijai which commemorates to the tragedy enacted in the past. Kalijai was newly married and was being taken by boat across the lake to her husband who lived in the Parikuda-Maluda Islands in the eastern shore towords the sea. A sudden storm, which is common in the lake in the spring dashed the boat against a rock and everybody was saved except the bride. Since then her ghost is said to be haunting the Island. There is a temple on the rock, which is visited by pilgrims. It is also a picnic spot. A huge fair is held on Makara Sankranti annually in the month of January. Maa Kalijai is venerated by the local boatman.
PARIKUD : A large estate with an area of 67 1/3 sq. miles was held by the Raja of Parikuda. From Parikuda one can also enjoy the Chilika lake.
MALUDA : Inside the Chilika lake Maluda Island is in the eastern sea shore towards the sea. Birds are used to come here during rainy season from Siberia and Man Sarobar in the Himalayas. The common teal is the smallest of the migratory ducks to have flown across the trans-Himalayan range. Egrets of various sizes were busy, scooping insects and frogs. Snipes and sand pipers who feed in the open in broad daylight are a delightful sight. Avocets with their long, slender and upturned black beaks and long necks could be seen in plenty. One can enjoy the Maluda Island by boating, which is available from Barakul on the Chilika. The Chilka is an ideal place for aquatic biological research. There are immense varieties of insects and fishes. Amphibians like snakes and frogs are many. Bird life can be studied by itself. Sunset and sunrise are memorable experience here.
SATAPADA : The simplicity of nature comes in different forms at Satapada which is quite perfect for a short vacation. Dolphins are a great attraction as are the migratory birds. Good connectivity and facilities that come for nominal price make it an ideal choice for a weekend trip. With natural charm of being located near the confluence of Chilika and the ocean and its proximity to Puri (50 km.) it is an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika lake. From Satapada, one and half hour boat ride would take the tourist to Rajhans Island and two and half hour ride would take to Nalaban Island, which forms the core of the Chilika sanctuary with its varied flora and fauna. Since last five to six years this spot is a major tourist attraction because of the development of a Dolphin Center.
BARAKUL : About 5 km from Balugaon on the National Highway No.5 is Barakul from where the scenic beauty of the Chilika can be better enjoyed. At Barakul there is an Inspection Bungalow of Works Department on the bank of the lake, which has since been converted to a Panthanivas from where the beauty of Chilika Lake can also be better enjoyed.
BHETNOI :near Aska in Ganjam district in Odisha is the only place where the Blackbucks exist within human habitat. People of the area have been protecting the blackbuck since the last several years because they consider the animals to be the harbinger of good luck. "People of the area protect the animal due to religious sentiments and poaching is almost nil.Locally known as Krushna Mruga, the Black Buck is a schedule – I animal as per Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
DHANI: is a virgin forest with grown up tree species, birds and animals and has a great potential to be a paradise for trekkers & wildlife enthusiasts.
