Tribal Tours of Odisha

Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India.
Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj', Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters.

Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to Hotel.

After lunch visit the Temple City of Bhubaneswar.

Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Bindusagar Lake lying to the north of the Lingaraja Temple, is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhubaneswar. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the Lingaraj temple. To be viewed from a platform outside the temple). Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Rajarani Temple is one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. It is made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone, which is locally known as Rajarani and this is what gives the temple its name of ‘Raja Rani’. Brahmeswara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva. Built in the end of the 9th century, is richly carved inside and out. The temple is built around 1058 AD.by Somavamsi king Udyotakesari,for his mother Kolavati Devi. On sandstone walls there are symbolic decorations and the notion of godlike figures that helps the believer in his meditation. The carvings over the door frame contain beautiful flower designs as well as Flying figures. Like the Rajarani, there are images of the eight directional Guardian Deities. There are also quite a number of tantric-related images, and even Chamunda appears on the western facade, holding a trident and a human head, standing on a corpse. Shiva and other deities are also depicted in their horrific aspects.(Non Hindus can enter the Brahmeswar temple complex but are not allowed inside the sanctum). Siddheshwar Temple is located close to the famous Mukteshwar Temple in Bhubaneswar. Made on the PanchaRatna plan the temple has a figure of Lord Ganesha in a standing pose.The Temple walls are decorated with khakhara and pidha-mundis and consist of seven mouldings. The shikara is grouped by a row of miniature turrets which is conquered by four lions. The amalasaraka is supported by four squatting figures which is a typical Orissan structure.

Overnight at Bhubaneswar

After breakfast leave for Purienroute visiting Pipli appliqué village and Konark.
Pipli – It’s a centre for appliqué work, which depicts the essence of Oriya culture. It is also known for colorful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. The cocktail effect of the colors is certainly a feast for the eyes. Pipli, Odisha's appliqué capital, announces itself with loud colourful splashes of bright colour in the shop fronts.

Konark - The third link in the Odishan Golden Triangle, Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved - symbolizing the march of time, lies in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand three kilometres from the sea, but originally it was reported to be closer for which it was used as a navigational point by European sailors, who referred to it as the 'Black Pagoda'. This 13th century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobel Laureate & Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, 'here the language of stone surpasses the language of man'. It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words..
Proceed to Puri.

For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt. The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Odisha, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretch of the beach to themselves is not uncommon. The local fishermen, with their catamarans and wide brimmed cane hats are welcomed by tourists.

Later in the afternoon visit the Jagannath Temple (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from Raghunathan library platform. Sunday this platform is closed but one can view from another platform outside and walk along the streets and interact with the local community.) at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. This 12^th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath – “The Lord of the Universe”. The wooden figures of the three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra stand in the sanctorium garlanded and decorated by the high priests. The extraordinary form that Jagannath takes, according to the legend, is the unfinished work of the craftsman god Viswakarma, who in anger left this portrayal of Lord Vishnu incomplete. This majestic temple and its chronicles allure devotees from all over the world. The wide BadaDanda, the road which leads up to the majestic temple, provides a view of the grandness of scale and proportion that typifies Puri. This is also the path to Nirvana, where the chariots of the much-loved divine siblings, Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra, roll down in the famous annual RathYatra, which inspires awe and draws tumultuous crowds. In Puri, everything has to be big. The main road is called BadaDanda, or Grand Road; the sea is Mahodadhi, or the widest ocean; the bhog is called Mahaprasad, or the great prasad.

(Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from Raghunathan library platform. Sunday this platform is closed but one can view from another platform outside and walk along the streets and interact with the local community.)

Overnight at Puri.

After breakfast leave for Rayagadaen route visiting Taptapani which is famous for its Hot Spring. One of the many marvels of nature, hot springs are generally said to be endowed with curative properties. Taptapani is actually a hot spring, and according to local folklore, has been around for more than 300 years.

Gradually we cross over to the small village hamlets of the Saora tribes who also find mention in the epic Ramayana. The Saoras are adept in art, painting and crafts. They use trees, animals, tribal people and instances from their daily life as their motifs for the paintings. They have a distinctive shamanic culture wherein they believe in evil spirits and worship them apart from numerous other deities.

Proceed to Rayagada . Arrive and Check into Hotel.

Overnight at Rayagada.

After breakfast visit the Tuesday weekly tribal market of KutiaKondh tribe and nearby traditional villages with packed lunch from Hotel.

The Kondh Tribe - The Kondhs are one of the well kn own tribes of Orissa who were famous in history for their Meriah –Human Sacrifice.They are found almost in all the districts of Orissa but mostly concentrated in large numbers in Phulbani, Koraput and Ganjamdistricts.Kondh’s life is full of festivities.The important festivals are at the time of sowing and harvesting. During festivals,feast is accompanied by singing, dancing and drinking.At the time of sowing seeds they worship Dharani Deota and make animal sacrifice to ensure good crop. The village women sing and dance joining hands and the boys standing around also sing and the entire atmosphere becomes joyous. During Sarupenu festival they resort to worship on the hills and enjoy the day with feasting and dancing. Their weapon is bow and arrow by which they defend themselves from wild animals.

DesiaKondh tribe the immediate neighbours of DongriaKondh who have left their hill habitation and settled down in the plains. As DesiaKondhs are the successors of the original Kondh tribe, they inherited and practised the traditions, customs and rituals of their forefathers.

Overnight at Hotel - Rayagada.

Breakfast at Hotel.
Rayagada is a district of meadows, forests, waterfalls and terraced valleys, thickly inhabited by colourful ethnic and tribal groups. The scenic beauty and heritage on the land is an unexplored paradise. The systematic relationship between men and nature is a feast to the eyes of an outsider. A district of many charms, it is a thrill to the searching eyes with its own appeal.
Visit their markets locally called ‘haat’ and make your way through the swarm of buyers and sellers, buy fresh produce and enjoy a traditional local cuisine experience. Visit the Kondh tribal community which were once famous in history for their Meriah-Human Sacrifice. Explore their lifestyle and the varied handicraft villages. Swing to the rhythmic moods of the tribal people who enjoy their lives through dance and music. Tribal villages often vibrate with drumbeats and hills echo with resonance of music. The waterfalls, springs, hills and forests come to life with the rhythmic musical moods almost every day.

Visit the weekly Wednesday market of the DongriyaKondhas at Chatikona - Here the DongariyaKondhas trek down from their villages up the Hill with forest produce to sell or barter with non-tribals. DongariyaKondhas are one of the original ethnic tribal groups of Odisha who have retained their culture and tradition till date. The Dongria family is often nuclear, although extended families are found. Female family members are considered assets because of their contribution inside and outside the household and women are on equal footing with the male members in constructing a house to cultivation. Women do all the work for household ranging from fetching water from the distant streams, cooking, serving food to each member of the household to cultivating, harvesting and marketing of produce in the market. Due to this, the bride price is paid to her parents when she gets married which is a striking feature of the Dongrias.

Lunch at Hotel in Rayagada.

After lunch proceed to Semiliguda.

Overnight at Semiliguda.

After breakfast visit the weekly Thursday market of the Bondas at Onkudelli. Nature has showered its bounty on the undivided Koraput district replete with meadows, forests, waterfalls, terraced valleys and darting springs. This land of abundance is home to Odisha's vast tribal population. A real paradise for the nature-lover, Jeypore offers an additional benefit to the visitor of first hand meeting with its ancient civilization.Today visit the home of the approximately 6000 members of the famed Bonda Tribes–one of the most fascinating tribes of the Country. They live in the remote hills and keep themselves isolated. They grow rice by shifting cultivation and keep domesticated cows and goats. They can only be seen when they come to trade at the local weekly Thursday market. The Bonda women are noticeable by the chunks of beaded necklaces that cover their upper body , striking brass and silver necklace and their shaved heads decorated with colourful beads. In Bonda society, the women enjoy a privileged position. They are the primary workers and providers of food for the community. Bonda girls largely marry boys who are at least five to ten years younger than them. Thus the girl looks after her husband as he grows up and in turn he cares for his elder wife. In contrast with many other populations in India, the number of women among the Bondas greatly exceeds the number of men.

Packed lunch from Hotel.

Visit another ethnic tribal group of the Gadabbas. Both men and women tie their long hairs with linseed oil and decorate it with forestry flowers and different ornaments. The women wear a long strip of cloth tied around the waist and a second piece of cloth is worn across the breasts and tied over one shoulder.

Overnight at Semiliguda.

After breakfast visit another interesting Paraja tribe assembles at Kunduli every Friday. The Parajas are divided into different sub-groups viz., Sodia, Jadia and Parenga; each of them seems to be a separate ethnic group. The Parajas have a number of totemisticsepts like Bagh-tiger, Bokda-goat, Netam-Dog, Pandki-Dove, and the like, and harming or eating the totem animal is forbidden. Instead such animals should be respected. They also worship various gods and goddesses residing in hills or forests.

Lunch at SVN Restaurant Vizianagaram

Later we proceed to Vishakhapatnam and so ends our tryst with the fascinating tribals who leave behind a smile to beckon you! Overnight at Vishakhapatnam.

Breakfast at hotel & in time transfer to board flight for onward destination

******TOUR END*******