10. Jagannath Temple:

Jagannath Temple is one of the most prominent tourist places in Orissa. The origin of the temple dates back to the 11th century and is known to be one of the four auspicious ‘Char Dham’ of Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath who is accompanied by Balabhadra and Subhadra. The deities of the Jagannath Temple are dressed ornately depending on the occasion or season. The annual Rath Yatra, where the lords are taken out from the temple in a huge procession is a great crowd puller, with thousands of devotees across India come to glimpse of their deities.

11. Nandankanan Zoological Park:

Nandankanan Zoological Park is another popular visiting places near Orissa. Located in the town of Bhubaneshwar, this zoo is set inside the Chandaka forest and is dotted with a beautiful lake known as Kanjia. The Nandankanan Zoological Park is home to over 166 varied species of animals including the endangered white tigers. If you have kids along with you, take them to this zoological park for some good fun.

12. Lingaraja Temple:

The Lingaraja Temple is one of the ancient and also the largest temple of Bhubaneshwar and amongst the major visiting places in Orissa. The temple is a prominent landmark that is crowded by tourists all year round. Lingaraja Temple is dedicated to ‘Harihara’, a combined form of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Shivratri is grand event celebrated in the Temple and is witnessed by over 2 lakh devotees.

13. Bhitarkanika National Park:

The Bhitarkanika National Park is considered to be one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in Asia making it a must-visit Orissa tourist places. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 672 sq.kms in the district of Kendrapara. Bhitarkanika National Park is well-known for its dense mangrove forests and giant saltwater crocodiles. Besides there is also an abundance of flora and fauna in the sanctuary making is ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.