Odisha - Sun, Sand & Spirit
An abridged travelogue by Srini & Geetha
Day 0 The Beginning
It all began in November 2022 when Geetha and I came across an interesting group called 50 Plus Voyagers. Their tagline - "Life begins at 50” - instantly caught our attention. The group specialized in leisurely-paced holidays for people above fifty, and their Odisha itinerary titled “Sun, Sand & Sea” sounded perfect. Neither of us had ever been to Odisha. So, after a quick check online, a dinner-table discussion, and some family encouragement, we signed up for our weeklong trip starting December 11th.
Our Sunday morning flight from Mumbai to Bhubaneswar went smoothly, and a car dropped us at Hotel VITS. After lunch, we walked to the Odisha State Museum, a pleasant surprise with its manicured lawns and a captivating display of Odisha’s ancient art, from the Kalinga war model to musical instruments and sculptures. In the evening, we met our fellow travelers and our cheerful tour manager, Sakshi, at the welcome meet. The warmth of the group made us look forward to the week ahead.
Day 2 The Buddhist Triangle
The day began with a long drive to the famous Buddhist sites - Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri, and Udayagiri - known as the Diamond Triangle of Odisha. Among ancient monasteries, giant Buddha statues, and quiet courtyards, one could almost feel the calm of centuries past. Photography, packed lunch, and friendly banter filled the day. By evening, after exploring all three sites, we returned to our hotel, tired but enriched by the serenity of it all.
Day 3 Temples & Transitions
After breakfast, we packed up and set out to explore Bhubaneswar’s heritage temples. The majestic Lingaraj, the elegant Rajarani, and the intricately carved Mukteshwar and Parsurameshwar temples each told their own story through their stones. Our guide Nimai’s storytelling made history come alive. On our way to Puri, we stopped at Dhauli’s Peace Pagoda, where Ashoka’s transformation from conqueror to monk took root. By evening, we reached Puri and checked into Jamindar Palace - a beautiful sea-facing hotel - and ended the day with a peaceful beach walk.
Day 4 The Divine & The Majestic
We woke early for the Jagannath Temple darshan - one of India’s sacred Char Dhams. The experience was divine, the rituals timeless, and the crowd surprisingly organized. Later, after breakfast and a short visit to Govardhan Math established by Adi Shankaracharya, we drove to Konark. The Sun Temple there, called “Poetry in Stone” by Tagore, left us speechless. Its chariot-shaped structure, massive wheels, and delicate carvings were mesmerizing. We watched the sunset at Chandrabhaga Beach before returning to our hotel for dinner - hearts full, cameras fuller.
Day 5 The Call of Chilika
A stunning sunrise greeted us from our sea-facing room. After breakfast, we headed to Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. A boat ride amid seagulls, still waters, and distant dolphin sightings was pure bliss. Lunch was served at a small island resort, where we were welcomed with flowers and invited to plant saplings - a thoughtful gesture. On the return boat ride, laughter, songs, and poetry filled the air. It was one of those rare days when nature and companionship blended perfectly.
Day 6 Pipli, Caves & Goodbyes
After one last stroll on Puri beach, we left for Pipli, famous for its colorful appliqué crafts. Umbrellas, bags, and wall hangings in vivid colors tempted everyone, and the bus soon looked like a moving craft shop! Back in Bhubaneswar, we explored the ancient Jain caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri - stone-carved shelters from 2nd century BC. That evening, the group gathered one last time to thank Sakshi for her warmth and flawless planning.
Day 7 Homeward Bound
On December 17th, we all went our separate ways - back to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, and beyond. What remained was a beautiful collage of temples and beaches, laughter and sunsets, friendships and faith. Odisha had quietly etched itself into our hearts - a perfect blend of sun, sand, and spirit.
Note: This is the abridged version. If you’d like to read the full, unabridged travelogue with day-by-day details, anecdotes, and more photos, click here to read the unabridged version.
A person who has visited any of these places will appreciate the unabridged version from a different perspective; anyone who hasn’t been will find it useful to know what to look forward to.
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