The state is all set to host the 15th edition of the Mens Hockey World Cup from January 13-29, at the brand new Birsa Munda stadium named after the legendary freedom fighter. The tournament will be split between this stadium in the Sundergarh district, the cradle of Indian hockey, and the famed Kalinga stadium in the state capital, Bhubaneswar.
Konark forms one tip of Odishas golden triangle together with Puri and Bhubaneswar, and no first visit to the state is complete without paying homage to these places; they lead the way for a reason, with Konark, quite literally, taking the wheel.
Sitting on the foundation of a 13th-century stone chariot adorned with 24 intricate wheels that are the monuments showstopper, the Sun Temple of Konark is undoubtedly the plume in Odishas crown. A walkabout begins with an imposing pair of monolithic lions on elephant backs at the entrance of this complex and circumnavigates fragments of the temple and the natyashala that dominates the other remains with its intricate carvings.
The Kalinga-style architectural marvel is covered in unmatched artwork that spans nearly 1,700 figurines depicting dancing gods and goddesses, and scenes from daily living that were meant to be both devotional and educational. Our ancestors were ingenious; if you know how to use these sundials, you dont need a watch to tell the time even today, says Pradipta Malla, who has been conducting guided tours here for the last 30 years, and who, within moments, looks at the shadow cast by the sun, counts the finer carved spokes, does a couple of quick mental calculations and announces the exact time with a flourish as his guests break into applause.
In a religious nation like India, while Puris laurels rest on Sri Jagannath, few know that the town is also Home to Golden Beach, among the worlds prestigious blue flag beaches. After Puri, the other faith Odisha worships is hockey; cricket takes the backseat here and the countrys national sport basks in the glory it deserves. Odisha lives and breathes hockey; it houses the iconic Kalinga stadium in the capital, and now, world-class at the Birsa Munda stadium, making Odisha the only destination to host it for a second time.
For every traditional exploration that exists in the state, Odisha has a surprising alternative. For every Chilika lake, there is a Mangalajodi teeming with migratory birds. For every piece of pattachitra on sale at Bhubaneswars Ekamra Haat, there are houses with walls covered in it in the village of Raghurajpur.
Odisha also fiercely guards its most famous guest, the Olive Ridley turtle, which comes for its annual Migration, an experience sought after by enthusiasts who barely know that the state is also home to the second-largest mangrove eco-system in the country called Bhitarkanika. The relatively small state is packed with sizeable wonders, the biggest hint for which lies in its taglineIndias best-kept secret.