NDTV had unveiled 7 wonders of Orissa in 2009 based on the user polls. Here's the list of these wonders:
7. Raghurajpur
A vibrant village in the Puri District of Orissa, Raghurajpur is the seventh wonder of Orissa. It is a heritage crafts village that is famous for its expert Pattachitra painters and Gotipua dance troupes. The Pattachitra is a form of painting on cloth that has survived since 5 BC. The Gotipua is an ancient dance form that is the precursor to the popular Indian dance form of Odissi. The village is also the birthplace of Sri Kelucharan Mohapatra, one of the exponents of Odissi. Other types of art and craft like stone and wood carvings, masks, paper mache toys, etc., are also created in the village homes.
6. Nandankanan
A popular destination for people of all ages, the Nandankanan Zoological Park is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The complex hosts both a zoo and a botanical garden. The zoo is located in the Chandaka forest region and features the large Kanjia lake. 166 species of animals call this zoo their home. The figure represents 67 mammalian species, 81 species of birds, and 18 reptilian species. White tigers residing in the zoo are among the most popular animals of Nandankanan.
5. Udayagiri And Khandagiri Caves
Located near the city of Bhubaneswar, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves rank fifth among the ‘Seven Wonders of Orissa.’ The artificial caves are historical and archeological treasures of India. The cave complexes are located on two adjacent hills of the same name. Possibly, these caves were dug out in the rocks to accommodate the Jain monks during King Kharavela’s rule in the region in the 2nd century BCE. Carvings on the cave walls reveal important information about their history.
4. Sleeping Vishnu
The fourth wonder from Orissa is the open-air rock relief of the Hindu God Vishnu or the Anantashayi Vishnu. The statue was carved out in the 9th century and is located in the Dhenkanal District of the state on the Brahmani River’s left bank. The 51 ft rock-cut structure is the largest of its kind in the horizontal position in India.
3. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles
Labeled as a ‘Vulnerable’ species by the IUCN, the Olive Ridley sea turtles are primarily found in the warm, tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Every year, these turtles nest on beaches in the months of February and March. The females start arriving on the beaches in large numbers in a synchronous manner and this phenomenon is called ‘arribada.’ Once in the beaches, the female Olive Ridley’s dig out nests in the sand where they lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings return to the water to begin their life-cycle in the ocean. Orissa’s Rushikulya rookery coast located in the Ganjam district of the state is one of the world’s most famous nesting sites of the Olive Ridley. Hundreds of thousands of these sea turtles arrive on the beach every year to lay eggs. The event is strictly monitored by government authorities to ensure that the turtles have a safe nesting experience on the beach free from human interference.
2. Lingaraja Temple
The second wonder of Orissa is the Lingaraja Temple, an ancient Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the city of Bhubaneswar and attracts a large number of pilgrims and other visitors every year. The temple is part of a big complex with numerous other shrines dedicated to the Hindu deities. The temple represents one of the best forms of Kalinga Architecture. It is believed to have been built by the rulers of the Somavamsi dynasty in the 6th century and subsequent additions and modifications to the temple were made over the centuries by other rulers.
1.Konark Sun Temple
Perhaps no guesses are required to learn about the biggest wonder of Orissa. It is the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose architectural marvels have amazed people all over the world. The temple located in Konark was built in the 13th century CE by the Eastern Ganga Dynasty ruler, Narasimhadeva I. The main temple in the complex is dedicated to the Sun god of the Hindus or Surya. Although a large part of the temple has fallen in ruins, what remains is also enough to inspire the awe of all visitors. The intricate artwork, iconography, and themes of the temple reveal significant information of Indian history and culture in the ancient times.
7. Raghurajpur
A vibrant village in the Puri District of Orissa, Raghurajpur is the seventh wonder of Orissa. It is a heritage crafts village that is famous for its expert Pattachitra painters and Gotipua dance troupes. The Pattachitra is a form of painting on cloth that has survived since 5 BC. The Gotipua is an ancient dance form that is the precursor to the popular Indian dance form of Odissi. The village is also the birthplace of Sri Kelucharan Mohapatra, one of the exponents of Odissi. Other types of art and craft like stone and wood carvings, masks, paper mache toys, etc., are also created in the village homes.
6. Nandankanan
A popular destination for people of all ages, the Nandankanan Zoological Park is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The complex hosts both a zoo and a botanical garden. The zoo is located in the Chandaka forest region and features the large Kanjia lake. 166 species of animals call this zoo their home. The figure represents 67 mammalian species, 81 species of birds, and 18 reptilian species. White tigers residing in the zoo are among the most popular animals of Nandankanan.
5. Udayagiri And Khandagiri Caves
Located near the city of Bhubaneswar, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves rank fifth among the ‘Seven Wonders of Orissa.’ The artificial caves are historical and archeological treasures of India. The cave complexes are located on two adjacent hills of the same name. Possibly, these caves were dug out in the rocks to accommodate the Jain monks during King Kharavela’s rule in the region in the 2nd century BCE. Carvings on the cave walls reveal important information about their history.
4. Sleeping Vishnu
The fourth wonder from Orissa is the open-air rock relief of the Hindu God Vishnu or the Anantashayi Vishnu. The statue was carved out in the 9th century and is located in the Dhenkanal District of the state on the Brahmani River’s left bank. The 51 ft rock-cut structure is the largest of its kind in the horizontal position in India.
3. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles
Labeled as a ‘Vulnerable’ species by the IUCN, the Olive Ridley sea turtles are primarily found in the warm, tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Every year, these turtles nest on beaches in the months of February and March. The females start arriving on the beaches in large numbers in a synchronous manner and this phenomenon is called ‘arribada.’ Once in the beaches, the female Olive Ridley’s dig out nests in the sand where they lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings return to the water to begin their life-cycle in the ocean. Orissa’s Rushikulya rookery coast located in the Ganjam district of the state is one of the world’s most famous nesting sites of the Olive Ridley. Hundreds of thousands of these sea turtles arrive on the beach every year to lay eggs. The event is strictly monitored by government authorities to ensure that the turtles have a safe nesting experience on the beach free from human interference.
2. Lingaraja Temple
The second wonder of Orissa is the Lingaraja Temple, an ancient Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the city of Bhubaneswar and attracts a large number of pilgrims and other visitors every year. The temple is part of a big complex with numerous other shrines dedicated to the Hindu deities. The temple represents one of the best forms of Kalinga Architecture. It is believed to have been built by the rulers of the Somavamsi dynasty in the 6th century and subsequent additions and modifications to the temple were made over the centuries by other rulers.
1.Konark Sun Temple
Perhaps no guesses are required to learn about the biggest wonder of Orissa. It is the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose architectural marvels have amazed people all over the world. The temple located in Konark was built in the 13th century CE by the Eastern Ganga Dynasty ruler, Narasimhadeva I. The main temple in the complex is dedicated to the Sun god of the Hindus or Surya. Although a large part of the temple has fallen in ruins, what remains is also enough to inspire the awe of all visitors. The intricate artwork, iconography, and themes of the temple reveal significant information of Indian history and culture in the ancient times.
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