Top 10 Offbeat Places in Odisha

Odisha is far more than its famous temples and beaches. Venture beyond Puri and Konark and you will discover Daringbadi — the "Kashmir of Odisha" — a misty hill station with coffee and pepper plantations. Simlipal National Park shelters tigers and elephants amid dense sal forests. Bhitarkanika Mangroves, a UNESCO tentative site, hosts the world's largest nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles. Koraput in the southern highlands offers a vibrant tribal culture and the stunning Deomali peak. Hirakud Dam with its sprawling reservoir is spectacular at sunset. Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary, Nrusinghanath Temple near Bargarh, the rock-cut caves at Khandagiri, and the rarely-visited Harishankar temple in Bolangir round out a list of treasures waiting for curious travellers. Odisha rewards those who stray from the beaten path with authentic cultural encounters and unspoiled natural beauty.