The beauty of Orissa unravels like a story through its monuments, landscape and the history. Kalinga, as Orissa was known in ancient times, remained unconquered till King Ashoka captured this state. Shattered by the bloodshed, he denounced the world to follow the path of Buddhism. Today, a sense of calmness and peace winds through the air, like the notes of a flute, filling one with joy. The fabulous handicrafts and paintings add colour to simple life style of people in Orissa. The most popular crafts Patta-Chitra and palm-leaf etching serve as souvenirs from the state. The silver filigree and Applique are distinct art forms of great detail holding the onlooker in awe. The artists of Orissa still live and work in remote tribal habitations, small villages, and traditional pilgrimage towns throughout the state. It is in these little nooks and corners of the state that traditions thrives and flourishes to its full extent.

Orissa has such lovely places to offer to both, the tourists and the pilgrims. Since overcrowding has never been a problem with most of these places, barring the festive season, holiday-making can be really enjoyable and peaceful in Orissa. Situated in the bosom of nature, the picturesque fun spots of Orissa hold a prominent position in the tourist map of India .

Places to visit in Orissa:
Puri, Jagannath temple, Sun Temple , Mukteswara Temple , Rock- Cut Caves , Chilka Lake , Simlipal National Park , Chandipur, Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary.

India Travel Destination Guide

Time Zone in India

India is all in one time zone: GMT+5hr 30min. This makes it 5hr 30min ahead of London, 1Ohr 30min ahead of New York, 13hr 30min ahead of LA, 4hr 30min behind Sydney and 6hr 30min behind NZ; however, summer time in those places will vary the difference by an hour.

Indian embassies outside

Indian embassies Australia High Commission; 3-5 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600® 02/6273 3999, © 62731308,® hicanb@ozemail.com.au. Consulates; Level 27,25 Bligh St, Level 27, Sydney, NSW 2000® 02/9223 9500,® 9223 9246,® indianc@enternet.com.au; 15 Munro St, Coburg, Melbourne, Vic 3058® 03/9384 0141, ® 9384 1609. Honorary Consulates; Level 1, Terrace Hotel, 195

International Airlines Offices in New Delhi

Internation Airlines with thier office addresses: Aeroflot, Tolstoy House, 15-17 Tolstoy Marg; Air Canada, 1st floor, ALPs Building, 56 Janpath 0014; Air France, 7 Atma Ram Mansion, Scindia House, Connaught Place; Air India, Jeevan Bharati Building, opposite Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place; Air Lanka, Room 1, Hotel Janpath, Janpath Air Ukraine, C-37,

Internet access in Delhi

Internet access is as easy as getting a telephone booth in delhi. You can find internet cafes is most of the parts of Delhi. Prices range from a mere Rs10 per hour to around Rs100 per hour but make sure you check your connection by surfing first. Paharganj teems with

Photographing in India

Keep in mind to ask before directing your camera to all that could be considered "strategic", including airports and anything military, but even with the bridges, the stations and the principal roads. The film of camera, sold with the average Western prices, is largely available in India (but check the

Radhnagar Beach

Radhanagar Beaches in Havelock are pristine, unspoilt beaches and will appeal to every beach enthusiast and nature lover who want to enjoy his beach holiday at a pristine loc. A 5 hour-long journey by boat from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair brings you to Havelock Island — "The island campers

Metalware and jewellery in India

The south is one major area for metalware in India (dancing Shivas, : known as Nataraj, are a favourite here -check out the quality in the palace art gallery ! at Thanjavur), the Himalayas another, Dokra, j a speciality of West Bengal and Orissa, uses this very same lost-wax technique

Carpets and rugs in India

Carpets and rugs Kashmiri rugs are among the best in the world (up there with those from Iran) and, given a little caution and scepticism, you can get yourself a bargain in India (though you can also get shafted if you're not careful). A pukka Kashmiri carpet should have a label

Telephones calls from and in India

Telephones in India Calling from hotels is usually more expensive. Both national and international calls are dialled direct. To call abroad, dial the international access code (00), the code for the country you want - 1 for the USA. Privately run phone services with international direct dialling facilities are very

Karmatang Beach

Situated at Mayabunder, northern part of Middle Andaman, Karmatang Beach is the location of a turtle nesting ground. One can view nesting of turtles during Dec - Feb season. One can go to Kalighat (for Diglipur) by boat from here. The beach is a perfect holiday destination for lovers