Best of Orissa Tour with Gangasagar Deoghar 07N / 08D

A mix of Odisha’s temple heritage and eastern India’s pilgrim sites: start in Odisha with Puri’s Jagannath Temple, Konark’s Sun Temple, and Bhubaneswar’s Lingaraj and old town temples. Then head to Gangasagar in West Bengal, where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal and the Kapil Muni Temple draws thousands at the sangam. Finish at Baidyanath Dham / Deoghar in Jharkhand, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva.

• Day 01 : Arrive Bhubaneswar Airport – transfer to Puri (60 Kms) (D)

  Scheduled arrive Bhubaneswar Airport, meet our representative who will welcome and drive for Puri. Following 1.5-hour drive reach Puri and check in to hotel. Rest of time spend time at Puri Beach.
  Overnight stay in hotel.

• Day 02 : Puri – Excursion to Chilka Lake + Konark Sun Temple (50Kms, one way) (B,D)

  Early morning visit Lord Jagannath temple (Non-Hindus are not allowed so view from roof top). It is widely known as Purushottam dham & it has been included in Chardham.
  
  Post prayers back to hotel for breakfast. Later proceed to Chilika Lake at Satapada where you meet dolphins in nature. It is site of conservation of wetlands and bio diversity which is a unique combination of marine, fresh water and brackish water. Later on visit Konarak- world heritage site -The temple chariot of the Sun God on the sands of Bay of Bengal is a 13th century architectural marvel. It is designed as a celestial chariot of Sun God, complete with twelve pairs of wheel and seven horses. This legendary temple has sculptures of great beauty covering all aspects of life. It is most famous for its erotic art Konarak- world heritage site -The temple chariot of the Sun God on the sands of Bay of Bengal is a 13th century architectural marvel. It is designed as a celestial chariot of Sun God, complete with twelve pairs of wheel and seven horses. This legendary temple has sculptures of great beauty covering all aspects of life. It is most famous for its erotic art. By evening back to hotel. Rest of time spend t beaches.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 03 : Puri – Bhubaneswar via Udaigiri Caves + Local Sightseeing (B,D)

  Post breakfast at hotel check out and depart for Bhubaneswar. Enroute visit Udaigiri and Khandagiri caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvat in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during 2nd century BCE.It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela.Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.
  
  Later in the afternoon arrive city and proceed forHalf day sightseeing of Bhubaneswar including visit at Bhubaneswar temple, Parsurameswar temple, Mukteswar temple, Lingaraj temple etc. Evening free for shopping.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 04 : Bhubaneswar / Kolkata (By Train Jan Shatabdi Exp 0600/1240 Hrs)- transfer to hotel in Kolkata(B,D)

  This morning scheduled transfer to Bhubaneswar Railway station to board the train board the train for Kolkata. On arrival at Kolkata, pick-up from Railway station, check-in hotel. After freshen-up half day city tour including GPO, Writers Building, Eden Garden Stadium, Mother House, Victoria Memorial Hall & Kalighat Kali Temple etc. Evening free at leisure.
  Overnight stay at Kolkata hotel.

• Day 05 : Kolkata – Gangasagar (Same Day Excursion) (B,D)

  Early morning drive to Kakdwip (Lot No. 08) which is approximately 105kms / 3 hrs. from Kolkata. The surface journey ends here and from here you have to board the local ferry which will take you on the other side of the river called Kachuberia. After a sail of 30 - 40mins you reach Kachuberia. You cannot take your vehicle on the other side hence you have to take the local transports available (at own cost). A drive of another 40mins will take you to Ganga Sagar. While coming back you have to follow the reverse routing. The vehicle that will drop you at Kakdwip (Lot No. 08/Harwood Point) in Gangasagar will be stationed over there until you come back. You have to take the ferry to cross the Muriganga River for Kachuberia and take private car for Sagar Island from Kachuberia. Ferry services are available at regular intervals of 30mins in the morning/evening and 45mins in the afternoon. (Local ferry cost will be paid by gust directly).
  Later transfer back to Kolkata hotel for overnight stay.

• Day 06 : Deoghar – Temple visit (B,D)

  This morningvisit the temple of Baidyanath Dham is famous for the most revered of all Jyotirlingas. For centuries, devotees, in the month of Shravan (June-July) undertake a rigorous 100-km pilgrimage on foot from Ajgaibinath (Sultanganj) in Bhagalpur district to offer holy water from the Ganges to the lingam at Deoghar. Be advised that it is very crowded in Deoghar during this period as more than 5 million devotees visit every year. Hence it is not recommended for a casual traveler to visit Deoghar during these months.
  
  Later post prayers, you may visit Naulakha Mandir is similar in appearance to the temple of Ramakrishna in Belur. Inside there are idols of Radha-Krishna, Shivganga etc. followed by Basukinath Temple etc. Rest of time free for your own activities.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 07 : Deoghar Airport Departure (B/f Only)

  Take breakfast at hotel and spend time at leisure until scheduled transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward destination.
  Tour Ends with happy memories.