TRIBAL TOUR of ORISSA ITINERARY

Day 01: Kolkata

Morning visit the Flower Market and Kumartuli to see the studios of clay modelers. This flower market is a 24 hours open wholesale market, as old as the City of Kolkata. Like the flower market Kumartuli is also one of the oldest residential area of the city of Kolkata, with a high concentration of CLAY MODELLERS, known as Kumar. Watch the making of icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, made of bamboo straw and clay, finally decorated with color and cloth.

Later visit to the Victoria Memorial Museum ( closed on Monday ), built in Italian Renaissance / Saracenic style. This British attempt at building a second Taj Mahal, is dedicated to Queen Victoria and houses a fantastic collection of rare memorabilia from Colonial days.

Visit Kalighat Temple & Dakshineshwar Temple.

Overnight in Kolkata.

Day 02: Kolkata / Bhubaneshwar

Departure transfer to the railway station to board your train to Bhubaneshwar.

On arrival at Bhubaneshwar railway station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon visit of Bhubaneswar- the capital city of ancient kingdom of Kalinga. Bhubaneswar is known as the Temple City of India. Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar.

Visit the Mukteswara temple built in the 10th century and known for its stone and arch at the entrance and is richly sculpted. With the tales from the Panchatantra carved on it, the temple is a magnificent example of Orissan architecture. The Rajarani temple set in picturesque surrounding is noted for its intricate carvings of floral, animal and human figures. It is built in the 11th century and has no deity.Parasurameswara temple a small but richly decorated shrine of Shiva built in the 7th century. It is one of the best preserved. It has sculptures featuring amorous couples, animals and floral motifs. Visit also the Vital Deul-tantric temple located near Linagaraj Temple.

Overnight

Day 03: Bhubaneshwar / Balliguda

Check out and leave for Balliguda in the district of Phulbani- 8 hours drive for your first night stay in the tribal area.

En route visiting typical Orissan villages and local markets.

Arrive and check in to Hotel
Overnight.

Day 04: Balliguda / Rayagada

Check out and leave for Rayagada en route visit Tumudibandh and Kotgarh to see the Kutia Kondh tribe and their villages and also the weekly tribal market at Kotgarh, which is attended by members of the Kutia Kondh & Desia Kondh tribes. The women are readily identifiable by the geometric tattoos worn on their faces and hands. These identifying marks ensure that they will recognize each other in the spirit world. We will visit a hamlet of the Dongariya Kondh, where women dress in white cotton togas and adorn themselves with a flashy array of hairpins and ornaments, ear and nose rings and geometric tattoos.

Arrive and check into Hotel

Overnight.

Day 05 : Rayagada / Jeypore (This day must be a Wednesday)

Am: Drive to Chatikona – 45 miles drive to see the colorful weekly tribal market of Dhongria Kondh tribes - The Kondhs are known in the history for their Meriah Sacrifice-Human Sacrifice. The Kondhs are of a Dravidian origin and speak Kuvi language. They practice elaborate birth, marriage and death rituals.

Visit the Kondh tribe and their villages- they love music and dance, compose their own songs on love, marriage ceremony, harvesting and nature. The Kondh women wear two pieces of cloths, one around the waist to the knees and the other for upper portion of the body. The Kondh society is replete with festivities. The Desia Kondh tribe lives on the plains and they practice elaborate birth, marriage and death rituals.

After visit return to Rayagada, check out and leave for Jeypore, en route visiting Desia Kondh tribes and villages.

Overnight.

Day 06 : Jeypore ( Thursday. This must be a Thursday)

Full day visit of famed Bonda tribe and their weekly market at Onukudelli. This is an intense market situated on the hilly main street of this tiny town. The Bonda has been described as the wildest, rudest and possibly the most interesting tribe. Known as the naked people, the Bonda are a fascinating group. They are named after the Bonda hills of Orissa’s interior and are known for their stubborn, independent and often ferocious spirit.

Return to Jeypore en route visit the Gadabba tribe of the Austro origin at Lamptaput. The women wear a long strip of cloth tied around the waist and a second piece of cloth is worn across the breasts and tied over one shoulder. They also wear a number of ornaments including necklaces, earrings, nose rings, large silver hoops in their hair. Older Gadaba women also wear two very thick silver neck rings which are not removed until they die. Gadaba men wear lion cloths.

Overnight at Jeypore

Day 07 : Jeypore

Full day visit of Kunduli and Kotapada Weaving Village and weekly tribal market. The Parajas are mostly found in Koraput district. Their language is Parji .The Parajas have a number of totemistic sects like Bagh-tiger, Bokda-goat, Netam-Dog, Pandki-Dove. Harming or eating the totem animal is forbidden as such animals should be respected. They worship various gods and goddesses residing in hills or forests. During wedding Parajas resort to dance and music.

Overnight Jeypore.

Day 08 : Jeypore (Saturday : This must be a Saturday) / Rayagada

In the morning visit of Dhurva Tribe and market and Gupteswar Cave. Gupteswar is a famous cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at the top of a limestone hill which is about 500 meters above sea level. Surrounded by a dense forest of sal trees and flanked by Kolab river, a 2m high lingam stands in the cave. The shrine is called "Gupteswar" which means the "Hidden God". One can reach it is by climbing the 1000 steps flanked with rows of champak trees. The entrance of the cave is about 3 m wide and 2 m in height.

After lunch check out and leave for Rayagada.

Overnight.

Day 09 : Rayagada / Gopalpur on Sea

Breakfast at Hotel and leave for Gopalpur en route visit the Saora. Saora tribe are mostly concentrated in Ganjam district of Orissa. The whole area is an intricate labyrinth of precipitous hills and valleys which are part of the Eastern Ghat; the height of the hills ranges from 2000 to 4000 ft above sea level. Saora trace their origin to the Ramayana which contains a reference of Savari, a Saora women whom Ram and Laxman met while moving about in the Dandaka forests in search of Sita.

Overnight at Hotel at Gopalpur on sea.

Day 10 : Gopalpur on Sea / Puri

Check out and leave for Puri en route visit famous Chilka Lake. This lake, covering an area of 900 sq. km, is Asia's largest salt and fresh water lake. It attracts a large number of migratory birds, like the flamingo, teal, bar headed goose, shoveller and white - bellied sea eagle. For bird-lovers, Chilika is best visited in winter when the migratory populations wing in from places as far as Siberia. Near the mouth of the lake to the ocean is a large population of Gangetic dolphins.

Boat ride at Lake Chilka ( OPTIONAL ).

Depart for Puri.

Afternoon visit of Puri. Puri is a major pilgrim centre in India. Adi Shankara founded one of the peethas here. Puri is also known for its Golden Beach but the fame of Puri emanates mostly from the Jagannath Temple. The 12th century temple is known for its annual Car Festival. Also visit the Raghurajpur village for look at the Patachitra painting, an art form akin to Batik created in this village.

Overnight.

Day 11 : Puri

Am: Visit of Konarak - 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.

Afternoon at Leisure, beach etc.

Overnight.

Day 12 : Puri / Bhubaneswar / Kolkata

Check out and transfer to Bhubaneswar railway station to board train.
On arrival at Kolkata railway station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 13 : Kolkata / Departure

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