the light baggage

Overview: Our day in Bhubaneswar began early, knowing it would be one of the most packed and enriching days of our journey through Odisha. After breakfast, we set out with curiosity and anticipation, ready to explore layers of history, culture, and legacy, all unfolding within a single day. Udayagiri & Khandagiri: Where Stone Sheltered Faith Our first stop was the ancient Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves , located just a few kilometres from the heart of Bhubaneswar. Among the two, Udayagiri is better maintained and houses a larger number of caves, so we hired a guide there, an excellent decision that brought the carvings and inscriptions alive. Dating back to the 1st century BCE , these caves were carved during the reign of King Kharavela of Kalinga as residential shelters for Jain monks . Together, the twin hills house 33 existing caves:  18 at Udayagiri and 15 at Khandagiri, though inscriptions suggest many more once existed. The most striking among them is Rani Gumpha ...

Overview: Our day began in Puri , with a simple yet comforting local breakfast, ' Chilla' , Odisha’s answer to the dosa of South India. Light, wholesome, and freshly made, it was the perfect way to start a day that would take us through centuries of art, empire, and introspection. Konark Sun Temple: Where Stone Becomes Time Post breakfast, we headed to the legendary Sun Temple at Konark , one of India’s most extraordinary architectural achievements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Built in the 13th century by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty , the temple was conceived as a colossal stone chariot of Surya, the Sun God . The structure is defined by its 24 intricately carved wheels , each a masterpiece in itself, symbolising the passage of time, and seven stone horses that once appeared to pull the chariot across the sky. Designed in the classical Kalinga architectural style , the temple is celebrated for its extraordinary sculptural detail, ranging from...

Overview: Our third day began on a far more pleasant note. The buffet breakfast at OTDC Barakul was noticeably better organised than the previous day, simple, efficient, and unhurried. With renewed energy, we set out early, knowing that the day would involve a longer drive and some of the most culturally rich experiences of our journey. Raghurajpur: Where Every Home Is a Canvas Our first destination was Raghurajpur , a heritage crafts village near Puri , celebrated worldwide for its traditional art forms. Declared Odisha’s first Heritage Village in 2000 , Raghurajpur is not just a place you visit, it is a living museum of creativity. Here, every house doubles as an art studio , and generations of artisans continue to preserve ancient crafts with remarkable dedication. The village is best known for: Pattachitra:  vibrant cloth scroll paintings depicting mythological stories, especially those related to Lord Jagannath Talapatachitra:  intricate engravings on dried palm...