Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha’s Tourism- A Voyage of Discovery Pamela Satpathy An ancient adage says, “A thing of beauty is a joy synonymous to the land of Konark Sun Temple forever”. But I believe, “A thing of beauty is a joy and the abode of Lord Jagannath Who keeps a forever and for everyone”. If it is not for everyone, keen eye on all His devotees from Srikshetra Puri. it is not beautiful enough. Tourism aims at making Apart from the famous ones, the lesser known people see the beauty in the world; rather discover temples of Lingaraj, Mukteswar, Dhabaleshwar, the beauty surrounding them. It has immense Gupteswar, Maa Tarini, Rajarani, Loknath etc are potential- bringing tiny hamlets onto the world nonetheless lesser divine. Bhubaneswar itself is map, being the sole bread-winner for a country’s dotted with thousands of temple, each devoted GDP, creating employment, leveraging skills and to a different deity. The Buddhist complex at more importantly becoming an alternate source Chandragiri, with a rich history of Tibettan monks of livelihood when the conventional jobs fail. who nurtured this faith is another attraction. Buddhist remains at Dhauli and also in Khandagiri- Our state has it all- from mountains, Udayagiri cave complex could be tapped for its valleys, islands,shores and beaches to dense pilgrim potential. It is sad to note that Dhauli which forests, deltas, estuaries and lakes to adorn its was built after the Kalinga war and became the Geographic terrain. We also have manmade hub for disseminating Buddhism in the world under marvels in terms of architecture, art, agro-diversity Ashoka, could not become a part of International to crafts, cuisine, culture and couture. But there Buddhist Conclave 2016, while other states is an inherent indifference to propel our economic gracefully hosted Buddhist globe trotters. progress by optimally utilising our strengths and working on our weakness. We have a culture of 12 seasons with 13 festivals called as the “Bara Masa, Teraparba” One can name any kind of tourism and each of which is celebrated in a grand and Odisha has it. Be it- religious pilgrimage, eco- pompous manner in Odia families. Tourists could tourism, historical tours et al. For rejuvenating be elated to see all the colours of Odisha through Odisha tourism it is mandatory to do a SWOT its fairs and festivals. Rath Yatra is already a great analysis of each of these sectors individually. attraction. Similarly, Bali Yatra, Adivasi Parab Odisha is a land of confluence of different faiths in Koraput, Raja, Dhanu Jatra, Dhenkanal’s and religious beliefs. The Kingdom of Kalinga is Laxmi Puja, Kumar Purnima, Boita Bandana December - 2016 83 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review of Karttika Purnima, Chandimedha of Corporation) villages can provide home stay to Cuttack’s Durga Puja have the potential of tourists, offering value for money. The Sacred drawing crowds in large numbers if only they get Tulsi Chowrah, the jhottichita murals of a publicity similar to Rajasthan’s Puskhar, manabasa gurubara, the lush green paddy fields, Nagaland’s Hornbill festival or Haryana’s the antique peepul and banyan trees at village Surajkund Mela which feature on a common crossroads, ponds with fishes jumping over lotus- Indian tourist’s checklist. Such fairs and festivals lily blooms, open pastures lined with an army of are a podium for us to demonstrate and market coconut trees with lazy cows grazing on torrid our crafts, cuisine, culture and our Odiahood and afternoons, croaking toads and shimmering earn the artists and artisans handsome revenue. fireflies at night… who wouldn’t dream of experiencing such rustic poetic moments in life! The fight over the origin of Rasogolla is States like Rajasthan, Sikkim have been quite archaic and irrelevant when we have been unable successful in implementing this idea. to advertise our Chhenapoda, Podapithas, Dahibara-Aloodum, Chakuli Pitha- Mansa This could further be an opportunity to Tarkari, Rasabali, Ghanta, Khechudi-Dalma, serve our living heritage on the same platter. Dahi Pakhala- Aloo Chakta- badichoora… Apera, Jatras, Chhau Naacha, Dhemsa and the list shall be endless for someone who loves Naach, Gotipua, Puppetry, Gana Natyas could food. Odia food is not just appealing to one’s very well complement Odissi in representing taste buds but also is quite wholesome in terms Odisha. Rajasthan interestingly uses its Heritage of its nutrition content. A typical Odia family meal Hotels to provide traditional folk entertainment usually comprises of rice-dal-veggies/non veggies to its tourists. Moreover its Heritage Hotels are i.e carbs-proteins-vitamins in a go. If such cuisine the royal palaces of erstwhile Kings and princes, could be hygienically processed and marketed, who have quite intuitively worked in tango with we would find that we have a tremendous potential the government and tourism department through of employing rural women and providing them partnerships and sale of their rich heritage and alternate sources of livelihood. Genuine initiatives prevented their wealth from going into ruins. on this part will make Odia food a brand equally Unfortunately, fate has struck the royals of Odisha well known like the Lijjat Papad. Food carnivals quite oppositely. Many forts and palaces are synchronising with the festivals and seasons will dilapidated today. Lately some of the royals have be a great launchpad for Odia cuisine. Odia Food welcomed the change and opened their doors for festivals started in some of the southern cities like tourists, for instance the Gajalaxmi Palace of Hyderabad and Bengaluru have been a great Singhdeo’s, Kila Dalijoda Palace of success. Panchakote rulers, Dhenkanal palace, Auland In fact food festivals should be promoted Kanika palace in Kendrapara with the river in villages adjoining city’s suburbs, such that along Kharasrota in their backyard. The Fort with the food, tourists can catch a glimpse of the Mahodadhi in Swargadwara Puri is a good model Odia household in action. It can open new doors for emulation having been converted by Kamat for Rural Tourism and with the handholding of Hotels into a heritage resort. But the Mayurbhanj OTDC (Odisha Tourism Development Palace of the Bhanj Dynasty, Parlakhemundi 84 December - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Palace, Jeypore Palaces do not seem to enjoy All that needs to be done is to add a bit their past princely glories. Odisha’s PWD has of human enterprise to nature’s endeavours. Even strived to keep some of these erect and going, in Odisha, instances of such jugalbandi have but they need the urgent attention of earned us much fame like the Beach Festivals at Archaeological Survey of India to reclaim their Chandrabhaga and the recently concluded Indian lost grandeur. These forts and palaces could be Surf festival at Puri- Konark Marine Drive. Padma integrated into a historical circuit narrating the story Shri Sudarshan Pattnaik has become synonymous of the state from Udra, Kalinga, Utkala to with Sand Art across the globe. Who would think Odisha, complete with Royals of Princely states, one could carve marvels from the sand beneath Freedom fighters, Litterateurs and Socio-political our feet! If only more such fame comes to us! leaders who shaped Odisha with their vision and persistent toil. To think of it, most of the average Odisha’s craft diversity is also a notable English medium students in Odisha know so much attraction for travellers, most of which are already of the Indian History, but so little about the history registered under the Geographical Indicator (GI) of their own state. tag. Pipili Applique work, Cuttack’s Silver filigree, Buffalo horn items, Shell crafts, Coir crafts, Nature abounds here in all its glory with Pattachitras, Wood carvings, Terracotta, Stone alluring eco-scapes and biodiversity. One carvings, Brass and Dhokra crafts, Horn bone witnesses sheer variety moving across Similipal craft, Papiermache – Odisha has it all. Tiger Reserve, Bhitarkanika crocodile sanctuary, We also have a rich history of handlooms Gahirmatha harbouring the endangered Olive with Ikat, Sambalpuri, Berhampuripataa, Ridleys and Chilka and Satpada with Irrawaddy Maniabandha, Passapalli, Koraputia –Kotpad Dolphins. Apart from these we have many forests weaves, Khandua, Bomkai, Pattachitra teeming with deers, bears and birds. These could painted and kotkisarees and equally luxurious serve as Biker routes & nature- trails where weaves in Dhotis and jodas for men. Infact trekking, camping, hiking could be promoted on Odisha is the only state producing handlooms in weekends. This would cater to not just tourists all 4 varieties of natural silk- Tussar, Eri, Muga, but our own people as well who are seeking Mulberry. respite from their urban smoggy lifestyles. Small Hill stations like Daringibadi and Deomali could But on honest assessment one rarely finds be the hop-stop from Bhubaneswar like Manali mention of other crafts as an Odia ingenuity except serves for people of Delhi. They are scenic hills the Sambalpuri saree and the Pattachitra. Also, with coffee plantations on terraced slopes and are my interaction with buyers at stalls of Trade Fairs also ideal for cultivation of exotic fruits and veggies and handloom expos reveals that most of the like Broccoli, Strawberries and Kiwis. The sunset average Indian households find these exorbitantly on the tribal hamlets nested in these mountains is expensive where products “do not look their simply breath-taking. These are also gifted with price”. And notably, most of the selling price in many big and small cascading waterfalls which case of handlooms is pocketed by the middle men could be an ideal camp-fire location by the and marketing agencies with hardly much trickling evening. down to the starving weaver and artisan. Retail December - 2016 85 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review outlets of Utkalika, Shilpika, Boyanika and Event Planning, foreseeing, crowd management, Mehers seem to be doing their bit, yet much of discipline and sanitation considerations can our potential remains untapped.