Orissa

Orissa is a tangibly religious place. The state was once a center of Buddhist learning, but changes in ruling dynasties brought revolutions to spirituality, moving away from Buddhism, first to Jainism and then to Hinduism. Bhubaneswar, the capital, with its hundreds of temples; Puri, with its impressive Jagannath Temple, one of Hinduism's holiest shrines; and Konark, renowned for its extraordinary Sun Temple, are showcases for Orissa's distinctive sacred architecture, characterized by unusual shapes and fabulous, often erotic, sculptures. Buddhist history is preserved at Dhauli, where you can find an ancient Buddhist university's vast complex of ruins; this is where the legendary King Ashoka looked down from the hill at the carnage after a battle and experienced a conversion to Buddhism. The Jains have left a honeycomb of caves filled with sculptures to mark their era. Beyond these sites, you'll see signs of devotion everywhere: from village huts to taxis to hotels, the smiling, owl-eye face of Lord Jagannath, an avatar of Krishna and Orissa's main god, looks back at you. Oriyas are very dharmic (religious-minded) people. More »