ODISHA - SCENIC. SERENE. SUBLIME.

Did you know a Red Crab is eagerly waiting to receive you at Talasari Beach in Odhisa?

A charming land of beauty and heritage Odhisa is bursting with art and culture. With every region donning a different hue, there is a lot to explore in this city - a hub of Art and Culture.

Odhisa has many diverse offerings in store, right from the elegant Odissi dance to the delectable Oriya cuisine. Let's explore:

Depicting the enchanting love stories of Radha and Krishna, the Odissi dance may be a difficult style to execute, but the grace with which it is performed is awe-inspiring. Typically containing a poem or two of eight couplets from Jayadeva's Gita Govindam, this dance is  incredibly lyrical.

A companion of Odissi dance, Odissi music is classified under the Udramagadhi form of Indian music. Rising from a rich legacy, Odissi songs date back to 2nd century BC, long before Oriya language was even developed. With a distinctive style of rendition, the tempo of Odissi music is quite soothing.

The rich cuisine of Odhisa is not limited to just vegetarian delights, in spite of the large vegetarian population that inhabits the state. Here you can relish seafood delicacies like crabs, prawns and lobsters along with other treats. You can also sink your teeth in to sweet savouries like pithas or small cakes, chhenapodapitha - a caramelized custard-like dessert, and of course the mahaprasad or the sacred bhog offered to Lord Jagannath.

Culture can be found in every corner of the state. Here's a peek at what Odhisa has on offer:

Patronized by royalty and nobility, the applique work is omnipresent among the crafts of Odhisa. Found in many forms in the village of Pipli - which was set up particularly to house craftsmen - applique bags, sheets, umbrellas, cushion cases make for great souvenirs.

Patachitra- a traditional form of painting on cloth that goes back to the 5th century B.C. also makes its home in Odhisa. Many flock to the charming little village of Raghurajpur for patachitra, traditional tussar paintings, and stone and wood carvings.

Visit Onkadelli ( which is about 65 kms away from Jeypore) on a Thursday and you will find traditional trinkets made by the local tribal women in abundance. This weekly market has ample avenues for shoppers, while non-shoppers can observe the traditional Bonda tribes and their culture as they come to sell their wares at this weekly market.

Multi-coloured fabrics and vibrant threads dot the lanes of Kotpad, which is famous for its thriving weaving industry. Snug wraps and shawls can be brought here at great prices directly from the artisans.

The hub of ikat textiles, Sambalpur is the place for beautiful fabrics in exquisite designs. Shop for gorgeous Sambalpuri silk saris here that are gaining incredible popularity not only across India, but also internationally.