Bhubaneswar: Odisha Walks, a guided heritage walking tour to various heritage sites, was inaugurated at Parsurameswar Temple in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Chairperson Dr Lenin Mohanty inaugurated the initiative in presence of Director Tourism & MD OTDC Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav. Renowned Odia Rapper Sameer Rishu Mohanty, known as Rapper Big Deal, was the celebrity guest on the occasion.
More than 50 enthusiasts from different parts of the city joined the maiden heritage walk in which the participants were presented with interesting facets on the rich culture and heritage of Odisha, depicted in each of the monuments. Jitu Mishra and Rosalin Dash were the presenters.
Speaking on the occasion, the OTDC Chairperson said these guided tours curated along the identified heritage circuits of Bhubaneswar will help reveal the city’s rich architectural treasures, its culture, traditions, rituals and customs. Apart from well-known architectural marvels such as Mukteswar Temple, Lingaraj Temple and Dhauli, the itinerary shall include lesser-known heritage monuments as well.
Jadhav said this initiative will not only promote Odisha’s ancient architecture as part of heritage tourism but also educate and make the local populace aware and informed about the state’s rich cultural legacy.
In the first phase, 5 itineraries spanning across a duration of 2 hours have been curated under various themes within Bhubaneswar. These walks shall have engrossing story-telling sessions to help the audience get engaged and explore the beauty of history, culture and heritage of Odisha.
Odisha Walk 1: Romance Etched in Stones
Sites covered: Parsurameswar Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Kedar Gouri Temple, Suka Sari Temple, Vaital Deula, and Ekamra Van
Odisha Walk 2: Architectural Splendours of Ekamra
Sites covered: Vaital Temple, Chitrakarini Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Ananta Vasudev Temple, Bindusagar, Uttareswar Temple, and Ekamra Van
Odisha Walk 3: The Global Bhubaneswar in Early Centuries – Khandagiri & Udaygiri Caves
Sites Covered: Hatigumpha, Patalpuri Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha, Ganesh Gumpha, Rani Gumpha
Odisha Walk 4: Dhauli – On the Path of Compassion
Sites Covered: Modern Buddhist Pillar, Ashokan Rock Edict, Rock-cut Elephant, Peace Pagoda
Odisha Walk 5: Tosali to Ekamra – The Cosmopolitan Bhubaneswar
Sites Covered: Bhaskareswar Temple, Brahmeswar Temple
Odisha Walks will be organised from Friday to Sunday every week from 6:30 am to 8:30 am. A nominal registration charge of Rs 50 has been kept for participation in the above heritage walks. The tickets for the tour can be booked on the website www.bookodisha.com or Book Odisha Mobile App, a single point booking engine for Odisha Tourism services and products which was recently launched during the 43rd Foundation Day of OTDC on September 3.
OTDC intends to add more such guided walking tours across different heritage destinations of the state, which will be curated and organised in a phased manner, said Mohanty.
