Orissa- Of Tribes, Traditions and Tattoos

Day 01: Arrival in Bhubaneswar

Arrival in Bhubaneswar, welcome and assistance, private transport to your on the way you will discover with your guide the fabulous temples of Bhubaneswar: Parsurameswar, the Mukteswar, the Lingaraj and the Rajarani temple. You will be able to observe the Hindu ritual activities of the locals near the Bindu Sagar tank. Later you will be taken to Hirapur to observe the unique tantric temple popularly known as the 64 yogini temple, and on the way back, pass by the Ashokan rock dating back to 2nd century BC, along the banks of the Daya river. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bhubaneswar.

Day 02: Dhenkanal Royal Palace

This morning after breakfast you will visit the Khandagiri and Udayagiri rock caves dating back to the 1st century BC, as well as the town’s tribal museum and its colorful local market. Later, drive to Joranda, the international headquarters of Mahimasadhus, the unique sect of Hinduism not believing in idol worship and keeping away from the material way of life, join their prayers at their puja. Then head to the Royal Palace of Dhenkanal located in the Garhjat Hills of the Eastern Ghats of Odisha. This royal palace built in the 19th century by the Singhdeo dynasty is the present residence of the former Raja of Dhenkanal. The palace is surrounded by rich flora and fauna. Observe the nearby forest for wild elephants, buffalo and royal farms, etc… Dinner and overnight at the palace (Drive: 120km- 3 hrs)

Day 03 : Konark Sun Temple

Departure for Puri, en route visit the village of Pipili, famous for its sconces, the villagers practice a unique craft with different patchworks of fabrics. Then finally arrive at Konark temple, a world heritage site, a specimen of the Kalingan school of architecture dedicated to the sun god Surya. Later, visit the stone carving village of Chaitana. Arrive and check into your hotel in Puri for dinner and overnight. (Drive: 120 km – 4h00)

Day 04: Fishing villages & Patta painters

Early in the morning, visit a fishing village, where you can watch hundreds of local boats disembark. Then you will be invited with your guide to a walk in the alleys of the typical Hindu downtown of Puri, especially around the Jagannath Temple to see the devotion of its Hindu pilgrims, you observe it from a roof terrace as it is not open to non-Hindus. On the way, see the devout potters, making clay pots in the effigy of the temple. Later visit the folk painting village of Raghurajpur where you can see some of the artists creating the famous patta style paintings, or palm leaf prints. Return to the hotel in Puri for dinner and overnight. (Journey : 50 km – 1.30hrs)

Day 05 : Phulbani Tribes

After the breakfast, road towards Phulbani, territory of the tribes Rasul Kondh and Kutia Kondh: the women of this tribe, tattoo their face of flowers to differentiate themselves from the other tribes and to recognize them after their death. They live from the harvest of fruits in the jungle and from the products they cultivate. Continuation towards the weaving village of Itamati and stop in the semi-tribal villages.  Overnight in Phulbani (Journey: 250 km – 6hrs).

Day 06 : Women with tattoos

After the breakfast in car in the area of Baliguda, visit the Kondh villages and their inhabitants with ethnic tattoos. You will discover the pillar of the sacrifice, the women having tattoos on the face such as mustaches of tigress. Thanks to your guide you will be able to interact with these totemic groups and enjoy an evening demonstration of their rites. Return to your hotel in Phulbani for dinner and overnight(120km-4hrs drive).

Day 07: The tribal villages of Desia Kondh

After breakfast, check out from the hotel towards Rayagada, en route you will visit again with your guide Desia Kondh tribal villages such as Dukum, Jhigidi, where you can see the manufacture of tribal bronze jewelry by the lost wax method. Finally you will spend your night at hotel in Rayagada. Dinner at the hotel. (Drive: 100 km – 2 hours).

Day 08 : Jeypore

In the morning drive to Chhatikona to visit the weekly market of Dongariya kondhas which were once infamous for human sacrifice, now the substitute is the water buffalo. The Dongariyas are horticulturists, strong in their traditions, of marriage by dormitory system, their supreme deity is mother earth. Later, drive to Jeypore en route, visit the village of the Kuvi Kondh tribe, “kuvi” meaning the Hole in the Mountain, which protected them from the wrath of their God as the human sacrifice had not been carried out. You will spend the night at your hotel in Jeypore and dinner. (Journey: 210km – 5h)

Day 09 : Onukudelli region and the Bonda people

In the morning, drive to Onkudelli. You will have the chance to see the Bonda people, only 12,000 Bondas live in the remote hills to this day. They speak a different language called Remo which belongs to the Austro-Asian language group. Bonda women with shaved heads cover their nudity with colorful beadsand ornaments. The small Bonda men always go out with a bow and arrow. You will also be able to taste different homemade alcohols in the market. Later, visit the tribal villages of Gadaba and interact with the group. Overnight and dinner at the hotel in Jeypore. (Drive: 150 km – 4 hrs)

Day 10 : Kunduli

This morning you will be driven to Kunduli, one of the largest weekly markets of the tribal of Rana, Paroja and Mali, then visit the tribal museum of Koraput and the temple of Jagannth. Dinner and overnight in Jeypore. (Round trip: 120 km – 4 hrs)

Day 11 : Departure

After breakfast drive to Viskhapatnam airport for your return flight Delhi / Europe.

Selection of your hotels or similar:

Bhubaneswar : Hotel Trident 5* or Mayfair Lagoon5*.

Heritage Denkhal Palace

Puri: Mayfair Heritage Puri 4* or Mayfair Waves4*.

Phulbani : Hotel KP Salunke

Jeypore : Hotel Heritage Desia Koraput

Rayagada : Chandoorisai Tribal Homestay

 

 

Included : Full board, superior hotels, tour guide (myself), transportation by air-conditioned bus and entrance fees

Not included : I  nternational airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide