MANOJ KUMAR JENA, OP
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is a land blessed with breathtaking destinations that draw travellers from across the globe. Adventure enthusiasts seek out the state’s hidden gems, many of which yet remain unexplored, waiting to reveal the beauty of its unique geography. From serene coastlines to majestic mountain ranges, nature has crafted Odisha with some of the most remarkable features that ever exist, offering a visual treat for the visitors.
This World Tourism Day, let’s celebrate the elements that make Odisha a tourist’s paradise, apart from being a beautiful destination for filmmakers and food lovers. Actor, influencer and traveller Akash Hota, popularly known as ‘Odiatoka’, said Odisha offers a pocket-friendly, memorable travelling experience. “I move around the country for shooting, and I have found that Odisha is the place where you can travel with a very low budget. Its people are very affectionate. Odisha is a wonderful place filled with nature’s beauty, and people get the opportunity at affordable prices, making it stand out from other states.” From traditional foods to divine delicacies, Odisha has long remained the foodies’ favourite. Food vlogger Prakash Puri, who runs YouTube channel ‘Katakibhaina’ highlighted how Odia cuisines have drawn tourists from across the world to the land of Lord Jagannath. Puri said, “Odias serve food with love. When it comes to the Lord’s Mahaprasad, tourists from around the world throng Puri to relish the divine dish.” He added that Odia dishes like ‘pakhala’, ‘saga bhaja’ and ‘pitha’ (dumplings) showcase years of traditional legacy. “Apart from exotic places, tourists have a craze for Odia food,” said the vlogger.
Also Read: Odisha: A paradise for tourists, foodies, filmmakers
Filmmakers are also choosing Odisha as a shooting site because of its lush green forests, mountain ranges and the coastline. Odia film director Raja D highlighted how Odisha is turning into a shooting hotspot for other industries, which is also attracting global tourism. “Through my shooting schedule, I have visited almost all the beautiful tourism sites in the state, and the more I explore Odisha, the more it intrigues me.” Raja said producers of many high-budget south Indian cinemas have recently chosen Odisha as their shooting destination.
Odisha’s No. 1 trusted English Daily Newspaper.
