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| Home : Orissa Tourism News : |  |
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 Lama inaugurates S Asia’s biggest monastery at Chandragiri |
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Amid chanting of slokas, the Rigon Thupten Mindroling Monastery called Padmasambhava Maha Vihara was inaugurated by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement colony in Jerang, Chandragiri today.
The 85-ft-high fivestorey Rigon Thupten Mindroling Monastery, built on 10 acres of land, is the biggest in southern Asia. It houses a 21- foot-high Buddha idol and has been named after founder of the Vajrayana sect of the Mahayana path of Buddhism Padmasambhava during the seventh century in Orissa. It can accommodate 250 monks at a time.
After consecration ceremony, the Tibetan spiritual leader prostrated before the idol of Lord Buddha and then ascended to the golden throne in the central hall of the monastery known as ‘Dukdang’ in Tibetan language. Built in Atarpuni style akin to the architecture of Nalanda, the murals of the monastery have many similarities with Hindu temples.
The site is closed to a popular Tourist center of Orissa Taptapani(30Kms).
Click here for Photographs |
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| House Boat in Chilika Lake |
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On the eve of the Christmas Day, a House Boat at Barkul in Chilika Lake was dedicated to the service of the tourists on December 24, 2009 by Sri Debi Prasad Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Tourism & Culture and Higher Education, Government of Orissa at a colourful function in presence of Sri Raghunath Sahoo, Hon’ble MLA, Chilika.
It has two air-conditioned suites with a lobby deck. The suites are reasonably priced at Rs 5500 per day which includes a free cruise of two hours. The tariff without free cruise is Rs 3000.
First of its kind in Orissa, this opens a new horizon for the visitors who can have an ethereal experience and a novel way of cruising in the largest brackish water lake of Asia.
For further details, please contact the Manager, OTDC Panthanivas, Barkul, Dist. Khordha (Phone : 06756-220488 / 211078)
Click here for Photographs |
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| 4th TOSHALI NATIONAL CRAFT MELA 2009 (December 15 to 27, 2009, Timing: 2 PM to 10 PM) |
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Orissa Tourism in association with Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, D.C. Handicraft, D.C. Handloom, Song & Drama division, Govt. of India is organizing the 4th National Toshali National Craft Mela at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar. The Mela was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Naveen Patnaik on 15th December 2009 at 6 PM. Sri Debiprasad Mishra, Ho’ble Minister, Tourism & Culture and Higher Education; Hon’ble M.P; Hon’ble MLAs Sri Bhagirathi Badajena, Sri Bijaya Kumar Mohanty and Sri Ashok Chandra Panda and Sri Ananta Narayan Jena, Hon’ble Mayor, Bhubaneswar graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.
The Mela is an all India Expo that provides opportunities to enable direct interface of traditional craft and craft persons with the buyers and to educate the visitors about the fascinating technique and skills involved in creation of the craft. Award winning Craft Persons from all over the country will show case their products. Some of them will demonstrate their skill on the ground. There are 125 Handicraft stalls and 40 Handloom stalls with a wide range of products of different varieties from across the country. There are also a few Demo stalls on painting, sculpting, pottery etc.
Other highlights are delicious food and entertaining cultural programmes of dance and music. Every evening there will be cultural programmes of dance and music by celebrated artistes. Prominent names include the renowned singer duo Bhupinder-Mitali and artistes of Little Champs fame. Dance Programmes include Sambalpuri, Ghumura, Chhou, Ranapa and others. Food items of different varieties will be served to the visitors.
Click here for Cultural Programmes details
Click here for Cultural Programmes Photos |
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| Adivasi Mela extended from one week to fifteen days (January 26 to February 9, 2010) |
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The Orissa State Level Annual Adivasi Exhibition, popularly known as Adivasi Mela, used to be organized for one week from January 26 every year in the Advasi Exhibition Ground at Bhubaneswar.
In view of the popularity of the event gained over the past years, the period of the Mela has been extended from one week to fifteen days. This time, it is scheduled from 26th January to 9th February 2010.
This fair showcases the art and craft of the tribal communities. Forest products and tribal products, exhibited and sold here as well as cultural programmes presented by tribal communities, are special highlights of the fete. This is a rare occasion to have a glimpse of the unique tribal culture of Orissa in the urban city of Bhubaneswar. Local residents eagerly wait for this annual opportunity to buy their yearly needs while tourists throng to get an over all picture and feel of the tribal society.
Do not miss the opportunity. Plan your visit to include the Mela in your itinerary for Orissa during this period and carry a life time experience. The count down has begun.
For further information, please contact :
Dr A.B.Ota, IAS, Director, SCSTRTI, CRP Square, Bhubaneswar, 751 003, (Mobile: + 91 93371 02008). |
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| Orissa Tourism bags National Tourism Award for Excellence |
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| Orissa Tourism has been awarded the National Tourism Award for Excellence in introducing the most innovative Tourism Product in shape of Hop On Hop Off Tourist bus service. Sri Parag Gupta IAS Commissioner-cum-Secretary to His Excellency, the Governor of Orissa and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa received the award from the Ministry of Tourism at a special function organised at New Delhi on 24th February 2009. The air-conditioned Bus service was introduced at Bhubaneswar for the first time in India on 4th August 2008. The service is operating on two routes – the Heritage Route mostly covering the Heritage site of Bhubaneswar and the city route covering some of the prominent city centers and tourist spots. |
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| Mahanadi Cruise |
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| Boats of different capacities are available at Mata Matha Jetty for cuising in the Mahanadi river. The boats are available for conducted cruise to Dhabaleswar, Nandikeshwari and other Islands as well as for charter cruise, conference, parties, events etc. |
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| OTDC augments its transport fleet |
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| OTDC is in the process of augmenting its transport fleet by adding modern sophisticated vehicles like Volvo Coach, TATA Globus, TATA Winger etc. The new vehicles will join the fleet with in a couple of days. |
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