Explore Orissa with Hyderabad Car rentals

Landing in Odisha felt like stepping into a forgotten world where heritage breathes through every pillar and sculpture. We were first struck by how peaceful everything felt, the kind of calm that you don't find in bustling cities. Book car online Hyderabad to Odisha before your trip, and you’ll realize that the journey to this soulful state is just as meaningful as the destination. The temples in Bhubaneswar stood tall, echoing tales of kings, gods and time itself.

Here, mornings begin not just with the sun, but with bells, incense, and centuries-old devotion. The pace of life slows. People greet you with warmth. In a world obsessed with speed, Odisha offers stillness.

Bhubaneswar, the temple city, was my gateway. The towering Lingaraja Temple held me still. Worship of Harihara, a union of Vishnu and Shiva, reminded me how India often finds balance in contrast. Puri was all energy, the sea breeze, the pilgrims, the chants. We visited during Rath Yatra, and watching the massive chariots roll down the street was unforgettable. Even from outside the temple gates, we felt deeply connected to the devotion around me.

Then came Konark. The Sun temple didn't just impress, it overwhelmed. Shaped like a stone chariot, with intricate wheels and celestial horses, it felt alive. As a UNESCO site, it stands not just as history, but as timeless genius.

Bhubaneswar, Konark, and Puri — the Golden Triangle — gave me more than photos. They gave us moments. And with side trips to the peaceful Shanti Stupa and bird-filled Chilika Lake, Odisha gave us a story we'll tell for years.

Traveling through Odisha, I realized its soul truly lies in its arts. We were fascinated by Pattachitra, a traditional cloth painting technique that often illustrates stories of Lord Jagannath. Visiting a painter's home was special, his family worked side by side painting on palm leaves and creating pieces with decorative borders.

And while in Cuttack, we were introduced to Tarakasi, or silver filigree. We watched artists pull silver into fine strands to make ornaments that shimmered with grace. This silver city truly lives up to its name, and the artistry felt deeply spiritual.

Then we arrived in Pipli. Its appliqué work, once limited to temples, now decorates homes across India. The vibrant umbrellas and stitched motifs made it feel like a never-ending festival, and the town’s Limca record added to its pride.

Then Finally we explored Dhokra, the tribal metal casting technique using wax and bronze alloys. It's one of the oldest surviving craft traditions, yet the tribal artisans I met still shape each lamp, pot, and pendant with reverence and creativity.

Odisha's music and dance traditions blew me away. We remembered Sona Mohapatra's Coke Studio cover of “Rangabati,” a folk anthem that resonated everywhere we went. The state's tribal roots shine through each community's unique songs and rhythms. But Odissi music truly captivated me, it redates the Odia language. We learned it stems from Jayadeva’s poetic lyrics and carries distinctive druta tala (fast beats), unlike Hindustani or Carnatic styles. I had the privilege of hearing it performed live.

The music came alive in the Odissi dance, which we saw performed at a cultural center. It was elegant and expressive, rooted in temple rituals, and retold the divine love of Krishna and Radha through movement and costume.

After witnessing temple dances in Bhubaneswar, we headed inland to Mayurbhanj, where we were swept into the fiery rhythm of a Chhau dance. With swords flashing and drums pounding, it felt like watching a tribal battlefield turned into performance art.

Then came Dalkhai in Sambalpur, celebrated during Dussehra. Young women in traditional saris danced beautifully, while men played pulsating beats and sang love stories of Radha and Krishna, right on the streets.

As we journeyed through Odisha, the melodic tones of Odia surrounded me. It reminded me of Bengali, soft yet expressive. We later learned Odia belongs to the Indo-Aryan family, closely tied to Assamese too. In tribal villages, I heard different tongues, raw and rhythmic, spoken by Adivasis who preserve their Dravidian and Munda roots with pride.

Walking through Odisha's heartlands, We met Hindus, tribals, and many others, all living in peaceful co-existence. With over 62 tribal communities, the state celebrates diversity, not division. Its position as a link between North and South India gave it a unique flavor of blended tradition.

We sat with villagers, ate pakhala, and talked about life without sharing a single common word. There's magic in that. The simplicity here isn't lacking, it's refreshing. Odisha's people gave me not just a place to stay, but a home in their hearts. Book car online Hyderabad to Odisha and you’ll discover not just landscapes but soulful connections. We may have come for temples and art, but we stayed longer for the people—humble, open-hearted, and always ready to smile.

We had always heard about the Odisha Rasogolla, but tasting Khira Mohana inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri felt like being part of a sacred tradition. It's not just food, it's culture in sugar syrup.

Our meals usually started with rice, paired with dalma, dal simmered with vegetables, followed by crunchy fritters and either fish or meat curry. And the Chhena Poda? Caramelised bliss. Even with so many dialects, this food unites all of Odisha.

Being in Puri during the Rath Yatra was something I'll never forget. The streets turned into oceans of devotions as Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were pulled on massive chariots to Gudincha temple for nine divine days. We were also lucky to witness Maha Shiivaratri. Fasting devotees filled temples, especially women offering prayers for their husbands and dream partners. The divine energy was calming and strong.

Despite the growth of modern lifestyles, traditional attire continues to have a stronghold in the everyday lives of people across Odisha. Women usually dress in sarees, especially well-known types like Kataki, Bomkai, and Sambalpuri. Of these, the Sambalpuri lkat saree is a favorite among travelers. While the tie-and-dye method has roots in Indonesia, Odisha's carftsmanship gives it a fresh identity with weaving styles not seen elsewhere in the country.

Men usually dress in a Dhoti paired with a Kurta, and often drape a Gamucha—a handwoven cotton towel that doubles as a symbol of everyday comfort and tradition. Book a car online from Hyderabad to Odisha if you want to explore these towns and markets that carry centuries of textile heritage.

That’s our story

Odisha may still be catching up with the hustle of urban life and might not rank high on every traveler's list, but there's an undeniable charm in its slow rhythm. The joy of eating Bhaata-Dali-Bhaja at a best eatery, while sharing hearty conversations with locals known for their warmth, offers a great satisfaction that crowded tourist hubs and flashy city restaurants simply can't replicate.

With Car rentals from Hyderabad to Orissa, you'll get more than a trip, a beautiful story, a smile, and a soul-satisfying journey that lingers long after the roads end.