Odisha rewards the curious traveler with a seamless blend of sacred tradition, ancient art, and coastal calm. Bhubaneswar—the “Temple City”—holds a thousand years of Kalinga architecture in compact, strollable neighborhoods, while Puri hums with pilgrim energy around the revered Jagannath Temple and stretches into golden sands by the Bay of Bengal.

Just up the coast, the 13th-century Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises like a carved stone chariot dedicated to the sun god. Nearby artisan villages keep centuries-old crafts alive—particularly the intricate Pattachitra painting tradition at Raghurajpur, where murals still bloom from natural pigments.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temple visits and expect phone/camera restrictions in major shrines. Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner precincts of Lingaraja and Jagannath Temples; respectful exterior viewing areas and rooftop viewpoints are available. The best weather is October–March; summer is hot and humid, and monsoon brings dramatic showers. Cuisine-wise, look for Odia thalis, chhena-based sweets, and fresh coastal seafood.

Bhubaneswar

Nicknamed Ekamra Kshetra in ancient texts, Bhubaneswar is a living museum of temple geometry and sculpture. Here, ornate gateways frame lanes where brassware shops, sweet stalls, and shrine bells share the air. The headline sites—Lingaraja, Mukteswara, and Rajarani—showcase Kalinga architecture’s hallmark curving spires and filigree stonework.

Food is a highlight: sample an Odia thali with rice, dalma (lentils and vegetables), santula (stir-fried veg), and rohu fish curry. For coffee breaks, independent cafés mingle with old-school mithai (sweet) counters serving chhena poda and rasagola—Odisha’s pride.

• Top sights: Lingaraja Temple (exterior viewing for non-Hindus), Mukteswara & Rajarani Temples, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Ekamra Haat crafts village, Odisha State Museum.
• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Bhubaneswar or curated hotels via Hotels.com Bhubaneswar.
• How to get there: Fly into Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic flights from Delhi/Mumbai are ~2–2.5 hours, often $55–120 USD roundtrip if booked in advance.

Puri

Puri is one of India’s Char Dham pilgrimage cities, pulsing around the 12th-century Jagannath Temple. Outside the temple, lanes brim with brass diyas, flower garlands, and the signature flaky sweet, khaja. To the east, a long arc of beach catches the sunrise and cool sea breeze at dusk.

Just inland, Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village where Pattachitra painters and Gotipua dance schools preserve art forms with meticulous dedication. It’s a rewarding half-day—especially if you roll up your sleeves in a hands-on workshop.

• Top sights: Jagannath Temple precinct (temple entry restricted to Hindus; rooftop viewing options nearby), Puri Beach & Marine Drive, Raghurajpur crafts village, Lokanath Temple, Sudarshan Sand Art Museum.
• Where to stay: Beachside hotels and homestays via VRBO Puri or vetted stays on Hotels.com Puri.
• Getting there from Bhubaneswar: Train: 1.5–2 hrs, INR 60–300 ($1–4) on Trip.com Trains. Car: 65 km/1.5–2 hrs via NH316; taxi INR 1,800–2,800 one-way, with optional craft stop at Pipili.

Day 1: Arrive in Bhubaneswar, Old Town Temples, and Odia Flavors

Morning: Fly into Bhubaneswar (BBI). Check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Plan a mid-day arrival to drop bags at your hotel from Hotels.com or VRBO.

Afternoon: Ease in with a hearty Odia lunch at Dalma (order the signature dalma with rice and a side of badi chura) or Kanika at Mayfair Lagoon for an elevated thali featuring chhena tarkari and maccha besara. If you have time before sunset, stop at the Rajarani Temple gardens to appreciate the sculpted musicians and celestial figures warming in the late light.

Evening: Join a guided half-day overview to orient yourself: Best of Bhubaneswar (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car)—about 4 hours, covering highlights like Mukteswara, Rajarani, and Dhauli Shanti Stupa, plus local snacks.

Cap the night with coffee and a dessert jar at Bocca Café (the cold brew and almond croissant are favorites) or a proper sit-down at Chung Wah for Indo-Chinese classics like chilli garlic prawns—perfect after a temple walk.

Day 2: Bhubaneswar to Puri, Jagannath Traditions, and a Pattachitra Workshop

Morning: Depart early for Puri. Take the train (1.5–2 hrs; INR 60–300) via Trip.com Trains or hire a taxi (1.5–2 hrs; INR 1,800–2,800). If driving, consider a quick stop at Pipili to see appliqué lanterns and canopies. On arrival, check in via Hotels.com Puri or VRBO Puri. Visit the Jagannath Temple precinct: Hindus may enter the temple; non-Hindus can respectfully view from a nearby rooftop viewpoint often arranged by local guides. Phones and leather items are not permitted inside.

Afternoon: Head to Raghurajpur (12 km; ~30–40 min) for a hands-on art session: Pattachitra Workshop at Dandasahi by Awarded Artist with KalaKart. You’ll learn how natural pigments meet palm leaf or cloth to create Odisha’s signature scroll paintings—bring home your own piece.

Lunch suggestions: Wildgrass (rustic bamboo dining with prawn curry and crab masala), or a simple temple-style meal (mahaprasad) purchased from authorized vendors outside the temple in earthen pots—ask for ghee-rich kheer and rice-dal combinations.

Evening: Walk Puri Beach near Swargadwar for sunset; try jhal muri (spiced puffed rice) and roasted corn as the sky goes orange. For dinner, choose Mahodadhi Palace’s ocean-view restaurant (grilled pomfret with lime-chilli butter), Honey Bee Bakery & Pizzeria for thin-crust pies and cappuccinos, or Chung Wah Puri for a reliable family-style feast. Finish with a box of khaja from a reputable sweet shop for tomorrow’s road snack.

Day 3: Konark Sun Temple and Departure

Morning: Leave Puri by 6:30–7:00 a.m. for Chandrabhaga Beach (about 1 hr) to greet sunrise, then continue a few minutes to the Konark Sun Temple. Explore the intricately carved wheels, dancers, and mythical scenes that adorn the stone chariot; the on-site interpretation signs help decode the iconography. If you prefer a guided package that covers Konark and key Puri highlights, consider the Full Day Tour of Konark Temple and Puri (great for in-depth history and logistics).

Afternoon: Transfer to Bhubaneswar Airport for your flight home. From Konark to BBI is ~65 km/1.5–2 hrs by car; from Puri direct to BBI is ~60 km/1.5–2 hrs. Check flight options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have a spare hour before leaving Bhubaneswar, swing by Ekamra Haat for last-minute crafts and Pahala-style rasagola to-go.

Evening: If your departure is later, consider a short, focused add-on back in Bhubaneswar like the 3-hour visit to Buddhist and Jain heritage—ideal for history lovers: Bhubaneswar: 3-hour Day Tour to Udayagiri-Khandagiri and Dhaula Hills.

Dining short list (save these):

• Bhubaneswar: Dalma (Odia homestyle thali), Kanika (refined regional spread), Bocca Café (specialty coffee, bakes), Odisha Hotel (traditional fish curry and pakhala on request), Tangerine 9 (pan-Indian mains).
• Puri: Wildgrass (seafood, bamboo ambience), Honey Bee Bakery & Pizzeria (breakfast & espresso), Mahodadhi Palace restaurant (sea-view grill), Peace Restaurant (veg-friendly Indian and Continental), authorized vendors for temple mahaprasad and khaja.

Where culture meets coast, this 3-day Odisha itinerary threads Bhubaneswar’s stone-carved history with Puri’s living traditions and Konark’s world-famous temple art. It’s an easy, soulful loop—with great food, short transfers, and activities you’ll remember long after the sand leaves your shoes.