Trip to Orissa Tour

Welcome to the tribal land of Orissa - The southwestern part of Orissa contains the largest concentration of tribal people in the sub continent. There are more than 62 tribal communities in Orissa. They have retained their tradition in-spite of the onslaught of the modern civilization. Visit to some of the tribal villages and participate in their dance and festival. Discover the original man-nature proximity trekking amid the deep gorges and rivers or during a ritual tribal dance on a full moon night. The soft mist, the local-brew and a campfire make a heady mixture indeed. This is an adventure that offers unique experience, which the visitor fondly remembers for years to come.
The antiquity of Orissa is endorsed by her ancient people - They continue to inhabit their traditional dwelling places in remote areas of the deep forests and hilly interiors. Steeped in the mystery that surrounds their ancient ways, the Orissan tribal continue to be a source of deep interest not only for anthropologists and sociologists but also for numerous tourists who flock to Orissa in search of the exotic mystique of this relatively unexplored state. The tribal economy is by and large based on activities around the jungles. Hunting and fishing continue to be the main source of livelihood though some of the larger tribes such as Santals, Mundas, and Gonds have become agriculturists. The Juang, Bhuyan, Bondo, Saura, and Dhruba tribes follow the shifting cultivation practice. The Koya tribals are cattle breeders while the Mahali and Lohara are simple artisans involved in basket weaving and tool making. The Santal, Munda and other tribes have now also become involved in the mining and industrial belt of Orissa. Though their economy is shaky, the Orissan tribal enjoy a rich and varied cultural heritage, the most powerful instance of this being in their music and dance, which are as colorful as they are rhythmical. The cycle of life offers numerous reasons to celebrate and is done so with vigor and grace - either in the privacy of family home or as a community activity. The changing seasons, religious customs, and the traditional rhythms of superstitious belief are strong incentives for creating a string of festivals to augment their importance to the tribal.

The Paraja tribe is primarily located in the Kalahandi and Koraput regions of Orissa. The language is "Parji". They worship numerous gods and goddesses who live in the hills and forests. They love dance and music during weddings.

The "Soura" tribe is one of the most ancient and they are known for being marathon walkers, expert hunters and climbers. Personal hygiene is of intense importance to them.

The "Bondos" are fiercely independents and aggressive, and continue to practice the barter system of exchanging produce from their fields for their daily needs. Bondo women prefer to marry younger men because they can have someone who will earn for them in their old age. The Kutias are the primitive section of the Kondh tribal community. Kutias were also quite famous till the recent years for their unique tradition of 'Maria'(human) sacrifice. Dongria Kondhs, also a primitive section of the Kondh community are expert horticulturists and maintain a quite distinct cultural heritage.


TOUR OPTIONS :
The arrival into India could be Delhi or Chennai or Kolkatta and we could organize either a Golden Triangle Tour of Delhi/Agra/Jaipur or Kolkatta or Chennai in the beginning or end of the Orissa tour.

Bhubaneshwar is the starting point to travel into the tribal belt of Orissa. The tour is visiting the various tribal villages like Baliguda, Rayagada, Jeypore, Taptapani where we see the primitive Kutia Kondh Tribe, the Dingaria Kondh Tribe, Bonda Tribe Sanaparoja and Mali Tribes. The tour is meeting and mixing with these tribes and learning their life-style. The stay during the tribal tour is in lodges and in basic guesthouses. One should not expect any luxury.