ORISSA TRIBAL & TEXTILE TOUR PROGRAM
The Tribal Textile Tour
Orissa handlooms have a rich tradition. It’s “Tie & Dye” patterns are world famous. In international parlance, it is well known as IKAT fabrics. The Ikat technique is commonly known as BANDHA in Orissa. The weavers of Orissa are class by themselves. They have been known far and wide for the intricate and painstaking skill exhibited in their fabrics.
A Trip to the textile belt of Orissa is something to be discovered with its magnificent countryside, friendly people and traditional welcome. Here “The Century of Tradition has woven into the Fabric.” that mesmerises.
Handlooms of Orissa are mainly available in cotton and silk though the colors, patterns and methods of weaving differ for the two textured materials. The cotton fabrics with heavy drapes are woven of fine cotton threads tightly held together. The fabric is flannel like to touch for its soft wooly weaving, unlike the luster of precious stones and metals on the silk fabrics.
Orissa’s cotton handlooms and textiles come in earthy patterns of the famous Ikat style of weaving. The Ikat handloom and textiles origin can be traced back to Orissa’s rich maritime past when seafaring traders ventured forth on journeys to the islands of Indonesia primarily Bali.
The temple borders, geometric figures and subtle references to nature are blurry edged, giving the fabrics a genuine ethnic feel. The jagged edges are achieved by arranging the yarns with not to precise a position. These yarns of threads were first died according to the colors required to complete the pattern, usually colors derived from nature itself.
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI: BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Arrive Delhi by International Flight. Today you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you at the arrival terminal building and transfer to Hotel.
Delhi – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 02: DELHI:
After breakfast you will proceed for visit of Old & New Delhi.
Enjoy unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic.
You will visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Asia, followed by a private tricycle rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk, also known as Silver Street. Next we shall drive past the mighty Red Fort, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan – the builder of Taj Mahal. Conclude the tour of Old Delhi with visit to Gandhi Memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead.
Later visit New Delhi: The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top.
Our drive back to the hotel will be through one of the most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Presidential House and India Gate – a war memorial arch. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 03: DELHI – BHUBANESHWAR: BY FLIGHT
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight to Bhubaneshwar. Flight: TBA
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Bhubaneswar: Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Bindusagar Lake lying to the north of the Lingaraja Temple, is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhubaneswar. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside). Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Rajarani Temple is one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. It is made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone, which is locally known as Rajarani and this is what gives the temple its name of ‘Raja Rani’. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04: BHUBANESHWAR-NUAPATNA-DHENKANAL : BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Nuaptana (60 Kms, 01 ½ Hrs Drive) en-route visit of Sadeiberini-Dhokra Craft Village (Lost Wax Technique) and famous Textile Village-Nuapatna-a village of Master Weavers, and with many Co-operatives of weavers where countries of tradition woven into fabric. The weavers of this village are a class by themselves and have been known far & wide for the intricate, painstaking skills exhibited in their fabrics. Their IKAT–TIE & DYE patterns popularly known as ‘‘Bandha’ and one will see all the steps of the Ikat / Bandha Technique. A few Master Weaver Families are still processing the Vegetal Dye and weaving on innovative skill that one can admire. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 05: DHENKANAL – SAMBALPUR: BY SURFACE:
After breakfast proceed to Sambalpur-the Gateway of Western Odisha (220 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive). On arrival check in at hotel.
Later visit of local villages, Joranda a famous Ashram of ALEKH Mahima. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 06: SAMBALPUR – BHAVANIPATNA: BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Bahvanipatna (230 Kms, 065 Hrs Drive) en-route visit Bargah-Barapali.
Barpali, one of the best Silk and Cotton weaver’s village, the master Craftsman’s Ikat Textile Museum, best known Tassar Silk Weavers who speaks about the above related activities. This region is worldwide known for the best production of famous Sarees in exotic design and in double Ikat, a few named as Bichitrapuri (Wonder World). Kotibramhanda Sundari (The most beautiful among million) and many others.
On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 07: BHAVANIPATNA – JEYPORE: BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Jeypore (200 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive) en-route visit Nabrangpur & Kotpad.
Nabrangpur, enjoy the Tasser, Wild silk field, hear we can watch the life circle of Butterfly to cocoons., Later visit of local family who still make local Lacer products, continue drive where one can find few families still work on ALL dying, an unique wild technique of dying, you will also find the local weaver produce the special fabric for the tribal community. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 08: JEYPORE:
Morning drive down to lamtaput to enjoy the Gadaba tribal villages, later visit of sana Paroja tribal village and Wednesday Markets Later drive to Koraput to visit Bada paroja tribal village – then drive Koraput –Jeypore. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 09: JEYPORE – VISAKHAPATNAM: BY SURFACE
After early breakfast drive to Onkadeli to visit the famous Bonda tribes (weekly market, who come once every week for their weekly market. It is a unique opportunity to see such a colorful concentration of typical tribals at one place. Most interesting is to watch the Bonda woman in their colorful Jewellaries and marketing commodities. Then drive back to Visakhapatnam (300 Kms, 06 Hrs Drive).
Drive to ONAKADELLI – 70 km to witness the most primitive, interesting & unique weekly market of the Bonda tribes and then walk a couple of kms to see a GADHABA tribal village, with women wearing very heavy necklaces, which they carry with them throughout their lives and thereafter.
We would be able to see Bonda men & women coming down from their forested hills. The men armed with bows and arrows carrying their locally brewed liquor to sell. The women carry forest produce, with hundreds of necklaces on their body, as also their heads with hair having been shaved off. Silver & brass rings cover their neck, and a small cloth wrapped around the waist, to cover the private areas. They are rightly referred to as the ‘naked –tribe’. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 10: VISAKHAPATNAM – DELHI: BY FLIGHT
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight to Delhi. Flight TBA
Assistance on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 11: DELHI – BACK HOME: BY FLIGHT
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight to Back Home.
***** Return For Another Memorable Trip With Us *****