Odisha State Maritime Museum

Odisha


This excellent museum, overlooking the Mahanadi River, focuses on Odisha's centuries-old maritime history of boat-building and trade (particularly with Bali, Indonesia). The displays walk you through the Kalingas' maritime activities, rituals and tools, while the boat shed features river-boat, raft and coracle models from different parts of India. The Jobra workshop gallery introduces the world of sluice gates and boat repair, and an aquarium entertains visitors with marine life from Odisha and the Amazon River.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Odisha attractions

1. Nandankanan Zoological Park

7.2 MILES

Famous for its white tigers, Odisha's premier zoological park was founded in 1960 and is known to run India's best captive-breeding program for the big…

2. Regional Science Centre

13.35 MILES

Kids will love this parkland museum with its giant dinosaurs. Included in the admission is a 30-minute movie screened hourly. Other treats are hands-on…

3. Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary

14 MILES

Only 20km west of Bhubaneswar, the 175-sq-km Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary was created to preserve wild elephants and their habitat. If you’re lucky…

4. Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefacts

14.8 MILES

This superb museum is a must for visitors interested in Odisha's 62 tribes or considering a visit to the state's tribal areas. Complete with interactive…

5. State Museum

15.78 MILES

This museum houses Odisha’s best collection of rare palm-leaf manuscripts, as well as patachitra (scroll paintings), traditional musical instruments,…

6. Odisha Modern Art Gallery

16.05 MILES

Right near the airport, this gallery exhibits the best of Odisha's contemporary art. The permanent collection includes over 200 works by prominent Odishan…

7. Bhaskareswara Mandir

16.47 MILES

This 13th-century Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva. Its central spire (deul) is architecturally distinct and the manicured lawns outside are quite…

8. Rajarani Mandir

16.56 MILES

Built around AD 1100, this temple surrounded by manicured gardens is famous for its ornate deul (temple spire). Around the compass points are pairs of…