Odisha, India: Exploring Buddhist Legacy and Architectural Masterpieces

Oct 31, 2026

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Odisha, India: Exploring Buddhist Legacy and Architectural Masterpieces

Odisha, located on India’s eastern coast, is a land of remarkable cultural diversity where ancient Buddhist traditions, magnificent temples, tribal heritage, and sacred landscapes have flourished for over two millennia. This curated Siam Society trip explores Odisha’s rich heritage through its archaeological treasures, historic rock-cut caves, monastic complexes, and architectural masterpieces that reflect the region’s profound influence on the evolution of Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and classical Indian art.

Highlights include exploring Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s historic capital, to see exceptional monuments such as the magnificent 11th-century Lingaraja Temple, the Odisha State Museum, and the Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefacts, then uncovering the ancient Buddhist legacy at the archaeological ruins of the “Diamond Triangle.” Formed by the interconnected hill complexes of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri, this renowned triad of sites served as a centre of Buddhist scholarship and a major hub for the development of Vajrayana Buddhism from the 5th to the 13th centuries, featuring soaring brick stupas, grand monastic ruins, and exquisite stone artistry.

Further highlights of the trip feature exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sun Temple at Konark and Chilika Lake.

The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage, under the leadership of Professor Dr Chedha Tingsanchali, a Thai art historian and lecturer in the Department of Art History, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, specialising in Indian and Southeast Asian art and history, warmly invites members and friends to participate in this academic trip to Odisha, India, scheduled from 21 to 26 February 2027.

When

Sunday, 21 to Friday, 26 February 2027

Leader

with Professor Dr Chedha Tingsanchali

Professor of Art History, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

studytrips@thesiamsociety.org

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Sunday, 21 February 2027: Bangkok – Bhubaneswar
07:00 Meet at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, IndiGo Airlines check-in counter.
10:15 Depart Bangkok for Bhubaneswar by IndiGo flight 6E1066. (flight duration 2 h 50 m)
11:35 Arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport, transfer to the restaurant for lunch.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit the Odisha State Museum. The museum houses a valuable collection of archaeological artefacts, sculptures, coins, inscriptions, manuscripts, and artworks reflecting the region’s rich historical and artistic traditions.
– Visit important temples in Bhubaneswar; Visit Mukteshwar Temple, A jewel of Odisha architecture, famous for its elegant carvings and decorative gateway and visit Lingaraja Temple, one of the finest examples of Kalinga temple architecture and the most important temple in Bhubaneswar. Dating from the 11th century, this magnificent temple represents the mature form of Odisha’s distinctive architectural style, with its towering sanctuary, intricate stone carvings, and enduring religious significance. Then visit Rajarani Temple, admired for its refined architecture and sculptural details.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath Hotel, Bhubaneswar.
Day 2: Monday, 22 February 2027: Bhubaneswar
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Explore Bhubaneswar’s ancient heritage with an excursion to Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, remarkable rock-cut caves dating back to the 1st century BC. Created during the reign of King Kharavela, these caves served as retreats for Jain monks and feature fascinating inscriptions, carvings, and architectural details. The famous Hathigumpha inscription provides valuable historical information about King Kharavela and the Jain tradition in ancient Odisha.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, the historic site commemorating Emperor Ashoka and the pivotal Kalinga War. Here, the emperor experienced a profound spiritual awakening from a victorious conqueror into a devoted patron of Buddhism—a historic turning point that fundamentally shaped the dissemination of Buddhist teachings across Asia.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath Hotel, Bhubaneswar.
Day 3: Tuesday, 23 February 2027: Bhubaneswar – Ratnagiri – Lalitagiri – Bhubaneswar
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Today’s excursion focuses on Odisha’s remarkable Buddhist heritage. Proceed to visit Ratnagiri, a “Hill of Jewels” and one of the most important Buddhist centres of ancient India as part of the famous “Diamond Triangle”. Flourishing from the 5th to the 13th centuries, this sprawling mahavihara (great monastery) served as a prominent hub for Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. Explore the remains of its grand monastic courtyards, towering brick stupas, hundreds of intricately carved votive stupas, and magnificent sculptures of deities that reveal the site’s profound artistic and religious legacy.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to Lalitgiri, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist establishments in Odisha. Nestled amidst rugged quartzite hills, this ancient site dates back to the 3rd century BC. Discover its sprawling monastic complexes, towering apsidal chaitya hall, and magnificent stone stupas that house precious relics, all of which demonstrate the region’s enduring importance as a premier centre of Buddhist learning, art, and pilgrimage.
Evening Dinner and overnight at Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath Hotel, Bhubaneswar.
Day 4: Wednesday, 24 February 2027: Bhubaneswar – Konark – Puri
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed south to explore the magnificent Sun Temple at Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s greatest architectural masterpieces. Built in the 13th century, this grand monument is conceived as a colossal stone chariot dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, adorned with intricately carved wheels, galloping horses, and relief sculptures that reflect the extraordinary artistic mastery of medieval Odisha.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:

 

 Proceed to Puri, a sacred coastal pilgrimage city in Odisha, famous for the 12th-century Sri Jagannath Temple and its scenic Bay of Bengal beaches.
– Check in at the hotel.
Evening: Take a tuk-tuk ride to explore the area around the Lord Jagannath Temple and Puri’s colourful markets. Lord Jagannath Temple, dedicated to the “Lord of the Universe,” is one of India’s four sacred pilgrimage sites. Non-Hindus are generally not permitted inside the main temple.
– Dinner and overnight at Taj Puri Resort & Spa, Odisha, Puri.
Day 5: Thursday, 25 February 2027: Puri – Bhubaneswar
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and take a boat ride on Chilika Lake for about 1-1.30 hours for Dolphin sighting. Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and an important ecological sanctuary known for its rich biodiversity and migratory birds.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Proceed back to Bhubaneswar; along the way, visit Pipili Village, renowned for its traditional appliqué handicrafts.
Evening Dinner and overnight at Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath Hotel, Bhubaneswar.
Day 6: Friday, 26 February 2027: Bangkok
– Breakfast at the hotel.
10:30 Check out and transfer to Biju Patnaik International Airport.
13:50 Depart Bhubaneswar for Bangkok by IndiGo Airlines flight 6E1065. (flight duration 2 h 40 m)
18:00 Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on The Society’s website and other online social media channels.

– As part of our effort to address the issue of global warming, The Siam Society strongly supports the reduction of plastic waste. We kindly recommend bringing your own water flask during the trip, if possible.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 95,000 (THB 100,000 for non-members). Single room surcharge of THB 18,000. A deposit of THB 40,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 60 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Thursday, 23 December 2026). There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, SWIFT code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once the payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

 

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
  • Basic travel insurance, which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand as per the itinerary.

Exclusions:                                                                                                                                          

  • International air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Bhubaneswar – Bangkok). The approximate airfare for IndiGo Airlines is THB 12,000 for economy class.
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumption, etc.

Tourist Visa Policy

Thai passport holders are required to obtain an e-Visa to enter India. However, Thai nationals are eligible for a 30-day double-entry e-Tourist Visa free of charge. This arrangement will remain in effect until 31 December 2027, or until further notice.

Foreign nationals are also required to obtain an e-Visa to enter India, and the applicable visa fee will be charged.

Both Thai and foreign nationals can apply for an e-Visa online, making it a convenient process that can be completed from home via the following link: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

 

 

 

Cancellation charges:

76 days before the start of the trip (before Monday, 7 December 2026): Deposit forfeited
75 – 61 days before the start of the trip (Thu, 8 to Tuesday, 22 December 2026): 50% of the tour cost
Less than 60 days or cancellation without notice (Thursday, 23 December 2026 onwards): No refund

*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 60-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment, as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org.The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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