Bhubaneswar: With an extended weekend coinciding with Holi, many families across Odisha are making the most of the break by planning short getaways. Popular destinations like Puri, Chilika, and Koraput are witnessing a surge of visitors, while outstation locations such as Varanasi, Vrindavan, and Vaishno Devi are also drawing devotees.
“The temperature increased significantly in the last few days, and the three-day holiday is an opportunity to take a break. I always wished to go to Vrindavan and be part of the beautiful Holi celebration there. We went to Vrindavan to witness the Holi festival and enjoyed the unique culture and practice,” said Rina Padhi, a resident of Nayapalli.
Travel operators reported a sharp increase in bookings, especially for pilgrimage spots and leisure destinations. “We have seen a 30% to 40% rise in ticket bookings compared to last year during Holi. While Puri remains the top choice and most hotels are booked to capacity, many are also traveling to Varanasi and Vrindavan to experience the grand Holi celebrations,” said Prakash Das, a travel agent in Bhubaneswar.
Railway and bus services are running at full capacity, with additional arrangements being made to accommodate the rush. “We booked our train tickets a month in advance for Delhi. The demand was so high that many of our friends couldn’t get confirmed seats,” said Debasmita Mohanty, a resident of Cuttack, travelling with her family.
Meanwhile, spiritual travellers are also heading to Vaishno Devi despite the long journey. “Summer is going to be harsh this year. As the pre-result break in schools is going on, we decided on a quick trip to Vaishno Devi, which is both a hill station and a pilgrimage. We wanted to seek blessings during this auspicious time. The rush is high, but the experience is worth it,” said Ranjan Kumar, a city-based businessman.
District authorities have increased security measures at Puri and major tourist sites. “With more tourists coming in, we have deployed additional personnel at key locations, including railway stations and bus stands. Special attention will be paid to those consuming liquor and causing nuisance in public places. ODRAF and fire services teams have also been deployed at water bodies,” said a senior police official in Bhubaneswar.