Bhubaneswar, Feb. 25: A group of 16 cyclists have come all the way from Maharashtra for a cycling expedition in the state which will give them a chance to experience the local culture, traditions and practices.
The team members, along with about 14 local cyclists, embarked on a weeklong cycling expedition that was flagged off from Mukteswar Temple here today.
The trip is a part of the Centre's scheme Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat in which Odisha has been paired with Maharashtra.
Odisha Tourism in association with Heritage Tours, Puri, is hosting the expedition and Lifecycle of Pune co-ordinated the trip from Maharashtra.
On the inaugural day, the group of 30 cyclists, including men and women, travelled about 100km covering the heritage village Raghurajpur and Konark. "We will take them to the countryside in Puri where they will get to see the lifestyles of local residents. We have also spoken to a self-help group that will help our guests to learn making pitha (Indian cakes). They will also get the taste of traditional Odia food as they will be given a treat at a villager's home," said Yugabrat Kar, one of the co-ordinators of the trip.
In the coming days, the cyclists will visit places including Chilika, Gopalpur and Rush-ikulya. "We have decided to show them local art forms along with nesting places of olive ridley turtles. This apart, we plan to give them a glance of the lifestyle of the fishermen community," Kar said.
The cyclists will pedal till Vizag from where they will fly off to Maharashtra. As a part of the exchange programme, cyclists from Odisha are planning to travel to the partner state in October. "We want to explore the Konkan coast," Kar added.
"The aim is to enhance understanding and bonding between the states, thereby strengthening the integrity of the nation. We plan to organise more such events this year," said tourism director Nitin Jawale.
Cycling evangelist Ulhas Joshi, who is heading the team from Pune, feels bicycles are one of the best means to travel.
"It is eco-friendly and can take you to places where no other vehicle can reach. Odisha is a beautiful state and we are looking forward to explore more of the place," Joshi said. he is a co-founder of Lifecycle that is touted as the largest speciality cycle mall in the country.
