Bhubaneswar: After massive success in Ekamra Walks for visitors to explore rich heritage of Bhubaneswar, authorities have decided to hold another heritage walk in Khandagiri and Udayagiri.

In view of big response from the visitors for the weekly heritage walk, the government is planning to expand the programme to other sites in the temple city.

The heritage walk will be held within a month for more exploration in heritage rich sites Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills, sources in Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) said here.

A blueprint has been prepared for the entire programme informing the visitors about Odisha's rich heritage and glory. There will be two teams to make different sites in Old Bhubaneswar and Khandagiri and Udayagiri and explore many interesting facts, he said.

While Ekamra Walks witnessed particularly Hindu tourists, the extended heritage walk will commence in Khandagiri and Udayagiri in view of influx of thousands of Buddhist and Jain tourists to the city. There will be arrangement for safety and security of the tourists in the site. The walk will begin from 6.30 am till 9.30 am, sources added.

The weekly Ekamra Walks, an initiative by combined efforts of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Odisha Tourism department, which had begun from Mukteswar Temple, has recently concluded at Ekamra Kanan. Around 2,300 tourists belonging to 23 countries had participated in the 47th Ekamra walks.

Besides, the authorities have planned a special bicycle tour by the tourists to ancient heritage sites -- Dhauli and Chausathi Jogini Temple.

According to reports, the bicycle tour will be held for Dhauli hills where visitors can visit Dhauli Shanti Stupa, King Ashok's stone script, Buddhist sculptures and many temples situated adjacent to it.

A cycle tour will be planned for the tourists visiting Chausathi Jogini Temple on outskirts of the city. They can visit Rajarani Temple, Brahmeswar Temple, Bhaskareswar Temple, Megheswar Temple en route Chausathi Jogini Temple.

However, the programme will be held on every Saturday instead of Sundays. Around 200 bicycles, to be used for Patha Utsav, will be included in the heritage bicycle tour.

The aim is to make public and tourists habituated with bicycle ride by conducting such programme ahead of launching the bicycle sharing system in Bhubaneswar, sources said.

The tour operators and guides, who will bring the tourists for the bicycle tour, will be responsible in keeping those in their custody. At end of the programme, the bicycles will be returned to BMC, a senior BMC official said.