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Bhubaneswar, like Orissa, is known for its architecture and ancient temples. It is also the destination of many pilgrimages for Buddhists and Hindus. The 10th century Lingaraja temple, dedicated to Shiva, has been described as "the truest fusion of dream and reality." The surface of the 55 meter high Lingaraja temple is covered with carvings. Sculpture and architecture fused elegantly to create a perfect harmony. The best times to visit are between October and March
This city is most renowned for changing the conqueror to the conquered. The great Kalinga War took place here between Emperor Asoka and Kalinga (the old empire of Orissa). Asoka was overwhelmed at the gory of blood that flowed like a river. Asokan inscriptions still stand testimony for this. Having merged its intriguing past so uniquely with its modern aspirations, it forms an integral link in the Golden Triangle that incorporates the holy city of Puri (Jagannath Temple) and Konark (Sun temple). The twin cave groups of Kandagiri and Udayagiri are evidence of the region's antiquity, dating to the 2nd century BC or the early Jain monastery.
Modern Bhubaneswar is a well planned city with wide roads and many gardens and parks. The plan was made by Otto H. Koenigsberger, a German town planner. Though part of the city has stayed faithful to the plan, it has grown rapidly over the last few decades and has made the planning process unwieldy.
Photos from Bhubaneshwar, India
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Just walk on the streets, particularly the main markets at Unit 1 or Unit 2. You can experience the Oriya flavor from the street hawkers, shopkeepers, their customers, practically everyone. Visit the scores of parks in the city. The planetarium for one is good. The science park refreshes your basics and takes you back to school days. Or go around the rose garden in CRPF square or the recent NICCO park.
There may be an odd play going on in Rabindra Mandap, opposite the General Post Office. Or a dance program at Soochana Bhavan. This place also had radio news broadcasts (May1998) and a newspaper library. Visit places such as the hall of dance called Natamandira or the bhoga-mandapa, meaning hall of offering. Though these particular places can be found around the temple, the temple itself is off limits to non-Hindus.
Enjoy the architecture of both ancient temples and the modern buildings in Sachivalaya Road, or just take time and enjoy the architecture of the temples and experience the religious culture.
Take a short trip to nearby places like the above mentioned the Dhauligiri or the Khandagiri-Udaigiri, those moments will always mingle in you memories.
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Bhubaneswar is one of three cities that make up three temple towns of Orissa and make the golden temple triangle of Eastern India. Bhubaneswar is a very religious center for Hindus and Buddhists. Bhubaneswar is also known as the temple city and there are many excellent examples of Oriya architecture in the old part of the city.
- Old Town Almost all the famous temples of Bhubaneswar are located here most of which were constructed in the 11th to 13th century period. Around 400 temples of varying sizes are located here. Do see Traffic Mahadev, a small temple which acts as a road divider.
- The Lingaraj temple The 10th or 11th-century Lingaraja temple of Bhubaneswar has been described as "the truest fusion of dream and reality." A rare masterpiece, the Lingaraja temple has been rated one of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in India by Ferguson, the noted art critic and historian. Every inch of the surface of the 55 m-high Lingaraja temple is covered with elaborate carvings. Sculpture and architecture fused elegantly to create a perfect harmony. Foreigners are not permitted inside. However there is a viewing platform next to one of the boundary walls.
- Bindu Sarovara is a large lake near to Lingaraj and Ananta Vasudeva temples where there is a drop (bindu) of every holy river in it.
- Khandagiri & Udayagiri The twin hills, 8 km from Bhubaneswar, served as the site of an ancient Jain monastery which was carved into cave like chambers in the face of the hill. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, some of the caves have beautiful carvings. The Rani Gumpha (Queen's Cave), one of the largest and double-storied, is ornately embellished with beautiful carvings. In the Hati Gumpha (Elephant Cave), King Kharavela has carved out the chronicles of his reign.
- Dhauli Giri is 8 km away from Bhubaneswar looking down on the plains that bore witness to the gruesome war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli. It was here that King Ashoka, full of remorse after the Kalinga War in 261 BC, renounced his blood-thirsty campaign and turned to Buddhism. The edicts are a living testimony to the King's change of heart. He urges his administrators to rule the land with justice and compassion. The edicts are so remarkable that they have been excellently preserved, despite the fact that they date back to the 3rd century BC. A sculpted elephant, the symbol of the boundless powers of Lord Buddha, tops the rock edicts. The Shanti Stupa or the peace pagoda, built through the Indo-Japanese collaboration, is located on the opposite hill.
- Mukteshwara Temple dating back to 10th century is an important transition point between the early and the later phases of the Kalinga architecture. The highlight of the temple is the magnificent torana - the decorative gateway, an arched masterpiece, reminiscent of Buddhist influence in Orissa. This temple is considered to be the gem of Orissan architecture. The beautiful sculptures eloquently speak of the sense of proportion and perspective of the sculptor and their unique ability in the exact depiction of the minutest objects. Mukteswara means "Lord of freedom".
- Rajarani Temple got its name from a red-gold sand stone used, which is called Rajarani locally and the temple has no presiding deity. The temple has intricately carved figurines in various stages of daily chores.
- The Orissa State Museum houses a rich collection of sculptures, coins, copper plates, stone inscriptions, lithic and bronze age tools, rare manuscripts written on palm leaves, traditional and folk musical instruments. Rare epigraphic records are preserved in the Epigraphy Gallery.
- Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir - Non-Hindus and foreigners who desire to visit a Hindu temple can go to this temple (ask the autorickshaw drivers for ISKCON,situated on NH5 it costs about Rs. 40 from town) - the devotees are friendly and there is a cheap and clean vegetarian restaurant.
- Nandankanan Zoo is about 15 km outside of Bhubaneswar and has some rare species of animals. Particularly well known for white tigers. A large number of buses ply from Acharya Vihar Square. Hiring an auto rickshaw is also possible. There is a nice lake inside for boating, a ropeway, also the Botanical Garden is adjacent to the zoo.
Photos from Bhubaneshwar, India
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By plane
Bhubaneswar air port(http://www.bhubaneswarairport.com/) is well connected to most of the major cities of India.
- Air India operates daily flights to and from
Delhi- Bhubaneswar - Delhi Mumbai - Bhubaneswar - Mumbai Bangalore- Bhubaneswar - Bangalore Hyderabad - Bhubaneswar - Hyderabad . Check Flight Schedule
- Jet and JetLite (previously Sahara Airlines) operate a direct flight to and from Delhi and 2 flights daily from Kolkata(one in the morning and one in the evening).
- Kingfisher operates direct flights daily from Mumbai, Delhi, Banglore and 2 direct flights daily from Kolkata(one in the morning and one in the evening).
- INDIGO Airlines operates daily to Delhi(direct) and Mumbai(via Hyderabad).
By train
Bhubaneswar is the divisonal headquarters of East Coast railways. It is situated on the main line from Kolkata to Chennai and is well connected by direct train service to most major Indian cities. For timings and other details check the Indian Railways website [1]. Some major trains connecting Bhubaneswar with:
New Delhi
- Rajdhani Express, Neelachal Express, Utkal Express, and Purushottam Express
Mumbai (Bombay)
- Konark Express and Lokmanya Tilak Express
Chennai (Madras)
- Coromandol Express, Madras mail
Howrah (Kolkata)
- Satabdi Express, Coromandol Express, Howrah Mail, Janasatabdi Express, Jagannath express
Hyderabad (Secunderabad)
- Falaknuma Express, East Coast Express, Konark Express, Visakha Express.
Bangalore
- Prashanti Express, Yeshwantpur Howrah Express, Yeshwantpur Guwahati Express(only on Mondays), Guwahati Express (wed,thu,fri)
By road
Bhubaneshwar is situated on the National Highway no.5 that runs between Kolkata and Chennai. It is 480 km from Kolkata, 445 km from Visakhapatnam, 1225 km from Chennai, 32 km from Cuttack, 130 km from Chilika Lake (Barkul), 184 km from Gopalpur-on-sea, 64 km from Konark, 62 km from Puri.
From Bhubaneswar after traveling 20 km there is a place known as Pipili. This place is famous for patching cloth design locally known as Chandua. From the center of Pipili market one has to take left turn to go towards Konark and the straight road goes to Puri.
Photos from Bhubaneshwar, India
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Getting around in Bhubaneswar does not take much time, due to the perfect town planning and well laid roads. Travel within Bhubaneswar is cheap even by Indian standards.
By Train Bhubaneswar has no a suburban train network. Except for a couple of passenger trains to Naraj if you want to visit Nandankanan by train.
By Bus Town buses ply throughout the city. These are government-run and extremely cheap. You can buy bus tickets enroute. Extreme caution is advised in using these buses as typical of any other Indian city.
By Taxi Auto-rickshaw drivers in Bhubaneswar are courteous and helpful. Still, negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand, and make sure that the driver understood your destination. For the budget traveler, Bhubaneswar offers shared autos, where you can make journeys even for Rs. 5.
There are several taxi companies operating in Bhubaneswar. They charge by the distance. There is a minimum fare for first few kilometres and for every subsequent kilometre they charge in increments. Cabs are the best choice in case you want to tour the city all day or visit nearby places. Also, generally there is a special price ('tour package') if you can bargain for it. Foreign nationals are advised to carry local currency.
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A lot of local handicraft is available. Look out for pipli handicrafts. .
- Silver filigree work.
- Hand woven textiles.
- Paper mache mask they are various styles of them.
- Wooden Icons of Jagannath they are also colourful so get a hand at them.
- Sand stone icons ranging from the price few hundred Rs
- Gemstone
Photos from Bhubaneshwar, India
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Not a place to really party out. But you can still chill at the following places .
- 10 Downing Street, (Mayfair Hotel). The latest addition to the city's night-life, where you can bowl, booze, and dance to Bollywood numbers from 9 to 11PM. This place is currently attracting crowds. edit
- Desire, , Pal Heights. Good interiors , a perfect place for boozing & to chill out edit
Photos from Bhubaneshwar, India
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