About Bhubhaneshwar

Bhubhaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, is situated in its eastern side. The city boasts of majestic temples and shrines, which form a major part of its tourist attractions. It serves as the perfect example of the fusion of age-old customs and traditions and modern aspirations. This is one of the basic reasons why tourism is Bhubaneshwar is gaining momentum day by day. People are coming to the city from various parts of India as well as the world to witness it unique splendor.

They also travel to Bhuvaneswar with the aim of visiting its numerous revered Hindu temples. Of these, the more popular ones are Lingaraja temple, Rajarani temple, Parasuramesvera temple and Yogini temple, along with Mukteswar, Siddheswar and Kedargauri temples. Other places in the city that are worth watching are its Handicrafts Museum, Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves, Orissa State Museum and Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary.

You can also go for the shopping in Bhubaneswar and buy some nice souvenirs for your friends and family members. The best buys include patta paintings, stone and woodcarving, silk fabrics and silver filigree, also known as the tarakashi work. The city has a typical tropical climate and is best visited in the winter season. So, if you want to enjoy your trip to the fullest, make sure to visit Bhubaneshwar in the months of October to March.

Climate

Just like the rest of Orissa, Bhubhaneshwar experiences tropical climate. The summer season is very hot and during this time, the average maximum temperature can go even above 45 deg C. The minimum temperature, on the other hand, hovers somewhere around 25 deg C. The winters in Bhubaneshwar are chilly, but not extremely cold. The maximum temperature in this season is around 28 deg C, while the minimum temperature is around 7 deg C.

During monsoons, the city receives approximately 1450 mm of rainfall. The weather in this season is quite pleasant, though it may be a little sticky because of the humidity. If you are planning a trip to the ‘Temple City of India’, then the best time to visit is the period between October and March, when the weather conditions are at their best. You will be able to enjoy yourself to the hilt. Just remember to pack some woolen clothes for yourself.

Transportation

Bhubaneswar, being the capital city of Orissa, is easily accessible. Traveling to the city is totally hassle-free, as it is very well connected with the almost all parts of India, by air, rail or road. Numerous flights as well as trains operate to and from Bhubaneshwar, which help the tourists in reaching there easily. Still, to ensure that your vacations are totally comfortable, we have provided information that will tell you ‘how to reach’ Bhubaneswar.

• Air: Indian Airlines operate flights on a day-to-day basis to and from Bhubaneswar. Along with that, there are a number of private airlines that connect it with the major cities of India, like Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Varanasi and Nagpur, by air.
• Rail: Bhubaneshwar is very well linked with the rest of India by railways. There are various super fast trains that link the city with other major cities, like New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
• Road: Bhubaneswar is well connected to almost every part of the country by the national highways. Buses and taxis are easily available from Bhubaneswar for traveling within the state as well as going to the neighboring ones.

Attractions in Bhubhaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar is undoubtedly the temple city of India and is also the hub of the rich culture and tradition of Orissa that is inherent in the natives of this religious and sanctified land. Once you set your foot in this metropolis, the question of what to see in Bhubaneshwar would hardly strike your mind as you will simply run out of time if you want to see all the Tourist Attractions in Bhubaneshwar.

Bindusagar Lake

Lying to the north of the Lingaraja Temple, the Bindusagar Lake is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhubaneswar. Infact, the lake has been gaining more and more popularity amongst the tourists as a picnic spot. Every year, the idol of Lord Lingaraja (Lord Shiva), enshrines in the Lingaraja Temple, is brought to the lake for a ritual bath. People believe that when a person takes a dip in the Bindu Sagar Lake, the holy water washes away all his sins and he gets rid of all his diseases.

The lake is about 1300 ft in length and 700 ft in width. The banks of Bindusagar Lake are covered with beautiful stones, which further enhance its charm. The whole atmosphere is so tranquil and peaceful that it immediately revitalizes the soul. The lake serves as a focal point around which numerous temples of Bhubaneshwar are located. There is a very interesting legend associated with the creation of the Bindusagar Lake of Orissa.

As per the legend, Lord Shiva expressed his preference for Bhubaneshwar, over Benares, in front of His consort, Goddess Parvati. She disguised Herself as a cowherd woman and went to look at the city. On the way, she met two demons, Kritti and Vasa, who expressed a wish to marry Her. She asked them to carry Her on their shoulders and when they did so, She crushed them under Her weight. It was at this time that Lord Shiva created the lake to quench Her thirst.

Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraj temple is one of the most popular temples of Orissa. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Lingaraja temple is approximately 54.8 metres high and enshrines a huge statue of Lord Shiva, made up of granite. The idol is 8 feet in diameter and is placed on a platform that is about 8 inches above ground. The deity is bathed everyday with water, milk and bhang (marijuana).

Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar is believed to date back to the later half of eleventh century. However, some people are of the belief that, some parts of the temple have been there since the sixth century. It is also said that the temple was constructed by Jajati Keshari, the SomaVanshi King. However, there are no historical records to authenticate the claim. The high walls of Lingaraja temple, that have been made by using solid red sandstones, lend it the look of a fortress, when viewed from outside.

On the eastern side of the temple, lies its solitary entrance point, which is commonly known as the ‘Simhadwara’ or the ‘Lions' Gate’. One of the oldest temples of Bhubaneshwar, Lingaraja has 150 smaller shrines inside its huge courtyard. Lingaraj temple is basically made up of four parts, namely the main temple, the 'Yajna Shala', the 'Bhoga Mandap' and the 'Natya Shala'. Along with Lord Shiva, it also enshrines Lord Vishnu, in the form of Saligramam idol. The main gates of the temple have Lord Shiva’s Trishul on one side and Lord Vishnu’s Chakra on the other.

Mukteshwar Temple

Mukteshwar temple, one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar, has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. The splendid Torana of the temple, an ornamental arched gateway, is very much reminiscent of the influence of Buddhism in Orissa. Established in the year 950 AD, Mukteswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its major highlights consist of the exquisite carvings that depict ascetics in different meditative pose. On the eastern side of the temple, there is a large well.

It is said that, taking a dip in the holy well cures a person of infertility. Mukteshwar temple exudes magnificence and delicacy. It is a perfect blend of ancient and modern designing and this is what makes it simply outstanding. This architecture is one of the basic reasons why Mukteswar temple is also known as the ‘Gem of Orissa architecture’. It has undergone a dramatic makeover, but still retains its essence. The temple stands within an octagonal compound wall that is based on the lines of structures built in the bygone times. However, today, the wall has been reduced to nothing more than small fragments.

Rajarani Temple

Rajarani temple is one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa. It is made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone, which is locally known as Rajarani and this is what gives the temple its name of ‘Raja Rani’. The major attractions of the temple consist of the elaborately carved figurines. Rajarani temple of Bhubaneshwar is dedicated to Lord Brahma. The origin of this temple can be dated back to the eleventh century.

It is an epitome of elegance and grace. The sculptural images adorning its façade and interiors are simply outstanding. Females are portrayed in different postures, like holding the child in their arms, holding mirror in their hand, etc. There is no other temple of this kind in the entire state of Orissa. Rajarani temple has also been ornamented with marvelous artistic sculptural carvings and stands enclosed within a beautiful garden.

Orissa State Museum

The origin of Orissa State Museum can be traced back to the year 1932. Its foundation was laid when Professor N. C. Banerjee and Professor Ghanshyam Dash of Ravenshaw College, two famous historians, initiated the task of collecting archaeological treasures from different places. At that time, the museum was started within the college premises only. It was later in 1938 that, the Government of Orissa formally declared it as the Orissa State Museum.

The moment you’ll enter the Orissa state museum, its very first glimpse will take you into the world of past, reminding you of the history and cultural traditions of the state. Orissa state museum of Bhubaneswar has an amazing collection of copper plates, coins, stone inscriptions and sculptures. You’ll be astonished to see rare manuscripts written on the palm leaves. The museum also houses age-old bronze tools and traditional & folk musical instruments.

If you want to have a look at the rare epigraphic records, you will have to visit the museum’s Epigraphy Gallery. For art lovers, walking through the handicraft museum, while glancing at splendid miniature paintings, is a delightful experience. It contains a fabulous collection of patta paintings, brassware, stone sculptures and the well-known silver filigree work of Orissa. If you want to explore the tribal culture of the region, then the Tribal Museum is just the place for you.