Location: In the East
Indian state of Orissa.
Tourist Attraction: Lingaraj Temple | The
Parasuramesvera Temple | Rajarani Temple | Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves |
Orissa State Museum | Handicrafts Museum | Mukteswar, Siddheswar and
Kedargauri Temples | Dhauli | Dhaulagiri Hills | Nandan Kanan | Atri sulphur
spring | Yogini Temple
Best Buys: Silver filigree (Tarakasi), stone and
woodcarving, Patta paintings, silk fabrics.
Best Hangouts: Nandankanan(for its green and clean
picnic spot)
Best Activities: Experience the lion safari in
Nandankanan on a minibus in the vast fifty-acre reserve
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Cuttack, Konark, Puri
When to Visit: October to April.(The temperature varies
from 16°C to 28°C.)
Festivals: The Adivasi Mela (January), Khandagiri Mela
(January), Jhamuyatra (April), Anla Navami (November).
About Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, capital city of Orrisa in India, is very well known for the
temples and shrines. The city can also be called as ' Temple Metropolis of
India'. The city boasts of more than 500 temples. Although there was a time
when the city had more than 7000 temples and shrines. Some of the temples
are more than 2000 years old. These temples exemplify the art and
architecture of ancient and medieval India. The construction dates back to
3rd century B.C. to 16th century A.D.
Bhubaneswar has very elegantly combined its rich cultural heritage with the
modern aspirations. One can see the mixture of traditions and novelity in
the culture of city. Apart from the temples, the city has 2 Museums, one of
which hosts world's largest collection of palm -leaf paintings. The city is
home to The Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC). The unique features of
RPRC are its status for housing the largest rose garden in the country (an
area of 20 acres) and having the largest collection of cacti (550) in Asia.
Major Tourist Attraction in Bhubaneswar
The Lingaraja temple
The 11th century 'Lingaraja' temple exhibits temple art of several
centuries is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. It represents 'Nagara' style
of traditional Orrisan temple designing. The walls have beautiful carvings
of birds, animals, flowers, men and women, gods and godesses. Though the
Lingaraj is closed to non-Hindus, it can be viewed from the viewing platform
constructed alongside.
Mukteswara Temple
The 10th century 'Mukteswara' temple with its famous stone arch at the
entrance, is regarded a gem of Orissan architecture on account of its
exquisite wall carvings and lavish sculptures. These adornment include
celestial beings, armed processions, and amorous figures.The front of temple
features a beautiful arched epistyle clearly showing a Buddhist influence.
Tales from the Panchatantra, written by the Orissan Pandit, Vishnu Sharma,
occupy pride of place here.
Raja Rani Temple
The 11th century 'Raja Rani' temple is an architectural delight. It can be
said to be the best example of the traditional Orrisan temple designing.
Raja Rani is a 'love temple', covered with demurely erotic carvings of women
and couples. Set in picturesque surroundings, the temple is famous for its
sculptural embellishments as well as for its unusual design of tower and the
absence of a deity. The temple is surrounded by well maintained gardens.
The Parasurameswara Temple
The
7th century Shiva Temple, 'Parasurameswara' temple is a classical example of
ancient art of temple designing in India. It is a cluster of about 20 small
temples. This temple is the best preserved of all Bhubaneswar's ancient
temples. The wall embellishments feature amorous couples, lions, crouching
elephants, birds, human figures and floral designs.
Savaranjaleswara temple
The 'Svaranajaleswara' temple is not amongst the most preserved temples,
but it has very good and interesting Ramayana depictions. It is situated
near Parasurameswara temple.The temple looks very elegant and
architecturally cogent. The Temple has an unmistakable tantric influence.
Nandan Kanan
Around 20 Km from Bhubeneswar, Nandan Kanan is the largest lion safari park
in the country. It is especially known to shelter rare white tigers. A
beautiful picnic spot with a natural lake, it has a botanical and a
zoological garden. In winters, one can see migratory birds. Generally the
tigers and other animals here are not caged and are provided with a natural
environment.
Bhubaneswar also has two very good museums. The Orissa state museum has a
rich collection of sculpture, coins, copperplates, stone inscriptions,
lithic and bronze-age tools, rare palm leaf manuscripts and traditional folk
and musical instruments. The other is the handicrafts museum on Secretariat
Road, which showcases the lovely tribal culture of Orissa.
Getting There
Air: Bhubaneshwar is well linked by air to Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi,
Nagpur, Calcutta, and Vishakhapatnam on daily basis flights by Indian
Airlines.
Rail: Superfast trains connect Bhubaneswar to New Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai and Hyderabad.
Road: Bhubaneswar is well linked to the rest of India by the
national highways.
Accommodations
There are many hotels in various categories in Bhubaneswar.One can find
their choice of hotel by selecting amongst the numerous hotels on the basis
of cost, accesibility, comfort etc. Bhubaneswar has plenty of budget hotels,
guest houses, resorts, 3star, 4star hotels, 5star hotels. The Orissa Tourism
Development Corporation (OTDC) also has a hotel in Bhubaneswar.
