Known famously as the “City of Temples”, Bhubaneswar has a strong foothold in the history of India. Better known as the capital city of the state of Odisha, this place was under the rule of King Sisupala for a long period of time. The remains of Sisupalgarh found near Bhubaneswar city imply that they predate even the Mauryan empire. Holding a 2000-year old rich history, this place presents the perfect amalgamation of a rustic world that features grand temples and brilliant architecture and a modern era that features flourishing business and commerce.
The city of Bhubaneswar exhibits timeless beauty with its iconic monuments dating back to more than 3000 years. The colourful temples, serene dams, breathtaking parks, ancient caves, picturesque lakes, and renowned museums add to the charm of this city and cater to its rich tourism industry.
It goes without saying that Bhubaneswar is home to some of the most important attractions and exciting places to visit in Orissa that attract travelers of all moods to the city. Important religious sites like Parasurameswara Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Peace Pagoda, Rajarani Temple, and Ananta Vasudeva Temple propel a heavy influx of devotees and pilgrims to this place. While Udayagiri & Khandagiri, Ashoka Rock Edict, Odisha State Museum and Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavation attracts history buffs, Nandankanan Zoo, Indira Gandhi Park, Atri, Bindu Sagar, and Ekamra Kanan form a paradise for nature lovers.
If you are an action-living holidaymaker, be sure that Bhubaneswar won’t disappoint you. While you can explore the state’s culture at Odisha Modern Art Gallery and Museum of Tribal Arts & Artifacts, you can interact with wildlife at Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary and Nandankanan Zoological Park. While you can seek blessings at ISKON Temple, you can go boating at Nicco Park. Bhubaneswar has a tropical savanna climate with summers experiencing high temperatures and humidity and monsoons bringing in torrential downpours. The winters make for the most ideal time to visit this city, when the weather is soothingly cold.
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Bhubaneswar Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Bhubaneswar
The name of the two caves, comes mainly from their location on the hills with the respective names. Located across a road, the two caves literally stand facing each other. They are believed to have been carved out as residential accommodation for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udaygiri, popular as the sunrise hill, has 18 caves, while Khandagiri has 15. These caves mingle between religious and historical relevance in their time, with many of them depicting deities and idols of different gods. These caves, which date back to the first century, provide visible evidence and insight into the Jain aesthetics. More precisely, these caves depict epic court scenes, royal processions and leisure of the era, through motifs and engravings, which are stark and unique in every sense, which is why it is one of the most popular Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. Location: Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751030Price: Indians – Rs 20; Foreigners – Rs 200Timing: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March
Located on the confluence of River Kushabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi Beach is one of the best tourist places in Bhubaneswar for nature lovers. It is named after Goddess Ramchandi, the main deity in Konark and also known as the consort of Sun God. Believed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in India, it offers some gorgeous sunsets and sunrise views for the tourists. The beach offers many tranquil moments for the tourists to soak in the sunshine and appreciate the glittering sands all around you. When you are here, you will forget all the worries hovering over your mind and enjoy the little moments of peace all by yourself.The splendid beach attracts many couples, college goers and regular tourists to admire its shining blue waters, white sand on the beach fringed by long palm trees. The pristine beach has the advantage of being away from the knowledge of many tourists and blessed with gentle waves of the ocean. Located 65 kms away from Bhubaneswar, this beach calls everyone to take a break and admire the ferocious beauty of nature. The major activities which you can enjoy here are water activities like motorboating, scuba diving, jet skiing, water skiing, etc.Location: Ramachandi Beach, Odisha Best time to visit: September and October
Perpetually, one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneshwar, the Lingaraj temple happens to be one of the largest temples in the city. Built in the 7th century, the temple is religiously dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is the only one to display the phallic form of Lord Shiva, believed to have appeared naturally at this spot. The linga stands as high as 8 inches, unlike any other lingas that are known to exist in temples around India. The temple gives an insight into the Odissi style of architecture, built precariously with stone vaults that mount over the main structure. Following the rituals and cultures handed down over the years, the temple allows entry only to Hindus. During the festival of Mahashivratri, the entire temple precinct is adorned with flowers and lights to commemorate the occasion. While the temple receives a footfall of almost 6000 visitors on a daily basis, it can go up to 2 lakh during major events. Location: Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002Price: No entry feeTiming: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM Best Time to Visit: October to March
While historians have been unable to agree on a definite time during which this temple was constructed, it is believed to have been built between the 11th and 12th century, surprisingly, with no deity or idol at its centre. Even then, the temple garners tourist attraction for its notable sculptures, most of which are well preserved on its walls till date. On a close inspection, one can observe scenes of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and their marriage along with several other depictions of nayikas, holding a tree branch, fondling a child, playing an instrument, taking off an anklet and more. Several erotic images in the high relief projections of the walls can also be observed. Location: Tankapani Road, near BOI ATM, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Rajarani Colony, Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002Price: Indians: Rs 15, Foreigners: Rs 200, No entry fee for children below 15 yearsTiming: 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM Best Time to Visit: October to March
This temple happens to be one of those places to visit in Bhubaneswar where you witness the marvel of historic architecture and religion, amalgamated together in the form of a structure that invokes curiosity and interest in equal measures. The architecture of the temple blows hints of Nagara style and Kalingan style, perhaps when it was still in its infancy. The name of the temple is derived from the penance of Parasuram, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. The temple celebrates Parasuramatami during the months of Ashadha, or June – July, during which the idol of Lord Lingaraj is taken to the temple for a feast. The Mukteswara temple and Lingaraj temple, both of which are some of the best places to see in Bhubaneshwar, lie in close concurrence to the temple. Location: near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002Price: No entry feeTiming: 5:00 AM to 6:00 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March
Revered as one of the popular Places to see in Bhubaneshwar, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in principle. Built along the Kalinga style of architecture, the beautiful carvings around the temple and the sheer magnitude of its sculptural work is a beauty to witness while you are here. The temple dates back to the 10th century and owns the title for being the ‘gem of Odisha’. The mammoth structure of the temple rises 35 feet in height, built entirely out of sandstone. Traditionally, the word ‘Mukteswara’ is suggestive of a lord that brings freedom through Yoga, which can be expedited from the images that embrace the walls of this temple. The eastern part of the temple is known to have a built in a corner, and it is believed that taking a dip in the water of the well cures infertility. Location: Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751019Price: No entry feeTiming: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March
Famed for its stupendous architecture, Bhaskarswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Bhaskarswar here. The temple was built by the rulers of Ganga dynasty in the 12th century depicting a rath of Lord Jagannath. One of the astounding features of the temple is the nine feet tall Lingam where it is said that the soldiers prayed to lord Shiva for victory in situations of war.It is also said that the pillar is one of the remnants of the Ashokan pillar. Built on five projecting piers called pancharatha, the temple has the deule (Sanctum sanctorum)” and often known as the ‘pidha deula’ (steeped pyramidal sanctum). The ancient temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha and hailed as one of the popular religious tourist places in Bhubaneshwar. The temple is built in two stories and much revered by the locals. The temple enthralls all the art lovers with motifs like Pidha mundi and Khakhara mundi. The temple has its mention in the holy texts of Vrihalingam and is often supposed to be resembling a Buddhist stupa. Location: Tankapani Road, Badagada Brit Colony, Pandav Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751018Timing: 6 AM TO 6 PM
Owning the formal name of DhauliGiri Shanti Stupa, this is a Buddhist structure, built in 1972. It is the architectural excellence of this structure that makes it one of the best Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. The peace pagoda was built as a result of an Indo Japanese collaboration. The dome-like structure on top of the stupa is believed to be adorned with ‘speaking’ stone panels. Some of the main stone panels here bear the images of Buddha, an elephant procession, and the footprints of Buddha. If the legend is to be believed, the renowned Emperor Ashoka renounced war by offering his sword to Lord Buddha here at Dhaula Giri. Visitors can hire local vehicles or rented cabs to get to the peace pagoda. Location: Shanti Jan Path | Dhauligiri, Bhubaneswar 751001, IndiaPrice: No entry feeTiming: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March
