Bhubaneshwar City Trip

Ancient city Bhubaneshwar is the Temple City of India which is the pride of Orissa, i.e., capital and the largest city of the state. Bhubaneswar has been known by different names as Toshali, Kalinga Nagari, Nagar Kalinga, Ekamra Kanan, Ekamra Khetra and Mandira Malini Nagari.

The land has a glorious history, art and culture. The centre of economic and religious magnitude holds the beauty of sculptures in architectural wondrous Hindu temples from pre-medieval days.

Bhubaneshwar was made political capital of Orissa in 1948. Thus the term "twin cities" identifies with both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack together. This eminent city is fast developing as IT hub.

Climate

Bhubaneshwar experiences dry and typically wet tropical climate. During winter the average temperature dips to a minimum around 10 °C and in summer the mercury shoots up to a maximum of 40 °C to 45 °C with an average annual rainfall of 154 cm.

Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar

Multitude of temples in Bhubaneswar makes it an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Bhubaneswar completes the religious Golden Triangle together with two other temple towns of eastern India-Puri and Konark. These temples are built in the famous Orissa or Kalinga style of architecture. They represent the cultural symbolism of Oriya traditions.

Interestingly there is a Shiva temple called Traffic Mahadev, which is a small temple that acts as a road divider.

This 11th-century Lingaraja temple of Bhubaneswar is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is a fine example of turning dream into reality. The temple stands on 55 m-high carved surface. Hindus believe one should visit the Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneshwar before visiting the Jagannath temple at Puri. Foreigners are not allowed to enter inside, they can only take the pleasure of watching it from a pathway.

This temple was built in 10th century significantly it is an example of transition of early and the later Kalinga architecture. The highlight of the marvellous architecture is the decorative and magnificent arched gateway, torana. This beautiful masterpiece has sculptures are so realistic that they narrates the thoughtfulness of the sculptor. Ananta Vasudeva, Bharateswar Temple, Bhaskareswar Temple, Brahma Temple, Brahmeswar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Chandana Temple, Chitrakarini, Daiteswar Temple, Dwarabasini Temple, Gosagareswar Temple, Kainchi Temple, Kedareswar Temple, Kotitirtheswar, Laxmaneswar Temple, Makarewswar, Markandeswar Temple, Mohini Temple, Papanasini, Parsurameswar Temple, Rameswar Temple, Satrughaneswar Temple, Subarneswar, Swarnajaleswar Temples, Taleswar Temple, Tirtheswar Temple, Uttareswar Temple, Vaital Temple, Vimaleswar / Gaurisankar, Vishnu Temple, Ram Mandir, Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir or ISKCON temple are the other prominent holy places in Bhubaneshwar.

Presence of an ancient Jain monastery rock cut caves in the twin hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri are artistic. These caves are the chronicles of past. Major caves are the Rani Gufa and Hati Gufa.

Dhauli Giri is a place just 8 km away from Bhubaneswar who witness to the gruesome battle waged on Kalinga by Ashoka the Great. As a result of remorse Ashoka adopted Buddhism. Ashoka erected two main edicts in Dhauli and Jayagarh. The edicts of Kalinga he warned the people of Kalinga not to revolt and that he would take appropriate action if they did.

These well preserved edicts include universal symbol of Buddism, Orissa State Museum, Museum of Tribal Art & Artefacts and Nandankanan zoo is never to be missed.