Bhubaneswar - The capital of Orissa, Bhubaneswar is scenic, lively, green and clean, with a rich cultural life. Known for its temples the city is a major centre of attraction for tourist from far and wide.
It is probably the only city that enables an authentic over view of the stages of development of Hindu temple architecture. It is the place where temple building activities of Odishan style flowered from its very inception to its fullest culmination extending over a period of one thousand years. Today Bhubaneswar is an embodiment of its dashing modernity and glorious past. A favourite excursion from Bhubaneswar is a drive to the pilgrimage town of Puri, also known for its beaches.

Sights to See

Lingaraj Temple
It is a magnificent monument dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by King Jajati Keshari in 10th century and completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in 11th century. The main spire is 54 metres high. Besides, there is a pillared hall, a dancing hall (Natya Mandap) and a hall for serving offerings (Bhoga Mandap).The walled campus has about 50 smaller shrines, including one dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is the biggest temple in Bhubaneswar. This great temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga type of architecture the culminating result of the architectural activities at Bhubaneswar. (Only Hindus are allowed).

Rajarani Temple
It is set in picturesque surroundings, noted for its intricate carvings of floral, animal and human figures. The sculptures alone repudiate the theory that the Rajarani was ever a Vaishnava temple, but there are also the Shaiva sculptures on the body of the main temple. The side ciches have been robbed of their images, but the bases of the Southern and Northern ciches have been carved the scenes of Linga-worship. Besides the main temple also contains on its’ vacates three panels which shows Siva and his female counterpart dancing in the camping of attendants holding musical instruments. Constructed in the 11th century, it has an unusual tower. More interestingly, this has no deity.

Mukteswar Temple
A 10th century monument, the Mukteswar Temple is famous for the stone arch and sculptures depicting stories from Panchatantra and is considered the gem of Odishan temple architecture.

Vaital Deul
This is architecturally striking. It is a temple of Goddess Chamunda (Kapali) built in 8th century A.D. and has a tantric influence. This represents altogether a different conception, and its shape which does not confirm to the dominant Odishan type, might be traced to that of a Buddhist chaitya hall. The shape of the Vaital has been derived from the Rathas of Mahabalipuram.

Parsurameswar Temple
It is a small but richly decorated temple of 7th century A.D. This shrine of Shiva is situated close to Mukteswar Temple.

Ananta- Vasudeva Temple
It was built in 13th century A.D. The plan of the temple differs considerably from that of the other temples. The main temple stands on a cruciform platform, a peculiarity which is the first of its kind in a dated temple, and has a three- chambered frontal adjunct consisting of the Jagamohana, the Natamandapa and the Bhogamandapa. Three pidha temples in alignment with the central niches were on the Northern, Eastern and southern sides of the Vimana.

Brahmeshwar Temple
It was built in 11th century A.D. This panchayatan temple shows mature workmanship and advanced architectural features.

Svarnajalewara Temple
This 7th century temple is located a little south of Parsuramesware Temple and has beautiful depictions from the epic of Ramayana.

Iskcon Temples
Another contemporary temple is Krishna Balaram temple, built in 1991, and maintained by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Located on Nh-5 in Nayapalli, it has built in facilities, including lodging and boarding for the devotees. The main festival is the Car festival like Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath.

Satsang Mandir
This is a recently constructed temple in 1990s, near NH-5. Adjacent to Income-tax and Central Excise offices, the temple has a beautiful park, a nursery and lodging facilities for marriage and other events.

Khandagiri and Udaigiri Caves
The twin hills of Kumargiri-Kumarigiri known as Khandagiri and Udaigiri served as the site of an ancient Jain monastery which was carved in verities of rock-cut caves like chambers built mainly for the Jain monks around 1st -2nd century B.C. Some of the caves have beautiful carvings. Carving of snakes and the lotus are some of the auspicious Jain symbols that are extensively used here. King Kharavela has carved out the chronicles of his reign. Out of the rock cut caves, Rani Gumpha (Queen’s cave) is the largest and double storied is ornately empellished with beautiful carvings. At present we find eighteen caves in Udaigiri and fifteen in Khandagiri. Many of these belong to past Kharavela era.

Dhauli
It is situated at the end part of Bhubaneswar towards Puri, which stands as a testimony of the famous Kalinga War fought here by the river Daya back in 261 BC that changed Emperor Ashoka to an apostle of peace. The earliest rock-cut figure of an elephant is noticed on the top of the edict.

Sisupalgarh
The excavated ancient township Sisupalgarh lies 2 km south-east of the city towards Puri. A fortified town surrounded by a natural moat, it was probably the capital of Kalinga in the 2nd century B.C.

Odisha State Museum
The museum in the heart of the city has a rich collection of coins, copper plates and inscriptions on stone, armoury objects and paintings. The museum remains open daily except Mondays and Govt. holidays from 1000hrs to 1700hrs.

Regional Museum of Natural History
It is situated at Acharya Vihar, PO. IMMI, Bhubaneswar-13. It opens all the day except Monday. Entry is free here.

Tribal Research Museum
It is situated at CRP square, Bhubaneswar. It gives a clear picture of Odishan tribes, their art, lifestyle, etc. Timings: 1000 to 1700hrs. Tel: 2563649, 2561635 & closed on Mondays.

Odisha Modern Art Gallery
It is located at 132, Forest Park City Centre, Near Rajendra Vihar Appartments, Bhubaneswar. It is the only gallery in Odisha offering a large permanent display of selected contemporary work of art. Opening time: 1130 hrs-2000hrs.

Regional Plant Resource Centre (Ekamra Kanan)
Sprawling over 500 acres of land, Asia’s largest Cacti Park, breathtaking collection of Cacti, roses and other rare plants, great attraction for plant lovers, naturalists and researchers. It has an artificial lake, where boating facilities is available. It opens all days of the year. Pathani Samantha Planetarium
It has special attraction for interested tourists like scientists, scholars and students. The planetarium remains open everyday except Monday. The sprawling 4 acre complex has well maintained garden around it.

Regional Science Centre
It is also a special attraction for scholars, scientists, students and for children. It opens daily except Diwali & Holi.

Nandan Kanan Zoological Park
It is famous in the world for its white tiger safari. Picturesquely carved out of the Chandaka forest Nandankanan is a Biological Park where animals are kept in their natural habitat. A centrally located lake divides the Zoo from the Botanical Garden. Majestic Tigers, Kingly Lions, clouded Leopards, Black Panther, European Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Gharials, Indian Python, King Cobra etc. are among the greatest attractions of the zoo. The exotic Botanical Garden on the other side of the zoo preserves varieties of indigenous plants.

BDA City Centre (Nicco Park)
It is situated at Lake Road, Madhusudan Nagar. It is spread over an area of 25 acres. This only amusement park in the city remains open on all 365 days a year attracting visitors to its variety of rides and games.

Indira Gandhi Park
Built on 10.6 aced of Land, it was inaugurated in 1988 by the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Located in front of the Secretariat, the park contains sprinklers and water fountains. This is the place where Indira Gandhi gave her last public speech and the statue is exactly placed where she had stood.

Mahatma Gandhi Park
Built in 1999 on 5 acres of land it has a water fountain with a stream, rockeries, ball fountain and landscape garden.

Forest Park (Biju Patnaik Park)
Sprawling over 22 acres of land, there is a proposal to install a statue of Biju Patnaik in the Park. The park has multiple jogging track, foam fountain and a playground for children.

Shyama Prasad Mukharji Park (Satsang Park)
Located by the side of the NH-5 and front of Sat Sangh Vihar, it has a collection of ornamental trees and shrubs. The Park also houses a nursery.

Buddha Jayanti Park
Coming up near Saileshree Vihar on 47 acres of land, this will be one of the biggest parks in Bhubaneswar, having a lake with boating facility. The park will house one of the biggest statues of the reclining Buddha and consists of ornamental and medicinal plants.

Hirapur (64 Yogini)
On the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, 15 kms south-east of the city, is a small, circular temple, the Yogini temple dating to the 9th Century. One of the four yogini temples in India, it is hypaethral (Open to the sky) temple of 64 yogini carved from black chloride.