Population: 528,390
State: Orissa
Bhubaneswar ('The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubaneswar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or “Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Besides being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubaneswar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubaneswar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.
Bhubaneswar, the 'Cathedral City' was once the capital of an ancient kingdom. Today this bustling centre for commerce and religious activity is Orissa's modern capital. Having merged its intriguing past so uniquely with its modern aspirations, it forms an integral link in the Golden Triangle that incorporates the holy city of Puri and Konark, for the tourists that flock to pay their homage to the religious, cultural and natural wonders that abound here.
Visit the ancient city of Bhubaneshwar (Bhuban being world and Iswar God) and it is a walk down centuries of temple architecture, With 600 temples still extant, temples are to this ancient city as forts are to Rajasthan. . It is probably the only city in the world that enables an authentic over-view of the stages of development of Hindu religious architecture. In the fast moving world of today these temples are a gentle reminder of the splendour, the heritage that was once India, The overwhelming sanctity of 'Ekamrakshetra' led the rulers and the ruled, actuated by the hope of an eternal abode in heaven, to vie with one another in embellishing the sacred place with temples of all dimensions.
Bhubaneswar is a shopper's delight. Saris woven by the master weavers in silk and cotton are available in the private shops and government emporia. You can also pick up all kinds of artifacts and jewellery produced in different parts of the State. The Handloom Weavers Co-operative is worth a visit. Bhubaneswar has excellent air and rail linkages with most major cities in the country.
Location
45 metres (146 ft.).
Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Best time to visit
(deg C): Summer - Max.38, Min.27.1; Winter - Max.28.2, Min.15.2.
Rainfall : Mid June-September 60 inches (152 cms)..
Best season : October to March.
Bhubaneshwar is very pleasant throughout the year. During winters the temperature rarely goes below 10 degree and during summers the mercury hardly climbs 40 degree Celsius. The place may be visited throughout the year except during monsoons
How To Get There
Air : Indian Airlines and Vayudoot connect Bhubaneswar with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Varanasi, Raipur and Visakhapatnam.
Rail: Bhubaneshwar is directly connected by rail with Calcutta, Puri, Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Trivandrum.
Road: Bhubaneshwar is situated on the national highway no.5 that runs between Calcutta and Madras. It is 480 kms from Culcutta, 130 kms from Chilika Lake (Barkul), 32 kms from Cuttack, 184 kms from Gopalpur-on-sea, 64 kms from Konark, 1225 kms from Madras, 62 kms from Puri.
Bus : Orissa State Transport operates regular buses between Bhubaneshwar and Berhampur, Chilika, Cuttack, Konark, Paradip, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur and other places. Inter-state bus services operate daily in between Calcutta and Puri via Bhubaneshwar and Bhubaneswar-Tata Nagar.
Attractions Temples
Lingaraj Temple
This temple is dedicated to Shiva as Lord Lingaraj. Lingaraja Temple represents the peak of achievement in Orissas middle period. The 54m spire of the temple dominates the Bhubaneswar landscape. Set in a walled compound, the Lingaraj is surrounded by many smaller shrines. The Lingaraj compound has another outstanding temple, dedicated to Parvati. Open only to Hindus, the Lingaraj temple is the site of a major Shivaratri festival in February-March, On the night preceding the new moon thousands of pilgrims light lamps in a nightlong ceremony of devotion.
The Parasuramesvera Temple
A 7th century Shiva Temple, classical in style,one of the oldest in Bhubaneswar. Located close to the main Bhubaneswar to Puri Road, on the same side as the Lingaraj Temple, the Grove of the Perfect Beings is a cluster of about 20 smaller temples. It's the best preserved of all Bhubaneswar's ancient temples and has finely detailed bas-reliefs of elephant and horse processions and Siva images.
Rajarani Temple
Rajarani is a 'love temple', covered with coyly erotic carvings of women and couples. This 11th century Raja Rani temple is aesthetically endearing, sculpted with graceful feminine figures. It is surrounded by well-maintained gardens. It's one of the best of the Bhubaneswar temples and is famous fro its ornate deul (sanctuary), decorated with some of the most impressive Orissan temples sculptures. This temple is no longer used for worship.
Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves
Twin hills honey-combed with Jain caves that reveal the sculptural art of the 2nd century BC makes an interesting study of the life and times of Jain ascetics. The coarse -grained sandstone which forms Khandagiri and Udayagiri rises nearly 40m above the surrounding lateritic and infertile plain. Khandagiri has 19 caves and Udaigiri has 44 caves.
Mukteswar, Siddheswar and Kedargauri Temples
Not far from the Parsuarameswar is the small 10th century Mukteswar Mandir, the Gem of Orissan architecture. The carvings of dwarfs are particularly striking. In front of the temple there is a beautiful arched architrave clearly showing a Buddhist influence. The walls are covered with figures of female warriors, erotic scenes, elephants, maidens and monkeys in various comic scenes.. The large green temple tank makes a perfect swimming pool .
The later Siddheswar Mandir is in the same compound. Although plainer than the Mukteswar, it has a fine Ganesh figure.
Kedargauri Mandir is one the older temples at Bhubaneswar, but it has been substantially rebuilt.
Museums
Orissa State Museum
A rich collection of sculpture, coins, copper plates, stone inscriptions, armours , rare palm-leaf manuscripts, bronze age tools, natural history, geological objects, paintings, anthropological specimens and traditional folk and musical instruments are displayed in the museum. Open 1000 -1700. Closed Monday and Government Holidays.
Handicrafts Museum
A large collection of Orissan handicrafts, among them stone sculpture, patta paintings, brass castings, horn toys and silver filigree are worth seing. Open 1000-1700 except Sunday.
Shopping
To know the place better one must visit the shopping malls. Bhubansehwar is very famous for the handicraft items. Government has its emporia called Utkalika which offer wide range of handicraft items. The hand woven cotton saris are very popular among Indian women. The stone decorative items are coveted by one and all. These decorative pieces are delicately and exquisitly carved. Also, the items made from brass or the paintings are worth giving a bargain.
Excursions
Dhauligiri (8 km) has Ashokan edicts carved on rocks. These date back to 2nd century BC. Also has Buddhist temple built with Japanese collaboration. Udaygiri, Khandagiri (8 km) have a series of cave temples belonging to the Hindu and Jain faiths. Local guides required for the labyrinthine caves. Nandan Kanan Zoo (25 km) for viewing the Royal Bengal Tiger and white tigers. Chandipur (16 km) is a seaside resort with one of the finest beaches in Orissa. Pipli (29 km) is a village famous for its appliqu? work, originally only made for the temple Gods. Atri Springs (42 km) has sulphur springs and the famous Hatakeshwara Temple. Sun Temple, Konark (65 km) is a magnificent 13th century temple visualized as the chariot of the Sun God, as he glides through the firmament from dawn to dusk. The ruins have sculptures detailing every aspect of human life. The city also has a beautiful beach.
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