Bhubaneswar in the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Odisha.  It is the center of the economic, educational and cultural importance of East India. Bhubaneswar is categorized as a Tier-2 city. Because of emerging information technology (IT) and education hub Bhubaneswar is one of the country’s fastest-developing cities. Bhubaneswar is an important pilgrimage center and the home to over 500 of India’s finest temples which has earned it the nomenclature of ‘City of Temples.’

HOW TO REACH BHUBANESWAR

By Air: Bhubaneswar is the city which is well connected through the air. Biju Patnaik Airport is the main domestic airport and located about 3 km far from the city. Travelers can get various flights to various places such as Ahmadabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata to Bhubaneswar flights and many more.

By Train: Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the main railway of the city and situated in the center of the city. Super-fast trains and passengers trains are easily available from this station. You can get trains to Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmadabad and many more.

By Road: Bhubaneswar Bus Station is 8 km from the city and you can get buses which are operated by Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC). Private buses are also easily available from there.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BHUBANESWAR

Bhubaneshwar experiences both high temperatures and humidity, while monsoons bring in torrential rainfall. The summers of Bhubaneshwar are scorching, and the sweltering heat usually makes it very uncomfortable to travel around the city. The winters are mild with minimum temperature touching 8 degree Celsius. So, the ideal time to visit this place is during the Winter months of October to February, when the temperature range is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring around the city.

Now coming to top attractions, here are some must-see places in Bhubaneswar

1. Parashirameshwara Temple

The temple is considered to be the best-preserved specimen of an early Odia Hindu temple dated to the Shailodbhava period between the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is one of the oldest existing temples in the state. Each year between the months of June and July, Parashurashtami festival is celebrated in the premises of the temple, which is a major tourist attraction and crowd puller.

Opening time: All days of the week; 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Architecture lovers, photo fanatics, god lovers

Distance from the Railway station: 3.5 KM

2. Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraja Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state. In the center, there is a tower which is 180 ft tall. The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar. The Lingaraj Temple is especially famous for its Mahashivratri celebrations when the whole sanctum is dressed up in flowers, lanterns, and lights. The entry is restricted to the Hindus only.

Opening time: All days of the week; 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Architecture lovers, photo fanatics

Distance from the  station: 4.5 km

3. ISKCON Temple

A serene temple that houses Lord Krishna, Blaram, Gaura Nithai, Subhadra and Jagannath, this temple is located right in the heart of the city. Compared to the ISKCON Temple in bigger cities, the ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneshwar can be called the humble cousin. The temple has been established to carry out the vision of ISKCON’s founder, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Showcasing the ideology of the ISKCON movement, the temple organizes kirtans, bhajans, and pooja on a regular basis.

Opening time: All days of the week; 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Experience seekers, god lovers, photo fanatics

Distance from the station: 5 km

4. Hirakud Dam

Hirakud Dam built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kilometers is the longest human-made dams in India. Any nature lover will enjoy the blissful atmosphere and lush greenery that is in abundance at the Hirakud Dam. The dam is situated between the Burla and Hirakud Hills. This marvelous piece of architecture construction was built in the year 1956, and owing to its location is a fantastic spot to watch nature come alive in all its glory.  It is also a fantastic site for bird-watching as it is surrounded by abundant water and trees on all sides.

Opening time: All days of the week

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Photo fanatics, history buffs, nature lovers

Distance from the Railway station: 319 Km

5. Rajarani Temple

The temple is believed to have been known originally as Indreswara. It is locally known as a “love temple” because of the carvings of women and couples in the temple. The temple was constructed of dull red and yellow sandstone which is locally called “Rajarani”. It was constructed at some time between the 11th and 12th century, but the exact period has not yet been ascertained. The Rajarani Temple has an altogether different charm to offer, and this is perhaps what sets it aside and apart from the other temples that one can find scattered all across Bhubaneswar.

Opening time: All days of the week; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry fee: Rs 5 per Indian, Rs 250 per foreigner

Ideal for: Architecture lovers, photo fanatics, history buffs

Distance from the station: 3.8 Km

6. Bindu Sarovar Lake

Bindu Sarovar is a sacred lake located to the north of the Lingaraja Temple and to the east of the Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar Odisha. It serves as a popular picnic spot and also one of the top places to visit in Bhubaneswar. The Lake is considered as the largest water body of Bhubaneswar. The lake becomes a hub of activity every year at the time of celebration of Ashokashtami festival.

Opening time: All days of the week

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Nature lovers, experience seekers

Distance from the station: 3.5 Km

7. Orrisa State Museum

The Orissa State Museum has a large collection of some unique and ancient art and craft objects. This collection includes stone sculptures, bronze coins, musical instruments, armors, pre-historic metal plates, etc.  The museum is divided into eleven sections that are: Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Armoury, Mining& Geology, Natural History, Art & Craft, Contemporary Art, Patta Painting, Anthropology and Palm-leaf Manuscripts.

Opening time: All days of the week; 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry fee: Rs 10 for adult, Rs 2 for a child, rs 100 for foreigner

Ideal for: History buffs, experience seekers

Distance from the station: 2.1 Km

8. Brahmeshwara Temple

Brahmeswara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. This Hindu temple can be dated by the use of inscriptions that were originally on the temple. Historians place the temple to belong to the late 11th century as ascertained from an inscription carried to Calcutta from Bhubaneswar. On sandstone walls, there are symbolic decorations and the notion of godlike figures. These figures help the believer in meditation. The carvings over the door frame contain beautiful flower designs and flying figures.  Famous for its beautiful carvings, it attracts a lot of pilgrims throughout the year.

Opening time: All days of the week; 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: history buffs, photo fanatics

Distance from the station: 5.3 Km

 9. Tikarpada wildlife sanctuary

A wide variety of fauna is huddled in the various wildlife sanctuaries and parks of Orissa. Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary in Orissa, India is a popular tourist destination that attracts many from far and wide. At this place, you may trail animals or visit the area housing gharials. Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary of Orissa also offers the visitors a chance to view crocodiles, snakes and freshwater turtles. If you are an avid bird watcher, this sanctuary would enthrall you a lot. With a wide variety of indigenous as well as migratory birds, bird watching is a popular activity.

Opening time: All days of the week; 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee: N/A

Ideal for: Adventure lovers, animal lovers, experience seekers

Distance from the station: 150.6 Km

10. Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kataka Caves or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during 2nd century BCE. A large number of ancient temples with intricate carvings surround this place which has their own significance. If you want to relax and spend some quiet time amidst nature, a number of lush green parks are also located around Khandagiri Caves.

Opening time: All days of the week; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry fee: Rs 15 for Indian, Rs 200 for foreigner

Ideal for: Nature lovers, history buffs

Distance from the station: 7.2 Km

Visit these amazing places and share your experience with us!