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India » Bhubaneshwar
 City Guide
 
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A maze of concrete lanes dotted with historic temples is Bhubaneswar, as you see it today. Nucleus of the Kalinga kingdom this temple town is now the capital of the mordern state of Orissa. The city became famous for the Shaivite form of worship, the reverence for Shiva and his female counterpart Shakti. The golden age saw the construction of many more temples and the rise of a religious fervour, which till date remains unparalleled.
The city is a thriving centre for art and culture and home to the Bomkai and Ikat sarees, the vibrant appliqué work of Pipli, intricate silver Bidri-ware and elegant cane furniture. The exquisite Odissi dance-form has its roots in this ancient kingdom, where the custom of the temple deity being wedded to the dancers was a common practice. It continues to be an integral part of the essence of contemporary Bhubaneswar. The city itself is compact and often the boundaries get stretched to encompass nearby attractions like the Nandankanan Park, the Ashokan Rock Edicts at Dhauli and the cavorting dolphins at Chilka.
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AIR
IA connects the city to Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Raipur. Biju Patnaik Airport: 3 km from the city centre; is the only major airport in the entire state.
RAIL
Well connected to Calcutta, Puri, Chennai, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Trivandrum. Railway Station: Located in the centre of the city, in the crowded Master Canteen square.
ROAD
Both deluxe and regular buses ply to Berhampur (174 km), Chilka (110 km), Cuttack (24 km), Konark (69 km), Puri (58 km), Paradip, Rourkela, Sambalpur and other places. Interstate bus services operate daily between Calcutta and Puri via Bhubaneswar and Tatanagar (Jamshedpur). Bus Stand: 5 km from the city centre.
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CLIMATE
The proximity to the coast ensures an equable climate throughout the year. The summer maximum and minimum temperatures are 40°C and 30°C, while the winter high and low are 21°C and 16°C.
WHEN TO GO
Bhubaneswar is comfortable round the year, but the best season to visit is from October to April.
STD CODE
0674
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Lingaraj Temple
A splendid piece of typical Orissan temple-architecture, which dates from 1090 to 1104 AD though some parts of the temple are as old as 1,400 years. The complex has some 108 temples dedicated to various deities though the main deity is Tribhuvaneswar (Lord of Three Worlds, Shiva). The elaborate ritual of preparing and serving the Mahaprasada is almost identical to that of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The black granite circular block, which represents the idol, is bathed daily with milk and bhang (marijuana)!
Note: Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Mukteswara Temple
A small 10th century temple, with ornate carvings that mirror a fusion of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain styles. Described as the gem of Orissan architecture , it s been built according to the Kalinga School of Architecture.
Orissa State Museum
A mini-Orissa with artefacts, sculptures, coins, textiles, traditional instruments, manuscripts and more which provide the visitor with a comprehensive insight into Oriyan culture.
Tribal Museum
On display here are tribal artifacts reflecting the rich tribal heritage of the eastern states, particularly Orissa. The exhibits include weapons, textiles and jewellery. Especially attractive are the models of the typical dwellings that give the visitor a good idea of the lifestyle of the tribals.
Udaigiri & Khandagiri Caves
Built by Kharavela around second to first centuries BC, they were inhabited by austere Jain monks. The caves abound in wall paintings and frescoes that are excellent examples of the Jain form of cave art.
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Dhauli
Approximately midway on the Puri-Konark Highway is the quaint hill-town Dhauli. Famous for the third century BC Ashokan Rock Edicts that mark the historic transformation of Emperor Ashoka from a warrior king to an enlightened Buddhist monarch. The town lies on the banks of the Daya River flanked by green paddy fields. The natural beauty of the area adds to the experience.
Nandankanan
Christened as the Garden of the Gods , this zoological-biological park at 20 km from Bhubaneswar was established in 1960. Using the natural flora of the Chandaka forest, the park is a perfect setting for a flourishing animal, bird and insect life. The famed white tiger roams the area - majestic in its freedom!
Chilka
About 110 km from Bhubaneswar, the lake stretches to cover 1,100 sq km during the monsoons. It is the largest brackish water lake in Asia and the second largest one in the world and attracts approximately 165 species of migratory birds. An added attraction are the delightful dolphins dipping in and out of the water as the sunset paints the lake in shades of gold.
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The shops sell a variety of textiles in both silk and cotton with the exquisite ikat and bomkai work. Filigree silver jewellery, bidriware and applique handicrafts from Pipli are easily available. There are some famous shopping haunts.
Shopping Arcade (near Raj Path) - Handicrafts, jewellery, etc.
Utkalika (near Hotel Swosti) - State Handicraft/ Handloom Shop.
Orissa State Handicrafts Emporium - Textiles, paintings, bags, etc(near the main Temple complex). |
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