Guide to the City of Temples

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, is also popularly known as the "Temple City of India". Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj', Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. Bhubaneswar, Capital of Orissa, is known for its splendid Buddhist and Hindu temples. "Bhubaneswar" means the "abode of God" or "master of the universe". Appropriately enough, it is called "The city of temples" : the city once boasted over 7,000 temples, though in modern times that number has decreased to a still impressive 500. Most famous is the Lingaraj Temple, featuring an ornately carved spire that is 40 meters high. It is the temple of Shiva, the destroyer. Others include the 10th century Mukteshwar Temple and 11th century Raja Rani Temple.

The Bhubaneswar township is established in the year 1950s However Bhubaneswar has the history of thousand years. Lingarj Temple and the areas are popularly known as old town. Posh locality like Saheed Nagar and Forest Park which has palacial bunglows have their own culture and life style.

Bhubaneswar can be visited at anytime of the year. The period between mid-September and mid-March is considered as the tourist season when the sun is bright and warm, the sky is blue, the air is cool and the weather is generally pleasant. There is a happy encounter of past and present in this temple town which has a history of about 2500 years.

How to Reach Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneswar is well connected by air, rail and road to the rest of India. The modern Biju Patnaik airport is being extended to receive wide bodied aircraft, and one may well see international charters landing here soon.

Stay: With numerous hotels as well as the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation's Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar is well equipped to accommodate every type of visitor. The list of the major hotels with their phone numbers is here.

Handicraft: Silver filigree, Stone and Wood carving, Patta paintings, Tie and Dye textiles, bamboo basketry, brass and bell metal work, horn work, and many other famous handicrafts of Orissa can be selected as souvenirs from the local markets.