FACTS &
FIGURES
Area : 65.03 sq km
Population : 4,11,542 (1991)
Languages : Oriya, Hindi, and English
Best time to visit : October to April
STD Code : 0674
LOCATION
The capital of the East Indian state of Orissa, Bhubaneswar
extends from latitude 20°15' North to longitude
85°52' East. An important city of the temple triangle
of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar has direct air, road, and
rail connection with the other major cities of India.
CLIMATE
Situated at an altitude of 45 m above sea level,
the temperatures range between 15.7°C in winter
to a maximum of 30°C to 40°C in summer. Bhubaneshwar
is comfortable round the year, but the best season
to visit the city is during the months of October
to April.
PAST
Bhubaneswar derives its name from the Sanskrit word
Tribhuvaneswara, which stands for Lord Shiva. The
area around Bhubaneswar constituted the famed kingdom
of Kalinga, which was conquered after a bloody battle
by Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor. Appalled at
the carnage, Ashoka renounced violence and embraced
Buddhism. Around the 1st century bc, under the rule
of Kharvela, Orissa regained its lost glory and Bhubaneswar
again became the center of activities. During this
period, monastery caves were constructed of which
Khandgiri and Udaygiri are the most important. By
the 7th century, Hinduism supplemented Jainism, and
Ganga and Kesari kingdoms did a lot for the development
of Orissan culture. Most of the kings who ruled Orissa
constructed beautiful temples. For a better part of
its history, Bhubaneswar remained under the influence
of Afghans, Marathas, and the British (till 1947).
Against this multi-hued tapestry of history, and
the backdrop of the soaring sandstone spires of old
Bhubaneswar, a new capital has taken shape. The modern
architectural designs and materials of new Bhubaneswar
contrast starkly with the old city. Nevertheless,
mindful of its unique status, new Bhubaneswar is a
calm, progressive city, linking the old and the new
most effectively.
SITES TO VISIT
Built in 650 ad, Parashurameshwara Temple is one
of the best examples of the Orissa style of temple
architecture. This temple followed very rigid parameters
set by the ritualistic books. The temple has some
exquisite carvings and sculpture.
Vaital Deul (800 ad) has a double-storied wagon roof,
which in turn is an influence of the Buddhist cave
architecture. The interior of the temple has the image
of Chamunda (an incarnation of Goddess Kali).
Mukteshwar Temple(7th–8th century ad) is one
of the most ornated temples in the Bhubaneswar. The
intricate carvings of the deities testify the influence
of Hindu, Buddha, and Jain style of architecture.
The carvings on the roof are specially striking.
The Rajarani Temple (1100 ad), which derives its
name from the stone known as the Rajarani, was built
earlier in comparison to the impressive Lingaraja.
Set amongst picturesque paddy fields, the relatively
small Rajarani temple is noted for its fascinating
female figures portrayed in a stunning variety of
amorous poses and moods.
Brahmeswara Temple (1050 ad) is situated around a
kilometer east of the main road. The temple stands
in a courtyard flanked by four smaller temples.
The 10th- or 11th-century Lingaraja temple of Bhubaneswar
has been described as “the truest fusion of
dream and reality.” A rare masterpiece, the
Lingaraja temple has been rated one of the finest
examples of purely Hindu temple in India by Ferguson,
the noted art critic and historian. Every inch of
the surface of the 55-m-high Lingaraja temple is covered
with elaborate carvings. Sculpture and architecture
fuse elegantly to create a perfect harmony. Devout
pilgrims, who wish to go to the Jagannath temple at
Puri, must first offer worship at the Lingaraja temple.
The Orissa State Museum is one of the best places
to explore sculptures, stone inscriptions, lithic
and bronze-age tools, rare copper plates, palm-leaf
manuscripts, paintings, anthropological specimens,
and musical instruments.
The Handicrafts Museum at Secretariat Road has a
good collection of folk paintings, horn toys, brass
castings, and sculptures.
The Tribal Museum deals with the various aspects
of the tribal life and culture in Orissa.
SITES NEARBY
Udaygiri and Khandgiri caves (7 km) are two of the
most important sites in the archeological history
of India. There are 15 caves in the Udaygiri, out
of which Hathigumpha (elephant cave) is the most important.
A 117-line inscription on the walls of the cave relates
the exploits of the King Kharvela who ruled Orissa
from 168 to 153 ad. Khandgiri, on the other hand,
gives a hilltop view of the city of Bhubaneswar, and
most of the caves inside have a definite Jain influence.
Built in 3rd century bc, Dauli has Ashoka's rock
edict. It was from here that king Ashok set out to
spread Buddhism. Situated here is also a white stupa
(pillar) on top of a hill. It was built in collaboration
with Japanese Buddhists and can be seen from miles.
Situated at a distance of 25 km from Bhubaneswar,
Nandankanan has a very wide range of animals and reptiles.
The main attractions include gorillas, crocodiles,
and white tigers.
Atri Springs (42 km) has sulfur springs and the famous
Hatakeshwara Temple.
The Sun Temple at 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.
Puri, situated at a distance of 60 km from Bhubaneswar,
is a great temple town. The drive is excellent and
provides a very good opportunity to view the rural
Orissa.
FAIRS AND
FESTIVALS
On the day of Ashokashtami in the month of March,
the image of Lingaraja (Lord Shiva) and other deities
are taken in a procession from Lingaraja Temple to
the Rameshwara Temple. Hundreds of devotees participate
in pulling the chariot that carries the deities. The
deities remain in the Rameshwara Temple for four days.
At the end of January comes Adivasi Mela, a fair
that displays the art, artifacts, tradition, culture,
and music of the tribal folks of Orissa.
Other festivals of importance are Durga Puja, Janmashtami,
and Kali Puja.
SHOPPING
Orissa is a part of the great weaving belt that stretches
through Assam, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
The hosting of textile exhibitions and handloom expositions
is an annual feature at Bhubaneswar.
Vibrant, eloquent, and realistic, the fabrics—a
variety of silk, tussar and cotton—and designs—both
traditional and modern—are on display at Bhubaneswar
and have found wide acceptance all over the world.
WHERE TO STAY
Being the capital of Orissa, Bhubaneswar has a good
choice of accommodation to choose from. From a leisurely
laid-out resort to top-end hotels and roadside motels
to middle range accommodation, everything is available
in Bhubaneswar.
HOW TO REACH
Bhubaneswar is connected to the cities of Calcutta,
Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad,
and Raipur through regular flights. Biju Patnaik Airport
in Bhubaneswar is the only major airport in the state.
Bhubaneswar is directly connected by rail with Calcutta,
Puri, Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati,
Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Trivandrum.
Regular buses ply regularly between Bhubaneswar and
Berhampur, Chilka, Cuttack, Konark, Paradip, Puri,
Rourkela, Sambalpur and other places. Interstate bus
services operate daily between Calcutta and Puri via
Bhubaneswar and Tatanagar (Jamshedpur).
For local transport, taxis, cycle rickshaws, and
autos are available to move around in the city. Tourist
taxis and deluxe buses are also available on rent.
