Well suited to every kind of traveller, Bhubaneswar, the Capital City of Odisha entices to many, for its various tourist destinations as well as the charm of this Smart City. Bhubaneswar is much acclaimed for its temples, and is a delight for the visitors. Based on your preference, you can explore the City and feel like coming back here all over again. That’s the eternal charm of Bhubaneswar!
Bhubaneswar is dotted with some magnificent places of worship, and that too around 600 temples. Of all, Lingaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most famous religious landmarks here, which reflect the rich glory of the State, and is also one of the oldest in the City.
Your remarkable Temple hopping in Bhubaneswar will be incomplete without visiting the elegantly created Rajarani Temple. Interestingly, this Temple is devoid of any deity and has intricate erotic carvings which will leave you mesmerised and astonished at its unique architecture, which dates back to the 11th Century.
Even if you’re not the spiritual or religious kind, yet we still suggest you to visit these places, which is highly renowned for its architectural beauty and uniqueness. A must-visit site for the devotees of Lord Shiva, the Temple is also known as the "Gem of Odisha architecture" or "Kalinga Architecture".
Considered to be the best preserved specimen of an early Odia Hindu temple dated to the Shailodbhava period, between the 7th and 8th centuries, this Temple has been built in pre-10th century Kalinga Architecture style. Attracting tourists from all over the globe, this Temple is the oldest in Bhubaneswar.
A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Temple got constructed at the end of the 9th century CE, and is richly carved inside and out. The temple is classified as a Panchatanaya Temple, and on its sandstone walls there are symbolic decorations as well as the notion of godlike figures.
Being one of the oldest Temples in the City of Bhubaneswar, the Bhaskareswar Temple was built during the Ganga dynasty in the 12th century A.D, and is set within an open space of parkland. Carrying intriguing tales, historians even believe that this Temple site dates back as far as the Mauryan period.
This ancient shrine presents outstanding depictions of a Sapta-Ratha temple, with the presiding deity being Goddess Parvati. Noted for its intricate carvings, the art and architecture of the Temple indicates belong to the Ganga period.
This beautiful tank which belongs to the historically prominent Papanasini Temple Complex was built in the11th Century CE. Spread over an area of close to 6,000sqft, the Papanasini Tank is a protected site of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and is a reservoir with the water level almost remaining constant throughout the year.
Dating back to the 13th Century, this Temple is considered to be one of the several religious shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and offers a resemblance to the famous Lingaraja Temple in form. Visiting here will take you to the old, historic lanes of Bhubaneswar, and a trail to the Temple will be the most precious.
As the name “Chitrakarini” suggests, this Temple reflects “Female Painter” or “Paintress of Life”- and is known to be the only temple, which is dedicated to the goddess “Chitrakarini”- who is the divine sub-form of Goddess Saraswati– the deity of Knowledge in Hinduism. A rare and beautiful site to visit!
Another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Temple is located in Bhubaneswar near Bharati Matha, in Jameshwar Patna, built in sandstone, and icons representing many motifs such as Dikpalas, Amarous couple, Nayikas, Vidalas, Erotics, and even elephant procession.
It is beyond imagination that the remains of such an ancient era Fort is still present in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Sisupalgarh Fort, one of the oldest Indian cities which had its own modern, smart and planned urban features is some 2500 years old and is said to have originated prior to the Mauryan Empire. The remains of the Fort as seen today gives the impression of a deserted township.
Far off from the mundane musings of the City, on a secluded serene surrounding, is located the Dhauli Hills. This should form a part of your must-visit list in Odisha, because all you’re going to take back is a beautiful sight of the Shanti Stupa, fantastic learning of the Buddhist culture, and some wondrous natural views of the Dhauli Hills.
Exhibiting a lot of timeless antiques of Odisha, this Museum is a place to be if culture and history is what fascinates you. It is a four storey Museum, displaying an ultimate collection of ancient culture in the form of ornaments, coins, manuscripts, palm leaf paintings, stones, sculptures and many more, in its 11 unique sections.
Each sculpture narrates a story and each Yogini looks mesmerising with her unique posture. That’s the charm of the Chausathi Yogini Temple, situated in the small quiet hamlet of Hirapur village. Although it is the smallest of all the other Yogini Temples existing in India, yet its aura is awe-inspiring.
Located in the heart of the City, and a good place to collect mementos, this place is a joy to wander, with plenty of greenery, entertainment for kids, local shops, food joints and a lot more specialities. It’s easy to spend hours roaming around here while feeling the impulse to visit again.
Situated in the heart of Bhubaneswar, this Temple Complex houses beautiful images of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, and Goddess Sita, and looks splendid from both outside as well as inside. Drawing many devotees round the year, this Temple is another must-visit destination in the City.
This is not just a Museum, it is an experience which will take you back to the ancient artistic and cultural era of Odisha, and intrigue with the master-pieces. The Museum houses some amazing art works from remotest corners of Odisha besides being a celebration of the glorious handloom, handicraft and tribal traditions.
The moment you step into the exquisite Tribal Museum, you will feel like entering right into the heart and homes of particularly vulnerable tribal groups of Odisha. The sprawling campus has been divided into 5 colourful galleries showcasing the diversity of 13 indigenous tribes among Odisha’s 62 tribal communities. Each corner of the Museum narrates and shares the tribal lifestyle and folklore.
If you’re more inclined towards history & heritage, then do visit the Udayagiri & Khandagiri caves, comprising of several Jain Temples & monasteries, and are true examples of excellent stone carvings, by the artisans of Kalingan era.
For nature and wildlife lovers, this is the place to be, for an experience of a lifetime, and a chance to spot birds, mammals, reptiles, black panthers, gharial crocodiles and even white tigers. Home to a host of rare and endangered species, the Nandankanan Zoological Park is an amazing experience for visitors of all ages.
Known for its scenic beauty and being a popular picnic destination in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, visiting the Deras Dam will be a unique experience. You can even take a solo morning or evening ride here to enjoy the lush greenery around, and the views surrounding the dam itself.
An elephant sanctuary and wildlife reserve located in the north western fringe of Bhubaneswar, the fauna and flora diversity of this tourist destination is the most interesting. Spread over an area of 193.39 Sq.Km on the up-land of North-Eastern Ghat of biotic region, this Sanctuary is also a treasure house of biodiversity.
Built by the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in 1991, this Temple is a holy place for worshipping Lord Krishna, and is even believed to offer abode to Lord Jagannath himself. For a serene spiritual experience, you can head here!