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Bhubaneswar Travel Guide
Exploring the History and Culture of Bhubaneswar: A Travel Guide
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of the Indian state of Odisha. Known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful natural surroundings, the city is a popular destination for travelers and history enthusiasts.
One of the top attractions in Bhubaneswar is the Lingaraj Temple. Built in the 11th century, the Lingaraj Temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in the city. The temple is an important religious site for the Hindu community and is known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
Another popular attraction in Bhubaneswar is the Dhauli Peace Pagoda. Located on the banks of the Daya River, the pagoda was built in the 1970s to promote peace and non-violence. The pagoda offers stunning views of the surrounding area and is a popular spot for meditation and reflection.
In addition to its historical attractions, Bhubaneswar also has a rich cultural heritage. The city is known for its traditional handicrafts, such as stone carving and silver filigree. Visitors can explore the local markets and shops to find unique souvenirs and handicrafts.
Bhubaneswar is also a great destination for outdoor activities. The city is surrounded by beautiful forests and hills, which offer ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and birdwatching.
Overall, Bhubaneswar is a fascinating and vibrant destination that offers something for everyone. With its rich history, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities, the city is a must-visit for travelers to Odisha.
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Bhubaneswar
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Bhubaneswar.
Lingaraja Temple
Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest and largest Hindu temples in Bhubaneswar. The temple is the most prominent landmark of the city of Bhubaneswar and one of the top places to visit in Bhubaneswar. Dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva, the Lingaraj temple was built in the 11th century CE by King Yayati Keshari of the Somavanshi dynasty. Built in the traditional Kalinga style of architecture, the Lingaraja temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite. The temple consists of four main components, namely vimana, bhoga-mandapa, natmandir and jagamohana. The central tower of the temple is 180 feet high. In the sanctum sanctorum, the lingam of Lord Shiva is believed to be 'swayambhu' and is worshiped as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Mukteswara Temple
Regarded as one of the popular places to see in Bhubaneswar, this temple is in principle dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built with Kalinga style of architecture, the beautiful carvings around the temple and the vastness of its sculptural work are worth seeing while you are here. The temple dates back to the 10th century and holds the title of being the 'Gem of Odisha'. The huge structure of the temple is 35 feet high, which is completely made of sandstone. Traditionally, the word 'Mukteshwar' refers to a god who brings freedom through yoga.
Rajarani Temple
A popular 11th-century Hindu temple that can be found in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha in India; Raja Rani Temple is locally known as 'Prem Mandir' as it has some erotic carvings of women and couples. No images can be found inside the sanctum sanctorum, and therefore the temple is not associated with any particular sect of Hinduism. Perhaps this is where the attraction of the temple comes from. The temple does not belong to any particular sect and is open to all people, irrespective of the deity they worship and praise. However, the figures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati carved on the walls strongly indicate that the temple has some association with Shaivism. According to historians, it was built sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Odisha State Museum
The Odisha State Museum is the brainchild of Professor NC Banerjee and Professor Ghanshyam Das, two eminent historians of Renshaw College. You will need at least two hours to tour the museum and see the various exhibits. The museum has a total of 9 different sections with different collections classified into these sections. On display in his museum, which is considered as one of the important tourist places in Bhubaneswar, are many sculptures, copper plates, antiques, specimens and much more. The collection displayed in the museum is regarded as a bright insight into the rich and cultural history of the state. Various galleries in the museum include paintings, armory, natural history information, and stone sculptures.
Nandankanan Zoological Park
Nandankanan Zoological Park is a zoo and botanical garden located around the Kanjia Lake in Bhubaneswar. Spread over an area of ​​400 hectares, Nandankanan was established in 1960 and was declared as a sanctuary and zoo in 1979. It became the first zoo in India to be included in the World Association of Zoo and Aquarium in 2009. Today, there are over 34 white tigers in the vicinity of the park. The park also has 67 varieties of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds. The frequently sighted animals in the park are Asiatic lion, lion-tailed macaque, Indian crocodile, Nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, Himalayan black bear, mouse deer, rhesus macaque, black buck and more. Some of the popular birds seen here are White Peacock, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Open Billed Stork, Green Winged Macaw etc.
Chausath Yogini Temple
Chausath Yogini Temple is a Hindu temple located in Hirapur, Bhubaneshwar. The Hirapur temple is the only active one out of the four sixty-four Yogini temples remaining in India. Situated on the banks of river Bhargavi, it is one of the famous places to visit near Bhubaneshwar. Also known as Mahamaya Temple, the temple is believed to have been built during the 9th century by Queen Hiradevi of the Bhauma dynasty. Hirapur Temple is the smallest of the Yogini temples in India. Its diameter is only thirty feet, and barely eight feet high. It is built in a circular fashion with blocks of sandstone. Yogini traditions are tantric in nature and hence are closely related to rural and tribal traditions.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa
One of the popular sites of Buddhist heritage of Odisha is the Dhauli International Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), which is located 8 km south of Bhubaneshwar on the outskirts. Peace Pagoda has been built atop the Dhauli hills on the banks of the Daya River. It was built as a collaborative project between the Kalinga Nippon Union and the Government of Odisha in 1972 to mark the famous Kalinga War fought on the banks of the Daya River in 261 BC. The Dhauli Shanti Stupa houses four colossal statues of Lord Buddha in various postures, as well as episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha, carved on stone slabs. There is a Shiva temple just behind the stupa. Other major attractions of the Dhauli hills are the various inscriptions, which are living proof of Emperor Ashoka's change of heart.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri are two ancient Jain rock-cut caves located in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar. One of the best heritage places in Odisha. The caves at Udayagiri and Khandagiri referred to as lina in inscriptions were mostly excavated during the reign of Kharavela during the 1st century BCE for the residence of Jain monks. These caves were first discovered in 1825 AD by A. Sterling and were brought to notice.
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