Bhubaneswar replaced Cuttack as the capital of Odisha state in 1949, it is one of the first few planned cities in India covering 422 sq. km. The population of this city is just shy of 1 million. Bhubaneswar’s history goes back a long time, and the confluence of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cultures has left behind the fine Kalinga architecture.
Due to the vastness of its cultural heritage, Bhubaneswar is often referred to as the ‘Temple City of India’, and along with Puri and Konark, it is one of the most visited tourist places of eastern India.
Things to do in Bhubaneswar
If you have time after visiting the tourist attractions, some less common spots are the Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nandankanan Zoological Park, which will thoroughly satisfy the nature-lovers.
Tourist attractions in Bhubaneswar
Tourists must visit the Bindu Sagar Lake and the Hindu temples dotted around it, including the 11th-century Hindu Lingaraja Temple. Along with this, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Hills and the caves with ornate rock carvings are not to be missed.
Places to shop in Bhubaneswar
For authentic Odisha handicrafts, such as Pata Chitra, Samblpuri weaves, sand art and others, tourists can pay a visit to the Ekamra Haat. Along with this, discerning visitors also often visit Acharya Vihar’s Konark Wood Products.
Best time to visit Bhubaneswar
The best time to visit is from October to February when the weather is pleasant and mild. However, the auspicious festival of Ashokashtami, when the image of Lingaraja is taken from Lingaraja Temple to the Rameshwara Temple, often falls in the month of March.
Modes of transport
Local transport in Bhubaneswar consists of government and private buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws.
Weather in Bhubaneswar
The summers are scorching and the winters are moderate, with moderate to heavy monsoons.
Airport in Bhubaneswar
The airport in Bhubaneswar is known as Biju Patnaik International Airport (IATA: BBI), and it has both domestic and international flight capacity. It is located only 3 km from the city centre. IndiGo serves this airport with both domestic flights and international flights to destinations such as Bangkok.