About Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is a city of strong religious importance in the state of Odisha and the surrounding areas. The city has many temples, and they are the main attractions of this place. But, at the same time, Bhubaneshwar is a thriving metropolis and invests strongly in developing world-class infrastructure for sports. Hence, it hosts many international sporting events regularly. As a result, the city is gaining prominence across the world.
Besides all these, the city of Bhubaneswar has managed to preserve its cultural heritage, and the food is a major part of that. So, visiting Bhubaneswar and not experiencing Odia cuisine would be a regrettable omission you should avoid.
Places to visit in Bhubaneswar
These are the top five destinations that you should visit on your next visit to Bhubaneswar:
- Lingaraj Temple: Lingaraj Temple is the largest and probably the most famous and revered temple in Bhubaneswar. Built during the 7th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, as the name suggests. The temple edifice is an exquisite example of the Odia style of architecture. You can also witness a smaller temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, located in the northwest of the main temple courtyard. The temple is situated in the older parts of the city. You can reach here using any local transport.
- Parasurameswara Temple: Parasurameswara Temple is another example of the historical and architectural wonder this city has to offer. This widely visited temple was built around 650 AD. It features highly intricate statues of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Parvati, which is a testament to how glorious and grand Odia's art and architecture are. The detailing on the sculptures is sure to mesmerise and take you to a different era.
- Rajarani Temple: Believed to be built somewhere between the 11th and 12th century, the Rajarani Temple is commonly known as the 'love temple'. Rajarani Temple does not have any particular deity in its inner sanctum. However, you will find sculptures and carvings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. One distinct characteristic of this temple is the presence of sensuous carvings of women and couples making love on the walls. The Archaeological Survey of India is currently maintaining the temple, and it has a ticketed entry system.
- Odisha State Museum: If you are interested in exploring history, you must visit Odisha State Museum. This state-run museum houses various ancient relics, arts and crafts, and architectural objects about the history of Odisha. You can explore age-old coins, stone and marble sculptures, armours made of various metals, ancient musical instruments, metal plates, and more. There are eleven sections of the museum, which include Natural History, Mining and Geology, Contemporary Art, Palm Leaf Manuscripts, and Patta Paintings among others.
- Nandankanan Zoological Park: Established in 1960, Nandankanan is a unique zoo. It is built within a natural forest and is the first zoo worldwide to breed White and Melanistic tigers. White tigers are the centre of attraction here. It is also the only conservation and breeding centre for Indian Pangolins. You can explore the zoo and go on safari, boating, toy train ride, ropeway ride, visit the aquarium, check out the walk-in aviary, and do much more.
Bhubaneswar Airport
Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) is the primary and only international airport that serves the city of Bhubaneswar. The official address of the airport is Airport Road, Aerodrome Area 751020. The airport is located around 6 km from the city centre. The airport is well-connected to the city. You can reach the airport or travel to other destinations through various options like rental cars, cabs, shuttles, or state-run buses.
