A thriving centre of art and culture, once the heart land of erstwhile
Kalinga Kingdom, Bhubaneswar is presently renowned as the capital city
of State of Orissa in India. Bhubaneswar, literally means the Lord
(eswar) of the Universe (bhuban), is a hub of historic temples and the
city is webbed with many concrete lanes. The present modern city of
Bhubaneswar was established in 1946 which is designed by the world
renowned German architect Otto Königsberger. The capital city, once
known for its architecture and grand temples, is presently a thriving
centre for commerce and business. Having blended very nicely its
formidable past with its modern aspirations and facilities, it forms a
part of the Golden Triangle of holy temple cities Puri and Konark
The grand city is renowned for its temples as well as applique work of Pipli, Ikat sarees, cane furniture and Bidri-ware. Art is an integral part of the city life from time immemorial, the world renowned Odissi dance form has originated in this city.
The city is endowed with many tourist attractions and religious spots. The city houses more than 500 temples, including the world famous temples like Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Bindu Sagar, Shatrughaneswar Temple, Vaital Temple, Parashurameswar Temple and Raja Rani Temple. Thousands of devotee throng to these temples in Bhubaneswar on a regular basis.
A well maintained Regional Plant Resource Center (RPRC) is a prime attraction here. This centre is famous for maintaining the largest Rose garden in India. Other important attractions in the city are Orissa State Museum, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Orissa Modern Art Gallery, Tribal Museum and Pathani Samanta Planetarium. Kalinga, the famous place of War after which Great Emperor Ashoka renounced violence is a short distance away from Bhubaneswar.
This is city offers all facilities, modern and traditional, to the tourists and has already gained the status of a permanent spot in the tour plan of foreign tourists.
The history of the city stretches back over 2000 years. The area first appears as the ancient capital of Kalinga. Bhubaneshwar India, the 'city of temples', named after Tribhuvaneswar, 'Lord of Three Worlds', still preserves over 500 of India's finest temples, around which the religious life of the city revolves.
Mythological references and the epigraphic sources describe the area as Ekamra Kshetra and Saiva Pitha. In 1936, the Odisha (Odisha (Orissa)) became a separate province with Cuttack as its Capital, which was eventually changed to Bhubaneswar in 1956.
Together with Puri and Konark, Bhubaneswar forms the 'golden triangle'--one of the most visited destinations in East India, for its proud possession of magnificent sculpture and majestic architectural heritage.
History of Bhubaneshwar - The history of Bhubaneswar and its environs, as the several archaeological finds from the dawn to historical period to the end of Hindu rule, goes back much earlier than the 7th to 13th centuries. Its sanctity as Ekamrakshetra led rulers to embellish the area with grandeur temples actuated by the hope of an eternal abode in heaven.
The Bhubaneswar area first appears in history during the 4th century BC. The fortified city of Sisupalgarh, 5 km northeast of Dhauli and 2.5 km southeast of Bhubaneswar, was the site of Kalinga Nagar--the Capital of the Chedi (Mahameghavahan) Kings. Excavations here revealed that this Fort had a well developed civil and military architecture, all through the beginning of the 3rd century BC to the middle of the 4th century AD.
The archaeological remains at Dhauli, and hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri give evidence of both Jain and Buddhist settlements around Bhubaneswar in the first two centuries BC. The waning of Buddhism and vanishing of Jainism with the growth of Saiva Pasupata Sect, in the second century BC saw Brahmanism as the dominant religion under the successive dynasties that ruled Odisha (Orissa)--the Shailodbhava and the Bhaumakaras in the 12-13th centuries.
The temple building reached the zenith of its glory between 7th and 12th centuries when thousands of sandstone temples were erected around the Bindu Sagar, earning it the title 'The city of Temples'. The period under the Gangas saw emergence of Vaishnavism to prominence.
The perfect symphony between its architecture and sculpture, the mastery carvings and the grand repertoire of its motifs make these temples unique. In the 15th century, the Mughals raided the city and razed all but a few of the temples. After independence, Bhubaneswar was declared the new Capital replacing Cuttack.
The southern suburbs of the city have remnants of some of the striking temples, like the Lingaraja Temple, the Muktesvara Temple, etc., together with the famous archaeological and historical sites of Dhauli, Khandagairi and Udayagiri.
The area on the northeast has wide tree-lined avenues and many a modern administrative buildings. The commercial and the business activities are centered around places named as Kalpana Square or Kalpana Chhak on the busy Cuttack Road, Rajmahal Square, Station Square or Master Canteen and the road further on to Vani Vihar, Janpath, housing most lodges, restaurants, shopping arcades and banks.
Set on the Mahanadi Delta, the present city is a modern happening place with top class infrastructure. Many major national and international conglomerates having inked agreements to profitably invest in the State occupy offices here in Bhubaneswar. Star category hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls provide quality lifestyle and refinement.
Bhubaneshwar is the capital city of the state of Orissa, and tourists flock to Bhubaneshwar mainly for its perfect blend of elements from the past and from the present. In the city of Bhubaneshwar, ancient temples and monuments stand alongside modern nightclubs and gardens. Getting around the city of Bhubaneshwar is quite easy, as all the modes of travel present are relatively cheap. You can opt for buses, taxis or auto rickshaws in order to travel within the city of Bhubaneshwar.
Buses are the oft preferred mode of transport in Bhubaneshwar. Many town buses, run by the government, ply through the city of Bhubaneshwar encompassing all the major areas and regions. These buses are all run by the government and are all very cheap. While travelling through buses in Bhubaneshwar, you will need to shell out around Rs 5 to 10, depending on the distance covered.
You can also opt for auto rickshaws in order to travel around the city of Bhubaneshwar. Auto rickshaws in Bhubaneshwar do not run on the meter, yet the prices quoted by the drivers are not too exorbitant. You can always bargain for a better price, or better yet, opt for a share auto. By travelling in a share auto, you can share the fare expense with other passengers, and can thus travel around the city for rates ranging around Rs 5 to 10.
Taxis also operate in the city, and the fares depend on the distance covered. The minimum fare is Rs 25 and additional fares are Rs 12 per kilometer.
The grand city is renowned for its temples as well as applique work of Pipli, Ikat sarees, cane furniture and Bidri-ware. Art is an integral part of the city life from time immemorial, the world renowned Odissi dance form has originated in this city.
The city is endowed with many tourist attractions and religious spots. The city houses more than 500 temples, including the world famous temples like Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Bindu Sagar, Shatrughaneswar Temple, Vaital Temple, Parashurameswar Temple and Raja Rani Temple. Thousands of devotee throng to these temples in Bhubaneswar on a regular basis.
A well maintained Regional Plant Resource Center (RPRC) is a prime attraction here. This centre is famous for maintaining the largest Rose garden in India. Other important attractions in the city are Orissa State Museum, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Orissa Modern Art Gallery, Tribal Museum and Pathani Samanta Planetarium. Kalinga, the famous place of War after which Great Emperor Ashoka renounced violence is a short distance away from Bhubaneswar.
This is city offers all facilities, modern and traditional, to the tourists and has already gained the status of a permanent spot in the tour plan of foreign tourists.
The history of the city stretches back over 2000 years. The area first appears as the ancient capital of Kalinga. Bhubaneshwar India, the 'city of temples', named after Tribhuvaneswar, 'Lord of Three Worlds', still preserves over 500 of India's finest temples, around which the religious life of the city revolves.
Mythological references and the epigraphic sources describe the area as Ekamra Kshetra and Saiva Pitha. In 1936, the Odisha (Odisha (Orissa)) became a separate province with Cuttack as its Capital, which was eventually changed to Bhubaneswar in 1956.
Together with Puri and Konark, Bhubaneswar forms the 'golden triangle'--one of the most visited destinations in East India, for its proud possession of magnificent sculpture and majestic architectural heritage.
History of Bhubaneshwar - The history of Bhubaneswar and its environs, as the several archaeological finds from the dawn to historical period to the end of Hindu rule, goes back much earlier than the 7th to 13th centuries. Its sanctity as Ekamrakshetra led rulers to embellish the area with grandeur temples actuated by the hope of an eternal abode in heaven.
The Bhubaneswar area first appears in history during the 4th century BC. The fortified city of Sisupalgarh, 5 km northeast of Dhauli and 2.5 km southeast of Bhubaneswar, was the site of Kalinga Nagar--the Capital of the Chedi (Mahameghavahan) Kings. Excavations here revealed that this Fort had a well developed civil and military architecture, all through the beginning of the 3rd century BC to the middle of the 4th century AD.
The archaeological remains at Dhauli, and hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri give evidence of both Jain and Buddhist settlements around Bhubaneswar in the first two centuries BC. The waning of Buddhism and vanishing of Jainism with the growth of Saiva Pasupata Sect, in the second century BC saw Brahmanism as the dominant religion under the successive dynasties that ruled Odisha (Orissa)--the Shailodbhava and the Bhaumakaras in the 12-13th centuries.
The temple building reached the zenith of its glory between 7th and 12th centuries when thousands of sandstone temples were erected around the Bindu Sagar, earning it the title 'The city of Temples'. The period under the Gangas saw emergence of Vaishnavism to prominence.
The perfect symphony between its architecture and sculpture, the mastery carvings and the grand repertoire of its motifs make these temples unique. In the 15th century, the Mughals raided the city and razed all but a few of the temples. After independence, Bhubaneswar was declared the new Capital replacing Cuttack.
The southern suburbs of the city have remnants of some of the striking temples, like the Lingaraja Temple, the Muktesvara Temple, etc., together with the famous archaeological and historical sites of Dhauli, Khandagairi and Udayagiri.
The area on the northeast has wide tree-lined avenues and many a modern administrative buildings. The commercial and the business activities are centered around places named as Kalpana Square or Kalpana Chhak on the busy Cuttack Road, Rajmahal Square, Station Square or Master Canteen and the road further on to Vani Vihar, Janpath, housing most lodges, restaurants, shopping arcades and banks.
Set on the Mahanadi Delta, the present city is a modern happening place with top class infrastructure. Many major national and international conglomerates having inked agreements to profitably invest in the State occupy offices here in Bhubaneswar. Star category hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls provide quality lifestyle and refinement.
Bhubaneshwar is the capital city of the state of Orissa, and tourists flock to Bhubaneshwar mainly for its perfect blend of elements from the past and from the present. In the city of Bhubaneshwar, ancient temples and monuments stand alongside modern nightclubs and gardens. Getting around the city of Bhubaneshwar is quite easy, as all the modes of travel present are relatively cheap. You can opt for buses, taxis or auto rickshaws in order to travel within the city of Bhubaneshwar.
Bus
Buses are the oft preferred mode of transport in Bhubaneshwar. Many town buses, run by the government, ply through the city of Bhubaneshwar encompassing all the major areas and regions. These buses are all run by the government and are all very cheap. While travelling through buses in Bhubaneshwar, you will need to shell out around Rs 5 to 10, depending on the distance covered.
Auto Rickshaw
You can also opt for auto rickshaws in order to travel around the city of Bhubaneshwar. Auto rickshaws in Bhubaneshwar do not run on the meter, yet the prices quoted by the drivers are not too exorbitant. You can always bargain for a better price, or better yet, opt for a share auto. By travelling in a share auto, you can share the fare expense with other passengers, and can thus travel around the city for rates ranging around Rs 5 to 10.
Taxi
Taxis also operate in the city, and the fares depend on the distance covered. The minimum fare is Rs 25 and additional fares are Rs 12 per kilometer.
