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Bhubaneswar, The Capital City of Orissa

Bhubaneswar (Bhubaneswar means the Land of God, Bhuban - earth or land and Eswar - God) is the capital city of the Indian Middle Eastern state of Orissa (Odisha). It is the largest city of Orissa with an area of 419 sq km located on the South-Western Bank of Mahanadi River. the city is also refers to as the temple city of India due to its large number of religious temples include Lingaraj Temple, Temples of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, etc. Oriya is main spoken dialect by natives of Bhubaneswar City but some other dialects like Hindi, English and some community groups like, Bengali, Punjabi, Marwari, etc. also reside here.

Bhubaneswar has an ancient history that goes back more than 2300 years when it was treat as the capital (Sisupalgarh) city of Kalinga Kingdom. During a destructive war of Kalinga near Dhauli between Maurya Empire (the Great Ashoka) and Kalinga Empire (Queen Padmavati, supposed) in 260 BC was taken. As a result of this battle, the Kalinga Empire was entirely ruined by the armies of Ashoka. Thereafter in second century BC Chedi dynasty took control over Kalinga Empire. Mahameghavahana Kharavela was the greatest king of the dynasty who ruled the empire between 168 BC and 153 BC. The Hathigumpha inscriptions at the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves were the great creature by him (Kharavela).

udayagiri caves, bhubaneswar

(A lovely view of Udayagiri Caves from the top of Khandagiri Hill, Bhubaneswar)

After the end of Chedi Dynasty several dynasties ruled this kingdom like the Maurya, Satavahanas, Guptas, etc. in ancient age. During 15th to 18th century ad Bhubaneswar City was under the control of Suryavamsi Gajapatis, Mughals and Matharas respectively. Later on 19th century in 1803 AD the British East India Company occupied Orissa by defeated the Maratha power in the Second war of Anglo-Maratha. The modern city of Bhubaneswar was designed during the British colonial rule in 1946 by the German architect Otto Konigsberger. The city became independent from British rule in 1947 and became a part of Orissa.

Weather in Bhubaneswar

The climate of Bhubaneswar is very hot & humid in summer and dry & cool in winter. Normally the month from end of March to mid-June is summer season in the city when the temperature may reach up to 46°C. Sudden afternoon thunder storms are common during this season in Bhubaneswar. After the end of summer winter season enter to this city at the end of June and it continue till the end of September. The average annual rainfall of the city is 1540 mm. monsoon season is succeeded by winter. It usually persists from November to end of February when the minimum temperature may fall at 11°C. Winter season is the best season to visit in Bhubaneswar City.

Tourist Attractions in Bhubaneswar

Lingaraja temple was constructed by the King Ananga Bhimadeva III during 11th Century AD. The temple is located in the city of Bhubaneswar honor to Lord Shiva. It is the biggest temple in the city with a height of about 148 fts and its constructions (Kalinga architectural style) are very similar to Lord Jagannath temple in Puri. Bindu Sarovara (a large pond or lake) is situated by the north of the temple where thousands of devotes reach to take a holy bath. You can easily access this temple after reaching Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station.

Udayagiri hill is famous as a Jain religious site of ancient history located about 6.5 km away from Bhubaneswar. It has 18 superb caves which were used to live ancient Jain communities from the rule of Kharavela. Some major caves among these are the Cave 1 (Rani Guha or Queen's Cave, most beautiful and biggest), Cave 2 (Chota Hathi Gumpha, or Small Elephant Cave, six architectural elephants flanking its entrance), Cave 5 (Jaya Vijaya Gumpha is notable for a Bodhi tree is carved in the central of it), Cave 12 (Bagh Gumpha or Tiger cave, its front carved into the shape of a tiger's mouth), Cave 14, Hathi Gumpha or Elephant Cave is a large natural cavern. You need a minimum entrance fees to visit this hill.

Khandagiri Hill is another popular tourist destination near the Bhubaneswar City. It is located adjacent to the Udayagiri Hill and it also an example of Jain Culture during the ancient age. You will get here a perfect example of rock cut temples on the top of hill and 15 caves which were occupied by Jains. These caves were constructed by King Kharavela during 2nd century. Some major these are the Cave 1 and cave 2 (these also known as Tatowa Gumpha or Parrot Caves due to its parrots carved figures on the arches of their doorways), Cave 3 (Ananta Gumpha or Snake Cave, a figures of twin serpents on the door arches) and the Cave 7 (Navamuni Guha, where the figures of nine Jain Tirthankars carved on the back and right walls). There have no entry fees to visit here.

Dhauli Giri or hill is situated about 7.8 km away from Bhubaneswar. This hill witnessed of the harsh bloody battle of Kalinga during 261 BC by Ashoka. After that battle Great Ashoka embraced Buddhism and became an ambassador of non violence and he established the Dhauli Hill as a Buddha settlement. The Shanti Stupa or peace pagoda is located at the right side of Dhauli hills just after crossing Daya River Bridge. Now it bears the symbols of Buddhism with the universal symbol of Lord Buddha, the sculpted elephant topping the rock edict. Bhubaneswar Railway Station is nearest to the Dhauli hill placed about 9.5 Km away.

Nandankanan Zoological Park was constructed by Orissa state government in 1960 but it was opened for public in 1979. It covers an area of 990 acres and a botanical garden, Chandaka forest, and a big lake named Kanjia Lake placed adjacent to the zoo. This zoological garden is about 16 km away from Cuttack, 3 km away from Barang railway station and 9 km from Bhubaneswar. The total number of animals in this zoo is 151, of which 49 species are mammals, 75 are birds, 36 species are fish and 27 are reptiles. Some of the most well known species of Nandankanan are crocodiles, pangolins, mouse deer, Sambars, panthers, blackbucks, hill mynas, civets, storks, etc.

Beside of these there have lots of famous Hindu temples to visit. Among these the Parashurameshwara and Rajarani Temple are two must see places in Bhubaneswar. Some other popular tourist destinations in and around the city are Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar atemple, Isckon Temple, Yogini temple, Brahmeshwara Temple, Biju Patnaik Park, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Mukteshwar Temple, Vaital Deul Temple, Bahirangeshwar Siva Temple, Asvathama Rock, Orissa State Museum, Handicrafts Museum, Tribal Museum, etc.

How to reach Bhubaneswar?

Travel by Roadways
Being the capital city of the state Orissa the city Roadway network is very well connected to every corner of Orissa by several state highways and its adjoining states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh by NH-5 and NH-203. The main Bus Station of Bhubaneswar is located about 9 km away from city hub at Barmunda. You will get lots of buses from and to the neighboring cities of Cuttack, Jajpur, Patna, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Baripara, Balasor, Rourkella, etc.

Travel by Railways
Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the main destination to you if you plan to visit in Bhubaneshwar as well as in Orissa. It is placed just center position of the city and linked to major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangaluru, Cochin, Jamshedpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Bokaro, etc by daily express trains. There have five major railway stations in Bhubaneswar namely Patia Halt, Mancheshwar, Vani-Vihar, Bhubaneswar Station and the Lingaraj Temple Road Station.

Travel by Airways
There have no international airport in Bhubaneshwar as well as in Orissa. Biju Patnaik Airport or Bhubaneswar domestic Airport is the main airport in city which placed just 4 km south away from the city hub. You will get regular flights to the airport from the city of Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Dum Dum (Culcutta), Mumbai, Bangalore, Raipur, Goa, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Bagdogra (Siliguri), Coimbatore, Port Blair, etc.

Hotel, Restaurants and resorts

There have a list of hotels and restaurants which are located in Bhubaneswar,

Hotel Empires 
Shahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 07
Phone: +91-674-2546386
Hotel Mayfair Lagoon
Jaydev Vihár, Bhubaneswar - 01,
Phone: +91-674-2360101
Hotel New Marion
Janapath, Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Phone: +91-674-2380220
Hotel Presidency 
Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar - 15
Phone: +91-674-2559565
Hotel Trident Hilton
CB-1, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar
Phone: +91-674-6663333
Hotel Swasti Premimum
Nalco Headquarter, Bhubaneswar
Phone: +91-674-3017000

General information about Bhubaneswar

Country India
State Orissa or Odisha
District Khurda
Languages Oriya (main dialect), Bengali, Hindi, English, etc.
Climate Winter Min - 11°C and Summer Max - 45°C
STD Code 0674
Best time to visit Winter Season from December to February
Railway Station Bhubaneswar Railway Station
Airport Biju Patnaik Domestic Airport