• How to Get There
• Konark Sun Temple
• Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves
• Lingaraj Temple
• Chilika Lake
• Bhitarkanika National Park
• Nandankanan
• Mukteshwar Temple

Bhubaneswar

How to Get There

By Air :

The Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar is well linked by air to Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi, Nagpur, Calcutta, and Vishakhapatnam on daily basis

By Rail :

Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the main railway of the city and situated in the center of city. Superfast trains and passengers trains are easily available from this station. You can get trains to Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad

By Road :

Bhubaneswar is well linked to the rest of India by the national highways. The New Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar is on NH5, at Baramunda, about 6 km from town centre.

Konark Sun Temple

Built in the 13th century, the Sun Temple is the most easily recognized landmark of Orissa. Narasimha Dev I built the temple to celebrate a victory and the temple was possibly used for three centuries. The temple had suffered significant damage at the hands of the invading Mughals in the 16th century. Cyclones are also responsible for some of the damage. In spite of this mistreatment, the Sun Temple stands with pride.The temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and is the pinnacle of the ancient Orissan architecture. The distinctive black color of the temple facades has given it the name Black Pagoda. The structure of the Sun Temple is meant to resemble a chariot driven by seven horses. The wheels of this chariot have been beautifully preserved. They look immensely captivating. It is believed that the chariot wheels are symbolic of the hours of the day.

UNESCO has declared the Sun Temple to be a World Heritage Site. The immense structure features an array of extremely intricate stonework. Each carving seems to have been executed by a master craftsman. These carvings follow various intriguing themes. The idea behind this temple was magnificent and it has been transformed into reality in a similarly grand manner.

Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves

The Udaygiri and Khandagiri caves line the sides of two hills. Most of these caves have been hewn from rock and have been carved ornamentally. The majority of the caves date back to the 1st century BC. These caves depict spiritual figures, historical people and innumerable mythological creatures. Many of these caves have their own names to differentiate it from the others.

Swargapuri contains devotional sculptures while the Hathi Gumpha is adorned with an inscription of 117 lines that outline the exploits of King Kharavela of Kalinga who built it. The Bagh Gumpha or the Tiger Cave has been named for its mouth which is carved to resemble the mouth of a tiger. The Sapra Gumpha is covered by a door adorned with a -headed cobra. The Ganesh Gumpha is guarded by a sculpture of an elephant. Below it is the Rani Ka Naur which is decorated with carvings of battle scenes and Jain symbols. The Chota Hathi Gumpha is adorned with elephant carvings. The Jaya Vijaya Cave is a spectacular cave with two stories and there is a carving of a Bodhi tree in the center. From the Khandagiri caves, you can enjoy some amazing panoramas of Bhubaneswar.

Lingaraj Temple

The huge Lingaraj Temple is dedicated to Tribhuvaneswar, the lord of three worlds and an avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple is 54 meters tall and is surrounded by smaller shrines and temples. The immense block of granite represents Lord Tribhuvaneswar and it is given a bath of water, milk and bhang every day.The main looks spectacular thanks to the presence of two mustachioed lions painted yellow. The temple looks similarly beautiful because of the incredible carvings on its facades. The intriguing carvings represent nymphs and deities. The temple is inaccessible to non-Hindus.

Chilika Lake

The huge Chilika Lake is actually a lagoon. In fact, it is the largest brackish lagoon in Asia and holds the second spot in the world rankings. You can take an enjoyable boat ride to the few islands on the lake. The beautiful waters hide the fact that the lake is a thriving ecosystem. It is a paradise for bird lovers as wellDuring the peak of the migratory season, more than 160 avian species visit Chilika Lake. Some of these birds travel from incredibly distant places such as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, Lake Baikal and remote areas of Russia, Mongolia and central Asia. You are bound to be mesmerized by the sheer diversity of birds that flock around the lake.

Bhitarkanika National Park

The Bhitarkanika National Park is home to some of the most ferocious and yet fascinating reptiles in India. The endangered Saltwater Crocodile lives here along with some of its other cousins such as the White Crocodile. Other reptiles here include the Indian python, cobra and the water monitor lizard. The park is also home to sizeable populations of spotted deer, monkeys and wild boars. As for the avian life, there are 215 species living here creating a spectacularly colorful sight when they fly around the national park.

Nandankanan

The Nandankanan Zoological Park is a treasure trove of animal species. The white tigers with their sparkling blue eyes here are quite famous. You can allow enjoy the other fascinating species here such as the rare Asiatic Lion and the Rhinoceros. Here you will find innumerable reptiles, deer and a huge variety of monkeys. The zoological park also contains a reptile park and 34 aquaria. There is an orchid house where many colorful varieties of orchids can be found.

Mukteshwar Temple

The spectacular Mukteshwar Temple dates back to the 10th century. It is dedicated to Lord Mukteshwar, an avatar of Lord Shiva. Apart from its religious significance, the temple is also an important monument for the study of temple architecture. The temple marks a significant development in the Hindu Temples of Orissa. The architectural style of the Mukteshwar Temple shows that it is a culmination and amalgamation of all the other developments that came earlier. The beauty of the temple is highlighted by the innumerable sculptures of ascetics in various poses of meditation and teaching. You are simply going to be awed by the structure.