Bhubaneswar is the largest city and capital of the state of Odisha in India, and is the center of religious and economic importance in the eastern region of the country. Though the modern city was only formally inaugurated in 1948, the areas in and around it have a history that can actually be traced to the 1st Century BCE and even earlier. Today, it is categorized as a Tier-2 city that is developing fast, with an emerging information technology and education scene.
For a holiday here, you can use the following information.
Sightseeing Destinations in Bhubaneswar
Earning the moniker of the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar is supposed to have had more than 1,000 temples, which were mostly built in Kalinga architectural style. Some of the most famous of these temples that you should visit are the Muktesvara Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple and the Rajarani Temple.
You can also visit the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, where you will find the ancient Jain monastery that was carved into the face of the hill like cave chambers.
Aside from the temples and hill stations, there are also great museums and gardens that you can visit in the city.
Top Tour Activities in Bhubaneswar
To make your trip more memorable, here are some things to do that you should include in your itinerary:
- Take a walk - To get a real feel of the city, take a walk on its streets, particularly along its main markets, where you will be able to experience the Oriya flavor from shopkeepers, street hawkers and shoppers. You can also stroll to see the city’s other attractions, such as its parks, planetarium and gardens.
- Take a side trip to neighboring tourist spots - The city is also surrounded by many places of interest, such as the Khandagiri-Udaigiri twin hills mentioned above.
- Relax at a lassi - After a day of exploring, you can relax at one of the many lassi shops, which are well-known for their cool yoghurt drinks.
Top Tour Attractions in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar definitely has a lot of attractions to offer, and the following are just some of the best:
Old Town - You will mostly find all the famous temples here, including those built in the 11th to 13th century. A notable one is the Traffic Mahadev, which is a small temple acting as a road divider.
Mukteshwara Temple - This temple, which dates back to 10th century, marks a significant transition from the early to the later phases of Kalinga architecture. One of its main highlights is the torana, which is a decorative, arched gateway that depicts the Buddhist influence in Odisha.
Lingaraj Temple - Described as having the “truest fusion of dream and reality”, this temple is regarded as one of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in the country. The architecture and sculpture here are elegantly mixed to create a perfect harmony.
Bhubaneswar Sightseeing Tours and Activities
You will have a lot to see and do in this lovely city, and to experience the best of them, check out all Bhubaneswar sightseeing tours and activities here at La Vacanza Travel.