The temple town of Bhubaneswar probably developed around the Lingaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to historians, it’s said the city had originally 7,000 temples built over 700 years. At present only about 200 survive encompassed by the modern ‘smart city’ with its lofty aspirations. Bhubaneswar also bears witness to Buddhism’s fruitful tryst under Emperor Kharavela. His artistic accomplishments are glimpsed at the impressive Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, about 6 km from the capital. Three monasteries at Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, about 100 km from the capital have also been excavated and are worth your time when travelling here. Given the importance of this city as a religious centre and its glorious past, it’s easy to understand why even after hiring German-Jewish planner Otto Koenigsberger to transform the city as a part of new India, the religious roots and sentiments meant that unlike other planned cities of India, the temple town and the capital city couldn’t be kept separate. This unintentional intermingling seems to have worked here - Where else in the world can you go for a morning walk in a temple complex dating back to the 12th B.C or have the unique street food and favourite morning breakfast of Odiya's Dahibara and Aludum while admiring the intricate carvings of Mukteshswara Temple.
Apart from temples, the city has a number of India’s top academic institutions, information, biotechnology parks and is one of the few capital cities in India with a wildlife sanctuary within its city limits.
Spurred by the rich tribal heritage of the state, Bhubaneswar has two dedicated museums where visitors can see and experience what the state has to offer in terms of their unique ethnic lifestyle, art, culture and handicrafts.
Your Must Have Bhubaneswar Bucket List
Street Art of Bhubaneswar
Graffiti Art in Bhubaneswar particularly in the city centre has transformed its mundane streets into a riot of colours, with walls converted into canvases. A walking tour can be easily done ( broad pavements are present in most places ) to admire these beautiful artworks which are also a perfect backdrop for selfies.
Temple Tour at Old City
Temple tour around the holy pond of Bindusagar with morning breakfast near Lingaraja temple. Filled with alleyways, dotted with shrines, and beautifully preserved houses the cluster of temples around Bindusagar transports you back in time. The Old Town in Bhubaneswar is as exotic as it gets.
Museum Trail in Bhubaneswar
Go on a Museum Trail- Kala Bhoomi & Tribal Art Museums Kala aspire to be more than just a collection of unique objects. They celebrate the craftsmanship of Odia and create a dynamic and interactive learning experience by putting on display their breathtaking masterpieces.
Experience Odia cuisine
Odia cuisine is the perfect balance of taste and health. A trip to Odisha is incomplete without trying out Chhena Poda. Chhena Poda literally means ‘roasted cheese’ in Odia, and is made of homemade fresh cottage cheese and sugar which is baked for several hours before it turns brown and caramelizes. Another favourite is the Odia version of Dahibara – Dahibara Aludum. It is a type of chaat and is now a breakfast snack, prepared by soaking vadas in light dahi water which is tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves and finally adding Aludum and Ghugni to it.
Watch the sunset from Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hill
The Dhauli Hills provide a bird's eye view of the entire area, lush green agricultural lands and the river Daya and this is the place where King Ashoka laid down his arms after the bloody Battle of Kalinga and followed the path to Buddhism.
Explore the Buddhist triangle of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri
These ancient archaeological sites were recently excavated and are filled with monasteries, stupas, relics, seals, stone tablets, and statues. These hills were formerly known as Ratnagiri, or the hill of precious gems, Lalitagiri, or the red hill, and Udayagiri, or the hill rising Sun.
Migratory birds at Mangalajodi
Mangalajodi is a small village in Orissa situated at a distance of about 70 km from the capital city Bhubaneswar. This village on the banks of Chilika Lake renders an eye-catching scenic beauty and attracts visitors for its vast wetlands with many migrating birds. Take a tour on county boats in meandering through narrow marshy waterways spotting a variety of migratory birds which flock to Chilika during winters ( November- March )
Insider’s Tips for Bhubaneswar Travel
Plan your trip to coincide with annual events/festivals like Rath Yatra, Mukteswar Dance festival, Sand Art festival, Flower show, and Konark Dance festival to name a few.
Don’t miss enjoying a cup of Koraput coffee at Ekamra Kanan Botanical Garden.
Do a peaceful Morning safari at Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary.
Try the Food Trucks opposite Ram Mandir or at Khao Galli KIIT Square serving some lip-smacking food.
While heading to Puri make a detour to the artisan village of Raghurajpur. Puri, This small village has around 100 households making a living from artworks like Pattachitra ( painting on palm leaves), traditional masks, stone idols, paper mache, sculptures and wooden toys.
When heading to the Shanti Stupa stop at the village of Hirapur where lies the forgotten Chausathi Jogini Temple. This circular open-roofed temple is one of the four surviving temples in India of the yogini cult which flourished in the country from the 8th Century AD to the 13th Century AD. Out of the four such temples two are located in Odisha (one in Hirapur and the other one in Ranipur-Jharial in Bolangir Dist ) and the other two are in modern-day Madhya Pradesh.
Sustainable Eco-friendly Accommodation
Head to Svanir, an eco-friendly wilderness homestay hiding in plain sight on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Four spacious cottages constructed from locally available materials, mimic the traditional tribal architecture and provide an ideal getaway for the weary traveller. The homestay is spread across one acre, compact and cosy and yet large enough so that guests can enjoy their own private corners - ideal for those who want to study or work in a quiet environment, or for simply resting after a full day wandering throughout the city. All rooms have their sit-out verandah and large windows with views.
How to reach Bhubaneswar
Biju Patnaik International Airport
It takes about 45 mins from the airport to Svanir Homestay from where you can explore Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar Railways Station:
Well connected with trains from all over the country and undergoing a major revamp to become one of the best in the county.
Soumya Mukherji
Once an aimless traveler now an entrepreneur, husband and a father. I'm passionate about photography, gardening and slow travel. Having worked in the travel industry for more than 12 years, I wanted to create a place where traveler's could come, relax and connect with each other.
email: visit.svanir@gmail.com
