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The
name of Bhubaneswar is associated with a
cluster of magnificent temples, constituting virtually a complete record
of Kalinga architecture almost from its nascency to its culmination. Its
proud sculptural and architectural heritage, coupled with its sanctity as
"Ekamrakshetra", one of the five great religious centres in
Orissa since early medieval days, attracts
thousands of visitors from all corners of the world throughout the year.
Even the most casual spectator is thrilled at the sight of the majestic
and sublime grandeur of its soaring temples, the perfect symphony between
their sculpture
and architecture
, the superb workmanship of their carvings and the grand repertoire of
their sculptural and architectural motifs. To the connoisseur of fine arts
Bhubaneswar is one of the most delightful
resorts in India.
A long-standing religious convention does not allow the entry of
non-Hindus into the Lingaraja
, the most celebrated of the temples at Bhubaneswar. Such visitors may,
however, have a view of the temple from a platform near its north gateway,
though from this point the lower portion of the temple remains hidden.
MUST VISITS
The visitor with a limited time at his disposal should at least see the
following typical temples to obtain some idea of the temple-architecture:
Parasuramesvara
, Vaital Deul ,
Muktesvara ,
Gauri ,
Raja Rani ,
Brahmesvara ,
Lingaraja ,
Parvati and
Ananta-Vasudeva .
Those interested in arts and archaeology can be also profitably visit the
Orissa State Museum,
rich in antiquities, including sculptures, interesting both artistically
and iconographically, coins and inscriptions. A large percentage of the
exhibits in the Museum originate from Bhubaneswar
and its environs, furnishing important links in the history of the town.
The visitor to Bhubaneswar may also make it convenient to see the famous
Sun temple at Konarak , 66-km to the southeast by
road. Among the interesting monuments near Bhubaneswar are the celebrated
Jain caves nestled in
the Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills and the circular hypaethral Chausath-Yogini
temple at Hirapur, respectively to its north-west and south-east,
besides the Rock-edicts of Ashoka at
Dhauli and the
remains of the ancient fortified town at Sisupalgarh.
FOR MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION AND TOURS
The OTDC tourist office is on Jayadeva Marg, near the Panthanivas Tourist
Bungalow, and is open from 10am to 5pm except Sunday and every second
Saturday of the month. There are also tourist counters at the airport and
railway station.
The OTDC has a luxury bus tour that goes to the
temples and museums,
Dhauli ,
Nandankanan ,
Khandagiri, and Udayagiri from 9am to 5.30pm
every day, except Monday. You can book this tour at the tourist office.
There is a daily OTDC tour to Puri and
Konark , which stops at Pipli village for appliqué.
It departs from the railway station at 8.30am.
The useful Government of India tourist office, BJB Nagar, around the
corner from the Panthanivas Hotel, has an assortment of leaflets that can
be helpful to plan your journey around the area.
Photographs: Photographs of the monuments
and guidebooks and picture-post cards are respectively available with the
Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Eastern
Circle, Narayani Building, 27 Brabourne Road, Calcutta
700001, and the local Archaeological Sub-office. The latter may also be
contacted in case of necessity.
Post Office & Banks: The GPO is by the bus stand. One can
change money at the state bank of India on Raj Path, opposite New Market.
Most banks are closed on Monday.
SHOPPING
An oriental bazaar is not a place with architectural spaces and textured
shop fronts. They are often laid out at random and the interactions are
more spontaneous which reveal the inner quality of the local people. To
know the place one must visit its local shopping area.
Bhubaneshwar is a modern city where the
Government Emporia 'Utkalika', exhibit a comprehensive range of local fare
collected from all corners of the State. Local art and crafts like
silver filigree
work, stone and
wood carvings ,
'Patta' paintings ,
tie and dye textiles, bamboo baskets brass and
horn works ,
appliqué and
'Ikat' fabrics are available at most places. They are authentic and quite
reasonably priced.
FESTIVALS
One may witness the 'Tribal Fair' at the end of January. February to
March 'Shivaratri' is held at the
Lingaraja Temple ,
Hatakeswar temple, Atri and
throughout Orissa . 'Magha Saptami' is held at
Khandagiri
outside Bhubaneshwar.
April to May 'Ashokastami
' is celebrated at Lingaraja
temple with a chariot festival. 'Panashankanti' (Fire-walking) takes
place in various regions on the first day of 'Baisakh'. June- July
Rath Yatra can be seen at
Puri, Baripada and other parts of Orissa
. October-November 'Dussehra ' and 'Diwali ' festivals are celebrated all
over the State.
Nearby Cities
Khandagiri & Udaygiri : 7-km
Nandankanan Zoo :
20-km
Dhauli : 8-km
Atri : 40-km
Konark : 64-km
Puri: 60-km
Cuttack : 29-km
Hirapur : 13-km
Pipli: 20-km
Chilika Lake : 100-km
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