Bhubaneswar

 Bhubaneswar Tourism    

The capital of the east Indian State of Orissa, Bhubaneswar is a thriving centre of art and culture. Perched at an altitude of 45 metres above sea level, the city is located in the eastern coastal plains of Odisha and to the south-west of River Mahanadi. The destination is subdivided into several housings and townships.

Literally, Bhubaneswar means Lord of the Universe and is known for its architecture and temples. The history of the city can be divided into two phases, namely, ancient Bhubaneswar and modern Bhubaneswar.

One of the earliest mentions of the city can be found in the 3rd century BC when the Kalinga War was fought. Later between the 1st and 2nd century, the destination was ruled by Emperor Kharavela, after he conquered the city. During his reign, he established his capital on the outskirts of the city in Sisupalgarh. It was during his rule that several temples were built in the region. Till the 15th century, the city was ruled by the Mughals.

Earlier, Bhubaneswar was known as Ekamra Kshetra, meaning 'mango orchards' which signifies the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ekamra Utsav - the temple city festival is celebrated to showcase the blend of tradition and modernity of the city. Ekamra utsav is a 10 day long festival in the month of January, which features Mukteshwar Dance Festival, Food Festival, Rajarani Music Festival, National Handloom and Handi Crafts Mela, Kalinga Mahotsav, an annual event of Martial arts held on Dhauli hills on the bank of River Daya and a Mini Marathon that adds spice to the utsav.

With home to more than 600 temples, Bhubaneswar is often known as the Temple City of India. These temples represent the entire spectrum of Kalinga architecture, which provides proof of their strong presence in Bhubaneswar. Swarna Tribhuja, also known as the Golden Triangle, which is formed by the three places namely, Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar, makes it one of the most visited destinations in East India.

The largest city in the state of Orissa, Bhubaneswar is also a centre of economic importance. Besides temples, the destination is also known for its appliqué wok of Pipli, cane furniture, Ikat sarees and Birdi-wari. The best time to visit Bhubaneswar is from October to March, when the weather is cold and the temperature is suitable to explore the destination. During this time tourists can also participate in the Ekamra Utsav, which is held in the month of January.

Bhubaneswar is well connected through rail, road and air.

The Biju Patnaik Airport is about 4 km from the city and is well connected to the cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Varanasi, Nagpur and Vishakhapatnam on daily basis flights by Indian Airlines. International travelers have to take flight from Delhi.

The East Coast railway serves as the main railhead of the city, with fast and super fast trains connecting Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and other important cities of the country as well as the state.

Also Bhubaneswar is well linked by national highways to the rest of the country. The New Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar connects with the major cities through regular bus services.