Bhubaneshwar is the fastest developing city in the country known for its incredible history and modern trends. It is the largest as well as the capital city of Odisha state. This city is famous for its IT hubs, start-up hubs, temples, natural beauty, sports centers, etc. It is one of the most popular cities in the nation. Bhubaneshwar is a city planned after independence and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru laid the foundation of the city in 1949. However, it was designed in 1946 by the German architect Otto Konigsberger.
It is a beautiful city marked for its ancient temples, and rich heritage along with the golden pillars of traditions and culture of the East. The city’s history is a mixture of three successive dynasties Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Bhubaneshwar is also known as the city of Temples because the city once had 7000 ancient temples. However, some are still there standing with their glorifying structure and traditions.
Major temples in Bhubaneshwar
- Mukteswar Temple :- This temple is a 10-century monument telling the rich history and Hindu culture of Odisha. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is famous for its astonishing Torana and arched gateways. The Buddhist architecture of the temple is incredible displaying on its thick pillars and sculptures of dancing figures on them.
- Lingaraja Temple :- It is the most famous and visited temple in the city. This temple is a fantastic structure from the 11th century. The unbelievable architecture here needs no explanation, exhibiting the carvings of gods, goddesses, dancers, kings and queens, etc. However, the temple worships Harihar Mahadev with other 64 shrines.
- Rajarani Temple :- This temple dates back to the 11th century symbolizing the love of the King and Queen of the city. The temple has no idol but the sculptures on its walls of the lord Shiva and Parvati gave it the vibes of temple. Locals say that this is the place where the King and Queen come to rest. This temple has a spectacular style of architecture and is a well-known tourist destination.
- Ananta Vasudev Temple :- This temple is of lord Krishna and marks its presence since the 13th century. The temple is near the bank of Bindusagar Lake and faces to the west unlike most of the temples devoted to lord Vishnu. Here the most famous factor is the Mahaparsada prepared for every visitor in earthen pots and served on Banana leaves.
Attractions of the city
- Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa :- It is an iconic place to visit in the city. This stupa has been here since Ashoka the Great went on the path of Ahimsa in the form of Buddhism after the war of Kalinga. It is a huge structure and is a sign of peace and tranquillity. Here you can have a scenic view of the mesmerizing surroundings as well as of the river Daya flowing on its side.
- Udayagiri and Khandayagiri Caves :- These caves were made in the 2nd century BC by the Raja Kharvel of Kalinga for Jain monks. Here are a total of 33 caves of which 18 caves are on Udayagiri and 15 caves are on Khandayagiri. These caves have a Buddhist style of architecture having marvelous sculptures carved on the walls of the caves.
- Lake Bindusagar :- It is a holy lake in the city that has a huge religious value. This is a must-visit tourist spot in the city as well as a famous picnic spot. The lake has a beautiful view along with its scenic surroundings. The stone boundaries around the lake made it a perfect place to have some perfect pictures. It is an ancient lake reciting several mythological and historical tales of the city.
- Nandankanan Zoo :- This is a zoological as well as a biological garden spread over an area of 400 hectares between the lush green forest. The zoo is home to more than 126 species of animals with some exotic fauna. This a majestic place to visit for nature and wildlife lovers. It is the 2nd largest zoological garden in the country famous for its white tigers.
Specialties of Bhubaneshwar
- Chandi Tarakashi :- This is the artwork of silver filigree only done in Odisha. It is the most beautiful as well as delicate artwork done with thin silver wire. The silver ornaments are made here visualizing the traditional form of Odia culture. You can buy these silver ornaments in the Cuttak market in the city.
- Odia Cuisine :- If you are traveling then trying the local delicacies of the region is a must. Orisha is famous for its traditional thalis as well as local street foods. Bhubaneshwar is a city reflecting the ethnic Oriya culture in its cuisines so tasting some lip-smacking dishes is a must here. Therefore, some tasty dishes are Machha Jholo, Gupchup, and Cuttak Chat.
- Local Culture :- When it comes to culture India is a country known for its culture and traditions. However, the culture here varies from state to state and region to region. Odisha and its unique Oriya culture is famous for its traditional dance forms, classical music, and art forms. The local culture of Bhubaneshwar is a typical Oriya style of culture blended with modern Western culture.
The best time to visit
Every time is best when you want to explore and experience the natural beauty and the unique history of Orisha. Every climate and temperature of the state has its own taste and feel. But to be specific visiting the city in the months of October – March is the best time. During these months the weather is pleasant and beautiful to explore the city and its marvels. At this time the temperature here is not very high and not very low which means a perfect period for wandering on the street of Bhubaneshwar.
Conclusion
Therefore, Bhubaneshwar is a well-known destination with unexplored beauty. The city and its authentic vibes will spell-bind you to visit again. This is a developing city that has numerous tourist destinations to visit and learn about the stories behind them. The traditional festivals of the city with modern fusion are the major attractions here. Hence, people from across the world visit the city to witness this amazing fusion of culture with modernity.
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