BHUBANESWAR - THE TEMPLE CITY

Dhauligiri

Khandagiri

Lingaraj Temple

Rajarani Temple

Mukteswar Temple

Bhaskareswar Temple

Iskcon Temple

HISTORY

Colleges & Universities

IT Institutes

TRAIN TIMINGS

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FLIGHT TIMINGS

HOTELS

POLICE STATION

HOSPITAL

AMBULANCE

PARKS

CLUB

CINEMA HALL

Temple city, capital of the state of Orissa and also of the ancient kingdom, quintessence of the present and the past, the city's busting modernity reverberates with echoes of the past.

Approaching Bhubaneswar, by air, road or rail, one is impressed with the magnificence of the three monuments that dominate its skyline. these are the soaring spire of the Lingaraj temple, the white-domed Peace Pagoda of Dhauli hill and the pink temple of Mahabir Jina on the Khandagiri hill. The three epitomise the advent and ascendancy of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism during different periods of Orissa history.

Bhubaneswar, the "Temple Metropolis of India" can still boast of 500 temples. Of these about a dozen are architecturally very interesting. There was a time when Bhubaneswar had over 7,000 such shrines.

These temples epitomize a comprehensive history of the Orissan style of temple architecture from its very inception to perfection spreading almost to two thousand years from 3rd century B. C. to 16th Century A. D. These magnificent monuments dominating the city skyline, are within a reasonable walking distance from one another. The 46 meter high Lingaraj Temple marks the culmination of temple tradition of Bhubaneswar.

Dhauligiri

Standing close to the hallowed site of the famous Kalinga war, which turned the river Daya red with blood of dead soldiers and which finally converted emperor Ashoka and brought him to the path of peace and non-violence. Bhubaneswar has the earliest rock cut sculpture of India in the shape of a magnificent elephant atop the Ashokan rock edict which immortalises the famous historical event. The Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha have recently built the Shanti Stupa atop the hill which is visible miles around. There is also a Shiva Temple recently constructed on the top of the hill.

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Khandagiri & Udayagiri

7 kms from Bhubaneshwar are the twin hills of Udaygiri and Khandagiri. Built by Kharavela around 1st-2nd century BC, for Jain monks, these are fine specimens of Jain Cave art. The famous caves of Hathigumpha (elephant cave) in Udaygiri, Rani Gumpha (Queen's cave) also in Udaygiri, with upper and lower storeys, roomy courtyards and exquisitely designed friezes stand testimony to the high calibre the architectural styles had attained as early as the first century BC. The cave complex of Udayagiri with the equally famous inscriptions of Emperor Kharavela and exquisite sculptures and reliefs on the rock surface of the canvas and the colossal figure of Mahavir Jina on the Khandagiri hills mark the high point of Orissa's ascendary.

In the succeeding centuries, king after king vied with each other in building temples during golden period of Orissan art and architecture. Bhubaneswar had a thousand temples at one time of which many are still intact and provide a complete record of Kalinga style of architecture from inception to maturity. Of these, the magnificent temple of Lord Lingaraj, also known as Bhubaneswar.

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Lingaraj Temple

This most magnificent monument is also the loftiest. It dates back to the 11th century and represents the mature and complex 'Nagara' style of Orissan temple architecture. Its tower, dominating the surroundings, is visible from miles around. The temple, set in a huge walled compound measuring 520 feet by 465 feet, originally consisted only of the sanctum and the mandap or the entrance hall. The dancing hall and the hall of offerings are later additions. Around the main shrine there are many smaller votive shrines. The outer walls of the temple are lavishly decorated with beautiful sculptures which mark a climax of Hindu decorative architecture. Birds, beasts, creepers, flowers, men and women in erotic poses and postures, a host of gods and goddesses all are there in their full majesty and grandeur. The inner walls of the shrine, containing the phallus symbol of Shiva, are plain and without any embellishment. Just north of this temple is the sacred lake of Bindu Sagar with a tiny island in the center, where there are many lesser shrines. Here, once in a year, Lingaraj himself is brought for ritual ablutions.

These temples epitomize a comprehensive history of the Orissan style of temple architecture from its very inception to perfection spreading almost to two thousand years from 3rd century B. C. to 16th Century A. D. These magnificent monuments dominating the city skyline, are within a reasonable walking distance from one another. The 46 meter high Lingaraj Temple marks the culmination of temple tradition of Bhubaneswar.

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Rajarani Temple

This temple with its sculptural excellence, profuse decoration and wonderful proportions, is a unique example of Orissan temple art. The erotic mithuna figures, fascinating nayikas, nymphs and gaja-simhas, all are there in great details. Its plain but majestic jagmohan (mondap) presents a great contrast to its lavishly decorated main shrine. Built in the 11th century the speciality of this temple is that it has no presiding deity.

Other temples worth a visit include Luxmaneswar, Satrughaneswar and Bharteswar (6th century A. D.), Parsurameswar and Swarna Jaleswar (7th century), Vaital (8th century), Mukteswar (10th century), Brahmeswar (11th Century) and Anant Basudeva (13th century).

The Anant Basudeva Temple, built in 1278, is the only temple dedicated to Vaishnava worship, standing on an ornate platform, continues the decorative and mature Lingaraj temple tradition.

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Mukteswar Temple

Mukteswar Temple with its elaborately ornate and famous torana or stone arch at the entrance, is profusely decorated on its outer walls. These embellishments include celestial beings, armed processions, and amorous figures. It is regarded a gem of Orissan architecture on a account of its exquisite carved details and lavish sculptures. The nearby Parsurameswar Temple has equally excellent carvings and sculptures on its walls. It is most noted for its latticed windows, one of which is embellished with a relief of gay dancers and musicians of great charm. It is one of the earliest and the best preserved Orissan temples.

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Bhaskareswar Temple 

Bhaskereswar is a deviation from the Orissan temples. Here the enshrined "Shiva Linga" has an unusual height of 2.74 meters. The construction has some peculiarity on its roof.

Brahmeswar, a complete complex of temples with graceful sculptures spread over the temple walls is a miniature version of the great Lingaraj. Unlike the letter this is open to everyone, including foreigners, and is a must for those who wish to get an idea of the Orissan temple.

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Parasurameswara Temple

The Parasurameswara temple, built in 650 AD, is one of the few oldest surviving temples in Bhubaneswar. The temple built in the Kalinga School of architecture, was dedicated to Lord Shiva but also has images of Lord Vishnu, Yama, Surya and seven Mother goddesses. Lavishly decorated, it has exquisite friezes depicting animal life, human figures and floral motifs, coupled with impressive busts of Shiva.

Just south of Parasurameswara temple is the Swaranajaleswara temple, built in similar Fashion. Here, the motifs on the walls depict scenes from the Ramayana.

Iskcon Temple

Among the contemporary temples the Sri Ram Temple at Janpath, Kharvel Nagar and Sri Krishna Balaram Temple promoted by International Society for Krishna Consciousness on N.H-5, Nayapalli are the exhibitions of the same ancient spirit in a modern form. The Krishna Balaram temple is beautifully designed and painted in sober colours with all in-built facilities available for devotees.

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HISTORY

The vaulting spires of temple dominate this city's skyline. At one time, more than 7000 temples of various sizes stood around Bindusagar tank in the old city. Today, only about 500 of them survive. The new city is studded with modern architecture,. Its towering government buildings, parks, state museum, university and Rabindra Mandap contrast with the monuments of the old city and occasionally echo their influence. 

They have an unique ornate Oriya style, which led to Rabindranath Tagore commenting: "At all places where the eye rests, and also at places where the eye does not rest, the busy chisel of the artist has worked incessantly. The abode of God has been enveloped by a variety of figures depicting the good and the evil, the great as well as the insignificant, the daily occurrences of human life...." 

In 1936, Orissa became a separate province with Cuttack as its capital. But the question of the final location of the capital of the new province gave rise to a number of options of places for selection. Due to its central location, high altitude, good communication, vast plateau like high uplands sloping to the sides, eco-friendly climate and above all deep-rooted historical significance with left out landmarks of architectures and sculptures, Bhubaneswar was finally decided to be the capital of Orissa. During the Chief Ministership of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, in 1948, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone of the new capital. In the same year the capital shifted from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. 

Bhubaneswar, the Temple City is a quintessence of the land of the past and the present that is Orissa. Once the capital of an ancient kingdom the city still reverberates with echoes of the past amidst its bustling modernity. Well known as the jewel of eastern India, Bhubaneswar city marks the merger of cultures of over two millennia. Here, the ancient town with its world famous temples exists side by side with the newly constructed capital, consisting of govt. & private offices and residences. Ancient temple spires loom majestically above new hotels and restaurants, as the city is slowly progressing towards an era of scientific development and progress. 
Bhubaneswar is today, poised on the brink of large-scale industrialization thereby competing with other major industrial towns of India. Besides its business connections, Bhubaneswar is an important destination for sightseers as tourists can easily arrange excursions from here to other parts of the state. Bhubaneswar is famous for its variety of handicrafts and sea foods. And surprisingly, Bhubaneswar is also one of the least expensive destinations in the entire country.
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COMMUNICATION TO BHUBANESWAR

TRAIN

TRAINING TIME IN BHUBANESWAR
   
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UP TRAIN

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AIR

FLIGHT TIMING [From Bhubaneswar] 
INDIAN AIRLINES

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SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BHUBANESWAR

Police Stations

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HOSPITALS

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 AMBULANCE 

RED CROSS                                   91 (674) 102/402005 
CAPITAL HOSPITAL                    91 (674) 400688 
MARWARI YUVA MANCHA      91 (674) 432700

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CINEMA HALLS

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CLUB

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PARKS

INDIRA PARK : - Sachibalaya Marg (Unit-II), Infront of Secretariate and close to old bus stand. Statue of Late P.M. Mrs. Indira Gandhi, fountains, lush green and flowers.

BDA NICO PARK :- Madhusudan Nagar, Near Regional College, this is the latest attraction of Bhubaneswar with modern games and boating facilities. It provides full fun and frolic.

EKAMRA KANAN :- IRC Village, Nayapalli, Spread over 512 acres of land. Lake, lush green, rose garden, cacti and nursery. Tel :- 453845/458332

IMFA RECREATION CENTRE : Sahid Nagar. Lush green, flowers, basket ball court.

NEHRU PARK :- Master Canteen Chowk, Lush green, trees and rocks.

FOREST PARK :- Forest Park, Near Capital Hostpital, Vast playing fields, trees, lush green.

SATSANDVIHAR PARK :- Satsang Vihar, Lush green, flowers.

NANDAN KANAN :- Regional Science Centre. Patia, Tel :- 416795, Regional Science Centre, Scientific games, Models and Park.

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