Bhubaneshwar is a rural Indian city with a delightful blend of ancient temples and modern buildings, multi-storied buildings.

The existence of Jains and Buddhist Shrines in and around Bhubaneshwar gives a clear indication as to the antiquity of these temples, dating to the first two centuries B.C. Just five miles to the southwest of the city, one comes across the rock-edicts of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, dating between 272-236 B.C. The excavations carried out show that a city "Sisupalgarh", which was surrounded by a moat, was inhabited from the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. to the middle of the 4th century A.D.

Some of the important temples in and around Bhubaneshwar are the famous Lingaraj Mandir, Vaital Mandir, Parsurameswar Mandir, Mukteswar, Siddeswar and Kedargauri Mandir, Raja-Rani Mandir, the Brahmeswar Mandir (temple) etc. to name a few. Most of these temples are situated in the old town. All the major temples are within a radius of 5km by 2 km, this one see them all at one go on foot. The other option being to take a rickshaw or a taxi.

Lingraj Temple
This 11th century temple is considered to be the ultimate in Orissa’s temple architecture. The temple is dedicated to "Tri Bhubaneshwar", or Lord of the three worlds also known as Bhubaneshwar. The granite block representing "Tri Bhubaneshwar" is bathed daily with water, milk and Bhang (Marijuana).

A huge wall encloses the temple complex. The complex has about 100 small shrines. The temple compound is about 150-sq. mts. and is dominated by the 54m high tower (known locally as Sri Mandir). There are four main buildings in the temple compound, in addition to the numerous small subsidiary shrines to the left of the Symmetrically pillared hall of the "Jagamohan", then the Nata Mandir (dance temple) and finally the "Bhoga Mandir" (hall of offering to the Lord). These temples were added in parts during various ages, the oldest being 1,400 years old and some are dated 1090 to 1104.

The unique "Vimana" (Curvilinear tower) built without mortar, soars to a height of 147 ft. The amla head of this majestic tower is supported by four mythical gryphons, surmounted by the pot shaped pinnacle, in turn carrying the trident of Shiva. The small chamber housing the deity is under 6 sq. mts. It has no ceiling but the top of the sanctuary tower acts as its capped top. On each of the four sides one can see the carving carved sculpture of a lion crushing an elephant.

Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. A viewing platform is constructed outside the temple for the non-Hindus to get a birds eye-view of the temple.

There is an annual chariot festival in the temple in April on the 8th day of the waking moon in the month of "Chaitra". Festivities continue for four days.

The tribal fair held in January off gives an opportunity for one to see excellent tribal performances and crafts exhibition.

BINDUSAGAR
The Bindusagar temple is just north of the Lingaraj temple. It is believed that the tank water here contains water from easy holy stream, tank and pool in India. It is believed by the devout that a dip in the holy tank at Bindusagar washes away all the sins. There are numerous small shrines scattered around the temple tank. The towns on some of the shrines are a poor imitation of the ones found at the Lingaraj temple. Once a year the Lingaraj temple deity is brought out for the ritual bath in the centre of the tank.

ORISSA STATE MUSEUM
The Museum is in Gautam Nagar opposite the hotel Kalinga Ashok. The collections includes archaeological exhibit of stone inscription and tools, rich collection of ancient and rare palm-leaf manuscripts, tribal portraits, copper plates, coins, traditional and folk musical instruments, tools of the bronze age, an armory and an interesting display of Orissan tribal anthropology.

TIMINGS AND ENTRY FEE

The museum's open on 1000-1700hrs. It is closed on Monday and other government holiday’s entry fee is Re.1/-.

One needs 1- 2hrs to browse in this museum.

TRIBAL RESEARCH CENTRE
This centre is primarily an anthropological research centre, though visitors are welcomed. Here one can see the collections of tribal dresses, weapons and jewellery. Outside one can see the display of various houses of Orissan Adivasis or tribal, including the Santal, Juang, Godaba, Saora and kondh. Here, one gets to learn about the culture and crafts of Orissa's 62 tribes.

TIMINGS AND HOLIDAYS
The research centre is open everyday except Sunday, from 10 A.M. to 5.P.M. Buses between the new bus station and center of the town pass by museum, which is on CRP sq. northwest of the Town.

HANDICRAFT MUSEUM
The handicraft museum is on Secretariat road. There, one can see large collection of traditional art and crafts-brass and hornware, toys, silver filigree boxes and items, stone sculptures and patta-chitras.

TIMINGS AND HOLIDAYS:
This museum opens from1000hrs to 1700 hrs. It is closed on Sunday.

UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGIR CAVES
These caves are 6 kilometers south of the new bus-stand in Bhubneswar. Here one comes across two hills facing each other across the road. It is here that many richly ornately carved caves are ensconced. Most of these all thought to have been chiseled out for the Jains ascetics, who had renounced the world to meditate in peace and do austere penance. They probably belong to the 1^st century B.C

TIMINGS, ENTRY AND ROUTE
These caves are open from 8A.M to 6 P.M. The entry fee is Rs.5. There is a government owned restaurant and teashops nearby.

There are no direct buses going to these caves but one can avail of plenty of buses passing the nearby junction on the main Calcutta Chennai highway. If one wants to go directly to the caves then one can hire an autorickshaw or a taxi from Bhubaneshwar.

Ekamra Kanan
In the north of the town at Nayapally the government has opened a new botanical research and conservation centre on a 200-hectare site. Here one can see a rose garden, lush green lawns, various varieties of cacti & plants, woods and flower bedecked flower beds and a large lake which attracts migratory birds.

Bhubaneshwar is well connected by rail, road and air. One can take any of the three options to reach Bhubaneshwar.

Bhubaneshwar Airport is about 5 km from the town. Indian Airlines operates flights to Bhubaneshwar from Delhi, Calcutta and Hyderabad.

Bhubaneshwar is on the Calcutta to Hyderabad/Chennai Railway line. The train journey from Hyderabad takes 20 hrs, from Chennai 25 hrs and from Calcutta 8 hrs to reach Bhubaneshwar.