| Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa is known as | | | | (Queen's Cave), one of the largest and |
| the temple town due to its many temples in the | | | | double-storied, is ornately embellished with |
| extravagant Orissan architectural style. At one | | | | beautiful carvings. In the Hati Gumpha, King |
| time the Bindusagar tank had over 7000 temples | | | | Kharavela has carved out the chronicles of his |
| around it. Today there are about 500 but most of | | | | reign. |
| these are just decayed fragments. Perhaps a | | | | Chilka Lake |
| dozen are of real interest including the great | | | | Situated south of Puri, this 1,100 sq. km shallow |
| Lingaraj Temple, one of the most important | | | | lake is Asia's largest salt water lagoon and is |
| temples in India. | | | | separated from the sea only by a narrow sand |
| Places to see in Bhubaneswar: | | | | bar. The lake is peppered with many small rocky |
| Bhubaneswar, "The abode of the Lord of the | | | | islands and is a vast reserve for aquatic flora and |
| World" and the gateway to Orrisa, has slowly | | | | fauna. Hire a kayak and look for Irrawaddy |
| started to unbosom its mysteries for the past | | | | dolphins along with Siberian cranes or you can hike |
| few years. Tour around the splendid Lingaraj | | | | through the jungles to discover white sand |
| Temple, ancient Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves | | | | converging into blue water. |
| and enjoy a superb boating experience at the | | | | Brahmeswar |
| Chilka lake and Taptapani excursions. Once called | | | | About a km east of the main road, Brahmeswar |
| the Kalinga or Utkala, this city now boasts of cool | | | | Temple stands in a yard flanked by four smaller |
| avenues, upscale hotels, shopping malls and | | | | streets. The temple from the 9th century. Close |
| excellent dining out options. | | | | by a other temples which are not so great |
| Dhauli Giri | | | | interest. The Bhaskareswar unusual 'stepped' |
| Just 8 km away from Bhubaneswar looking down | | | | design in order to accommodate an unusually large |
| on the plains that bore witness to the gruesome | | | | (three metre) lingam it once contained. The |
| war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor | | | | Megheswar is in a courtyard and its shrine |
| Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli. It was | | | | entrance is topped by a figure. Beside it there is a |
| here that King Ashoka, full of remorse after the | | | | tank. |
| Kalinga War in 261 BC, renounced his blood-thirsty | | | | Museum |
| campaign and turned to Buddhism. Ashoka | | | | The museum is opposite the Hotel Ashok Kalinga |
| erected two main edicts in Kalinga, one in Dhauli | | | | and has an interesting collection relating to Orissan |
| and the other in Jayagarh. The principles of | | | | history, culture and architecture and to the |
| Ashoka which reflect his compassion were | | | | various Orissan tribes. The Tribal Research Bureau |
| inscribed on all the other edicts in his empire | | | | is also located here. The museum is open 10 am |
| except Kalinga. This is in sharp contrast to all of | | | | to 5 pm daily except Mondays. |
| his other edicts and proof of his political acumen. | | | | Ekamra Haat |
| The edicts are so remarkable that they have | | | | Located near the exhibition ground, this Haat is a |
| been excellently preserved, despite the fact that | | | | hub for tourists who are interested to get some |
| they date back to the 3rd century BC. | | | | stuff with Oriya touch along with their |
| Lingaraj Temple | | | | unforgettable memoirs. Ekamra Haat is |
| Dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and Shiv Linga, the | | | | aesthetically designed to create a relaxed |
| Lingaraj temple is one of Orrisa's famous temples, | | | | ambiance to browse through ethnic handlooms |
| notable for the symmetrical sculptures carved on | | | | and handicrafts from all over the country. The |
| its 45m high spire. The deity of Lingaraj is an | | | | walls are embellished with attractive terracotta |
| uncarved block of granite 8 feet in diameter | | | | sculptures and vibrant folk paintings. |
| raised 8 inches above the ground and is bathed | | | | How to Get There: |
| daily with milk, water and bhang (marijuana). Plan | | | | Air |
| your trip during March-April to enjoy the joyous | | | | Indian Airlines and many private airlines fly on |
| four-day chariot festival, when Lingaraj is drawn | | | | regular basis to Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar |
| on his chariot to Rameswara temple. | | | | Airport is 3 km from the city centre and almost |
| Bindusagar | | | | all the major cities are connected from here. |
| Bindusagar or "Ocean Drop" is a tank placed north | | | | Indian Airlines has flights to Delhi, Mumbai, |
| of the Lingaraj temple and is said to contain | | | | Kolkotta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and |
| water from every river, lake and holy stream of | | | | Varanasi. |
| India brought by Lord Shiva. Taking a bath here | | | | Rail |
| and drinking the water of this pool is said to cure | | | | Bhubaneswar also have good railway network |
| any disease of the stomach. A famous pilgrimage | | | | connecting it to major cities of India Kolkatta, Puri, |
| site for Indians, the tank is surrounded by | | | | Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and |
| numerous temples and shrines. The best time to | | | | Tirupati. |
| come here is around sunrise. | | | | Road |
| Khandagiri & Udayagiri | | | | The national highway no.5 touches this capital city. |
| The twin hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, 8 km | | | | The main bus stand is at Barmunda, 8 km from |
| from Bhubaneswar, served as the site of an | | | | the city centre. There are regular interstate bus |
| ancient Jain monastery which was carved into | | | | services from the nearby towns and cities. |
| cave like chambers in the face of the hill. Dating | | | | Inter-state bus services operate daily in between |
| back to the 2nd century BC, some of the caves | | | | Calcutta and Puri via Bhubaneswar and |
| have beautiful carvings. The Rani Gumpha | | | | Bhubaneswar-Tata Nagar. |