BHUBANESWAR

• “The Lord of the Universe” is studded with hundreds of temples.
• The “Temple City” or the “Cathedral City” of India.
• Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj' is an important Hindu pilgrimage center.
• Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples.
• Ancient capital of the Kalinga Empire is today the modern capital of Orissa.
• Bhubaneswar makes an ideal tourist Destination.

Lingaraja Temple:

• 11^th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, as Lingaraja is the culmination of Orissa style of temple architecture.
• The temple set in a walled compound is noted for its imposing 54 meters high spire, dominating the skyline of the town.
• The main sanctum surrounded by about 150 subsidiary shrines has a unique ‘Hari Hara Lingam’ half Shiva and half Vishnu.
• Unfortunately, they cannot be visited by Non-Hindus.

Raja Rani Temple:

• Beautiful 11^th century shrine amidst a well laid out garden is graced by erotic carvings.
• Finest Orissan temple sculptures.
• This is related to the lovely Red-and-Gold sandstone used in its construction, a stone which is known locally as ‘Raja Rani’.

Parasuramesvera Temple:

• Built around 650 A.D. in classical style is the city’s oldest surviving temple.
• Sculptural decoration occurs inside stone 'frames' which are vaguely horseshoe-shaped.
• Related to the chaitya arches of early Buddhist rock monasteries.
• Images of the different deities, illustrate the permeability of divinity in India.

Mukteswar Temple:

• 10^th century shrine regarded as the ‘Gem of Orissan architecture’ bridges the early.
• Later phases of the Kalinga School of architecture.
• Mukteswara's own stunningly beautiful gateway was strongly based on this earlier example.

Vaital Temple:

• Temple built in 800 A.D. was used mainly for tantric worship, which centered on Shakti worship.
• A ‘four faced’ linga with unusual carvings is set in front of the entrance to the sanctum.
• First erotic sculptures known in Orissan art are found here.

Handicrafts Museum:

• There is verity collection of Orissan handicrafts.
• A rich variety of Orissan handicrafts – stone sculpture, patta paintings, horn toys and silver filigree etc. are displayed here.

Orissa State Museum:

• Exhibits a fine collection of sculpture, coins, copper plates, stone inscriptions, armours, rare palm-leaf manuscripts, Bronze Age tools, natural history, geological objects, paintings, anthropological specimens and traditional folk and musical instruments etc.

Cactus Garden:

• Near ‘Ekamara Kanan’ has a large collection of Cactii and is a worth visiting site.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS:

Shiva Ratri:

• Shiva Ratri is associated with various traditions and customs.
• Devotees observe strict fast on this day and don’t consume anything including drop of water and many go on a diet of fruits and milk.
• Especially women who observe fast with a great religious feeling.
• Married women pray for the wellbeing of their husband while unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.
• It happens generally month February / March.

Rama Navami:

• Birthday of Lord Rama is observed as Ramanavami on the ninth day of the light half of the month of Chaitra (March / April)
• Widely celebrated by the performances of Ram Leela (the sport of Rama) based on the famous epic Ramayana.

SHOPPING:

• Traditional fabrics especially kat fabrics.
• Handcrafted wooden items.
• Stone sculptures of Gods and Goddess.

AROUND BHUBANESWAR:

Dhauli:

• Historic site is located on the Puri – Konark highway 12 kms from Bhubaneswar city center.
• Across Dhauli hill on the banks of river Daya.
• 3^rd century B.C. Ashokan Rock Edicts, on the foot of the hill indicate that the great ‘Kalinga War’ was fought here.
• Bloody war transformed emperor Ashoka, who renounced his blood thirsty campaign and embraced Buddhism.
• Buddhist Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) was established on the opposite hill in the early seventies by the Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha.

Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves:

• 8 kms from Bhubaneswar.
• Rock-cut caves at the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri were the ancient Jain monasteries.
• One of the most important Orissan historical monuments.
• Caves dating back 2^nd century B.C. were carved out by the first known Orissan ruler, Kharavela.
• As we approach the site, Khandagiri, with its 15 caves will be on the left, Udaygiri, with its 18 caves will be on the right.
• All of the caves are small, and follow the natural configurations of the 'living rock'.
• The spaces are filled with animal, human, divine personages and decorative details, showing at an early stage the love of the Odishan artist for richly elaborated scenes.

Atri Hot Spring:

• 42 kms from Bhubaneswar.
• Well known for the hot sulphur water spring and the temple of Lord Hatakeswar.
• Located in a village called Atri.
• The hot spring temperature is around 55 degree Celsius.
• Spring water is considered very pious and fulfills people wishes.

Nandan Kanan Zoo:

• Beautiful zoo 20 kms from Bhubaneswar city center.
• Carved out of the Chandaka forest is perhaps the finest in the country.
• Animals are kept in their natural habitat.
• A centrally located lake divides the Zoo from the Botanical Gardens.
• Migratory birds during winter time.
• White tiger safari with ropeway and toy train.
• Country’s largest lion safari park.

CUTTACK:

• 30 kms from Bhubaneswar.
• Cuttack is said to be founded by Nripati Kesari (920-935).
• One of the oldest towns in Orissa.
• It lies at the head of the Mahanadi delta and is virtually an island surrounded by the great river its tributary, the Kathajuri.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF CUTTACK:

Durga Puja:

• Earliest Durga Puja was reportedly held in the Kazi Baza r area of the city in 1832 by both Odias and Bengalis.
• Images of the ten armed goddess are worshipped in the pandals erected specially for the Puja.
• After four days ceremony, these images are immersed in the river.
• It happens generally month of October / November.

Paradeep:

• 94 kms from Bhubaneswar.
• Paradeep Port is the only Major Port in the State of Orissa.
• Fine beach resort.

Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri:

• Ratnagiri is 70 kms. Lalitgiri is 55 kms and Udayagiri is 60 kms. from Cuttack.
• Three hills have ruins of a remarkable Buddhist complex.
• Hieun-T’sang, the Chinese pilgrim found it to be the seat of a flourishing Buddhist University called “Puspagiti”.
• Extensive ruins of brick pagodas, sculptured stone portals.
• Esoteric Buddhist images have been excavated from here.