Bhubaneswar Tourism And Travel Guide

Bhubaneswar, popularly known as the ‘Temple City of India’, is the capital of the East Indian state Orissa and a busy metropolis that combines the city’s historical significance with a progressive modern culture that attracts thousands of visitors to this diverse region each year. The architecturally impressive temples of Bhubaneswar belong to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions; dotted over the entire city, they are responsible for driving majority of tourism in Bhubaneswar.

The name of Bhubaneswar has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Tribhuvaneswara’, one of the names for Lord Shiva, who is one of the most revered deities in Orissa and has numerous temples dedicated to his many forms. A number of other local attractions in Bhubaneswar make this city one of the top choices among all travelers visiting Orissa. Here is a brief travel guide to help you plan your next trip to Bhubaneswar.

By Air:

The Biju Patnaik International Airport is the only international terminal in Orissa, and connects Bhubaneswar to all major cities around the world through Air India flights. The domestic terminal in this airport operates numerous daily flights to other cities in Orissa as well. The airport is located 5 km away from the city centre.

By Rail: 

The Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the railhead that connects the capital to all major cities in the country and the rest of the state. It is located around 5 km away from the city centre, and has a number of trains like Puri Express, Howrah Mail, Rajdhani Express, and Coromandal Express that pass through this junction and operate on a daily basis.

By Road: 

The Baramunda Bus Station is the main terminal in the city, linking it to neighboring cities through regularly operating bus services, including public buses operated by the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC). Travelers can also choose to drive into the city through the good connectivity provided by the State Highways and National Highways.

Winter (October – February):

Winters are the ideal season to visit Bhubaneswar, when the temperature dips to a minimum of 7ᴼC on an average and afternoons that are pleasant and cool, making it the perfect time to venture outdoors and explore the city.

Summer (March – June):

Summers may not be the best time to visit Bhubaneswar; they can get scorching hot in the afternoons with maximum temperatures in the range of 40ᴼC-45ᴼC, along with high humidity. The evenings are relatively cooler and pleasant enough to move out and explore the city.

Monsoon (July – September): 

The rains experienced during monsoon in Bhubaneswar can best be described as torrential downpours that hinder all kinds of outdoor activities for tourists and even locals. However, the rains do provide considerable relief from the extreme heat of summers, bringing down the temperatures to an average of 25ᴼC-32ᴼC. 

Explore the Temples:

Bhubaneswar was once rumored to have thousands of temples; while that may not be completely true, there are still dozens of religious monuments here for history enthusiasts to explore. The Lingaraj Temple is the most visited, with other monuments like the Rajarani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, and the Parasurameshwar Temple being top favorites.

Visit the Museums:

Bhubaneswar also has a number of museums worth visiting that provide a glimpse into the traditions and culture of the ancient city, making them an important part of the Bhubaneswar’s heritage. Places like the Odisha State Museum offer some amazing displays of archaeological treasures from previous eras; the Museum of Tribal Arts is the perfect place to discover more about the native tribal communities of Orissa; and the Regional Museum of Natural History boasts of an impressive collection of rare and extinct animals, unique plants and a plethora of information on the geology of the city.

Family Outings to the Parks:

A variety of lush and beautiful parks are one of Bhubaneswar’s main attractions. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Park is a popular park dedicated to its namesake Subhash Chandra Bose, the great freedom fighter. It has stretches of lovely gardens and fountains, with open play areas for kids and peaceful locations for meditation and yoga practices. The Indira Gandhi Park has a significant political history, being the last place to be addressed by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi before she was assassinated. The park has rich vegetation with beautiful flower beds, and is the perfect place to enjoy picnics as well. 

Celebrate Festivals with the Locals: 

Much like other religiously important cities in Orissa, Bhubaneswar has its own share of grand celebrations that are associated with the locally revered deities. Ashokashtami is celebrated in the month of March wherein the image of Lingaraja is driven from the Lingaraja Temple to the Rameshwara Temple in an event that witnesses participation from thousands of devotees. The Adivasi Mela, Makar Mela and Maghe Mela are all celebrated in the month of January, marking this month as one of the best times to visit Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar is a great place to shop for locally handmade products that are native to the land of Orissa. Hand woven textiles are traditionally an important part of Bhubaneswar’s trade, especially appliqué work, which is locally known as Chandua; do not forget to check out the Ikkat fabric as well. These fabrics can be made into sarees and kurtas and are definitely worth a purchase.  

Handcrafted items are also sold in the form of silver ornaments, metal carvings known as Dhokra, and the famous Odisi art of Tarakashi or silver filigree work. The Pattachitra paintings and palm-leaf paintings are also the native artwork of this state, and make for some amazing souvenirs and gifts. Some of the best places to shop all the amazing goods mentioned above Ekamra Haat, Shahid Nagar Market, Haryana Handlooms, and Konark Wood Products.

One of the defining features of a popular city is the kind of eateries and restaurants it boasts, and Bhubaneswar doesn’t disappoint. For the best kind of local Oriya cuisine, give Kanika Restaurant, Dalma Restaurant, and Odisha Hotel a try. Vegetarian cuisine can be best experienced at Truptee Restaurant and the Hare Krishna Restaurant (which also doesn’t use onion or garlic in their food). Head over to Silver Streak for finger-licking Chinese cuisine.