Our #XloreBharat train is exploring every corner of the country. It started off on 1st February at Wagha border with gusto. Yesterday the train reached Vishakhapatnam with Anupriya. Today let’s explore Ekamra Kshetra and “Temple city of India”, Bhubaneswar.
Welcome to Odisha, the soul of Incredible India. Odisha is not the place usually people keep in their bucket list. It is one of the most underrated travel destinations of India. One can witness a mix of ancient trails with the modern culture around Bhubaneswar. The city has lived through the rising and fall of many dynasties. Though formally the city was established post-independence in 1948. It is one of modern India’s first planned cities designed by Otto Königsberger and replaced Cuttack as the capital of the state. Being an Odia I do boast proudly that Bhubaneswar topped the smart city list in India. Let’s discover Bhubaneswar now, I have spent 4 years of my graduation here. Bhubaneswar attracts tourists for the white peace pagoda at Dhauligiri, twin caves at Khandagiri-Udayagiri showcasing the life of Jain monks, Nandankanan zoological park and few famous temples.
Explore Bhubaneshwar
We Odias are known for our love for food and we start our day with a hearty breakfast. One just can’t feel the city without rejoicing the street food. Dalma (Odia cuisine) with chakuli or puri near Ram Mandir, Unit 9 as breakfast is much relished by locals.
Let’s take a walk around the Ekamra heritage walk path witnessing the ancient and spiritual side of the city.
Ekamra heritage walk
There are around 9 eminent temples located around Bindusagar lake. The walk perimeter can take one through the city’s architectural treasures and ancient glory. The stride will take us to another era. Every Sunday at 6:30 AM free guided heritage walks are conducted to retell the stories of place. It starts at Mukteswar temple. During weekdays and Saturday, one can explore the temples hopping hand-pulled rickshaw too.
Mukteswar temple
Built around 10th century Mukteswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Lord who can bestow freedom. It is one of the best-known temples for its exquisite sculpture and grandeur. The plan is the “Gem of Kalinga Architecture”. It has a distinctive element of early temples like two-tier structure, which can be seen in the decorated Torana archway, interior ceiling and more. A small well, known as Marichi Kund, lies in the vicinity, the water of which is believed to cure infertility of women. On the door frame of the well is a seated figure of Lakulisa, surrounded by four disciples.
Picture credit: Himadri
The Mukteswar Dance Festival, a much-awaited three-day annual festival of Odissi dance, is hosted in the premises between the 14th and 16th of January. It is organized by Odisha Tourism and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Lingaraj temple
Lingaraj temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar and the largest-tallest as well. It represents the quintessence of the Kalinga Architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition. Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Hari-Hara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. There is a viewing platform that was originally erected for Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India (1899 -1905).
Picture credits: Wikimedia
The temple was built by two dynasties. Few parts of the temple date back to 6th century and rest were completed many later centuries. The structure speaks out the history of rising of Jagannath sect into dominance including the devadasi system. This temple is unique as Bela leaves and Tulsi both are used in worship.
Parasurameswar temple
Another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered the best-preserved specimen of early Orissan architecture. It is believed that the structure dates back to 500 CE. Parashurameshvara Temple, along with Rajarani Temple and Vaitala Deula, substantiates the existence of the Devadasi tradition during the 7th and 8th centuries CE. Parasurameswara Temple served as an important landmark in the evolution of Kalinga School of Temple Architecture which gained perfection over centuries of evolution of which reached its zenith with the Sun Temple of Konark many centuries later.
Picture credits: Saurabh
Ananta Basudeva temple
This temple is unique as it is the only Vishnu temple, that was built during the golden age of temple architecture in Bhubaneswar. It resembles the Lingaraj temple in form but it has Vaishnav carvings. The presiding deity, Lord Krishna accompanied by Lord Balaram and Goddess Subhadra are similar in concept to the Jagannath temple in Puri. As Vishnu is considered most human-like of all gods, he is served food multiple times.
Picture credit: Wikimedia
If it’s almost lunchtime, then we can relish the temple cuisine here. The maha-prasad is just like Chappanna Bhog prepared at Jagannath temple, Puri and totally lip-smacking. I can swear by.
Other prominent temples in the vicinity are Kotitirtheswar, Gouri Shankar, Sari Deula, Chitrakarini, and Vaitala Deula. Also, Ekamravan, a medicinal plant garden is located nearby. Fresh air and chanting hymns and bells bring out inner peace.
When we are in the city during summer Lingaraj lassi at Shahid Nagar is a must-try. It is different than Amritsar ones. Since teen days I was so used to have the lassi in this way, that when I moved to other places, I missed it a lot. However, they sell for 8 months a year starting from Mahashivratri in February till the last day of Dussehra in October.
Related – “Aurangabad in two days“
If unfortunately, you missed temple feast at Ananta Basudeva, try pakhal (fragmented rice) for lunch during summers. Else, dalma tastes great with rice too. For snack one must try ghugooni-bara or aloo dum-dahibara (Odia cuisine). Meals never end without desserts and the city offers Pahala rasagulla, Chennapoda, pitha, Korakha, Chena gajja, malpua, Khirasagara, Khirsapani, the list goes on.
To spend the evening, we can shop in flea bazaars around the market building, Unit 1 and Janpath. To purchase famous Sambalpuri sarees you can visit Bastralaya at Mancheshwar or Boyanika.
I hope you saw the serene, spiritual, green and culturally rich Bhubaneswar. Also enjoyed the local food here. I wish I could take you out to see more temples, pagoda, caves, and fort. Maybe next time we can do that as sadly visiting all in a day won’t be possible.
The next stop of this #XploreBharat Blog Train is Machilipatnam by Suhasini.
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I have been to Puri and Konark in Odisha, and realise that it really has some cultural treasures. Bhubaneshwar and a couple of other beach destinations are on my bucket list for short trips from kolkata. Waiting for the summer vacations to get started.
A Brilliant article!! it’s a beautiful place!
It’s indeed a city to be proud of! Your detailed views and descriptions of these give us a beautiful picture of the temples and attractions here.
I am floored with the way you have captured the essence of Bhubaneshwar. This temple city is so unique and a world in itself. Each picture and the details you shared left an impression. The small details of how Lord Shiva and Vishnu are worshipped as Hari-Hara at Lingaraja Temple; how the Belpatras and Tulsi both are used for worshipping there, touched my heart. Absolutely heartwarming for me. Amazing pictures. Loved the post. Thank you for introducing Bhubaneshwar to me.
#readbypreetispanorama
Beautiful post. Would like to visit Bhubaneshwar someday. Thanks for exploring this part of Bharat
Thanks for reading
OMG.. I didnt know heritage there is so rich.. would love to visit sometime
Do plan a trip Misha 🙂
I am from Bhubaneswar and it’s a beautiful city with loads of historical places.. Thanks for featuring my city..
I didn’t knew that Snigdha! Yay.
Brilliant post. I love Bhubaneswar city. It is really a beautiful city with historical value.
Indeed! Thanks for reading
I have visited the Lingaraj temple it’s gorgeous and the chappan blog I had at Jagannath temple was delicious. I still remember the giant malpua.
This is such a heart warming and inspiring blog train, I am loving reading it every bit
We visited Bhuvanshwar last year and it was such a clean city with so many temples. It was lovely there.
Wow that’s awesome..bubhaneshwar is still on my list.. going to visit soon
I have been to this place when I was a kid and I still remember it. Such a beautiful place to visit.
Bhubaneshwar looks like a Temple town! I loved the architecture and the beautiful and towering shikhar of the temples. Will definitely be visiting it soon.
I would love to visit this place after reading your post. My in-laws who love to explore different temples and pilgrimages have been there and they also said some nice things about Bhubaneshwar
That is a very nicely written post intricated with every detail possible. I love visiting Bhubaneswar, it blows away my soul.
Much informative post. Bhubneshwar is a beautiful city. Wish to get the chance to visit there in future. Your post will be really helpful at that time. Thank you
Great Post! I have been to Bhubneshwar long back as a kid with my parents and this post just took me back in time
Beautiful city and look we never noticed these temples before, thanks for this wonderful article.
Bhuvaneshwar is so beautiful. You are lucky to have spent four years of your life here. I would like to visit Lingaraj Temple sometime in future.
I’ve been to Orissa but never visited Bhubaneswar. The architecture is quite impressive. Would like to visit someday for sure.
Maybe I can host you then. Do plan sometime Varsh 🙂
Wow! Very detailed post.Everything described very nicely. Good job!
Thanks for reading Deepika
Superb, if someone wants to visit Bhubaneswar he must read this post, the reason is, very few people knows that, there is much more to visit in the Bhubaneswar and around the Bhubaneswar, and your post is giving all the details about it
Thanks for your kind words Rajesh.
nice detailed post… that food melts my foodie soul.
Thanks for reading.
That’s a wonderful write up and I would love to visit it. Am even more tempted after reading this post!
Do plan a visit Prerna. You would love the city
I have been to Puri in 2017. From there, we hired a car to visit some of the tourist hotspots in Bhubaneshwar. Seems we missed a few. But I loved the city.
Maybe you should plan another trip sometime. Thank you for sharing your experience
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Honestly I never thought of keeping bhubaneswar in my travel list but you have given me new goal.I was wanting to go to an less explored place this year and you gave me the ans.wonderful .
Thank you. Odisha is mystery for Travellers. Bhubaneswar will pleasantly surprise you each time you visit there.
I have a special connection with this city and will take it to my grave. Have almost visited all the temples in the city. Nice post with nice clicks.
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I just visited Bhubaneshwar a couple of months back and I must say I am mighty impressed with the way the city has developed. But your post provided a unique angle in terms of history and culture. Very well written.
Modern Bhubaneswar is easy to appreciate. The older surviving one needs more recognition. Thanks for stopping by Sonia🙏
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Love the details in the post, I guess for a new person in bhubaneshwar, it would be most handy. Have heard of dhaulagiri and of course the jagannath temple as in Ahmedabad also we have jagannath temple and its own rathyatra which is much respected. Have heard A lot àbout temple food. Thanks for the illuminating post.
Thank you. Jagannath cult became popular last century.
Beauty! I loved the pictures. Moreover the way you covered each and every temple with beautiful narration. Maha Prasada in ANANTA BASUDEVA TEMPLE looks so devine. Ufff #xplorebharat is making my bucket list bigger and bigger. Thanks for taking us through a memarizing vertual journey.
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Sanjota I wanted to add more yaar. Creme places are left out, just covered few lesser known one. Thanks for reading. 🙂
What a brilliantly penned post, vividly decsribed. Amazing pics, seems so rich architecture. Loved reading this.
Glad you liked it. Thank you Vartika!
I would definitely like to do the heritage walk around the Bindusagar lake and visit tge temples. You have described the details of the deities associated with the temples which made great reading. A very informative and interesting post. Kudos!
Thank you Jai. I will insist to visit the place on Sunday morning and join the guided walk. It would great insight
So much of history related to the place. It helped me recall some already read facts about Bhuvaneshwar. And the food part is always so fascinating 😀.
How cool is that Maya. History of these places are not thought by many. Since deities are worshiped so people go in mass. Haha we have a tradition of death by food 😂😂
Thinking where to go in the upcoming holidays…May be i should choose Orissa now
Yay! Do that. Maybe I will tempt you little more in my next post.
Good..Thank you
Beautiful post complete with adorable pics. Thanks for the virtual tour of Odisha;
I really want to visit some day!
Odisha would surprise you. Do plan a trip there
What a beautiful walk this was… And thanks for the info on food…I havent heard much about odiya cuisine…I am planning to visit Puri next month will try all these out…
Esha when you are in Puri try Shera/malai roll near temple. You would love it
The pictures of the temples are so beautiful! The sight of the prasad is making my mouth water.I really wish to visit Bhubhaneshwar soon, it is one of the Dham’s and I am a big Krishna devotee.
Jagannath dham Puri is nearby Bhubaneswar and it’s mahaprasad is also amazing beyond words. A special drink there is tanka-torani. Must try
Brilliant post! Have always wanted to visit Bubhaneshwar. All the more eager now!
Thank you for your kind words Vijayalakhmi. Do visit the city sometime