Bhuvaneswar: The Temple City of India

Posted by Shaheen Shaikh on July 4th, 2018

Whenever I am asked for travel recommendations, Bhuvaneswar is always comes to my mind. With over a thousand temples, the city is rightfully known as the Temple City of India. It is a great holiday destination for Delhiites, not only because of its less extreme climate but also for its completely different culture. And, these days it is easy to travel there too with regular Delhi to Bhuvaneswar flights available.

Bhuvaneswar is home to several heritage sites, from the breathtaking Kalingan temples to sacred cultural landscapes. This city truly has a lot to offer.

1.   Relive History at the Odisha State Museum

Established in 1948, this museum is home to the story of Odisha dating back to the 3^rd century BCE or even earlier. It retraces the footsteps of the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. Only 8 km from Bhuvaneswar is the site of the well-known Kaliga War, in which Ashoka invaded and took over the Kalinga kingdom. One of the 33 inscriptions of the great Emperor can also be found in this beautiful city.

2. The Garden of Heaven (Especially for Animal Lovers)

Amidst the beauty of nature, the Nandankanan Zoological Park is found in the vicinity of Kanjia Lake. Unlike most other zoos, Nandankanan is built right inside a forest. It houses and protects the endangered white tiger, Sangal lion-tailed macaque, Indian pangolin, and countless other birds, reptiles and fish. It also is home to the majestic Asiatic lion, which you can see on a fun-filled lion safari.

3. The Swarna Tribhuja

Consisting of Bhuvaneswar, Puri and Konark, the Golden Triangle is one of the main tourist attractions of eastern India and for good reason. Whether it is the fun loving kids wanting to enjoy a day at the beach or the grandparents' desires to dive deeper into the architectural wonders of the magnificent temples, the temples of Bhuvaneswar is a prime spot for everyone in the family.  

4.   Melting Pot of Cultures

Every culture, from that of Hinduism to Buddhism and even Jainism, can be experienced in just one place. The Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain caves, the oldest rock cut caves, are reminiscent of the influence of Buddhism and Jainism in Odisha. The Sun Temple, on the other hand, is dedicated to the Hindu God, Surya, where the stones speak a language of their own.

Bhuvaneswar, a city named after Lord Shiva himself, does have a temple dedicated to this deity too. The Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest temples and words cannot justify its beauty.

There is no place like Bhuvaneswar to cater to each and every aspect of an educational yet fun-filled holiday. So, book your Delhi to Bhubaneswar flights ASAP!