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Things to Do in Bhubaneswar

Ramachandi Beach Bhubaneswar

Located on the confluence of River Kushabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi Beach is one of the best tourist places in Bhubaneswar for nature lovers. It is named after Goddess Ramchandi, the main deity in Konark and also known as the consort of Sun God. Believed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in India, it offers some gorgeous sunsets and sunrise views for the tourists. The beach offers many tranquil moments for the tourists to soak in the sunshine and appreciate the glittering sands all around you. When you are here, you will forget all the worries hovering over your mind and enjoy the little moments of peace all by yourself.

The splendid beach attracts many couples, college goers and regular tourists to admire its shining blue waters, white sand on the beach fringed by long palm trees. The pristine beach has the advantage of being away from the knowledge of many tourists and blessed with gentle waves of the ocean. Located 65 kms away from Bhubaneswar, this beach calls everyone to take a break and admire the ferocious beauty of nature. The major activities which you can enjoy here are water activities like motorboating, scuba diving, jet skiing, water skiing, etc.

Location: Ramachandi Beach, Odisha

Best time to visit: September and October

Udayagiri And Khandagiri

The name of the two caves, comes mainly from their location on the hills with the respective names. Located across a road, the two caves literally stand facing each other. They are believed to have been carved out as residential accommodation for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udaygiri, popular as the sunrise hill, has 18 caves, while Khandagiri has 15. These caves mingle between religious and historical relevance in their time, with many of them depicting deities and idols of different gods.

These caves, which date back to the first century, provide visible evidence and insight into the Jain aesthetics. More precisely, these caves depict epic court scenes, royal processions and leisure of the era, through motifs and engravings, which are stark and unique in every sense, which is why it is one of the most popular Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar.

Location: Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751030

Price: Indians – Rs 20; Foreigners – Rs 200

Timing: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Lingaraj Temple

Perpetually, one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneshwar, the Lingaraj temple happens to be one of the largest temples in the city. Built in the 7th century, the temple is religiously dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is the only one to display the phallic form of Lord Shiva, believed to have appeared naturally at this spot. The linga stands as high as 8 inches, unlike any other lingas that are known to exist in temples around India.

The temple gives an insight into the Odissi style of architecture, built precariously with stone vaults that mount over the main structure. Following the rituals and cultures handed down over the years, the temple allows entry only to Hindus. During the festival of Mahashivratri, the entire temple precinct is adorned with flowers and lights to commemorate the occasion. While the temple receives a footfall of almost 6000 visitors on a daily basis, it can go up to 2 lakh during major events.

Location: Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Rajarani Temple

While historians have been unable to agree on a definite time during which this temple was constructed, it is believed to have been built between the 11th and 12th century, surprisingly, with no deity or idol at its centre. Even then, the temple garners tourist attraction for its notable sculptures, most of which are well preserved on its walls till date.

On a close inspection, one can observe scenes of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and their marriage along with several other depictions of nayikas, holding a tree branch, fondling a child, playing an instrument, taking off an anklet and more. Several erotic images in the high relief projections of the walls can also be observed.

Location: Tankapani Road, near BOI ATM, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Rajarani Colony, Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: Indians: Rs 15, Foreigners: Rs 200, No entry fee for children below 15 years

Timing: 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Parashurameshvara Temple

This temple happens to be one of those places to visit in Bhubaneswar where you witness the marvel of historic architecture and religion, amalgamated together in the form of a structure that invokes curiosity and interest in equal measures. The architecture of the temple blows hints of Nagara style and Kalingan style, perhaps when it was still in its infancy. The name of the temple is derived from the penance of Parasuram, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva.

The temple celebrates Parasuramatami during the months of Ashadha, or June – July, during which the idol of Lord Lingaraj is taken to the temple for a feast. The Mukteswara temple and Lingaraj temple, both of which are some of the best places to see in Bhubaneshwar, lie in close concurrence to the temple.

Location: near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Mukteswara Temple

Revered as one of the popular Places to see in Bhubaneshwar, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in principle. Built along the Kalinga style of architecture, the beautiful carvings around the temple and the sheer magnitude of its sculptural work is a beauty to witness while you are here. The temple dates back to the 10th century and owns the title for being the ‘gem of Odisha’.

The mammoth structure of the temple rises 35 feet in height, built entirely out of sandstone. Traditionally, the word ‘Mukteswara’ is suggestive of a lord that brings freedom through Yoga, which can be expedited from the images that embrace the walls of this temple. The eastern part of the temple is known to have a built in a corner, and it is believed that taking a dip in the water of the well cures infertility.

Location: Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751019

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Shanti Stupa

Owning the formal name of DhauliGiri Shanti Stupa, this is a Buddhist structure, built in 1972. It is the architectural excellence of this structure that makes it one of the best Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. The peace pagoda was built as a result of an Indo Japanese collaboration. The dome-like structure on top of the stupa is believed to be adorned with ‘speaking’ stone panels.

Some of the main stone panels here bear the images of Buddha, an elephant procession, and the footprints of Buddha. If the legend is to be believed, the renowned Emperor Ashoka renounced war by offering his sword to Lord Buddha here at Dhaula Giri. Visitors can hire local vehicles or rented cabs to get to the peace pagoda.

Location: Shanti Jan Path | Dhauligiri, Bhubaneswar 751001, India

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Bhaskar Eswaran Temple

Famed for its stupendous architecture, Bhaskarswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Bhaskarswar here. The temple was built by the rulers of Ganga dynasty in the 12th century depicting a rath of Lord Jagannath. One of the astounding features of the temple is the nine feet tall Lingam where it is said that the soldiers prayed to lord Shiva for victory in situations of war.

It is also said that the pillar is one of the remnants of the Ashokan pillar. Built on five projecting piers called pancharatha, the temple has the deule (Sanctum sanctorum)” and often known as the ‘pidha deula’ (steeped pyramidal sanctum). The ancient temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha and hailed as one of the popular religious tourist places in Bhubaneshwar. The temple is built in two stories and much revered by the locals. The temple enthralls all the art lovers with motifs like Pidha mundi and Khakhara mundi. The temple has its mention in the holy texts of Vrihalingam and is often supposed to be resembling a Buddhist stupa.

Location: Tankapani Road, Badagada Brit Colony, Pandav Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751018

Timing: 6 AM TO 6 PM

Nandankanan Zoological Park

The Nandankanan Zoological Park is one of the premier zoos in India, making it one of the most interesting Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. The zoo is set in a completely natural environment, built right within a forest. The zoo offers multiple entertainment facilities like lion safari, boating and cable car.

Those with a penchant for nature and animals will love this encounter with the wilderness. Popular for its white tiger and a sprawling variety of mammals, reptiles and birds, the zoo is surrounded with lush greenery. Adding to the adventure is a fascinating lake with scope for boating. Located amidst the Chandaka forest, you will also be able to view an exotic variety of flora within the zoo.

Location: Nandankanan Rd, Near Police Station, Barang, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 754005

Price: Adult (More than 12 years of age) - 50

Child (3 to 12 years) - 10
Foreign Nationals - 100
Free for children below 3 years of age

Timing: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Closed on Monday

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Bindu Sarovar

Located to the North of the famous Lingaraj temple, Bindu Sarover is regarded as a sacred lake and a one of the popular Places to see in Bhubaneshwar. Today, it has become a common spot for locals and tourists to come for sightseeing and relaxation. The sarover is wrapped around the architectural brilliance of several temples and shrines, marking this water body, which happens to be the largest in Bhubaneshwar.

Legend has it that the lake was created by the holy water that Lord Shiva brought for Goddess Parvati, to quench her thirst. It thus follows that taking a dip in the waters of this lake can rid a person of his sins and diseases. In modern terms, the lake is popular as the Ocean drop tank, 1300 feet long and 700 feet wide in area. During the annual car festival, the deity from Lingaraja temple is brought to this lake for a bath.

Location: Near Saraswati Bridge on Highway - Old Town, Bhubaneswar 751002, India

Price: No entry fee

Timing: Open all day

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Odisha State Museum

The Odisha State museum is the brainchild of Prof NC Banerjee and Prof Ghanshyam Dash, two eminent historians hailing from Ravenshaw College. You will require at least two hours to take a round of the museum and get to observe the various displays. There are a total of 9 different sections in the museum, housing different collections which are categorised among these sections.

On display at his museum, which is regarded as one of the important Tourist places in Bhubaneshwar, are numerous sculptures, copper plates, antique items, specimens and more. The collections on display at the museum are regarded as a bright insight into the rich and cultural history of the state. Different galleries at the museum include paintings, armoury, information about natural history and stone sculptures.

Location: Near, Lewis Rd, Kalpana Square, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751014

Price: Indians – Rs 10, Foreigners – Rs 50

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Closed on Monday

Best Time to Visit: All round the year

Brahmeswara Temple

Elegantly designed and immaculately carved with perfection, it is no doubt why the Brahmeshwara temple in Orissa is one of the most popular Places to see in Bhubaneshwar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and dates back to the 9th century, which came to light during the Somavamsi dynasty. The temple is built around a splendid arena of greenery and tranquillity, which invokes a sense of peace and calmness.

The sandstone walls of the temple make use of intricately designed pictures and drawings. The temple falls under the category of Panchakanya temples, which are typically built with a shrine in each of the four corners of the temple in addition to a main shrine at the centre of the temple. The typical Oriyan style of architecture makes it a must visit site out of the Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar.

Location: Near Tankapani Road, Siba Nagar, Brahmeswarpatna, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Shri Ram Mandir

The temple is located centrally within the city near Kharvel Nagar. Owing to its charming architecture, it has become one of the best Tourist places in Bhubaneshwar. This temple is highly recommended for those who belong to the Hindu sect and ardently worship Lord Rama. As suggested by the name, the temple is devoted to Lord Ram, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Within the temple precincts, devotees can worship the idols of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, and Goddess Sita. Few other deities which are also enshrined within the temple complex are Lord Hanuman, Lord shiva and various other Hindu gods. A notable feature of this temple is its beautiful spires, which are visible from different parts of the city. The temple organises a major event on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Location: Unit-3, JanPath Road, Jan Path, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751001, Bhubaneshwar, India

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Baitala Deula

The Baitala Deula temple is located in close concurrence to some of the notable Places to see in Bhubaneshwar. It is an ancient temple, regarded as one of the rarest of its kind in India, which is devoted to the tantric cult. The deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Chamundi, another tantric form of Goddess Durga. This temple is built in typical Khakhra style, derived from the Kalinga school of architecture.

The tower of the temple, which is the most striking feature, combines a semi cylindrical shape that bears affinity to South Indian style along with chaitya windows, each carved into beautiful shrines. The figure of Goddess Chamundi can be seen standing on a corpse, piercing his neck, while she holds an arrow, a sword, a snake and a trident. She can be seen wearing a necklace of skulls, while her bright red tongue protrudes in fierceness.

Location: Barhadanda Road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Ananta Vasudeva Temple

Built by Queen Chandrika, the temple houses idols of Lord Balarama, Lord Kirshna, and Subhadra. This temple is the only one in Bhubaneshwar where Subhadra can be seen holding a pot of lotus and jewels in her hands while Lord Krishna can be seen holding a conch, a lotus and a Chakra in his hand. The statue of Lord Balarama stands under a serpent with seven heads.

The postures of the deities depicted in this temple are different than everywhere else, which is why it has become one of the popular Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. The complex is beautified by the presence of numerous other miniature size shrines. The unique architectural style of this temple is considered to be very similar to the popular Lingaraj temple, another popular Tourist place in Bhubaneshwar.

Location: Gouri Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: All round the year

Pathani Samanta Planetarium

One of the best tourist places to see in Bhubaneshwar, Pathani Samanta Planetarium is a great retreat for everyone. The place has been built to make people aware about many astronomical activities. Named after Pathani Samanta, this planetarium was established by the Science and Technology Department, Government of Odisha.

The unique planetarium is a wonderful getaway for everyone looking to learn about astronomy, astrophysics and space science. It also organises many activities which will help you enjoy a pleasant weekend like night sky viewing, audio visual programs, poster shows and display of astronomical instruments.

For those who want to pursue a career in science and technology, the planetarium offers financial help. It also offers multiple opportunities for everyone to showcase their talent and help out the aspiring scientists. One of the astounding features of the planetarium is their fully equipped library where you can browse through a number of books on various subjects like environment, technology and science. It also offers many special shows in English which are quite interesting and held between 2 pm to 5 pm.

Location: Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Acharya Vihar, Doordarshan Colony, Gajapati Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751015

Price: INR 30

Timing: 1–5:45pm

Kedar Gauri Temple

Regarded as one of the eight Astasambhu temples in Bhubaneshwar, the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Gauri, making it one of the prominent Tourist places in Bhubaneshwar. It was built by King Lalatendu Kesari in commemoration of Kedar and Gauri, an ill fated couple, believed to have eloped against the wishes of their community.

The outer walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful sculptures.

The temple also houses two different ponds within its precincts which are believed to hold sacred powers that can heal a man from the mortal cycle of life and death, while a woman can overcome infertility issues by taking a dip in these waters. Today, couples visit the temple to pray for a blissful married life. In the month of May, an event is hosted in the temple, marking the marriage of Lord Lingaraja with Parvati.

Location: Near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Iskcon Temple

Easily accessible by local transport, the iconic ISKCON temple is one of the most recommended Places to visit in Bhubaneswar in the heart of the city. Synonymous to its stellar reputation, the temple is maintained and decorated to exhibit beauty and allure for the visitors. It is unlike most temples in the city, housing Lord Krishna, Lord Balarama, Gaura Nithai, Subhadra and Lord Jagganatha.

The temple runs with the aim to deliver and propagate spiritual knowledge and learning, guiding people about the spiritual way of life, which claim to emerge from the Bhagavad Gita and Drimad Bhagavatam. The architectural beauty of the temple depicts it in the shape of a half open lotus, built in white marble. Social events like kirtans, bhajans, and different religious chanting are fairly frequent at the temple.

Location: NH-5, Near Krishna Tower, IRC Village, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751015

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Regional Museum Of Natural History

One of the must visit attractions in Bhubaneshwar is the regional museum of natural history. It is a collection of multiple exhibits that display the huge number of plants and animals from around the region. Tourists must visit the special taxidermy gallery in the museum where they can find displays of animals such as cheetah, Hyena, Deer and much more. The museum is highly popular for the skeletal displays of the baleen whale, rhinos, elephants, dolphins and more.

Visitors can also view a large number of floral species on display, along with stuffed animals and preserved collections of butterflies, reptiles and different species of moths. This museum is an excellent place to come and discover the historic variety of flora and fauna, native to Eastern India.

Location: Acharya Vihar, Sachivalaya Marg, Near Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751013

Price: No Entry fee

Timing: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: All round the year

Museum Of Tribal Arts & Artifacts

Located near the Bhubaneswar railway station is the Museum of Tribal arts and artefacts. It is common by the name of Museum of Man, popular as one of the best tribal museums in the country. Established in 1953, the institution falls under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Research Training Institute, working towards the aim to develop and promote tribal culture. As can be made out from the name, the museum is an exhibit of different tribal treasures that belong to the state of Orissa.

Visitors can take a stroll around the 5 different halls of the museum which are dedicated to the display of local tribes, their culture and lifestyle, by means of dresses, ornaments, musical instruments, weapons, household objects, art, photographs and more. Notable among these are the costumes such as the rings of the Bonda tribe, the Gantung Kap of the Lanjia Saora and the phute sari’s of the Santhals.

Location: Unit - VIII, CRP - DAV Rd, CRPF Colony, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751003

Price: No entry fee

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: All round the year