| Sightseeing Highlights:
Bhubaneswar's temple culture and its architectural richness amazes visitors to the city. Though the city is dotted with countless temples and shrines, visitors should stop at four of the most important ones.
The Temples:
Parasurameswara Temple
This mid-seventh century temple marks the most effusive elements of the unique Orissa style of temple architecture. A small temple, it features the traditional deul (beehive shaped tower) and the jagmohun (porch) two vital components of the Orissa style. A Shiva temple it is also dotted with icons of Vishnu, Indra, Surya and Yama.
Mukteswara Temple
Built in 950 AD this elegant shrine is often called the gem of Orissa architecture. The shrine is also said to mark the period of architectural changes in the Kalinga School and is a forerunner of the new elements temple design. The jagmohun features more detailing with the beginnings of the terraced pyramid shaped roof to be found in later temples. It is now set upon a platform. The entrance to the sanctum features the nine planets instead of the earlier eight. The gateway or torana is marked by its richly sculpted detailing.
Vaital Deul
The 800 AD shrine seems to be built along completely different lines from the Parasurameswara and Mukteswara Temples. It belongs to a subdivision of the Kalinga School, the Khakara style, which was used in tantric temples. The tower or the deul is rectangular and built at a right angle to the porch (jagmohun). The sculptural details reveal the cult features revolving around the worship of shakti. Chamunda in her most terrible form, with sunken eyes, emaciated body and garlanded with a string of skulls, fills the darkened sanctum. The disquieting shrine also has a post at the entrance to the sanctum, clearly used for tying sacrificial offerings. It also features, for the first time in Orissa temple structure, a panel of erotic sculptures.
Lingaraj Temple
The 11th century temple dominates the Bhubaneswar skyline. It marks the most mature aspects of architectural development. It receives huge throngs of devotees everyday, and is closed to non-Hindus. The curvilinear deul is over 180 ft in height. In addition to the highly developed jagmohun the Lingaraja has two new features, the natyamandir to mark the growing acceptance of the devdasi system and the bhoga mandapa or the hall of offerings. In the inner sanctum is the Svayambhu Linga, reflecting Lord Shiva as hari-hara or half Shiva and half Vishnu. Over 150 subsidiary shrines punctuate the complex.
Other temples worth exploring are the 11th century Raja Rani and Brahmeswara Temples and the Yogini shrine at Hirapur 15th km away from the city.
State Museum
Located on Jaydev Marg the museum is renowned for its collection of the stunning art of patta chitra manuscripts, an ancient temple art form that in time came to deal with more secular subjects. The element of detail is beautifully rendered on these palm leaf art forms. The 80 folios of Jayadeva's 12th century Geet Govinda is the star attraction here. The museum also has an interesting range of archaeological finds, antique weaponry, and traditional arts and crafts. It also documents Orissa's natural and tribal history.
Other Activities:
Shopping
Orissa's arts and crafts heritage has created a treasure trove for handicrafts and a visit to the Bhubaneswar's state emporiums or the shops around the temples are a truly rewarding experience. Ikat textiles reveal Orissa's ancient links with Bali. Highly treasured are the double ikat designs of Sambalpur and the Bomkai ikat motifs inspired by the shakti cult.
Cuttuck's exquisite tarakashi work of silver filigree is said to have been influenced by Indonesia's crafting heritage. The vibrant applique work of Pipli Village near Puri is seen in countless gifting items, ranging from handbags to bedcovers, garden umbrellas and lampshades. Traditional dhokra metal work features the skills of the tribal communities living around Sadeiberini and Dhenkanal.
Patachitra craft (painting on leaves) had its beginnings as temple art. Today these delicate pieces feature many secular subjects. The art form has seen a revival in the Raghurajpur Village outside Puri. Try and get a set of the beautiful ganjifa cards (circular playing cards) an old tradition which is seeing a revival.
Excursions:
Dhauli (8km)
Dhauli is the site of the bloody battle of Kalinga after which the Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism. The compassionate inscriptions on the rock cut edict at Dhauli dating to 260 BC is the first historically documented piece of evidence of Emperor Ashoka's conversion to non-violence. The edict is remarkably well preserved and terminates in a sculpted elephant, universally symbolising the Buddha. On the opposite hill is the Shanti Stupa commissioned by an Indo-Japanese collaboration.
Khandagiri and Udayagiri (6 km)
King Kharavela ruled Orissa in the second half of the 1st century BC. A staunch patron of the Jain faith the king commissioned the fantastic rock-cut caves on the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri. These cave monasteries for the Jain monks, marked by a lively folk element in the elaborate carvings, are quite well preserved.
Khandagiri has 15 caves and Udaygiri has 18. Udaygiri's most famous caves are the Rani Gumpha and the Hathi Gumpha. The first is huge and has two floors, a courtyard and elaborately carved friezes. It also features aspects of Oddisi, Orissa's classical dance form. The Hathi Gumpha documents the military exploits and other aspects of King Kharavaela's reign.
Tourism Info:
Orissa Tourism Development Corp
Jayadev Marg
Bhubaneswar
Ph: 0674-2431289
Website: orissatourism.gov.in
Also referred to as the Temple City, Bhubaneswar was once home to over 7000 Hindu temples
built over seven centuries. Today there are less than 600, many having
been lost to the ravages of time and iconoclastic invaders.
Bhubaneswar was also an important
Buddhist enclave with the conversion of the Hindu king Ashoka, after
the battle of Kalinga. Buddhism flourished here for over 1,000 years.
Even earlier than that, Jainism flourished here under the patronage of
King Kharavela. He was the first historically documented ruler of Orissa with his capital at Sisupalgarh. This is located on the outskirts of present-day Bhubaneswar.
The carvings in the Jain cave monasteries, commissioned by him at
Khandagiri and Udaygiri, document various aspects of the king's reign.
Located on India's eastern coast Bhubaneswar, an important commercial and religious hub, was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. In 1948 its importance in Orissa's political tradition continued with it being chosen as the capital of the new state, after India gained independence from British rule. The multi-cultural city today forms the Golden Triangle of Orissa along with the tourist hubs of the holy beach towns of Puri and Konark. Its excellent connections to the rest the country make it the perfect gateway to explore Orissa's tourist attractions |
