Places to visit in Bhubaneswar, Tourist Destination Sightseeing
Tourist Places to Visit in Bhubaneswar : –
Temples
Bhubaneswar’s 500 temple are grouped in a few well known temples complexes. They are all located in the old part of the city, within a radius of 3 km. Thus cycle rickshaws are a convenient means of sightseeing. Most temples are still used for daily devotions and it is not permitted for non-Hindus to enter within the boundary wall, two temples excepted. However, it is the ornate relief work on the exterior of each temple which lends, to admiration and study of sculpture by all.
Parusurameswara is the city’s oldest surviving temple having been built around 650 AD.
Mukteswar temple bridges the early and later phases of the Kalinga school of temple building, and contains a stunningly beautiful archway.
Raja rani temple was constructed in the 11th century. It is situated in a large garden, popular because the setting sun forms a dramatic backdrop to the chiseled lines of the temple.
Brahmeswara like the Mukteswara, is open to non Hindus. It has a number of architectural and sculptural elements in common with the later.
Lingraj, the culmination of the Orrissan style of temple architecture, its soaring spire dominates the landscape for miles. From close quarters, the majestic proportion’s are derived from the entire complex of large and small spires, set within a boundary wall. A viewing gallery has been specially built for non-Hindus.
Kedargauri, Ananthavasudev and Mausima are three other temples near Bindu Sagar, a large tank around which most of the temples are located.
Dhaulgiri (8 km.) Has Ashokan edicts etched on rock which date back to the 2nd century BC. At the top of a low hillock at Dhauli, a Buddhist temple built with Japanese collaboration affords a fine view of the surrounding country side. Top in the list of tourist places to visit in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Udaygiri and Khandagiri(8 km) Situated to the north of Bhubaneswar are the twin hills of Udaygiri and Khandagiri. The ruler of Kalinga is said to have made his way here through an underground tunnel after defeated by Emperor Ashoka in the battle of Kalinga. The enormous outcrop of rock that covers a hillside had been carved out in the pre-Christian era to make human habitations for the ruler of Kalinga and his queens. Caves were also used by monks and sages, like Hari Das, Tulsi Das and Jagannath Das, who mediated here.Some of the notable caves are Rani Gumppha or Queen’s caves, a two-storeyed complex remarkable for its art and architecture, with delicately carved walls; Hathi Gumpha or Elephant caves though austere in architecture it records the life chronicle of king Kharavela.Khandagiri has a series of cave temples belonging to the Hindu and Jain faiths. Thirty three rock cut caves still exist.
Guides, desirable because of the labyrinthine nature of the caves, are easily available on the spot. Top in the list of tourist places to visit in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Nandan Kanan Zoo 25 km Open from 8am to 5 pm, the zoo is one of India’s finest. Royal Bengal tigers and white tigers are what Nandan Kanan is famous for. From 10 am visitors are taken in coach to the 50 acre lion safari park, whose geographical conditions are a close approximation of those at Sasan Gir, Gujarat. 25 lions roam this area singly and in groups. At nightfall they return to their enclosures. Top in the list of tourist places to visit in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
MUSEUM AND ART GALLERIES
Closed Mondays and public holidays.
Orissa State Museum, Gautam Nagar,
Open 1000-1600 hrs;
Monday Closed
Handicrafts Museum , secratariat Road,
Open 1000-1700 hrs.
Sunday Closed
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Hindu
Lingraj Temple, Old Town
Sri Ram Mandir, Janpath
Christain
Catholic Church, Janpath
Christ Union Church, Unit 4
Muslim
Masjid, Sachivalaya Marg, Unit4
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