Unique Bhubaneswar
Odisha is fast emerging as the gateway to the East of India and the door of this gateway opens at Bhubaneswar. There are many features that make it distinguishable. It is not exactly known when and how human efforts were first put to work to give a start to this centre of civilization, but extensive remains at Sisupalgarh indicate existence of an ancient city, which may be about 2600 years old. Since then, the city has been growing in glory, despite being ruled by rulers of different faiths.
Bhubaneswar affords the study of chronological development of temple architecture beginning from 6th -7th century AD, (dating to the times when temple structures began in India) from the earliest group of temples known as Lakshmanesvvar, Bharateswar and Shatrughneswar to the gigantic and stupendous Lingaraj. It is said that there were about 7000 temples at one time, which has earned Bhubaneswar the coveted sobriquet of a Cathedral city or Temple city of India. Even today there are about five hundred temples in various stages of preservation, the most notable among them are Lingaraj, Rajarani, Mukteswar, Brahmeswar, Vaital, Parasurameswar and many more. It is a rare distinction to have so many temples belonging to different periods of history in one place. Most of the temples are Shaiva shrines which make the city as one of the important Shaiva centers of India. Nonetheless, temples such as Ananta Vasudev, a Vaishnav shrine within the premises of which stands alone shrine of Lord Brahma and the shakti shrine of Vaital are such as sparkling jewels on the necklace of saiva shrines.
The temples of Bhubaneswar have developed a separate style of architecture known as Kalinga style, which is different from the three known traditional styles of India, viz Nagara, Vesharas and Dravida. The architectural features of the Mukteswar temple - the distinguished arch and that of the Rajarani temple are of special significance. The Vaital temple stands apart from the rest. Yet another remarkable temple is the two-tier Bhaskareswar temple, which houses a 2.74 meter free standing pillar as Shiva Lingam. The earliest rock-cut sculptures of India can be seen at Dhauli on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Carved out of rock in the 3'd century B.C. the forepart of an elephant and the inscription of Ashoka (one out of two in Odisha) testifies the victory of love over hatred. This is the place where Buddhism took a different shape after the Kalinga war. Buddhism might have been wiped out of the world and the course of history might have been totally different from what it is today but for the majestic Dhauli.
The peace Pagoda built in early 70s of the 20th century has enhanced its significance. On the other side, stand the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, the scat of Jam Faith. The illustrious ruler of Kalinga. Kharabela built a series of caves on these hills for the Jam mendicants in the B.C, which tell the tales of this glorious land in mute language. The Inscription on the Hathigumpha is a lithic record of 13 years rule of Kharavela which is an invaluable source of Indian history. Bhubaneswar is also the centre of art and craft, manifest in stone sculptures, pata paintings, paper machie, silver filigree and a host of others. The genius of the artistes can still be perceived. Their products are not only on sale in the shops of the city but also are in display in the road crossings and modern buildings, besides the State Museum, which has a rare collection of palm leaf manuscripts. A replica of the Mukteswar arch has been built in the fair ground of Surajkund (Haryana) in 1993 when Odisha was the theme state in the Craft Meta. The Tribal Museum provides an authentic insight to the rich tribal heritage of Odisha. The classical dances of Odissi, originate from the temple practices and has a solid foundation at Bhubaneswar, nourished by the illustrious gurus. There are quite a few institutes creating new talents to carry on the; living tradition.
The Odissi Research Centre is busy codifying the different aspects of this dance form. Institues like Institute of Hotel Management, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Xavier Institute of Business Management, etc have become excellent centres of learning. It is also the Headquarters of three Universities - the Utkal University, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and the Utkal University of Culture. Next to the world famous Rathayatra of Puri is the Ashokastmi Rathayatra of Bhubaneswar. Like the Mahaprasad of Puri, the Mahaprasad of Lingaraj and Anant Vasudev temple feed thousands of mouths everyday. But the Kora Khai, a sweetmeat preparation of coconut and rice distinguishes Bhubaneswar, besides the Chenapoda (baked cheese cake) Modern Bhubaneswar has added many new feathers to its ethnic cap. The Regional Plant Resource Centre, popularly known as Ekamra Kanan (renowned for plant culture and cactus garden), the Planetarium named after the famous astronomer and mathematician Pathani Samanta (whose experiments with the help of bamboo sticks are still an enigma to the Scientific World), the Science Park, one of the few Regional Science Centres of India (with a section housing replica of species which existed millions of years ago and are not found now on the earth), the BDA - NICCO Park, providing modern amusement are the additions to the city. Bhubaneswar has also distinguished itself as an important IT Centre and a Software Technology Park of the Country. On the fringe of Bhubaneswar at Hirapur stands the ethereal temple of 64 yoginis (one of the two in Odisha and a very few in India), the Biological Park at Nandankanan (the home of the lone white tiger safari), the Elephant sanctuary at Chandaka (the only of its kind), and the Centre of Applique work at Pipili. Bhubaneswar is one of the three points of the golden triangle of Odisha, the other two being Puri (60 km) and Konark (65 km).
The sprawling lake of Chilika and the Buddhist Triangle of Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udayagiri are also within easy reach (100 km each). Odisha was the first State to declare hotel as an industry following which a number of quality hotels including the Oberoi have already been established and a lot more have come up at Bhubaneswar. The air and rail services provide convenient connections to the rest of the country though there is a need for improvement of the same. Despite being a State Capital, Bhubaneswar is yet not crowed unlike the metropolitan cities. The free flow of cool breeze and the salubrious environment can he envy to any modern city. It's a rare combination of old world charms, and new world comforts amidst the natural settings. If you are looking out for a holiday having site seeing places, Bhubaneswar has every reason to cater to the eager tourists.
Odisha is fast emerging as the gateway to the East of India and the door of this gateway opens at Bhubaneswar. There are many features that make it distinguishable. It is not exactly known when and how human efforts were first put to work to give a start to this centre of civilization, but extensive remains at Sisupalgarh indicate existence of an ancient city, which may be about 2600 years old. Since then, the city has been growing in glory, despite being ruled by rulers of different faiths.
Bhubaneswar affords the study of chronological development of temple architecture beginning from 6th -7th century AD, (dating to the times when temple structures began in India) from the earliest group of temples known as Lakshmanesvvar, Bharateswar and Shatrughneswar to the gigantic and stupendous Lingaraj. It is said that there were about 7000 temples at one time, which has earned Bhubaneswar the coveted sobriquet of a Cathedral city or Temple city of India. Even today there are about five hundred temples in various stages of preservation, the most notable among them are Lingaraj, Rajarani, Mukteswar, Brahmeswar, Vaital, Parasurameswar and many more. It is a rare distinction to have so many temples belonging to different periods of history in one place. Most of the temples are Shaiva shrines which make the city as one of the important Shaiva centers of India. Nonetheless, temples such as Ananta Vasudev, a Vaishnav shrine within the premises of which stands alone shrine of Lord Brahma and the shakti shrine of Vaital are such as sparkling jewels on the necklace of saiva shrines.
The temples of Bhubaneswar have developed a separate style of architecture known as Kalinga style, which is different from the three known traditional styles of India, viz Nagara, Vesharas and Dravida. The architectural features of the Mukteswar temple - the distinguished arch and that of the Rajarani temple are of special significance. The Vaital temple stands apart from the rest. Yet another remarkable temple is the two-tier Bhaskareswar temple, which houses a 2.74 meter free standing pillar as Shiva Lingam. The earliest rock-cut sculptures of India can be seen at Dhauli on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Carved out of rock in the 3'd century B.C. the forepart of an elephant and the inscription of Ashoka (one out of two in Odisha) testifies the victory of love over hatred. This is the place where Buddhism took a different shape after the Kalinga war. Buddhism might have been wiped out of the world and the course of history might have been totally different from what it is today but for the majestic Dhauli.
The peace Pagoda built in early 70s of the 20th century has enhanced its significance. On the other side, stand the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, the scat of Jam Faith. The illustrious ruler of Kalinga. Kharabela built a series of caves on these hills for the Jam mendicants in the B.C, which tell the tales of this glorious land in mute language. The Inscription on the Hathigumpha is a lithic record of 13 years rule of Kharavela which is an invaluable source of Indian history. Bhubaneswar is also the centre of art and craft, manifest in stone sculptures, pata paintings, paper machie, silver filigree and a host of others. The genius of the artistes can still be perceived. Their products are not only on sale in the shops of the city but also are in display in the road crossings and modern buildings, besides the State Museum, which has a rare collection of palm leaf manuscripts. A replica of the Mukteswar arch has been built in the fair ground of Surajkund (Haryana) in 1993 when Odisha was the theme state in the Craft Meta. The Tribal Museum provides an authentic insight to the rich tribal heritage of Odisha. The classical dances of Odissi, originate from the temple practices and has a solid foundation at Bhubaneswar, nourished by the illustrious gurus. There are quite a few institutes creating new talents to carry on the; living tradition.
The Odissi Research Centre is busy codifying the different aspects of this dance form. Institues like Institute of Hotel Management, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Xavier Institute of Business Management, etc have become excellent centres of learning. It is also the Headquarters of three Universities - the Utkal University, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and the Utkal University of Culture. Next to the world famous Rathayatra of Puri is the Ashokastmi Rathayatra of Bhubaneswar. Like the Mahaprasad of Puri, the Mahaprasad of Lingaraj and Anant Vasudev temple feed thousands of mouths everyday. But the Kora Khai, a sweetmeat preparation of coconut and rice distinguishes Bhubaneswar, besides the Chenapoda (baked cheese cake) Modern Bhubaneswar has added many new feathers to its ethnic cap. The Regional Plant Resource Centre, popularly known as Ekamra Kanan (renowned for plant culture and cactus garden), the Planetarium named after the famous astronomer and mathematician Pathani Samanta (whose experiments with the help of bamboo sticks are still an enigma to the Scientific World), the Science Park, one of the few Regional Science Centres of India (with a section housing replica of species which existed millions of years ago and are not found now on the earth), the BDA - NICCO Park, providing modern amusement are the additions to the city. Bhubaneswar has also distinguished itself as an important IT Centre and a Software Technology Park of the Country. On the fringe of Bhubaneswar at Hirapur stands the ethereal temple of 64 yoginis (one of the two in Odisha and a very few in India), the Biological Park at Nandankanan (the home of the lone white tiger safari), the Elephant sanctuary at Chandaka (the only of its kind), and the Centre of Applique work at Pipili. Bhubaneswar is one of the three points of the golden triangle of Odisha, the other two being Puri (60 km) and Konark (65 km).
The sprawling lake of Chilika and the Buddhist Triangle of Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udayagiri are also within easy reach (100 km each). Odisha was the first State to declare hotel as an industry following which a number of quality hotels including the Oberoi have already been established and a lot more have come up at Bhubaneswar. The air and rail services provide convenient connections to the rest of the country though there is a need for improvement of the same. Despite being a State Capital, Bhubaneswar is yet not crowed unlike the metropolitan cities. The free flow of cool breeze and the salubrious environment can he envy to any modern city. It's a rare combination of old world charms, and new world comforts amidst the natural settings. If you are looking out for a holiday having site seeing places, Bhubaneswar has every reason to cater to the eager tourists.
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