Posted 10 March 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

Why Bhubaneswar should be on your travel list

Serving as the largest city and the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is a flourishing city that flaunts a rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, and enchanting natural beauty. Popularly known as the Temple City of India, it once served as the site of 700 grand temples. One of India’s thriving centres for commerce and business, Bhubaneswar reflects a remarkable combination of urban lifestyle and old-world charm.

Dotted with an array of magnificent ancient temples, this city attracts tourists and pilgrims from all around the world throughout the year. With its panoramic landscapes, vibrant culture, serene atmosphere, and delectable cuisine, Bhubaneswar has everything that an incredible holiday destination should have.

So, here is a list of reasons why you should choose this enchanting city as the destination for your next trip.

1. Packed with ancient and majestic temples

Whether you want to satisfy your religious appetite or just love exploring places that radiate a place’s history and culture, Bhubaneswar’s trove of historical temples will leave you in awe. There is no shortage of incredible religious sites to visit in this city. Here are some of the most popular temples you should definitely visit when in Bhubaneswar.

Lingaraj Temple: Built in the 11th century, this glorious temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. Owing to its striking architecture and immense religious significance, it is listed amongst the major highlights in Bhubaneswar.
Rajarani Temple: Dating back to the 11th century, this ancient temple is renowned for its exquisite architecture, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful artwork. This place oozes tranquillity and serenity, attracting numerous locals and tourists alike.
Mukteshvara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in the 10th century. With a serene atmosphere, it has a lovely fish pond, and an enchanting garden to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Parashurameshvara Temple: Featuring the exquisite Odia architectural style, this beautiful temple is counted amongst Bhubaneswar’s oldest temples. Primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, it was constructed in 650 CE.

Some of the other temples to visit in Bhubaneswar include Ram Mandir, Ananta Vasudev Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Brahmeswara Temple.

2. Loaded with natural beauty

While known mostly for its religious sites and stunning architectural marvels, Bhubaneswar is not at all lacking when it comes to natural beauty. Featuring lush greenery, serene landscapes, and a tranquil atmosphere, there are numerous beautiful spots in the city where you can go to relax in the lap of nature. Some of the best places in Bhubaneswar for nature lovers include:

Deras Dam: There is no better place in Bhubaneswar than Deras Dam to take in some breathtaking views. Surrounded by lush green forest, this place is an excellent spot for enjoying picnics. The area also has a little cafeteria where you can enjoy tea and snacks while soaking in the area’s tranquillity.
Chandaka Reserve Forest: This enchanting forest reserve area is packed with towering trees and lush green woods. Sprawled across an area of 175 sq km, it is surrounded by mountain hills and is known for being a prominent elephant reserve.
Hirakud Dam: Built across the River Mahanadi, Hirakud Dam is renowned for being the country’s longest man-made dam. Stretching across 56 km, it was built in 1956 and offers mesmerising views of the water and surrounding greenery.
Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary: Sprawled across an area of 795.52 sq km, the beautiful Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large variety of flora and fauna. It houses tigers, horned antelopes, leopards, and sloths. It also features Gharial Sanctuary responsible for the breeding of gharials.
Bindusagar Lake: This is the largest body of water in Bhubaneswar and is surrounded by laterite blocks. Most of the rituals associated with Lord Lingaraja take place at this lake. It is a serene place with calm surroundings and offers a great atmosphere to spend quality time.

3. Plenty of interesting things to do

Bhubaneswar is a dynamic place to visit. Exploring this city can be an amazing experience in itself. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or just someone who likes exploring different cultures and lifestyles, there are a number of interesting activities you can enjoy while in the city.

Explore Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves: Located in Bhubaneswar’s Khandagiri area, are the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves. Also called Kattaka caves, they are surrounded by fascinating murals and lovely gardens. These caves are a distinct mix of natural and ancient man-made caves.
Odisha State Museum: If you are interested in exploring Odisha’s culture and heritage, pay a visit to the Odisha State Museum. It is a great place to learn about the state’s art, language, culture, religions, and architecture.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa: Perched on Dhauli hills, this magnificent Buddhist monument was constructed in the 1970s. With a serene atmosphere, this spot also provides exceptional views of the city.
Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts: This amazing museum houses a huge collection of artefacts belonging to 62 tribes of Odisha. This collection includes accessories, costumes, farming equipment, jewellery, gear, and weapons.
Serene beaches: The beaches in Bhubaneswar are a major tourist attraction as they are famous for renowned sand arts. The beaches in Chhatrapur, Paradip, and Chandbali are a must-visit when you are in Bhubaneswar.

4. Lip-smacking cuisine

If you are a foodie, you will definitely love Bhubaneswar. The city is widely known for its delicious local cuisine. Dotted with several amazing restaurants and cafés, Bhubaneswar offers everything from a wide range of international cuisines to an array of mouthwatering local delicacies. Here are some of the best local dishes to try when in Bhubaneswar.

Maccha Ghanta: With its Odia origin, this delicious local dish is cooked with fish, onion, eggplant, Bengal gram, and potato. It is spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, garam masala, and bay leaves.
Dahibara Aloodum: This delectable local snack is basically dahi vada topped with a spicy sauce and mint chutney. It is garnished with coriander, onions, cumin powder, and chilli powder.
Bara: Prepared by making a paste of black or urad dal before deep-frying it until the outer layer turns crispy, baras are usually eaten with a sweet and spicy chutney. Some restaurants also serve it with a spicy peas curry called ghugui.
Rasabali: Counted amongst the most popular local desserts, Rasabali is made from milk and cheese curds called chenna. The combination of crispy deep-fried chenna and sweetened milk makes for an excellent dish for those with a sweet tooth.

5. Numerous children-friendly places

Bhubaneswar is an incredible holiday destination for all kinds of travellers including families with children. There are numerous remarkable places in the city where you can take your children to have a great time.

Regional Science Centre: Regional Science Centre is home to an auditorium where you can watch 3D movies related to technology and science. It also houses a Taramandal area that exhibits stars, planets, and constellations.
Nicco Park: This amazing amusement park is an excellent place to spend a fun-filled day for both children and adults. This park features a wide variety of rides and some well-maintained gardens.
Pathani Samanta Planetarium: Named after Pathani Samanta, who was a famous astronomer, this planetarium hosts numerous poster shows and audio-visual programs. You can also enjoy sky gazing at night.
Nandankanan Zoological Park: Housed inside a forest, this zoo was founded in 1960 to preserve the flora and fauna in its natural habitat. It is home to Melanistic and White Tigers, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

How to reach Bhubaneswar

By Air: The city of Bhubaneswar is served by Biju Patnaik Airport, which is also known as Bhubaneswar Airport. This international airport conveniently connects Bhubaneswar to several domestic and international destinations throughout the world.
By Train: Serving as the East Coast Railways’ divisional headquarters, Bhubaneswar is connected to a number of Indian cities through regular trains.
By Road: Several privately-owned and government-operated buses regularly run between Bhubaneswar and several other cities across India. You can also reach the city via a taxi or your own vehicle.

Weather in Bhubaneswar

Summers in Bhubaneswar, lasting from March to May, can be very hot and humid with temperatures going up to 45°C. The months from June to September witness the monsoon season with medium to heavy rainfall. Bhubaneswar experiences winters between the months of October and February.

Best time to visit Bhubaneswar

With an average temperature of 12 °C, winters are considered the best time to plan your trip to Bhubaneswar. The weather conditions are quite pleasant during these months, making it a favourable time to go sightseeing and explore the city.

Conclusion

Bhubaneswar is one of the most remarkable holiday destinations in India as well as the rest of the world. With its delectable cuisine, vibrant culture, rich heritage, and amazing tourist attractions, the city is an incredible place to visit. So, book an IndiGo flight to Bhubaneswar at the earliest for a vacation of a lifetime.