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About the city

The capital of Orissa is famous for its role as the ancient capital of the Kalinga Empire. It is the architectural legacy of that period which is Bhubanewar's greatest attraction. There are a lot of sites in the city, which testify the importance of the region far earlier during the period from the 7th to 11th centuries when the Kalinga kings ruled Orissa and regions beyond. The Jain and Buddhist shrines give a clear picture about the settlements around Bhubaneswar in the first 2 centuries BC, and one of the most complete edicts of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, dating from between 272-236 BC, remains carved in rock just 5 miles to the south west of the modern city. The Sisupalgarh, the remains of a ruined city have been excavated to show that it was occupied from the beginning of the 3rd century BC to the middle of the 4th century AD. Bhubaneshwar is comfortable round the year, but the best season to visit the city is during the months of October to April.

Bhubaneswar "The Lord of the Universe" is also popularly known as the "Temple City of India" on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Being the seat of Shiva or Tribhubaneswar "Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. Bhubaneswar is the place where temple building activities of Orissan style flowered from its very inception to its fullest culmination extending over a thousand years.

Modern Bhubaneswar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans. Bhubaneswar with its modern buildings and extensive infrastructure perfectly complements its historic surroundings. With facilities to cater to every type of visitor, Bhubaneswar makes an ideal tourist destination.

Bhubaneswar "The Lord of the Universe" is studded with hundreds of temples and is popularly known as the "Temple City" or the "athedral City" of the East. This abode of shiva or Tribhubaneswar, the "Lord of the Three Worlds", is one of most impotant Hindu pilgrim centres. It is believed that the city once had about 7000 temples of which 5000 still exist. These shrines are a gentle India. Bhubaneshwar, the ancient capital of the Kalinga empire is today the modern capital of Orissa.

The gentle twirl of the Odissi dancers in bright coloured costumes, the temple bells and sound of arti's going off every now and then Welcome to serene and tantalizing Bhubaneswar, the temple metropolis of India! Here more than anywhere else in India temple sculptures speak subtly and upfront of eroticism. These bold works of art from the past make one stand in awe at the culture of our ancestors and the tales of our Gods. Experience the old world charm as it exists in a modern town with all its bustle and noise. Come explore.

The city of the Lord of Universe
Bhubaneswar (‘The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubaneswar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or "Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Beside being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubaneswar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubaneswar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.

Demography

Bhubaneswar had a population of 647,302. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Bhubaneswar has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 83% and female literacy of 74%.

History

It was a samll town before it beca,e the capital in 1948. Today Bhubaneswar is a modern administrative centre and the seat of Utkal University and Orissa University of Agricu;ture and Technology. There are rolling mills and wire-cable works. The city has an airport. Settlements date back to the reign of Ashoka (3rd century BC). The capital of the Kesari dynasty of Orissa (5th-10th century BC) was here. Bhubaneswar, a religious centre, once had 7,000 shrines around its sacred lake; the remains of 500 still stand, displaying many style of Hindu and Buddhist art and architecture. The Lingaraja temple is the most famous and imposing temple of Orissa. There are fine chlorite images of Ganesha, Parvati and Skanda. The city was devastated by a cyclone in October, 1999.

The history of Bhubaneshwar (The Lord of the Universe) goes back to 4th century BC, when it was the capital of the rich and prosperous Kalinga dynasty. Bhubaneshwar would also be the target of Ashoka's ferocious onslaught. The resultant Kalinga war that was fought in Dhauli, 8km from Bhubaneshwar where a guilt ridden Ashoka converted to Buddhism and was transformed from 'Ashoka the Slayer' to 'Ashoka the Compassionate'. The Mauryans were succeeded by the Chedis a century later and ancient Kalinga gained control over the region's thriving mercantile trade. By the 5th century AD, the Chedis had disappeared and Bhubaneshwar became home to the revolutionary Pasupata sect and became a key centre for the promulgation of Shaivism or worship of Lord Shiva. However, Bhubaneshwar's Golden Age began in the 7th century AD as a capital city under the rule of the Sailodbhava kings. The wealth and power of its rulers still finds testimony in 7000 marvellous sandstone temples that were erected here between the 7th and 12th centuries around the Bindu Sagar. The Sailodbhava kings managed to stave off the advent of Islam and Mughal rule until the end of the 15th century when the Mughals finally conquered the city, razing all but a few of the temples.

Modern History

Bhubaneshwar was declared the new capital of Orissa when India achieved Independence in 1947. It soon became a centre for learning in the region, with the establishment of several educational institutions such as the Xavier Institute of Management and Institute of Hotel Management. One of the top business schools in the country, XIMB was set up in 1987 with active support from the Government of Orissa.

Recent History

Although modern Bhubaneshwar was meant to be a well planned city with wide roads, gardens and parks, its rapid development has been unwieldy. While a part of the city has stayed faithful to the plan, the process has been a difficult one as the population has doubled in the last few decades and the city has expanded to include the urban conglomeration of Cuttack, Khurda, Choudwar and Jagatpur.

Bhubaneswar ('The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubaneswar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or " Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Beside being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubaneswar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubaneswar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.

An ancient temple city that traces its origins to the life and times of Ashoka, Bhubaneshwar is part of the Golden Triangle of the East, along with Puri and Konark. A bustling centre for commerce and education today, its numerous shrines and temples, its ancient religious rituals and customs make sure that the past and the present co-exist in harmony. From the imposing Lingaraja Temple to its Mukteshwar and Rajarani temples, Bhubaneshwar is an architectural and archaeological delight with its masterfully sculpted stone figures and spires. A city steeped in history, Bhubaneshwar is a wonderful example of a rich ancient civilization's graceful transition into modern life.