Bhubaneswar Travel Guide & Ekamra Kshetra Heritage Tourism (Lingaraj & Dhauli)
Hotels · Packages · Sightseeing

1. Lingaraj Temple & Bindu Sagar Holy Lake (11th-Century 180-Ft Masterpiece of Kalinga Architecture)

The largest and most revered temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord Harihara (a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu). Built by Somavamsi King Jajati Keshari, its 180 foot central spire dominates the Old Town skyline alongside the sacred Bindu Sagar tank.

Lingaraj Temple — 11th-Century 180-Foot Spire of Ekamra Kshetra in Bhubaneswar

2. Udayagiri & Khandagiri Rock-Cut Jain Caves (King Kharavela Hathigumpha Inscription - 2nd Century BCE)

Ancient 2nd century BCE rock cut monastic caves carved during the reign of King Kharavela. Highlights include the double storeyed carved Rani Gumpha (Queen's Cave), Ganesha Gumpha, and the famous 17 line Prakrit Hathigumpha Inscription describing Kharavela's military campaigns.

Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves — 2nd-Century BCE Rock-Cut Jain Monasteries in Bhubaneswar

3. Dhauli Shanti Stupa & Ashokan Rock Edicts (261 BCE Kalinga War Peace Pagoda on Daya River)

Perched atop Dhauli hills overlooking the Daya River where the historic 261 BCE Kalinga War was fought. Features ancient Ashokan Major Rock Edicts carved on an elephant boulder and a white Japanese Buddhist Peace Pagoda built in 1972.

Dhauli Shanti Stupa — Historic Peace Pagoda and Ashokan Rock Edicts on the Daya River

4. Mukteshvara Temple 'Gem of Odishan Architecture' (10th-Century Torana Archway)

A 10th century sandstone temple renowned for its arched torana gateway influenced by Buddhist architecture, exquisite ceiling carvings of saptamatrikas, and delicate miniature sculptures representing the pinnacle of transitional Kalinga art.

Mukteshvara Temple — 10th-Century Gem of Odishan Architecture with Sculpted Torana Arch

5. Rajarani Temple 'Love Temple' (11th-Century Red-Gold Sandstone & Nayika Sculptures)

An 11th century temple constructed from fine yellowish red sandstone locally called Rajarani. Free of active worship, it is celebrated for its lush manicured gardens and intricate sculptures of dancing nayikas, mithuna couples, and floral scrollwork.

Rajarani Temple — 11th-Century Red-Gold Sandstone Masterpiece in Bhubaneswar

6. Nandankanan Zoological Park & White Tiger Safari (437-Hectare Wildlife Sanctuary - 15 km)

A sprawling 437 hectare sanctuary famous for breeding white tigers, Indian pangolins, and Asiatic lions. Features open safaris, an aquarium, a botanical garden, and boating on Kanjia Lake.

7. Chausath Yogini Tantric Temple at Hirapur (9th-Century Circular Hypaethral Shrine - 15 km)

A rare 9th century circular open air hypaethral temple containing 64 black chlorite stone idols of Yoginis standing in exquisite posture atop animals and human figures.

8. Odisha State Tribal Museum (Museum of Tribal Arts & Artifacts, CRP Square)

An award winning ethnographic museum showcasing tribal mud huts, traditional costumes, headgears, jewelry, hunting tools, and musical instruments of Odisha's 62 indigenous tribal communities.

9. Ekamra Haat Traditional Craft Village & Odisha State Museum

An artisan marketplace in the heart of the city featuring grass thatched craft cottages selling Sambalpuri handlooms, stone carvings, Pattachitra paintings, and authentic Odia food stalls.