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It is the capital city of the modern state and the ancient kingdom of Kalinga, Bhubaneswar is known as the Temple City of India. Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraja Temple of Shiva, built in the 11th century. It is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar.

Other temples
Close to the Bindu Sagar Tank, the Vaital has a double storey 'wagon roof' , an influence from Buddhist cave architecture . Further north the Lakshamaneshwar is a very plain temple. Dating from the 7th century, it is one of the earliest specimens of Orissan architecture and acts as a gateway to the city .

Museum
The museum is opposite the Hotel Ashok Kalinga and has an interesting collection relating to Orissan history, culture and architecture and to the various Orissan tribes. The Tribal Research Bureau is also here. The museum is open from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 to 4 pm daily, except Mondays.

Udayagiri & Khandgiri Caves
About five km out of Bhubaneshwar , the two hills flanking the road on each side are riddled with caves. On the right, of the road is, Udayagiri, or Sunrise Hill.

Puri
On the coast , 55km from Bhubaneshwar, Puri is one of the four holiest cities in India . The city revolves around the great Jagannath Temple and its famous 'Rath Yatra' or 'Car Festival'. The beach : Puri has a fine stretch of white sand from which Indian pilgrims bathe in their customary, fully attired manner. Orissan fishers, wearing conical straw hats,guide bathers out through the surf.

Konark
Konarak is on the coast, 64 km from Bhubaneshwar and only about 33 km north of Puri. The site consist of a little more than the mighty temple and a handfull of shops , stalls and paces to stay . Pipli : Athe junction where the Konark road branches from the Bhubaneshwar to Puri road, this small village is notable for its appliqué craft. The colourful materials are used to make temple umbrellas and wall hangings.

Chilka Lake
South of Puri, Chilka Lake is doted with islands and is noted for the many migratory birds which flock here in winter (December to January) . The shallow lake is about 70 km long and averages 15 km wide, and is supposely one of the largest brackish-water lakes in the country.

Cuttack
Only 35 km north of Bhubaneshwar, this riverine city was the capital of Orissa until the new city was constructed at Bhubaneshwar.

Balasore & Chandipurs
Balasore is the first major town on the railway line from Calcutta in north Orissa. It was once important trading centre with Dutch, Danish, English and French Factories .

Similipal National Park
The Similipal National Park is in the north-east of the state, 250 km from Calcutta and 320 km from Bhubaneshwar. It is well known for its varied wildlife including tigers, leopards and elephants.

A historic place of pilgrimage, Jajpur situated on the bank of river vaitarani, has the sacred shrines of mother Goddess Viraja (Durga), Sveta Varha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu as the white boar), Sapta Matruka and a host of other shrines.

How to Get There : The nearest railhead is at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road on the Howrah-Chennai main line of the S. E. Railway from where one can reach Jajpur by an all-weather motorable road. Jajpur is 92 km from Cuttack by road.

Where to stay : Viraja Panthasala of Orissa Tourism (Tel. 20029), Contact Tourist Office , Cuttack, (Tel. 612225) for booking and assistance.

Phulbanis, the headquarters town of Kandhamal district, has varieties of attractions with a rich Tribal Culture. Balaskumpa, 18 km from Phulbani house goddess Barala Devi, Putudi is a place of natural beauty having a charming waterfall-15 km. Chakapad is renowned for the Shiva Temple of Lord Birupaksha and Learning Trees on the river Brutunga-60 km, Charisambhu, otherwise known as Jagati, has the temple of Lord Charisambhu Ananta Vishnu –85 km.

Bhawanipatna, the headquarters of Kalahandi District, is a town of numerous temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu pantheon. Named after its presiding deity ‘Bhawanishankar’, it is the most convenient base for touring various places of interest in the district and the nearby district of Nawapara.

An ancient centre of diamond trade, Sambalpur is famous for its tie and dye textiles; folk dance and music; and also for the Hirakud Dam, one of the longest mainstream dams in the world.

Keonjhar, the district headquarters town, has varieties of attractions like Vishnu Temple, Jagannath Temple and on its outskirts the shrines of Siddha Jagannath, Siddha Kali and Panchabati amidst picturesque settings. Sitabinji, 30 km. from keonjhar, on river Sita, is a place having ancient fresco painting on a rock shelter called Ravan Chhaya.

Keonjhar having exciting water falls, are most popular picnic spots. 50 km from Keonjhar is Ghatgaon, home to Goddess Tarini. Also Gonasika, the origin of river Vaitarani, surrounded by a series of valleys and wooded hills, is a place of pilgrimage for the shrine of Lord Brahmeswar Shiva – 45 km.

How to get there
Keonjhar is linked with Calcutta, Bhubaneswar (227km), Ranchi, Tata and important places of the State by regular bus services. The nearest railhead is J. K. Road – 114 km.

Where to Stay
Hotel Ajanta, Tel : 3372, Hotel Plaza, Tel : 2246, Labanya Bhawan, Tel : 2507, Hotel Baral, Tel : 2725, Hotel Mayur, Tel : 2245.

It spread over 1,100 sq. km. Chilika is the country’s largest inland lake. Dotted with islands, it has the richest variety of aquatic fauna and is a bird watcher’s paradise when migratory birds arrive in winter. Sunset and Sunrise are memorable experiences here. Boating and fishing facilities are available in this lake, which is rich in fish.

One can view the dolphins at Chilika mouth near Satpara. For cruising and visiting the islands, one can make use of the motor launches of the OTDC at Barkul and Rambha, and of the Revenue Department at Balugaon. Private boats are also available. OTDC organises water sports in Chilika at the Water Sports Complex, located at Barkul.

How to get there : The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 100 km away. The Calcutta-Chennai rail route touches Chilika Lake at Balugaon, Chilika Khallikote and Rambha. National Highway No. 5 runs along the lake and touches Balugaon, Barkul and Rambha. Buses and Taxis are available from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Berhampur to Chilika. OTDC provides luxury coaches and cars from Bhubaneswar and Puri.

Puri, the city by the sea, is a major pilgrim centre in India. Adi Shankara founded one of the Peethas here. Puri is also famous for its Golden Beach, ideal for swimming and surfing.

Konark completes the Golden Triangle of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark for the best of Orissan temple architecture. The Temple Chariot of the Sun God (Black Pagoda) on the sands of the bay of Bengal is a 13th century architectural marvel. Lingaraj temple.

Paradeep, a major sea port of India for trade activities with a fine sea beach, is an enjoyable tourist resort – 94 km from Cuttack. Important pilgrim centre Kendrapara is 65 km from Cuttack. Known as Tulasi Kshetra it is famous for the temple of Lord Baladeva. A grand car festival is held here annually which draws a mammoth crowd.

The Ocean Drop tank just north of the great temple is said to contain water from every holy stream, pool and tank in India. Consequently , when it comes to washing away sin this is the tank that washes whitest. There are a number of temples and shrines scattered around the tank, ones at the Lingaraj Temple.

Close to the main Bhubaneshwar to puri road, on the same side as the Lingaraj Temple, the 'Grove of the Perfect Beings' is a cluster of about 20 smaller temples, including some of the most important in Bhubaneshwar.

It spreads over 1,100 sq. km. Chilika is the country’s largest inland lake. Dotted with islands, it has the richest variety of aquatic fauna and is a bird watcher’s paradise when migratory birds arrive in winter. Sunset and Sunrise are memorable experiences here. Boating and fishing facilities are available in this lake, which is rich in fish. One can view the dolphins at Chilika mouth near Satpara. For cruising and visiting the islands, one can make use of the motor launches of the OTDC at Barkul and Rambha, and of the Revenue Department at Balugaon. Private boats are also available. OTDC organises water sports in Chilika at the Water Sports Complex, located at Barkul.

How to get there
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 100 km away. The Calcutta-Chennai rail route touches Chilika Lake at Balugaon, Chilika Khallikote and Rambha. National Highway No. 5 runs along the lake and touches Balugaon, Barkul and Rambha. Buses and Taxis are available from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Berhampur to Chilika. OTDC provides luxury coaches and cars from Bhubaneswar and Puri.

Jeypore , the commercial nerve centre of Koraput district, endowed with falls and forests thronged with colourful wildlife has all such facilities to serve as the convenient base for visiting the places of interest in and around.

It is famous for the Steel Plant, Rourkela has the beautiful Indira Gandhi Park and with a zoo. The Hanuman Batika in the centre of the city is also added attraction. It is the most convenient base for visiting other interesting places in Sundargarh district.

Raj Rani

Across the road and about 100 metres to the right ,the Raj Rani stands alone in a green field. Its one of the latest of the Bhubaneshwar temples and is particularly finely sited. Brahmeswar : About a km east of the main road , the Brahmeshwar temple stands in a courtyard flanked by four smaller structures with erotic and sometimes amusing elements - such as the young lady with the surprised look of her face, no doubt due to her lovers hand in her pants! The temple dates from the 9th century.