Bhubaneswar

Understand

Bhubaneswar (ଭୁବନେଶ୍ଵର BHOO-baw-nay-swaw-raw) is often referred to as a Temple City of India because of its numerous Hindu temples, which span the entire spectrum of Kalinga architecture. Together with Puri and Konark, it forms the Swarna Tribhuja ("Golden Triangle"), one of eastern India's most visited destinations. The modern city was designed by the German architect Otto Königsberger in 1946, along with Jamshedpur.

Getting there

By plane 1 Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI IATA), [email protected]. It is small but looks new and well-maintained. It is well connected with major cities of India. Direct flights are available from Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and, to a lesser extent, Bangalore. International flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok with AirAsia. (updated Sep 2023) There are two officially sanctioned options for getting a taxi at the airport - Carzonrent, a private cab agency, and a prepaid taxi service run by the airport. Both have counters at the exit. The Carzonrent salesman will try to upsell you day trip packages when you are looking for just a ride. Ignore him as you are bound to find better options within the city. Also, the other prepaid taxi is available only once you get past the security barrier, while Carzonrent is available both inside and outside. You are better off making your decision only after you step out. Another good option, if your destination is within the city, is to call for a radio cab.

By train

Bhubaneswar is the headquarters of the East Coastal Railway (ECoR), and it is on the main line from Kolkata to Chennai. It is well-connected to most major Indian cities. Bhubaneswar has two long-distance railway stations, where several express trains have a stop. For timings and other details check the Indian Railways website.

2 Bhubaneswar ECoR (BBS). Serves the main part of the city and the terminal of Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express. (updated Sep 2023) 3 Bhubaneswar New ECoR (BBSN). Serves the northern part of the city, including Nandankanan. (updated Sep 2023) Express trains that stop at Bhubaneswar:

From Chennai: Coromandel Express, Howrah Mail From Howrah: Chennai Mail, Coromandel Express, Dhauli Express, Falaknuma Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Puri Shatabdi Express, Puri Superfast Express, Puri Vande Bharat Express, Yesvantpur Express From Mumbai CSMT: Konark Express From New Delhi: Duronto Express, Purushottam Express, Tejas Rajdhani Express From Hyderabad: Falaknuma Express, Konark Express, Visakha Express From Bangalore: Howrah Express, Prasanti Express

By car Bhubaneswar is on the National Highway 16 (NH 16) that runs between Kolkata and Chennai. It is 480 km from Kolkata, 445 km from Visakhapatnam, 1,225 km from Chennai, 32 km from Cuttack, 130 km from Chilika Lake (Barkul), 184 km from Gopalpur, 64 km from Konark, and 62 km from Puri.

By bus Buses travel to and from major cities in the region, originating at Baramunda Bus Station. The station should be reached by auto as it is not central at all. Tick

Getting around

Bhubaneswar's roads are well-laid out by Indian standards, and the newer parts of the city are well-planned. Getting around is easy and inexpensive.

By bus Town buses ply throughout the city. These are government-run and cheap. DTS (Dream Team Shahara) is a partnership between the government of Odisha and Sahara, a private company, that runs a public bus service. Buses ply all over the city, between 06:30AM and 10:30PM at about 20 min intervals, though the timings for specific routes vary. Fares are very reasonable, a 15 km journey costs ₹25. Tickets are bought on the bus - by cash only. Caution is advisable in using these buses as typical of any other Indian city as they can be very crowded.

By taxi There are several online cab-hailing companies, such as Ola Cabs (Auto, Share Taxis, Cabs, Full day rental cabs), Uber (Cabs), Clear Car Rental (Cabs), TaxiBhubaneswar (Cabs), TravelSangi (Cabs), Jugnoo (Auto) and Rapido (Bikes) operating in Bhubaneswar. Ola and Uber can be hired for visiting day trips to Puri, Konark or Chilika. However, you can easily find safe and reliable hired taxis also, that will do so.

By auto-rickshaw Auto-rickshaws are the lifeline of Bhubaneswar and can be found on most streets of the city. Drivers are generally courteous and honest. They can be hired for short distances or booked for a period of time covering predetermined tourist spots. They don't run on meters, so prices should be fixed before the tour starts. Negotiate a rate beforehand, and make sure that the driver understands your destination. A short journey of around 5 km will cost you about ₹100. There are also shared autos that make journeys for as little as ₹5/km.

On foot The temples of Bhubaneswar are clustered around a small area. The area is overcrowded and connected with narrow roads and lanes, this area is best explored on foot.

See

Temples are undoubtedly the most important attractions of this city. Bhubaneswar is an ancient city where the major religions of India, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, have all had a presence during some time in its history. All the religions have left their architectural footprints here. In particular, this is a place where the Kalinga style of Hindu temple architecture flourished between the 10th and the 13th century; you will see some of the finest examples of the style here. Unfortunately, a few of the temples, like Ligaraj and Kapileswar do not allow entry to non-Hindus. Most of the oldest temples, around 400 of them, are concentrated around the Old Town area. The temples are spread around a small area and are connected by an intricate network of lanes and bylanes, so walking is a good option. Covering all the temples listed below can take a minimum of 3 to 4 days. Bhubaneswar also has its share of Buddhist and Jain sites along with nearby archaeological sites. The city also houses a huge zoological park offering safaries. The city also has a couple of museums and a botanical garden.

Major temples Apart from the Chausathi Yogini Temple temple all the other major temples of Bhubaneswar are concentrated in the old town area centred around the Buindu Saravor. They are best explored with a combination of walks and auto-rickshaw rides. Exploring all of them will be a long and tiring day.

1 Lingaraja Temple (ଲିଂଗରାଜ ଠାକୁର Lingorājo Ṭhākuro), Lingaraj Rd, Old Town, ☏ +91-674-234 0105. 8AM–noon, 4PM–8PM. The 10th or 11th-century temple of Bhubaneswar has been described as "the truest fusion of dream and reality". A rare masterpiece, the Lingaraja temple has been rated one of the finest examples of a purely Hindu temple in India by Ferguson, the noted art critic and historian. Every inch of the surface of the 55 m-high Lingaraja temple is covered with elaborate carvings. Sculpture and architecture fused elegantly to create a perfect harmony. Non-Hindus are not permitted inside; however, there is an elevated viewing platform next to one of the boundary walls. To reach the platform, face the temple's main entrance and walk around to the right. There is a laneway leading to the back of the temple and the platform. Shoes, cameras, mobile phones and bags are prohibited inside the temple complex, you have to submit them at the counter at the left. The platform offers a good vantage point to photograph the temple. Just be careful of the scammers who try to befriend you, saying they are in charge of the temple, then make you sign into the "guestbook", which i

Do

1 Pathani Samanta Planetarium. The planetarium is named after the famous Odia astrologer Samanta Chandra Sekhar Mahapatra, who was popularly known as Pathani Samanta. The planetarium runs four shows daily between 2PM to 6PM – two in Odia, one in Hindi and one in English. Each show duration is of 45 minutes. The planetarium also conducts sky watching classes. Special events are also held on occasions of solar eclipse, lunar eclipse and other astronomical events. (updated May 2020) Visit the scores of parks in the city. The science park refreshes your basics and takes you back to school days. Or go around the rose garden in CRPF square or the NICCO park. There may be an odd play going on in Rabindra Mandap, opposite the General Post Office. Or a dance program at Soochana Bhavan. This place also had radio news broadcasts (May 1998) and a newspaper library. Visit places such as the hall of dance called Natamandira or the bhoga-mandapa, meaning hall of offering. Though these particular places can be found around the temple, the temple itself is off limits to non-Hindus.

Buy

Bhubaneswar is a great place to buy the traditional handicrafts of Odisha. Silver filigree work, applique work, items made of jute, and papier‑mâché items are some of the things you should consider taking back from your trip. The best place to buy these, though, is not the city itself, but Pipili, 8 km from Konark Sun Temple. Colourful wooden icons of Jagannath, sandstone icons, and gemstones are a few other artifacts that you can take back as mementos. Hand‑woven textiles, known as "handlooms" as in the rest of India, are exquisitely beautiful. For women, sarees and fabrics that can be tailored into salwar kameezes or kurtas are popular; for men, shirts or kurtas make for a good buy.

Bhawani Mall. This shopping complex run by the city's Municipal Corporation is an excellent place to shop in Bhubaneswar. It features a multitude of shops selling government‑run handlooms and handicrafts, as well as general cloth and street vendor outlets. (updated Apr 2025) Market Building (In Ashok Nagar). This market is known for its wide range of handlooms, handicrafts, and local products. (updated Apr 2025)

Eat

Country Kitchen, Bapuji Nagar (2.7 km from railway station). Spicy non-veg (mainly chicken) and separate veg restaurant. Dalma, Sachivalaya Marg, Chandrasekharpur (Unit 4 and KIIT Square). Authentic Odiya cuisine. Hare Krishna restaurant (near the railway station). A vegetarian restaurant. May Fair, 8-B, Jaydev Vihar-Ekamra Kanana Road, ☏ +91 674 666 0101. Mirch Masala; petrol pump Chandrashekharpur, Patia

Drink & nightlife

Not a place to really party out. But you can still chill at the following places.

The Cellar (Mayfair Hotel). The latest addition to the city's night-life, where you can bowl, booze, and dance to Bollywood numbers from 21:00-23:00. This place attracts crowds. Desire, , Pal Heights. Good interiors, a good place for boozing and chilling out Rock On, opposite XIMB. Nice place to drink and to spend time with friends. Xstacy Lounge, Plot No 421B, Nandan Kanan Road, Above Canara Bank, Chandrasekharpur, ☏ +91 9437799977.

Sleep

There is a variety of options from as cheap as ₹150 up to ₹4000.

City Lodge, 55 Janapath, Ashok Nagar (from the circle in front of train station, face the station and walk along the road to the right for some metres), ☏ +91 674 2531393, [email protected]. Check-in: 12. The entrance does not look good, just a narrow metal staircase, but the lodge is in reasonable condition. 1 Ginger Bhubaneshwar. Ginger probably gives the best value for money in Bhubaneswar. Book online (but change into a package price during check-in to get breakfast included). Buffet breakfast and dinner. In-house Coffee-Day and ATM. Wireless may work. ₹2000. (updated Jun 2026) Hotel Pushpak, Kalpana Square. Looks old but the interiors are very good. The bar is quite comfy. Hotel Upasana, Laxmi Sagar 1 Subash Marg (not really walking distance to anything, so take an auto or grapple with the local bus "system"), ☏ +91 124 620 1614, [email protected]. Rooms are basic if shabby with comfortable beds, TVs, bathrooms and wifi. Room service is reasonably priced. Given the option, choose a room on an upper floor with a fan (not AC). The laundry service is slow and not recommended unless staying three or more nights. On a quiet back street, the hotel is near to a number of breakfast stands and a shiny new supermarket. Online bookings, although the card payment system is unreliable. English is spoken by some staff. ₹1241. (updated Jun 2026) Bhubaneswar Railway Retiring Rooms, Inside the Railway Station (Ashok Nagar). Very clean and safe place. Your ticket number is essential. ₹150. (updated May 2015) 2 Swosti Grand, 103, Janpath, ☏ +91-9337476478, toll-free: 1800 123 1414. ₹3254. (updated Aug 2020) 3 AIIMS Nagar Homestay, 214,Lane 14, AIIMS Nagar, Patrapada, ☏ +91-9583800660. Starts from ₹500. ₹1200 for 4 PAX AC Deluxe room. (updated May 2018) 4 Hotel Hindusthan International. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Fortune Park Sishmo Bhubaneswar. (updated Jun 2026)

Go next

Baliguda, roughly 270 km south from Bhubaneswar is home of Khonds and Kutia khonds. This is known as gateway to tribal tourism in the state. You can enjoy the nearby attractions like Belghar Sanctuary, Sapanala River Valley and Daringbadi, and get good hotel accommodation in Baliguda. Hotel Bivab is the best hotel to stay in this area. Bhitarkanika National Park, roughly 120 km north of Bhubaneswar, is home to the largest population of Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in all of India and is home to the largest known living crocodile at 23 feet in length. The park also features a wide variety of other wildlife, including a rare Albino Saltwater Crocodile. Chilika Lake is highly regarded by birdwatchers. It is about 100 km from Bhubaneswar. The brackish water being the reason for its amazing bird diversity, it is the second largest brackish water lake in Asia. Konark Koraput - NALCO and HAL plants Manglajodi in Chilika is a fishing village on the banks of the lake. it would be better to contact the local conservation group Wild Odisha, who will suggest a good guide who can take you around and will help you hire a boat too. Puri — sea beach and Jagannath Temple Rock City Kodala is nicknamed Rock City, it is around 60 km from Brahmapur. Rourkela - about 340 km north from Bhubaneswar. Direct train is available. Rourkela is one of the bigger cities of Odisha, and is also known as "Steel City". Sambalpur - Hirakud Dam and wildlife sanctuaries. Silk city Brahmapur (also spelled Berhampur) is nicknamed Silk City. It is around 180 km from Bhubaneswar. Simlipal National Park