Bhubaneswar, India: travel guide
Temple capital of Odisha with Kalinga stonework and ancient caves
Temple city of Odisha — 'City of Temples' with over 700 medieval Kalinga temples, the Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves, and emerging modern art galleries.
About Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha and long known as the City of Temples, with a large number of medieval shrines built in the Kalinga style. It is the natural base for the Odisha heritage circuit that includes Puri and Konark.
The Lingaraja Temple is the grandest, and nearby the smaller Mukteshwar and Rajarani temples show carving in fine detail. On the outskirts, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are rock-cut cells dating back to ancient times, and Dhauli Shanti Stupa looks over fields where the Ashokan edicts stand. Nandankanan Zoological Park offers a lighter day.
Bhubaneswar suits history lovers and architecture fans. The best time to visit Bhubaneswar is from October to March, when the weather is far kinder for walking between temples.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- BBI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bhubaneswar
Lingaraja Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
The towering 11th-century Lingaraja Temple, the grandest of Bhubaneswar's shrines and a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture, dedicated to Harihara (Shiva-Vishnu).
Rajarani Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ₹300
An 11th-century temple of warm dulmal sandstone, famed for its sculpted maidens and dikpalas; now a ticketed monument with a lawn setting.
Nandankanan Zoological Park
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · entry ₹100
A famous forested zoo and botanical garden ~20 km out, renowned for white tigers, a lion safari and a large nocturnal-animal house.
Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹300
Twin hills honeycombed with 2nd-century-BCE Jain rock-cut caves carved for monks, with reliefs, inscriptions and city views.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A gleaming white Peace Pagoda on Dhauli hill marking the Kalinga War site where Ashoka embraced Buddhism, with rock edicts and river views.
Mukteshwar Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A jewel-box 10th-century temple famed for its exquisitely carved torana (arched gateway) — the "gem of Odisha architecture".
ISKCON Bhubaneswar
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene marble Krishna-Balaram temple with daily aartis, gardens and a vegetarian restaurant, a calm spiritual stop in the city.
Ekamra Haat
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
An open-air crafts bazaar showcasing Odisha's handlooms, applique, Pattachitra and silver filigree, with food stalls and frequent cultural shows.
Odisha State Museum
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹100
A rich state museum of Odishan sculpture, palm-leaf manuscripts, tribal artefacts and natural history across multiple galleries.
Bindusagar Lake
Nature · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A sacred tank beside the Lingaraja temple, said to gather waters from all of India's holy rivers, central to old-town ritual life.
Things to do
- Nandankanan Zoo & Lion Safari Wildlife · 3 h · from INR 500 per person
- Bhubaneswar Temple Heritage Walk Cultural · 3 h · from INR 900 per person
- Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves Tour Cultural · 2 h · from INR 700 per person
- Dhauli & Pipili Applique Trip Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Golden Triangle: Bhubaneswar–Konark–Puri 12 h · from INR 2,800
- Bhubaneswar Temple City Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Nandankanan & Dhauli Trip 6 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Bhubaneswar
- Nayapalli about INR 2,500 per night
Central residential area with mid-range hotels
Hotels
- Mayfair Lagoon 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per night
- Trident Bhubaneswar 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- Swosti Premium 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- Ginger Bhubaneswar 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night
- Hotel Swosti Grand 4-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per night
- Hotel Empires 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Dalma Odia · about INR 400 per person
- Truptee Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Odia · about INR 400 per person
- Odisha Hotel Odia · about INR 250 per person
- Hare Krishna Restaurant North Indian, Chinese · about INR 500 per person
- Kanika (Mayfair Lagoon) Odia, North Indian, Mughlai · about INR 1,200 per person
- Mausam Restaurant Mughlai, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
- Tangerine 9 Continental, Italian, Cafe · about INR 500 per person
- Cafe Ekamra Cafe, Continental, Fast Food · about INR 350 per person
Getting to Bhubaneswar
Airport: Bhubaneswar (BBI)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Ride Hail
- Walking
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Bhubaneswar
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Bhubaneswar?
- The highest-rated places in our Bhubaneswar guide are Lingaraja Temple, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Mukteshwar Temple, ISKCON Bhubaneswar, Rajarani Temple.
- Where should I stay in Bhubaneswar?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bhubaneswar: Nayapalli.
- How do I get around Bhubaneswar?
- Ways to get around Bhubaneswar covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Bhubaneswar?
- The nearest airport to Bhubaneswar has the code BBI.