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It is a walk down centuries of temple architecture, With 600 temples still extant, temples are to this ancient city as forts are to Rajasthan. It is probably the only city in the world that enables an authentic over-view of the stages of development of Hindu religious architecture. In the fast moving world of today these temples are a gentle reminder of the splendor, the heritage of India.
It is not hard to imagine what a temple would have been at the time of its patron ruler. Regular dances by the 'Devadasis' or divine servant girls, rituals and rites, recital of hymns were all an integral part of temple culture. Temples in Bhubaneshwar are built on a common plan as prescribed by Hindu norms. The structure is divided into four distinct parts connected to each other. The external part or the outer chamber is the 'Jagamohana'. The Garbhagriha is the inner sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity.
All visible parts of a temple are sculpted with motifs of priests, kings, courtiers, pilgrims, celestial dancers, couples in embrace, birds, animals or scenes from religious epics and legends.
General information
|
Altitude |
45
meters (146
ft.) |
|
Rainfall |
Mid
June-September 60 inches (152 cms). |
|
Best Season |
October to
March. |
|
Temperature |
Summer -
Max.38
Min.27.1; Winter - Max.28.2 Min.15.2. |
|
STD Code |
0674 |
How to get there
Air
Bhubaneswar is connected with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Varanasi, Raipur and Visakhapatnam.
Rail
Bhubaneshwar is directly connected by rail with Calcutta, Puri, Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Trivandrum.
Road
Bhubaneshwar is situated on the national highway that runs between Calcutta and Madras. It is 480 km from Culcutta, 130 km from Chilika Lake (Barkul), 32 km from Cuttack, 184 km from Gopalpur-on-sea, 64 km from Konark, 1225 km from Madras, 62 km from Puri.
In and around
Lingaraj Temple
This magnificent monument dates back to the 11th century and represents the mature and complex 'Nagara' style of Orissan temple architecture. The temple, set in a huge walled compound measuring 520 feet by 465 feet, originally consisted only of the sanctum and the mandap or the entrance hall. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful sculptures which mark a climax of Hindu decorative architecture.
Dhauligiri
Dhauligiri 8 km, has Ashokan edicts carved on rocks. These date back to 2nd century BC. Also has Buddhist temple built with Japanese collaboration. Udaygiri, Khandagiri 8 km have a series of cave temples belonging to the Hindu and Jain faiths. Local guides required for the labyrinthine caves.
Nandan Kanan Zoo
Nandan Kanan or the Garden of Gods, is famous for its wild life park and botanical gardens. The Biological park has rare white Tigers, White Crocodiles and the largest Lion Safari. It also has a lake with boating facilities.
Chandipur
16 km is a seaside resort with one of the finest beaches in Orissa.
Pipli
29 km is a village famous for its appliqué work, originally only made for the temple Gods.
Atri
Atri Springs 42 km, has sulphur springs and the famous Hatakeshwara Temple.
Sun Temple
Sun Temple, Konark 65 km is a magnificent 13th century temple visualized as the chariot of the Sun God, as he glides through the firmament from dawn to dusk. The ruins have sculptures detailing every aspect of human life. The city also has a beautiful beach.
Udaygiri Khandagiri
7 km from Bhubaneshwar are the twin hills of Udaygiri and Khandagiri. Built by Kharavela around 1st - 2nd Century BC for Jain monks. They are excellent examples of Jain Cave art. The famous caves of Hathigumpha (elephant cave) in Udaygiri, RaniGumpha (Queen's cave) also in Udaygiri, with upper and lower stories, spacious courtyards and extremely delicately designed friezes bear witness to the sophistication architectural styles had attained as early as the first Century.
Dhauli
Driving down the Puri-Konark Highway from Bhubaneshwar one comes across Dhauli hill on the banks of the River Daya, surrounded by the soothing greenery of paddy fields, lies the 3rd Century BC Ashokan Rock Edict, a memory of the gruesome war that transformed Ashoka, the great Warrior into a Buddhist missionary. The Peace Pagoda built in collaboration with the Kalinga - Japanese Buddhist Sangha, on the opposite hill, is completely modern and is an excellent foil
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