City of temples - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, the capital of state Odisha in India is a popular
tourist destination. It is commonly known as " City of temple". The
word Bhubaneswar means "God's world". The temples were built in Kalinga architectural style. Throughout Odisha, you will find the amazing
example of Kalinga architecture. The famous four temples within Bhubaneswar city we visited during the trip.

Here I mentioned only about the four temples but when you will go for complete Bhubaneswar sightseeing you will find more temples to visit.

How to go Bhubaneswar:

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Bhubaneswar is well connected with other cities in India and
international by Biju Patnaik International Airport. Also, the Bhubaneswar
railway station is a major junction station. By road also Bhubaneswar can be
reached from any other city of India.



Hotels in Bhubaneswar:

From budget hotels to luxurious resorts all kinds of staying options are available in Bhubaneswar city. Online you may not get a cheap hotel for booking but once you arrive you can get accommodation as per your budget.



The famous four Temples of Bhubaneswar:-

1-Mukteswar
temple (Lord of Freedom):-

This 10th-century Hindu temple is dedicated to lord shiva as
mukteshvara. Which means the “Lord of Freedom” The presence of porch called
as  Torana which makes it different from other temples in that region. 

The temple architecture is known as the “Gem of Odisha architecture.” The temple has two structures called a Vimana and mukhasala. 

The outer wall of the temple has the curve of Hindu deities like Saraswati Ganesha, etc. In Torana, you can also find the influence of Buddhist architecture.

Mukteswar temple

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Mukteswar shiva

Points
to remember:-

Timings: Open on all days–

Best Time to Visit: The yearly Mukteshwar dance festival is a good time to visit this temple.

Entry Fee- No.

Camera Allowed.

2-Rajarani
temple (The Love Temple):-






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Rajarani temple

We also know this temple as love temple as there is erotic curving
of couples on the temple premises and there is no deity inside. They
constructed the temple of dull red and yellow stone was known as “Rajarani”.
They build the temple in the 11th century. They build the temple in pancharatha
style. A three-day Rajarani Music Festival is organized by the temple within
the complex every year, which mainly focuses on classical, Hindustani, Carnatic
and Odishi music.

Architecture in Rajarani temple

Points
to remember:-

Temple Timings: Open on all days–

Best Time to Visit: The Rajarani Festival that lasts for 3
days is a good time to visit the Rajarani Temple.

Entry Fee-Yes 5 Rs per person.

Camera Allowed.

3-Parashurameshvara
Temple:-

It is also known as Parashurameshvara, this temple is
dedicated to the lord shiva dated back to the Shailodbhava period between the
7th and 8th centuries CE. Thus, it is a shiva temple, but also you can find the
sculpture of  Saptamatrikas namely Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaishnavi,
Kaumari, Shivani, and Brahmi.  

Parashuramesvara temple

linga architecture in temple premises

Parashurameshvara shiva inside temple

It divides the temple into two parts; - a curving structure (Rekha deal) and sanctum called Vimana. There is no statute of Nandi though it is a Shiva temple.  Temple bodies are depicted with many stories from ancient mythology. This temple name derived from the penance of Parasuram and the grace of lord shiva. 

Temple body curve with Hindu deity gods

God and Goddess from the story of Purana

Points
to remember:-                            

Temple Timings: Open on all days  

Entry Fee- No

Camera Allowed

4-Lingaraja
Temple:-

Lingaraja is another marvellous architecture from 
Kalinga period, it is built around the 11th century. The temple is 180ft tall
and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is 8 feet in diameter. It is the oldest
and largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The temple is maintained by the ASI
(Archaeological Survey of India). There are 150 shrines in the temple premises.

Points
to remember:-

Temple Timings: Open on all days-

Entry Fee- No

Camera not allowed

Some main festival, which is celebrated in the temple
premises are:-

Prathamastami,Pravarana,Sasthi,MaghaSaptami,Sivaratri,Ratha Yatra,Utthapana
& Chaturdashi



Best time to visit

Winter is the best season to travel in Bhubaneswar.





All the pictures were taken by Cannon700D and my mobile