Bhubaneswar Tourist Guide

ORISSA AT A GLANCE: By historical significance Orissa has been called by different name, such as – Kalingo, Utkala,Kongada and Orda-desha. Orrisa is a state of natural beauty. There are blue see and its shore, water-fall, green forest, fish and dollfin infested Chilka Lake. Thes places attract tourists like a magnet. Utkala is famous for its art and magnificent craft. These places cover 1, 55, 707sq.kms. Jagannath temple at Puri, Sun temple at konarak and and lingoraj of Bhubarnasar are golden triangle of Orissa. 

LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE

       LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE, PURI: Today’s jagannath temple was built in 12,00 a.d by Annanta -vim Deb. It can be said that the tax of this huge empire from Ganga to Godabori was spend for 12 years to build this temple. The height of this temple is 214 feet and its shape is like “Pancha Ratha”. All around this temple there is a huge wall which is called “Megnad” wall. The wall’s height is 20 feet and it is 660 feet in length. This Temple is divided into four parts – 1) Biman, 2) Mukhshala, 3) Jagmohan,
4) Bhogmandop.

RATH YATRA (CAR FESTIVAL)

 RATH YATRA (CAR FESTIVAL) PURI: Ratha Yatra is the best among 13 journeys in 12 months of Lord Jagannath. This Ratha Yatra takes place at second tithi of suklapaksha at Bengali Asar (june-july) month every year. This festival is also popular as Gundicha Yatra or Ghose Yatra. On the day of Ratha -Yatra sri Balaram, goddess Subhaadra and Lord Jagannath go to sri Gundicha temple riding on three well decorated wooden chariots. There these three idols are kept for seven days and on the day of Dashami Return to the temple. The chariot of Sri Balaram is called Taldhaja that of goddess Subhdra is called Debidalan and the chariot of Lord Jagannath is Nandighosh.

DEITIES OF THE JAGANNATH TEMPLE, PURI

DEITIES OF THE JAGANNATH TEMPLE, PURI: There are three main idols in the temple- left hand side Sri Balaram, in the middle goddess Subhadra and right hand side lord Jagannath. These three idols have been built by Neem wood. The idols are replaced after about 12 years. 

SRI GUNDICHA GHAR TEMPLE (AUNT’S HOUSE), PURI

SRI GUNDICHA GHAR TEMPLE (AUNT’S HOUSE), PURI: Sri Gundicha temple is 2 K.M. away from the main temple in the northern side. This temple’s height is 430 feet and in breadth 320 feet. This temple is named after the name of queen Gundicha, the wife of King Indradumna. Load Jagannath stays in this temple from Ratha Jatra to the return of Ratha Jatra. 

LOKANATH TEMPLE, PURI:

LOKANATH TEMPLE, PURI: The lokanath temple is at a distance of about 3 Km from the west of Jagannath Temple, Puri. Puri is also a seat of Shiva worship. Sri Lokanath is the Guardian Deity of Sri Jagannath Temple’s treasure house. So he is known as Bhandar Lokanath also.

NARENDRA TANK,PURI

NARENDRA TANK,PURI: Narendra Tank is one of the Holy Tanks. The Tank is at a distance of about 1 Km. from the jagannath Temple towards the North. The Chandan Yatra festival beginning from Akshya -Tritiya of the month baisakha (April – May) continues at this Tank for 21 days. Lord Madan Mohan and Pancha Pandavas have their pleasure cruise around in the tank in well decorated boats.

SEA BEACH, PURI

SEA BEACH, PURI: This holy town has a long wide and attractive sea Beach. The sea is called Mahodadhi. It is the Bay of Bengal. The puri sea beach is also known as the Golden Beach is the finest beach on the east coast. The beach attracts sunbathers and swimmers because of the calmness of the sea.

SAKHIGOPAL TEMPLE, PURI

SAKHIGOPAL TEMPLE, PURI: A temple devoted to the child lord Krishna or Gopal has a beautiful life-size image of the God with Radha. The legend relates that when Gopal came here regarding a dispute between two Brahmins he fell in love with the place and stayed on hence the temple. It is 18 Km. from puri on the way to Bhubaneswar.

THE SUN TEMPLE, KONARK

THE SUN TEMPLE, KONARK: The Present sun Temple konark is also known as the Black Pagoda.It is 36 Km, from Puri. The present sun Temple was built by the king Langula Narasigha Deva in 13th century A.D. with the help of 1200 architects in 12 years time and at 12 years state Revenue, in the form of a Chariot of sun God. The height of this temple is 228 feet. The temple is fitted with 24 wheelsand 7 horses

THE SUN GOD OF KONARK

THE SUN GOD OF KONARK: There are three forms of the sun God. The southern side god called ‘Mitra’ is described as the Rising Sun; it is 8’3” in height. The Western side god called ‘Punsan’ is described as Mid-day sun, its height is 9’6 and the Northern side god called ‘Haritasva’ is described as the setting Sun, its height is 3.58 meters.

STONE CHARIOT WHEELL, KONARK

STONE CHARIOT WHEELL, KONARK: The sun Temple was constructed as Chariot of sun God and 24 Wheels have been affixed. Each wheel has 8 spokes. The entire wheel is full of fine art works. The 24 wheels signify 24 hours and the 8 spokes signify 8 prahars of a day.

THE WAR HORSE, KONARK

THE WAR HORSE, KONARK: There are two gorgeously caparisoned war Horses in front of the southern side of the Konark Temple. They are each 10 feet long and 7 feet high. The sculpture depicts each of them with its massive strength and vigour trampling down a warrior. This figure of war House of Kanark has been accepted as the symbol of the state Government of Orissa and her erstwhile martial glory.

MAIN GATE KONARK

MAIN GATE KONARK: There are two majestic lions in front of the eastern door which is the Main Gate of the Konark Sun Temple. The lion is seen pressing down a big elephant which has caught hold of a man in this trunk. The entire block is in one stone.

CHILIKA LAKE, PURI

CHILIKA LAKE, PURI: Chilika Lake is the largest inland lake in India. Nestling in the heart of Orissa, the 1100 sq. Km. lagoon is connected to the Bay of Bengal. Dotted with numerous islands. The lake is rich in aquatic fauna and migratory avian species. The lake is 105 Km. from Bhubaneswar and 165 Km from Puri.

DHAULIGIRI, BHUBANESWAR

DHAULIGIRI, BHUBANESWAR: Dhaulli is situated towards the south-west of Bhubaneswar and it is 8Km. from Bhubaneswar. The shanty stupa or stupa of peace, built by the Japanese, commemorates the site of one of the greatest religious conversions in History.

MUKTESWAR TEMPLLE, BHUBANESWAR

MUKTESWAR TEMPLLE, BHUBANESWAR: The Mukterswar Temple of Bhubaneswar was built in the 10th century A.D. with its Small 35 feet high Deula. A scholar considers it the Harbinger or the new culture. The beautiful Torana, the arched gateway deserves special attention.

 

LINGARAJ TEMPLE, BHUBANESWAR

LINGARAJ TEMPLE, BHUBANESWAR: The towering Lingaraj Temple in Bhubanwswar represents the Orissan temple architecture. The present temple was built by King Lalatendu Keshari in the 11th century A.D. it is 180 feet high.

KHANDAGIRI – UDAYAGIRI CAVES

KHANDAGIRI – UDAYAGIRI CAVES: The twin hills are situated 8Km. North – west of Bhubaneswar. The height of Khandagiri is 133 feet and Udayagiri is 110 feet. There are 19 caves in khandagiri and 44 caves in Udayagiri.

NANDAN KANAN ZOO

NANDAN KANAN ZOO: Nandan Kanan Zoo is 25 Km. from Bhubneswar, open from 8 A.M to 5 P.M. every day (Monday closed), is one of the India’s finest Zoo. Nandan Kanan is famous for Royal Bengal Tigers.