If you are willing to witness the culture and tradition in a unique way, then make sure to visit Bhubaneswar. Just escape into the largest city of Odisha and check out some fascinating destinations, where you can feel the true essence of tradition like never before.
Odisha State Museum
Odisha State Museum is a popular museum in Bhubaneswar, which was established in 1932 and later moved to the current building in 1960. The museum is managed by a superintendent and the administrative control of Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Odisha. Furthermore, it is divided into eleven sections, namely Numismatics, Archaeology, Natural History, Epigraphy, Armoury, Mining & Geology, Anthropology, Art & Craft, Contemporary Art, Patta Painting, and Palm Leaf Manuscripts.
Dhauli
Located on the banks of the river Daya, the Dhauli hill is a vast open space that has major Edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock, by the side of the road leading to the summit of the hill. It is even believed that Kalinga War was fought in the area. The Rock Edicts found here include Nos. I-X, XIV and two separate Kalinga Edicts. The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal’s foreparts only and has a fine sense of form and movement.
Nandankanan Zoological Park
Established in 1960, Nandankanan Zoological Park is a botanical garden, which was opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in the year 2009. The zoo also contains a botanical garden and part of it has been declared a sanctuary.
Bhima Kunda
Located beyond the western compound wall of the Bhimesvara Temple precinct, in Kapila Prasad, Bhima Kunda (tank) is a renowned tourist spot in the Old Town, Bhubaneswar. However, now it is under the care and maintenance of Bhimesvara Temple Development Committee. The tank was excavated by cutting through the laterite bedrock. The wall is made of dressed laterite blocks.
Kukutesvara Tank
Associated with the Kukutesvara Siva temple of Bhubaneswar, Kukutesvara tank is surrounded by Railway track in the southeastern corner at a distance of 10.00 meters. It is one of the famous tourist’s destinations in the city of Bhubaneswar that will surely make you stay here.
Gajlaxmi Palace
Around 1-hour driving distance from the city of Bhubaneswar, the Gajlaxmi palace is the official palace of the Singhdeo dynasty located in the Dhenkana town of Odisha. The palace is currently turned to be a tourist resort and has become one of the prominent tourist spots by the time. In this palace, Bengali feature film Royal Bengal Rahasya was shot.
Konark Sun Temple
Popularly known as Black Pagoda, the Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century Sun Temple, which was supposedly built by King Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty during the year 1250. The place was just an hour driving distance from the Bhubaneswar. Most importantly, the temple is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It has been built in the shape of a gigantic chariot with elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars, and walls. On NDTV’s list, it is also featured as Seven Wonders of India.
