Bhubaneswar: Capital of Odisha

Bhubaneswar is the capital and largest city of Odisha and is located in the Khordha district. It is situated in the eastern part of Odisha on the Kuakhai River. Cuttack was the capital of Odisha before India's independence in 1947, but on August 19, 1949, Bhubaneswar took over as the state's capital.

Capital Shift from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar

Before India became independent in 1947, Cuttack was Odisha’s capital but on 19 August 1949 Bhubaneswar replaced Cuttack as the capital of Odisha. 

• Bhubaneswar is one of modern India’s first planned cities.
• Cuttack and Bhubaneswar are often referred to as the “Twin Cities of Odisha”.

Bhubaneswar Facts and Features

• Bhubaneswar is known as the "Temple City of India" because of its vast number of temples. Historically, the city had over 700 temples, the most notable are Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, and Rajarani Temple.
• Bhubaneswar's history dates back at least to the 3rd century BCE. The territory surrounding the current city was previously part of the Kalinga Empire. The city was likely founded in either the 6th or 7th century CE.
• Otto Königsberger, a German architect, planned Bhubaneswar in 1946.
• Bhubaneswar is part of Odisha's "Golden Triangle" of tourist attractions. The other two points of the triangle are Puri, home to the Jagannath Temple, and Konark, home to the Sun Temple.
• Bhubaneswar is one of the cities selected by the Indian government's "Smart Cities Mission."
• The tertiary sector of the economy employs the vast majority of people in Bhubaneswar.
• Bhubaneswar is known for its traditional handicrafts, including Pattachitra (cloth-based scroll painting), appliqué work, and stone and wood carvings.

The Old Name of Bhubaneswar

The name "Bhubaneswar" is a shortened form of "Tribhubaneswar," which means "the God of the Universe" (Lord Siva) and was chosen for pronunciation ease. It was also known as "Ekamra Kanan" (a mango forest) and was the previous name of Bhubaneswar. 

Tourist City

Bhubaneswar is a major tourism destination not only in India but worldwide. Tourism is the main industry of the city. Monuments from the 11th century A.D. include the Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswar Temple, and Raja Rani Temple, as well as Ashok inscriptions in Dhauli and archaeological relics. These monuments showcase the excellence of Indian art and architecture.

Lingaraj Temple

The Lingaraj Temple is the biggest and holiest shrine in Temple City Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Harihara, In a way it is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This temple, which dates back to the 11 century, is home to a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shivalinga that is estimated to measure eight feet across and eight inches tall.

Mukteswara Temple

One of the most important tourist destinations in Bhubaneswar is the sacred Mukteswara Temple. Constructed in the tenth century, this shrine is regarded as a "Gem of Odisha" because of its magnificent architecture, fine sculpture, and detailed carvings. This temple, which is devoted to the All-Powerful Lord Shiva, is a magnificent example of Kalinga architecture.

Raja Rani Temple

The Raja Rani Temple, a well-known Hindu temple from the eleventh century located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, India, is referred to as the "love temple" by the locals because of its sensual carvings of women and couples. Since the sanctum is devoid of images, the temple is not connected to any one branch of Hinduism.

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