A Weekend Escape in Odisha: Immersing in Bhubaneswar's Cultural Splendors over Two Days

Nestled amid the picturesque landscapes of Odisha, India, lies a place of tranquil beauty that resonates with historical significance. Dhauli, a serene hillside on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, holds within its embrace a rich tapestry of spirituality, history, and natural splendor. Join us on a virtual journey as we explore the multifaceted allure of Dhauli.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Odisha with a two-day itinerary in Bhubaneswar. From ancient temples and historical landmarks to vibrant markets and delectable cuisine, this curated guide promises an immersive experience that showcases the cultural tapestry of this enchanting city.


Morning: Spiritual Awakening at Lingaraj Temple Begin your day at the iconic Lingaraj Temple, a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture. As you marvel at the intricately carved spire and sanctum, feel the spiritual energy that permeates this sacred space. Engage with the morning rituals and witness the devout paying homage to Lord Lingaraj. The temple's serene surroundings set the perfect tone for a day of cultural exploration.

Morning: Spiritual Awakening at Lingaraj Temple

Begin your day at the iconic Lingaraj Temple, a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture. As you marvel at the intricately carved spire and sanctum, feel the spiritual energy that permeates this sacred space. Engage with the morning rituals and witness the devout paying homage to Lord Lingaraj. The temple's serene surroundings set the perfect tone for a day of cultural exploration.

Late Morning: Heritage Walk in Old Town Embark on a heritage walk through Old Town, where every street exudes historical charm. Explore the Mukteshwar Temple, adorned with exquisite sculptures, and witness the ancient rituals at Bindu Sagar, a sacred water tank surrounded by small temples. Allow the narrow bylanes to transport you back in time as you soak in the architectural marvels and stories etched in the walls.

Late Morning: Heritage Walk in Old Town

Embark on a heritage walk through Old Town, where every street exudes historical charm. Explore the Mukteshwar Temple, adorned with exquisite sculptures, and witness the ancient rituals at Bindu Sagar, a sacred water tank surrounded by small temples. Allow the narrow bylanes to transport you back in time as you soak in the architectural marvels and stories etched in the walls.

Lunch: Local Flavors at Ekamra Haat Head to Ekamra Haat for a gastronomic journey through Odisha's diverse cuisine. This handicrafts market also houses a food court offering traditional Odia dishes. Indulge in Dalma (a lentil and vegetable stew), Pakhala (fermented rice soaked in water), and the delectable Chhena Poda (a cheese dessert). Savor the flavors that have been perfected over generations.

Lunch: Local Flavors at Ekamra Haat

Head to Ekamra Haat for a gastronomic journey through Odisha's diverse cuisine. This handicrafts market also houses a food court offering traditional Odia dishes. Indulge in Dalma (a lentil and vegetable stew), Pakhala (fermented rice soaked in water), and the delectable Chhena Poda (a cheese dessert). Savor the flavors that have been perfected over generations.

Afternoon: Cultural Odyssey at Odisha State Museum Immerse yourself in Odisha's rich cultural heritage at the Odisha State Museum. From archaeological artifacts to traditional art forms, this museum offers a comprehensive view of the state's history. The galleries showcase sculptures, paintings, and artifacts that provide insights into Odisha's glorious past.

Afternoon: Cultural Odyssey at Odisha State Museum

Immerse yourself in Odisha's rich cultural heritage at the Odisha State Museum. From archaeological artifacts to traditional art forms, this museum offers a comprehensive view of the state's history. The galleries showcase sculptures, paintings, and artifacts that provide insights into Odisha's glorious past.

Late Afternoon: Tranquil Retreat to Dhauli Shanti Stupa Escape to the serene Dhauli Shanti Stupa, located on the banks of the Daya River. This Buddhist monument symbolizes peace and spirituality. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and reflect on the teachings of Buddha. The tranquil ambiance provides a welcome respite before the evening adventures.

Late Afternoon: Tranquil Retreat to Dhauli Shanti Stupa

Escape to the serene Dhauli Shanti Stupa, located on the banks of the Daya River. This Buddhist monument symbolizes peace and spirituality. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and reflect on the teachings of Buddha. The tranquil ambiance provides a welcome respite before the evening adventures.

Evening: Sunset at Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves As the day winds down, head to the ancient caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri. Explore the rock-cut caves adorned with inscriptions and carvings. The Udayagiri caves, in particular, offer breathtaking views of the sunset. The interplay of light and shadow on the ancient stones creates a mesmerizing spectacle.

Evening: Sunset at Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves

As the day winds down, head to the ancient caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri. Explore the rock-cut caves adorned with inscriptions and carvings. The Udayagiri caves, in particular, offer breathtaking views of the sunset. The interplay of light and shadow on the ancient stones creates a mesmerizing spectacle.

Dinner: Local Delicacies at Raja Rani Haat Conclude your day with a culinary treat at Raja Rani Haat, a vibrant marketplace that comes alive in the evening. Sample local snacks like Bara Ghuguni, Aloo Chop, and the famous Odia street food, Dahibara Aloodum. The lively atmosphere and diverse food stalls ensure a delightful end to your day.

Dinner: Local Delicacies at Raja Rani Haat

Conclude your day with a culinary treat at Raja Rani Haat, a vibrant marketplace that comes alive in the evening. Sample local snacks like Bara Ghuguni, Aloo Chop, and the famous Odia street food, Dahibara Aloodum. The lively atmosphere and diverse food stalls ensure a delightful end to your day.


In just one day, you've experienced the spiritual fervor, historical richness, and culinary delights that define Bhubaneswar. This city, with its ancient temples and cultural treasures, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a profound cultural experience in the heart of Odisha.



Day 2: Art, Culture, and Modern Bhubaneswar


Morning: Artistic Sojourn at Kala Bhoomi

Commence your second day with a visit to Kala Bhoomi, a museum dedicated to Odisha's art and craft. Explore the various galleries that showcase traditional textiles, handloom artifacts, and indigenous crafts. Engage in hands-on activities to get a deeper understanding of Odisha's rich artistic heritage.

Late Morning: Nandankanan Zoological Park Embark on a short journey to Nandankanan Zoological Park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the rare white tiger, the zoo provides an opportunity to connect with nature. The serene lake and lush greenery create a perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll.

Late Morning: Nandankanan Zoological Park

Embark on a short journey to Nandankanan Zoological Park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the rare white tiger, the zoo provides an opportunity to connect with nature. The serene lake and lush greenery create a perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll.


Lunch: Local Flavors at Dalma

Head to Dalma, a popular restaurant in Bhubaneswar, to savor more of Odisha's culinary delights. The menu features a range of authentic dishes, allowing you to indulge in the diverse flavors of the region.


Afternoon: Modern Vibes at Bhubaneswar's Tech Hub

Explore the modern side of Bhubaneswar by visiting the Infocity area, the city's technology hub. Marvel at the contemporary architecture and vibrant atmosphere as you stroll through the IT parks and business complexes. The juxtaposition of tradition and modernity is evident in this dynamic part of the city.


Late Afternoon: Shopping at Master Canteen Square

Spend your late afternoon indulging in a shopping spree at Master Canteen Square. This bustling area is known for its vibrant street markets and local shops. Pick up traditional Odia handicrafts, handloom products, and souvenirs to take a piece of Bhubaneswar's culture with you.

Evening: Sunset at Rajarani Temple Witness the serene beauty of the sunset at Rajarani Temple, known for its ornate sculptures and intricate carvings. The warm glow of the setting sun against the temple's backdrop creates a magical ambiance, providing a perfect end to your two-day itinerary.

Evening: Sunset at Rajarani Temple

Witness the serene beauty of the sunset at Rajarani Temple, known for its ornate sculptures and intricate carvings. The warm glow of the setting sun against the temple's backdrop creates a magical ambiance, providing a perfect end to your two-day itinerary.


Dinner: By now you would know what you want to do to conclude your second day in Bhubaneshwar !


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While in Bhubaneshwar ( Odisha , we planned to drive to Konark Sun Temple and witness it's grandness & heritage.Temple has beautifully carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A lot of portions of temple are in ruins, although remained part is being maintained. Some work was happening when we visited the temple this month (july’2016).Sun Temple in Konark is 65 kilometers from Bhubaneshwar and 35 km from Puri.ASI maintains the temple and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Konark Sun temple is also featured in the list of 7 wonders in India, along with Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai, Dholavira of Gujarat, Red Fort of Delhi, Jaisalmer Fort of Rajasthan, Nalanda of Bihar and Khajuraho of MP.The name Konark comes from Sanskrit words - Kona and Ark. Europian sailors had 2 important temples in this part of India - Konark Sun Temple and Jaganath Temple in Puri, which are called Black Pagoda and White Padoga respectively.Konark Sun Temple has used iron beams for it’s structure. It was made to look like Surya-Rath (Chariot of Sun God). There are 12 carved stone wheels which are 3 meters wide and is pulled by a set of seven horses, which you see on entry gate of the temple. It followed popular Kalinga Architecture.Maintenance of Konark Sun Temple was in progress and it made us feel good about the care ASI is taking of these beautiful heritage buildings in India. Although it made us worry about the way these structures are restored. Plain stones without any carving are being added to give support to the structure. It's understandable that same carving might be difficult to achieve but some creative stuff can be done. More than structure, the craved stones are decaying with time and wondering if there is a good way to avoid it. I am sure ASI must thinking about all these things.Konark Sun Temple is one of the most visited tourist places in Odisha and it's considered as one of the most popular places to visit around Bubaneshwar. We didn't want to miss and happy that it was a nice experience to be there. Although the weather was not suitable, but we had fun.There are some interesting facts about the architecture of Konark Sun Temple. Original temple had one part of the compound, which was 70 mgr high. Now the highest structure of the Sun Temple is 30 meters high, which is essentially the audience hall along with smaller structures like Dance hall and Dining hall.Orissa Tourism website lists few interesting details around history behind this temple.Surrounding of the Konark Sun Temple is pretty green and the weather made it greener for us.We had great time roaming around this beautiful campus of Konark Sun Temple, which has lot to surprise you and make you think how it was built many centuries ago. Here we tried to click family selfie with our DSLR and it came out well :)These are the Ashvas (horses) of Surya Rath. Somehow the faces are different and I am not sure why. There must be some reason behind these shapes.






























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