Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, is also popularly known as the "Temple City of India". Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj', Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. Bhubaneswar is the place where temple building activities of Orissan style flowered from its very inception to its fullest culmination extending over a period of over one thousand years.

The new Bhubaneswar with its modern buildings and extensive infrastructure perfectly complements its historic surroundings. With facilities to cater to every type of visitor, Bhubaneswar makes an ideal tourist destination.

Some of the important temples of Bhubaneswar are: the temples of Laxmaneswar, Satrughaneswar and Bharateswar (c. 6th century A.D.), Parsurameswar and Swarnajaleswar (c. 7th century A.D.), Vaital (c. 8th century A.D.), Mukteswar (c. 10th century A.D.), Brahmeswar, Rajarani and Lingaraj (c. 11th century A.D.) and Ananta Vasudeva (c. 13th century A.D.). Orissa state Museum, Tribal Museum & Handicrafts House.The other attractions of the city include Orissa State Museum, Tribal Research Museum on CRP Square and Kalanagar at Gandanumda ; Ekamra Kanan housing the biggest Rose Garden of Asia ; Pathani Samanta Planetarium and BDA Nicco Park.

Approach: Bhubaneswar is well connected by air, rail and road to the rest of India. The modern Biju Patnaik airport is being extended to receive wide bodied aircraft, and one may well see international charters landing here soon.

Best time to visit: Bhubaneswar can be visited round the year, but the ideal time, especially for visitors from colder climes, would be from October to March.