Bhubaneswar Temples: A Pilgrim's Guide to the City of Temples

Just as Puri is the city of Lord Jagannath, the nearby capital Bhubaneswar is known as Mandira Malini — “the city of temples.” For pilgrims staying with us at Sri Purushottam Bhakta Nivas, the Bhubaneswar temples make a deeply rewarding day trip, complementing the coastal devotion of Puri with the older, quieter grandeur of Odisha’s ancient Saivite heart. At roughly 60 kilometres from Puri, the city is easy to reach and packed with sacred sites spanning more than a thousand years.

Why pair Bhubaneswar with Puri

Where Puri offers the living, festive worship of Jagannath, Bhubaneswar offers a window into Odisha’s deep roots: stone temples, rock-cut caves and Buddhist monuments that long predate the present temple of Puri. Together, the two cities form a complete picture of the region’s spiritual heritage. Many pilgrims begin their journey at one and end at the other, and the drive between them passes through the very landscape where the course of Indian history was once altered.

Lingaraj Temple — the great Saivite shrine

The soul of the city is Lingaraj Temple, the largest and most revered temple in Bhubaneswar. The present structure dates largely from the 11th century, though the site is far older, and it represents the mature flowering of Kalinga architecture: a soaring deul (sanctuary tower) rising above the surrounding streets, surrounded by dozens of smaller shrines in a walled compound.

The presiding deity, Lord Lingaraj, is a form of Shiva, but uniquely he is also understood as Hari-Hara — a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu — and is honoured by both Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees. As at the Jagannath Temple, only Hindus may enter the inner sanctum; however, a viewing platform has been thoughtfully provided so that visitors of all backgrounds can admire the temple from outside. Bindusagar, the sacred tank nearby, is itself a place of pilgrimage.

Mukteshvara and Parasurameshvara — gems of early carving

If Lingaraj overwhelms with scale, Mukteshvara Temple enchants with detail. This exquisite 10th-century temple is often called a “miniature gem” of Odishan architecture, famous for its beautifully carved torana — an arched gateway adorned with sculptures that has become an iconic image of Bhubaneswar. The figures of musicians, dancers and animals here are among the most graceful in all of Indian temple art.

Nearby stands the older Parasurameshvara Temple, dating from around the 7th century, one of the best-preserved early temples in the city. Its walls are covered in fine carvings of deities and scenes from Shaiva mythology, offering a glimpse of the art that would later blossom into the great temples of the medieval period.

Rajarani Temple — the “Khajuraho of the East”

Set in a beautifully kept garden, Rajarani Temple is famous not for its deity — the sanctum is empty — but for the astonishing quality of its sculpted figures. Carved in the 11th century from a distinctive local laterite that glows warm red at sunset, the temple is decorated with graceful nayikas (female figures) in countless elegant poses, along with figures of guardians, couples and celestial beings. Its sensual, refined carving has earned it the nickname “the Khajuraho of the East.” Because it is no longer a working temple, it can be explored freely by all visitors, making it a particular favourite for those interested in art and history.

Khandagiri and Udayagiri — the Jain rock-cut caves

A short drive from the main temple cluster brings you to the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, home to ancient Jain rock-cut caves carved more than two thousand years ago. Commissioned in part by King Kharavela of Kalinga, the caves were once inhabited by Jain monks and are decorated with fine carvings and inscriptions that chronicle a sophisticated ancient civilisation.

The most famous, the Rani ka Naur (Queen’s Palace) cave on Udayagiri, is a multi-storeyed structure with intricate carvings of court scenes, animals and processions. Climbing the steps rewards you with sweeping views over the surrounding plains. The caves are an important counterpoint to the Hindu temples, reminding visitors that Odisha has long been a crossroads of faiths.

Dhauli — where Emperor Ashoka turned to peace

No guide to the Bhubaneswar temples is complete without Dhauli, the hill on the banks of the river Daya where the great Kalinga war was fought in 261 BCE. According to tradition, it was here, surrounded by the suffering he had caused, that the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka renounced violence and embraced the path of Buddhism.

Today, Dhauli is marked by a brilliant white Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), built in the 20th century through Indo-Japanese collaboration, its panels depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life. The peaceful setting, the river glinting below and the weight of history combine to make Dhauli one of the most moving places in all of eastern India.

Planning the day

A typical route covers Lingaraj, Mukteshvara, Parasurameshvara and Rajarani in the morning, then Khandagiri–Udayagiri and Dhauli in the afternoon. Hire a cab for the day, carry water, and dress modestly. After a rich day of stone and stillness, the drive back to the Bada Danda brings you home to the lights of Lord Jagannath’s city — and to a warm plate of sattvic bhojan within two minutes’ walk of the Singhadwara (Lion Gate).

To weave these sites into a fuller journey, see our guides to the many places to visit near Puri and our 3-day Puri itinerary. You will find more ideas on our blog, and our team is always glad to help our guests arrange a trusted car and driver for the day.