Solo Travel India|| Solo-female Travel India|| Solo Travel Odisha || Odisha travel Plan || Bhubaneshwar Travel Guide
I have been to Bhubaneshwar before.. usually, I go for work.. but the first time I came to this city.. I fell head over heels.. it was impossible not to love the city.. One of the reasons could be, I was staying at the master canteen area, which just the central area of the city.. filled with shopping, restaurants, temples, fairgrounds, street food corners, close to Ekamra Haat (if you are thinking what Ekamra is.. will come to that later).. this city is #happening.. quiet, simple, peaceful yet happening.. Interesting isn’t it??
Apart from the master canteen area.. the city is full of entertainment. Malls, restaurants, cafes, sweets.. and temples.. I had been told many times that the city has so many temples, that I should give some time to the city exploring its beauty. This time I took it. I took a break after my work and stayed back for a week. I went to Bhitarkanika in between and rest I spent at Bhubaneshwar.
There are a few conducted city tours available.. but I decided to go for it all by myself. A friend guided here. And following her advice, I explored some beautiful streets, had some wonderful experiences, and it was a great decision. I can do those same things again.. actually, some of the things I keep doing again and again whenever I am here.. like walking around the streets of Master Canteen area, going to the Ram Mandir.. visiting Ekamra Haat and whatnot.. this city mesmerises me..
What to see in Bhubaneshwar?? Or Where did I go in Bhubaneshwar?
I will go straight to the places:
State Museum:
So the plan was to go to the old town area.. to see the temples there. So I was told to take an auto to ‘Kalpana’ (it’s the name of a place, it’s a bus stop as well) and from there another auto to Lingaraja Temple. Now while getting down, I found two things at Kalpana stop. One was the Utkal Kanika Mall right across the road and the State Museum just to my left.
I straight away headed to the museum, bought a ticket and took a round of the museum. I was trying to hurry as I had to go to the temples. I somehow managed to see the museum in about 40 minutes, but you will need about an hour or little more to go with a slow descent pace. Better go for a slow pace.. as there’s no point in going to a museum and you are in a hurry.. (Look who’s talking!! I know!! But this wasn’t in my plan guys!! Like Duuhh!!)
But it’s a beautiful museum, looks like newly renovated, very nicely presented, at some parts there’s still work going on. Art, history, culture, tradition.. ask anything you may need, they have a collection for it. They also do some training or projection for students (though I cannot share much details for this, as I am not aware).. but surely this place should be on your to-do list in Bhubaneshwar.
***Entrance fees: Rs 20 per Indian + 10 rs for photography
Temples:
Lingaraja Temple:
The biggest and assumed to be the oldest temples of the city. One of the highly visited temples of the state, most likely after the Jagannath temple in Puri. This is a Shiva Temple. The temple is huge and with strict security. You are not allowed to take your phones, camera, umbrella, or any sort of bag inside. Only yourself and a small purse. That’s it, hence if you are someone who travels on public transport, you have to deposit your possessions to the temple authority (they have a locker system) and then go inside the temple. There’s no entrance ticket involved, if you wish to offer puja, you may do that.
From AUG 2024: I didn’t share my experience last time, because I didn’t enter the temple last time. I had a camera with me and I was reluctant to leave it at their locker and go inside. Hence I prayed from outside and promised Lord Shiva that I would come back soon. At look when I come back!!!
At the auspicious month of Shravana and that too on a Monday. I had a fast for the whole day, went to the temple in the evening, had a darshan of the God, lit Diyas (mud lamp) and then broke my fast.
The temple ground is huge. Everyone warned me to avoid going on ‘the Monday’ because of the crowd but Shiva was calling me, he had everything planned for me. I didn’t have to wait in the queue, I went inside, had a great darshan of the lord, roamed around the entire temple ground, saw all the smaller temples inside. It took about 40 minutes to take a round of the temple and I Loveddddd it. The energy of the place, the time, everything was beautiful. I am so happy that I made it. And of course, I had my pre-planned walk again.. from Lingaraj temple, Anantavasudev temple, followed by my favourite walk to Kotiteertha lane, then Kedar Gouri and Mukteshwara temple. and it was a complete tour for me. Satisfying!!
Light and music show by Lingaraja Temple/ Ananta Vasudev Temple:
There are a few lakes around the temple. When you are coming to this old town area, keep your evening free. Because it’s a good place to spend the evenings by one of the lakes, named Bindusar Lake. This is right beside the temple and right in front of the Ananta Vasudev Temple. They also conduct 2 light and musical spring shows here in the evening starting from 6:30 pm and the other show at 7pm (no tickets required).. but you can buy chai, pakodas from the shops across and enjoy a breezy soothing evening by the lake.
Ananta Vasudev Temple:
Next comes Ananta Vasudev Temple.. just a 2-minute walking distance away from Lingaraj Temple, there stands this old, sandstone carved temple. this is a Vishnu temple and this temple is also very famous for its Bhog Prasad. You must come within 2:30 if you wish to have the Prasad here. You have to bring (easily available outside the temple) your banana leaf, and the temple Pandits will serve you a sumptuous meal. Don’t expect anything royal here pls.. normal rice, dal, curry, chutney.. you have to sit as the temple ground like the locals do and enjoy the blessings of the lord. The food is amazing, a little portion keeps you full for long. Cost just 100 Rs per person.
In case you don’t want to eat there, there are a few shops outside, that sell those Prasads, you can buy there but you have to come by 1 in the afternoon. I had my Bhog but the temple was closed by that time, I came back in the evening to see the temple again.
OK.. after these 2 temples.. comes an interesting turn. So I was told by my friend to visit the Kedar Gauri temple and Mukteshwar temple. To go there, I was shown one lane by the auto driver.. then I found another lane adjacent and as you know me, I like to explore such lanes.. and hey hey hey.. both these lanes come together after one point and head to the same street and both the lanes are full of surprises.
Kotiteerthswara lane:
So one of the lanes was Kotiteerthswara lane. ‘koti’ literally means crore or ten million. Now this lane seriously was full of temples. Amongst the quiet, simple residential area, there stand temples at every step. & sometimes you just see a signboard of the temple, then inside a narrow lane you will find a small temple, sometimes you have to take a round of the lane and find the actual entrance of a temple.. I was in awe here. Mostly all temples are Shiva temples, built with Sandstones, all are quite ancient but built at different times. Oohh.. this walk was energetically astonishing.. and I know I will go there again, I will take the same lanes and I will get mesmerised the same way I was this time. Only, this time I will take more and better pictures. When I came back, I remembered I hardly took pictures of the place. I was lost, I took quite a few rounds of both lanes, but I was just lost, I was happily content, and sometimes I just zone out. Next time I will post more pictures.. but you my friend, should give half a day to this area otherwise you are missing a big deal of the city.
Kedar Gauri temple:
Again, quite a well-known temple among the locals, and is highly worshipped. But this temple looks more modern, newly built, actually, they were renovated.
Mukteshwar Temple:
Right behind the Kedar Gauri temple, walk little more, and you have the Mukteshwar temple. So this is more of a park. People spend their evenings here. There are small Shiva temples lined across, then there is a small main temple inside the park, there is a small pond. Built on sandstones, well crafted, these temples are magnetic, so hard to ignore their beauty, you just can’t stop appreciating the art carved on the walls.
That was a good, satisfying half a day spent in this part of the city. Now some information on Bhubaneshwar, you may be looking for:
Going around in Bhubaneshwar/ Transportation:
Public transport is easily available in Bhubaneshwar and very safe to use them.
I still haven’t taken a bus ride here, but didn’t have any problem with the Autos. Local shared autos are good and cheap and drivers are very helpful. You can also use Uber/ Ola app to commute by auto, the drivers are very cooperating. The city is best to commute by public transport as per me. I didn’t even mind going to the airport by an auto.
Shopping:
Malls: where to start from? The city has quite a few a malls all across the city. Utkalkanika, Esplaned are a few known ones, there are other similar and bigger malls available all across the city.
Ekamra Haat: If you are a fan of local handicraft product, don’t miss this place. Very close to the master canteen area. This place sells local handicraft products like Odisha’s exclusive katki saree, madhubani art work, home décor etc.
Then there is a Fair ground close to Ekamra Haat and a fast food Street. You should visit the fairs, if there’s any during your time for visit, the fair grounds are vast, and the variety of products you get, it’s difficult to explain. I remember the papadams I had got last time. I had never seen them before anywhere else, they were so delicious.
Then there is this street food street, you get junk food stalls standing in long stretched line.. they are so drooling and if you are a foodie.. you should pay one visit at least.
Sweet Shops: if in Bhubaneshewar.. you can’t go home without buying some of their mouth-watering sweetmeats. Nimapara, Venus are 2 of the very well-known sweet shops in the city. You may buy Chenapoda, Rasgulla (you should try Odisha Rasgulla, they are different than kolkata), chena muruku anc many more.. they are all very interesting.
Safety and Solo travel in Bhubaneshwar:
One word.. Go for it.. one of the safest cities in the country. No one interferes, no one hover. If you need help, people will help you. It’s very safe to travel around. Can’t complain a thing about this city.
How to go:
The city has an international airport, train station, roads are well built. Hence where ever you are coming from.. you will arrive here smoothly.
Where to stay:
It’s a small city and quite well accessible by road and local transport. In my opinion, master canteen area, close to the station is the actual central area of the city. Very famous for shopping, there are a few temples there, then Ekamra haat is very close. There are a few fair grounds close by, during festive season, some or the other handicraft fair is on.. I love staying at master canteen area. It’s vivacious.
Duration:
One can easily stay in this city from 3 to 7 nights. Explore streets, food, people, culture, shopping.. then there a few day trip options from the city. And this city can never bore you.. I can roam around the same streets, visit the same temples every evening. For me it’s a beautiful city to stay at.
That’s about the city.. I still have my day excursions left.. they were interesting as well.. do come back in sometime.. I am trying to put things up as soon as possible.. hope next 2 post will be done by next month. Take care..
TurtleGotWings 
Well written blog thanks. A map of your walk would have helped. Anyways thanks for the info.
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thank you for your comment.. for the map, will see if anything can be done..
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