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To familiarize the tourists with the larger canvas of the place covering Art & Crafts, Dance & Music, Handicrafts & Handlooms - a Mega Festival titled Ekamra Utsav has been conceived. . Bhubaneswar, the capital of modern Orissa, is a happy combination of old world charms and new world comforts. The scriptures refer to the ancient Bhubaneswar as the Ekamra Kshetra, literally meaning `mango orchards` which remind us the union of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. The blending of modernity with tradition here is impeccable. While the ancient city is 2600 years old, the modern city came into existence in 1948 as the new capital of Orissa, designed by the German Architect O.H. Koeingsberges. It is said that there were about seven thousand temples here, which earned it the coveted title of the `Temple City of India`. Even today from the hundreds of temples that still stand majestically as mute witness of a glorious past, one can study the chronological development of temple architecture from the beginning in the 7th Century AD to its culmination in the 13th Century AD. It is a centre of art and craft, manifest in the dazzling array of products like stone sculptures, pata paintings, palm-leaf etching, silver filigree, papier mache, etc. which is a shoppers' delight. The classical Odissi Dance and Music have a solid foundation here fondly nourished by illustrious Gurus. The city has also distinguished itself as an important IT Centre and Software Technology Park as well as an ideal Venue for Conference and Conventions to do business with pleasure. Around Bhubaneswar lies Dhauli in the South which witnessed the great battle of Kalinga in 261 BC after which Emperor Ashok embraced Buddhism and spread the message of peace to the world. Closeby are the remains of Sisupalgarh believed to be the earlier capital of Kalinga. On the west is the twin hills of Khandagiri-Udayagiri honeycombed with rock-cut caves built for the Jain ascetics during the illustrious emperor Kharavela in the 2nd century BC. Bhubaneswar has, however, been mostly popular as the city of temples among the tourists. But the cultural efflorescence of the city goes beyond the temples. To familiarize the tourists with the larger canvas of the place covering Art & Crafts, Dance & Music, Handicrafts & Handlooms, etc., a Mega Festival titled Ekamra Utsav has been conceived. This 15-day event will also feature an International Food Festival and a virtual walk through the Heritage Corridors. A Half Marathon will add spice to this year's Utsav. The festival promises to be an experience of a life time. Utsav Highlights :Mukteswar Dance Festival: Mukteswar Temple Complex National Handloom: Exhibition Ground National Handicraft Expo: Exhibition Ground International Food Festival: Exhibition Ground Folk Dance Festival: Exhibition Ground Flower Show at Regional Plant Resource Centre Walking Tours of Heritage Corridors near Mukteswar Complex & Laxmaneswar Shopping Festival Half Marathon Time to witness Bhubaneswar Ekamra Utsav -This festival is held in the month of January every year. Please refer Event Calendar for the date.
To familiarize the tourists with the larger canvas of the place covering Art & Crafts, Dance & Music, Handicrafts & Handlooms - a Mega Festival titled Ekamra Utsav has been conceived. . Bhubaneswar, the capital of modern Orissa, is a happy combination of old world charms and new world comforts. The scriptures refer to the ancient Bhubaneswar as the Ekamra Kshetra, literally meaning `mango orchards¿\' which remind us the union of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. The blending of modernity with tradition here is impeccable. While the ancient city is 2600 years old, the modern city came into existence in 1948 as the new capital of Orissa, designed by the German Architect O.H. Koeingsberges. It is said that there were about seven thousand temples here, which earned it the coveted title of the `Temple City of India`. Even today from the hundreds of temples that still stand majestically as mute witness of a glorious past, one can study the chronological development of temple architecture from the beginning in the 7th Century AD to its culmination in the 13th Century AD. It is a centre of art and craft, manifest in the dazzling array of products like stone sculptures, pata paintings, palm-leaf etching, silver filigree, papier mache, etc. which is a shoppers' delight. The classical Odissi Dance and Music have a solid foundation here fondly nourished by illustrious Gurus. The city has also distinguished itself as an important IT Centre and Software Technology Park as well as an ideal Venue for Conference and Conventions to do business with pleasure. Around Bhubaneswar lies Dhauli in the South which witnessed the great battle of Kalinga in 261 BC after which Emperor Ashok embraced Buddhism and spread the message of peace to the world. Closeby are the remains of Sisupalgarh believed to be the earlier capital of Kalinga. On the west is the twin hills of Khandagiri-Udayagiri honeycombed with rock-cut caves built for the Jain ascetics during the illustrious emperor Kharavela in the 2nd century BC. Bhubaneswar has, however, been mostly popular as the city of temples among the tourists. But the cultural efflorescence of the city goes beyond the temples. To familiarize the tourists with the larger canvas of the place covering Art & Crafts, Dance & Music, Handicrafts & Handlooms, etc., a Mega Festival titled Ekamra Utsav has been conceived. This 15-day event will also feature an International Food Festival and a virtual walk through the Heritage Corridors. A Half Marathon will add spice to this year's Utsav. The festival promises to be an experience of a life time. Utsav Highlights :Mukteswar Dance Festival: Mukteswar Temple Complex National Handloom: Exhibition Ground National Handicraft Expo: Exhibition Ground International Food Festival: Exhibition Ground Folk Dance Festival: Exhibition Ground Flower Show at Regional Plant Resource Centre Walking Tours of Heritage Corridors near Mukteswar Complex & Laxmaneswar Shopping Festival Half Marathon Time to witness Bhubaneswar Ekamra Utsav -This festival is held in the month of January every year. Please refer Event Calendar for the date.
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How to Reach - | |
| 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. |
| By Air : Bhubaneshwar is well linked by air to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Varanasi, Nagpur, Calcutta, Raipur, Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam on daily basis flights by Indian Airlines. |
| By Rail : Super fast trains connect Bhubaneswar to major cities of India such as Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad. |
| By Road : Bhubaneswar is well linked to the rest of India by the National Highway 5 and by all weather inter and intra state roads. |
| 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. |
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Where to Stay - | |
| Comfortable and economical accommodation arrangements can be availed at Ekamra Festival in Bhubaneshwar (STD code-0674). |
| The list of the htls are here : |
htl's Name & Address |
htl's Name & Address |
| htl Trident, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar-13. Ph.-2301010/ 2300890/2300891 |
Swosti Plaza Ltd., P-1, Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.-2301936 to2301940 |
| May Fair Lagoon, 8-B, Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2360101 |
htl Swosti (P) Ltd.103, Janpath BBSR. Ph-2535778, 2535779 |
| htl Sishmo, 86/A-1, Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2433600-605 |
The Crown, A1(a), IRC Village, Nayapalli, BBSR. Ph 2555500 |
| htl Kalinga Ashok, Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2431055,2431056 |
The New Marrion, 6, Janpath, BBSR. Ph.- 2380850 to 57 |
| htl Keshari, 113, Station Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2534994,995,2535095,093 |
The Presidency, 1471/A&1472, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2559565/66/67/68 |
| The Triumph Residency, 5B, Sahid nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2545718,2545710 |
htl Gouri, Lewis Road, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2433443, 243337 |
| htl Arya Palace, 126/B, Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Ph.- 2536131 to 34 |
htl Leavender, N5-33E, IRC village, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2551313,2554554 |
| htl Urmi, 424, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2582392, 2580401 |
htl Srikrishna, 110, Station Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2535380,2534031,2531067 |
| htl Abadhut, 225, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Ph.- 2531617 |
htl Grand Central, Old Station Bazar, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2313411,12,13 |
| htl Sahara, 76, Budha Nagar, BBSR, Ph- 3094239 |
Royale Mid Town, 52-53, Janpath, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2536138 to 141 |
| Bicky Inn,61, Janpath, Unit-III, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2536435, 2535466 |
htl Swarna, 129, AshokNagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2535109, 2535882 |
| htl Jajati, Station Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2390352 |
htl Nandan, 27/A, Station Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2535347,2534997 |
| htl Bhagwatniwas, 9, Budha Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2310902,2313708, 3094401 |
Bhubaneswar htl, Cuttack Road, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2313245, 2313246 |
| htl Pushpak, Kalpana Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2310185, 2311843 |
htl Richi, 122 A, Station Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2534619,639,308,2535309 |
| htl Priya, A-30/1 Kharvel Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2393901,2394279,2393841, 2394259 |
htl Ridge Residency, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2354099, 2354725 |
| Cave View Resorts, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2472288, Mb- 9437072288 |
htl Sevashraya, Kalpana Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 3095006, 2312706 |
| The Eden, 77, Budha Nagar,Bhubaneswar, Ph.- 2311178 |
htl Ashraya, 357, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2580583 |
| Panthanivas, O.T.D.C., Ltd. Lewis Road, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2432314/ 2432515 |
htl Gunjan, 149/D Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2533024, 2530934 |
| htl Kanishk, 134, Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2532961 |
htl Basera, 45, Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2533686, 2531314 |
| htl Upasana, 2282, Cuttack Road, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2310044, 2314144 |
htl Upendra, B/63, Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2547337, 2544940 |
| htl Blue Wheel, Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2546646, 2546441 |
htl Mayfeel, 730(P), N.H-5,Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar. Ph- 2421297, 3947497 |
| Swagat Inn, 219, Bapuji nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2530486,487,2531994,995 |
Venus Inn, 217, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2531908, 2531738, 3099944 |
| htl Blue Heaven, 260, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2531979 |
htl Rajmahal, Rajmahal Square, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2532448, 2536370, 71, 72 |
| htl Apsara, 18, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2530724, 2533724 |
htl Janpath, 29,Janpath, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2531147, 2531547, 2533747 |
| htl Lingaraj, Old Station Bazar, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2313555,2312555 |
htl Swagat, Cuttack Road, Bhubaneswar. Ph.- 2313879, 2314597, 5560334 | | |
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Excursions - | |
| Bhubaneswar offers tourists several options comprising picturesque paradise for interesting Excursions, which are both educative and entertaining. |
| * Distance from Bhubaneswar |
Dhauli (8 km)* - Surrounded by paddy fields, the Dhauli hill brings back memories of the historic 'Kalinga war' which was fought around here. It is here that Ashoka, the terrible, was transformed into Ashoka, the compassionate and championed the cause of Buddhism. On the foot of the hill, one can see the Rock Edicts of Ashoka and the forepart of a skillfully sculpted elephant hewn out of a huge rock. Dhauli has gained prominence due to the establishment of a Buddhist Peace Pagoda, popularly known as Shanti Stupa, built in the early seventies by the Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha. An old temple of Lord Dhavaleswar, reconstructed in 1972, also stands on the hill-top. |
Hirapur (15 km)* - Hirapur has the 11th century Hypaethral temple of sixty four Yoginis. It is second of its kind in Orissa and one of four such unique temples in India. |
Atri (42 km)* - Situated amidst greenery and famous for the hot sulphur water spring, Atri, 42 km. from Bhubaneswar and 14 km. from Khurda, is also a holy place with the shrine of Hatakeswar. A bath in the spring water is reputed to cure skin diseases apart from being a pleasant experience. |
Nandankanan (20 km)* - Picturesquely carved out of the Chandaka forest, Nandankanan is a Biological Park where animals are kept in their natural habitat. A centrally located lake divides the Zoo from the Botanical Gardens. Tigers, Lions, Clouded Leopards, Black Panthers, European Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Gharials, Rosy Pelican, Grey Pelican, Indian Python, King Cobra, etc. are among the attractions of the zoo, which is famous for its White Tigers. The exotic Botanical Garden on the other side of the zoo preserves varieties of indigenous plants. Regular bus services are available to reach the sanctuary. |
Khandagiri and Udaygiri - The twin hills of Kumargiri and Kumarigiri known as Khandagiri and Udaygiri contain varieties of rock-cut caves, built mainly for the Jain monks around 1st - 2nd century B.C. The thirteen years lithic record of King Kharavela engraved in Hatigumpha (elephant cave) is a magnificent specimen of Pali records so far found in India. | |
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Other Activities - | |
| Fairs and Festivals - check out the Rajarani Music Festival (Bhubaneswar) the Kalinga Mahotsav and the Dhauli Mahotsav held in neighboring Dhauli, as well. |
| Shopping in Bhubaneswar consists of traditional weaved fabrics, silver ornaments and items and handicrafts. Look for readymade garments and fabrics made of appliqué work locally known as Chandua. Orissa is also known for weaving of Ikat fabric, which can be purchased as readymade garment, fabric, sari etc. You can buy Sambalpuri silk and cotton, tussar silk. |
| Silver Filigree Work or Tarakashi, a well-known artwork of Orissa, is a necessary buy. Wood work in various styles and designs are also distinctive art form of Orissa. When shopping in Bhubaneswar, you can buy sculptures or idols of gods and goddesses, animals and toys. These objects are made either carved or turned wood. The wood turned items include jewelry boxes, bowls, fruit baskets, pitchers, glasses and lampshades. You can also check out the stone sculptures and stone-carved objects. |
| Shopping in Bhubaneswar also includes paintings. You can look for pata chitra, ganjapas (ganjifa playing cards) and paintings on palm leaf (Talpatachitra). You will find all this and more in the UTKALIKA outlet of Bhubaneswar at Market Building, Ashoka Nagar. |
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Do's and Don'ts - | |
| Indian Cultural Etiquette |
| 1. If you are male introduced to a lady or a grown-up girl, don't take the initiative of offering a handshake. If she extends her hand, you may reciprocate, but don't be the first to extend yours. If you are female and are being introduced to a male: it is up to you - the female - to take the initiative for a handshake. The rule of thumb is: the female extends her hand first, and the male reciprocates. |
| 2. The Western practice of a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting a lady or a grown up girl is not advisable except in the case of those who are used to such practices. |
| 3. Indian English has its own accent and this does vary depending upon the region. The universal welcome greeting across the country is with folded hands and a slight bow. This is called `namaste` or `namashkar`. It should be reciprocated with a smile. |
| 4. Some Indians are in the habit of shaking their head to say yes or no. Please confirm what they mean, if you are not familiar with regional gestures. |
| 5. While visiting places of worship, respect should be shown as required Some Indians do not take alcohol or meat for religious, traditional or personal reasons. This should be kept in mind in entertainment. |
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Cuisines & Restaurants - | |
| You can savor authentic Oriya Cuisine as well as other types of food easily at the restaurants of the following htls - |
| The Royale Mid Town, The Triumph Residency, Trident Hilton , htl Marrion, htl Sishmo, htl Swosti, htl Keshari, The Crown, Mayfair Lagoon & htl Kalinga Asok. | |
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