India · Region
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is renowned as the 'Temple City of India' for its cluster of centuries-old Hindu temples alongside the rock-cut Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves nearby. As one of independent India's first planned cities, it blends ancient sacred architecture with modern civic design in a way few Indian capitals do.
Top attractions
attraction Odisha State Museum: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide (4.5★)
Odisha State Museum in BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar, holds palm-leaf manuscripts, Buddhist and Jain stone sculpture, and a natural history wing across several galleries. 4.5★ (15,549 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Lingaraj Temple: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide (4.7★)
Lingaraj Temple in Old Town, Bhubaneswar is open daily from 6:30am to 7:30pm, and the calmest window to visit is 7am–8am, any day of the week. 4.7★ (44,750 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide
Udayagiri and Khandagiri are twin rock-cut hills on the western edge of Bhubaneswar, riddled with 1st-century-BCE Jain monastic caves and capped by an active 18th-century Jain temple.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Ekamra Haat: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide (4.3★)
Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar is a permanent open-air crafts bazaar on Madhusudan Marg in Unit 3, Ekamra Vihar, where artisan stalls sell Odisha's handloom textiles, paintings and metalwork. 4.3★ (9,257 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Regional Museum of Natural History: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide
The Regional Museum of Natural History sits on Sachivalaya Marg in Acharya Vihar, right next to the Pathani Samanta Planetarium, and it's open 10am–6pm every day except Monday.
hidden gem Rani Gumpha: Bhubaneswar Travel Guide (4.5★)
Rani Gumpha is the largest and most richly carved of the Udayagiri caves in Khandagiri, on the western edge of Bhubaneswar: a two-storey Jain monastery cut into sandstone about 2,000 years ago. 4.5★ (853 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Festivals & events
event Hockey India Senior Men's National Championships: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Bhubaneswar)
The 16th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championships runs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from November 10 to 21, 2026, with India's top domestic men's teams playing for the national title.
Ended World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet (Indian Open): What to Know (Bhubaneswar)
India's first World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet — the Indian Open — was set for Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on August 22, 2026, an upgrade from the bronze-level meet held there in 2025.
Top-rated things to do in Bhubaneswar
Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay in Bhubaneswar
Compare Bhubaneswar hotels and stays at the lowest price — deals, ratings, and real traveler reviews.
Search hotels in Bhubaneswar →Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Bhubaneswar
India eSIM & staying connected →
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
When to visit India: month-by-month weather, crowds and holidays →
Frequently asked questions about Bhubaneswar
How do I get to Bhubaneswar?
Most travellers arrive via Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI), the city's sole airport with domestic and select international connections, located only a few kilometres from the centre. Bhubaneswar Railway Station (code BBS) sits on the Howrah–Chennai main line and is a major East Coast Railway hub, making it a common rail gateway as well.
How many days should I spend in Bhubaneswar?
Allow ~2-3 days to cover the main temple circuit, the state museum, and a side trip to the Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves.
What is Bhubaneswar known for?
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is renowned as the 'Temple City of India' for its cluster of centuries-old Hindu temples alongside the rock-cut Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves nearby. As one of independent India's first planned cities, it blends ancient sacred architecture with modern civic design in a way few Indian capitals do.