Bhubaneswar is the capital
of Orissa. Over the span of time Bhubaneswar
has been known by different names such as Kalinga
Nagar, Tribhubaneswar, and Ekamra Kanana. Also
according to some Sanskrit texts, Bhubaneswar
was once named Mandiramalini. The epigraphic
sources like the Angul copper plate of king
Kardeva, the Bramheswar Temple, inscriptions
of in the Lingraj Temple and the literary sources
like Utkal Khanda of the Skanda Purana, the
Siva Puran and the Brahma Puran, Kapila Samhita,
Sornadrimahodaya and the Ekamra Chandrika describe
Bhubaneswar as Ekamra Khetra. Some of the mythologies
link Ekamra Vana with intresting story of Lord
Siva and Parvati. The Goddess Parvati crushes
two demons to death in Ekamra Vana, and Lord
Siva creates a spring from earth to quench the
thrist of Goddess Parvati after her tiring battle
with the demons. This source of water is held
to be the present Bindu Sarovar. The most favourable
evidence is the Chaitnya Bhagabat which states
Bhubaneswar being the abode of Lord Siva or
Lingaraj is also known as Bhubaneswar (Lord
of earth). So in due course of time as the religious
influences has become more pronounced, and the
whole kshetra has touched the psyche of the
people as a ‘Saiva Pitha’, and the
name in the process of an evolotuion, has finally
emerged as Bhubaneswar. |
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In
1936 Orissa became the separte province with
Cuttack as its Capital. But the question of
the final location of the capital rise to a
number of options of places for selection. Due
to its central location, high altitude, good
communication, vast plateau like high uplands
slopping to the sides, eco-friendly climate
and above all deep rooted historical significance
with leftout landmarks of architectures and
sculptures, Bhubaneswar was finally selected
to be the capital of Orissa. During the chief
Ministership of Dr. H.K.Mahtab,in 1948 on April
13. Pandit Jawaharlal Neheru, the then Prime
Minister of India laid the foundation stone
of the New Capital. In the same year the capital
was shifted from cuttack to Bhubaneswar.
It
is also called as temple city of India. 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.
Today it is the hustling centre for business
and commerce activity of Orissa. Having merged
its intriguing past so uniquely with its modern
aspirations, it forms an integral link in the
Golden Triangle that incorporates the holy city
of Puri and Konark, for the tourists that flock
to pay their homage to the religious, cultural
and natural wonders that abound here.
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The
striking features of the Bhubaneswar are
the numerous temples and shrines that
seem to be all around you. Bhubaneswar's
skyline is dominated by some of the most
spectacular engineering and artistic feats
of its ancient heritage. The imposing
spire of the Lingaraj Temple, the quiet
beauty of the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and
the pink transluscence of the Mahavira
Jain Temple in nearby Khandagiri, inspire
feelings of wonder at their sheer beauty
and their cross-cultural permutations.
These three alone offer an excellent insight
into the ancient cultural strength of
Orissa and are well-worth exploring at
greater length. |
The temples
have after all stood testimony to the area's
history, which spans 25 centuries. The Lingaraj,
the Parsurameswar, the Mukteswar and the Rajarani
temples are unique in themselves, not only in
their architectural beauty but also in the wonderful
sculptures which enhance their presence. An
interesting variation figures in the Vaital
and Brahmeswar temples. Though the Lingaraj
is closed to non-Hindus, ic can be viewed from
the viewing platform constructed alongside.
The State Museum
of Bhubaneswar offers an excellent selection
of archaeological artefacts, weapons and local
arts and crafts and insights into Orissa's natural
and tribal history. The museum has world's largest
collection of palm-leaf paintings. The Tribal
Research Institute Museum with its authentic
tribal dwellings, created by the tribal craftsmen
is a great place to get a bird's eye view of
the State's tribal heritage. The Regional Plant
Resource Centre (RPRC) has about 500 acres of
plantations, tissue culture and experimental
laboratory and a huge lake where migratory birds
make their home. The two unique features of
RPRC are its status for housing the largest
rose garden in the country (an area of 20 acres)
and having the largest collection of cacti (550)
in Asia.
Bhubaneswar is
a shopper's delight. Sarees woven by the master
weavers in silk and cotton are available in
the private shops and government emporia. You
can also pick up all kinds of artefacts and
jewellery produced in different parts of the
State. The I landloom Weavers Co-operative is
worth a visit. Bhubaneswar has excellent air
and rail linkages with most major cities in
the country.
Communication.
Air
Bhubaneswar is connected to the cities of Calcutta,
Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad,
and Raipur through regular flights. Biju Patnaik
Airport in Bhubaneswar is the only major airport
in the state.
Rail
Bhubaneswar is directly connected by rail with
Kolkata, Puri, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore,
Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Trivandrum.
Road
The city is linked with Berhampur, Chilka, Cuttack,
Konark, Paradip, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur and
other places. Interstate bus services operate
daily between Kolkata and Puri via Bhubaneswar
and Tatanagar (Jamshedpur). |
