Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, holds a unique place in India’s cultural and spiritual landscape and is widely known as theTemple City of India. The city earned this title because of its extraordinary number of ancient Hindu temples, many of which date back more than a thousand years and reflect the evolution of classical Kalinga temple architecture.
Historically known asEkamra Kshetra, Bhubaneswar was once home to hundreds of temples, making it one of the most important Shaivite centres in eastern India. Although time has reduced many of these structures to ruins, more than a hundred temples still stand today, preserving an architectural legacy that spans from the 6th century CE to the 15th century.
Among the most famous temples are theLingaraj Temple, an 11th-century masterpiece dedicated to Lord Shiva; the intricately carvedRajarani Temple; the elegantMuktesvara Temple, often described as a gem of early Kalinga architecture; and theAnanta Vasudeva Temple, a rare Vaishnavite shrine in the city. TheVishnu Templefurther adds to the city’s religious diversity.
Bhubaneswar also forms a key part of Odisha’sSwarna Tribhuja (Golden Triangle), along with Puri and Konark, which together attract millions of pilgrims and heritage tourists every year. While several Indian cities are renowned for temple culture, Bhubaneswar stands apart for the sheer density, antiquity, and historical continuity of its temples, justifying its enduring identity as the Temple City of India.
