4th Most Liveable City in India

 According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2021, Bhubaneswar was listed as the fourth most liveable city in India based on sustainability, economic stability, and standard of living.

1.One of the first planned city of India along with Chandigarh & Gandhinagar & most planned city of eastern part of India.

2.One of the ancient living city of world with more than 3500 years of history.

3.Confluence of 3 religions with of Hindu,Jain & Budhhist with archaeological importance.

4. One of the important turning point of cultural/historical/political of India(the War of Kalinga & afterwards).

5.Temple city of India with a evolution of temple art & other architecture with a continuous improvement & addition.

6. Sisupalgarh Fort area of Bhubaneswar was most planned,fortified,crowded & superior in ancient period to the then classical city of Athens as per historians.

7. Education & IT hub of Eastern India.

8.Industrial air pollution free city.

9.Busiest airport in Eastern India after Kolkata.

10.City with no shortage of water & electricity & comparaed better than most of the cities of India.

Bhubaneswar the new IT hub of the east

 A land of opportunities, Bhubaneswar the State Capital of Odisha, has already scaled enviable heights of achievements in IT exports, churning out IT professionals, creating IT infrastructure etc. The export turnover of STPI Bhubaneswar has grown from nil during 1994-95 to a staggering Rs. 1800 Crores in 2012-13 by putting the State in a commendable position in IT map of the country. It is heartening to note that State of Odisha has achieved 10th position among the Indian States in IT exports.

Odisha is the only destination in the Eastern India where all four IT majors such as Infosys, TCS, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam have set up their Development Centres. Ironically Bhubaneswar was among first three cities along with Pune & Bangalore where Govt. of India had established STPI centres during the year 1991. The IT major Infosys was set up its first offshore Development at Bhubaneswar outside Karnataka during the year 1996. Needless to say all above speaks about the IT potential enjoyed by the city.

Bhubaneswar is slowly turning out to be the favored destination of many IT & ITES companies as many big players have already setup their operation at Bhubaneswar. The IT sector scenario in Bhubaneswar finally seems to be changing for the better. This trend is surely going to benefit the young engineering graduates of the city who had no other option but to leave the state and move to other IT hubs like Bangaluru, Hyderabad & Pune in search of jobs and better carrier opportunities. These young professionals can finally hope to fulfill their dream of working in world class companies in their own state. Infosys was the first big player that started its operation in Bhubaneswar way back in 1997. This particular move virtually kick started the expansion of IT sector in Bhubaneswar which has the potential to become a world class IT hub.

• Infosys

• TATA Consultancy Services (TCS)

• Wipro Technologies

Top 5 Cultural Festivals to attend in Bhubaneswar

 The spirit of India can be experienced through the variety of festivals which are celebrated across the country round the year. Each festival has a unique essence and flavour that mirrorsthe culture and traditions exclusive to the place. Every State has its own cultural heritage and Odisha is no exception. A land of varied cultures and architectural marvels, Odisha is a storehouse of folklores and traditions that are reflected in its festivals. Though there arecelebrations during summer and spring, it is during winters that the cultural festivals get more colourful.

So if you are planning to visit Odisha during the winters, here are the top 5 cultural festivals
that you must attend to understand the rich heritage and history of the State, right in the
capital city of Bhubaneswar.

Mukteswar Dance festival

The oldest surviving classical dance form in India, Odissi falls under the dance-drama genre
of performance art. This dance form, originating from the ancient Hindu temples of Odisha,
is hard to master as the focus is mostly on expressions and ritual hand gestures. Mukteswar
Dance Festival commemorates this vibrant art form for three consecutive days from the
January 14 to 16 every year. First started in 1984, the festival is held at one of the most
important religious attractions of the city – Mukteswar temple. Renowned dancers from
across the State perform at the festival while connoisseurs of classical dance from all over the
globe visit Bhubaneswar every year to witness the intricate moves of Odissi.

Rajarani Music Festival

The soulful and soothing Indian classical music has the power to transfer the spirit to a
blissful state. Over the years, we have had many significant artistes who have kept this rich
art form alive with their beguiling voice and expertise in playing the traditional instruments.
Raja Rani Music Festival gives a platform to these artistes to enchant the audience at the
historic Raja Rani Temple in January every year. The festival not only celebrates Odissi
music but also other forms of traditional Indian classical music. Music lovers from across the
world attend the festival to revel in the spirituality of the melodious Raagas.
Sasmita Das, a resident of Bhubaneswar, says, “I have always been a fan of classical music.
Attending the Raja Rani Music Festival is a must for anyone who loves music. The notes and
Raagas hit the senses, and there is always something new. One can get mesmerised by the
setup and the ambience.”

Ekamra Utsav

Ekamra Utsav focuses on multiple disciplines. This 10-day event is organised during the fall
in the city. It promotes textile industry of the State as signature handloom works from various
regions are exhibited here every year. It also gives a platform to artisans to create handicraft
marvels. Apart cultural programmes showcasing classical and folk art, visitors also get to
experience the culinary delights served to them in the form of delicacies at the food festival
during the festival.

4. Kalinga Mahotsav

Odisha boasts of a rich history with monumental series of events attached to its past. One
such event is the Kalinga war which is the deadliest battle witnessed by the people of Odisha.
Kalinga Mahotsav aims at delivering the message of Emperor Ashoka’s transformation, the
potency of peace over war and the true essence of Martial Arts and warfare techniques.
Martial artists from all over the country participate in the festival and give exciting
performances. The audience is treated with different forms of martial art like Paika from
Odisha, Thang Ta from Manipur and many more. The festival aims to keep the vibrant
traditions of martial arts alive.

5. Adivasi Mela

The Odisha State Level Annual Adivasi Exhibition or Adivasi Mela celebrates the tribal
communities of Odisha and their art, culture, music and tradition. This is one of the most
popular festivals of Odisha as it offers a chance for people to converse with tribal culture and
their roots. Tourists from all over the world visit the festival to take home the finest
handicraft and arts produced by the tribal groups. Organised every year, it is one of the
longest running festivals of the State.

Some of the best food items to try in bhubaneswar

STREET FOODS:

Dahibara Aloodum: As the name aptly suggests, its just the mix of dahi-bara with aloodum, along with onion, ginger, raw mangoes, light mixture mix. They all tend to lend taste and believe me, a full plate is more than filling for even the heaviest eaters.

Fish fry: This particular delicacy is most available at Puri beach during evenings, if you are a seafood lover, having fresh caught fried fishes is a must.

Chicken Pakoda: This is not a special delicacy to be mentioned but at certain places, a plate of this little fried chickens is very good and filling.

Rolls: Rolls are made differently here. Where the world is drooling towards Kathi rolls, here the paratha that make the roll is not thin, this helps the chicken to stay in without being soggy. Try the egg chicken, egg mutton, double egg double chicken or mutton combinations and your taste buds will be happy.

SWEETS:

Rasgulla: Not to be confused with Rosogolla from WB, the Rasgulla from pahala is a much sought after delicacy and the light brown texture that melts in your mouth makes life worth living.

Chenna Jhilli: The name might sound different but the taste is heavenly, its basically fried paneer dipped in sugar syrup. These totally melt in your mouth.

Rabdi/sara: Again rabdi is not a special delicacy but is made differently here. Sara is local name for the Malai found over milk. Its good for people who are diabetic and don't want to try the sugary rabdi.

Malpua: This is pancake style sweet which if taken with Dalma (dal with veggies) is filling and delicious to the core.

MEALS:

Pakhala: This food is very much staple during summers for general populace here. This is basically water rice, the water has mix of curd, kari leaves, raw mango, ginger and some other items. This cools your stomach. Temp during summers cross 42+ with ease. This is one food which will keep you cool and help you avoid sunstroke.

Lord Jagannath abhada: Having abhada is fulfilling and is very tasty. Its the bhog that has been given to lord Jagannath in puri, he is the presiding deity of entire Odisha.

Try to taste all these food items when visiting Bhubaneswar

 The soul food of odisha is dahi bara aloodum . It will cost you around Rs20 to Rs 30

Next up is bara and guguni.

You will get world’s best rasogolla and chena poda in Bhubaneswar. Pahala is a place which is famous for rasogolla and chena poda. You should do try it once

Next comes another soul food of odisha dahi pakhala, badichura, macha bhaja, and saga. To beat the summer pakhala is the best option

Dosa in Bhubaneswar is also famous in some of the South Indian hotels.

Chakuli and aloo kasaaa

Even biriyani is becoming quite famous in Bhubaneswar.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves – Historical Monuments

 Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kattaka Caves or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription.^[1] They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during the 1st century BCE.^[2][3] It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jaina monks during the reign of King Kharavela.^[4] Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves

The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Other important caves include Hathi Gumpha, Ananta Gumpha, Ganesha Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha, Bagha/Byaghra/Vyaghra Gumpha and Sarpa Gumpha.^[6]

Archaeological Survey of India has listed Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.

Nandankanan Zoological Park

Nandankanan Zoological Park is a premier large zoo of India. Unlike other zoos in the country, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set in a completely natural environment. The animals are housed in enclosures with greenery with a feel of real forest and live with no fear or apprehension of becoming the hunter's prey.

Nandankanan is 15 kms from Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar. The Bhubaneswar railway station is at a distance of 18 kms and the Biju Patnaik International Airport is at a distance of 20 kms. Tourist cottages inside Nandankanan are available for accommodation, only during day time, on prior reservation from the office of Deputy Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park.

 

Uniqueness

•  Nandankanan is the first zoo in the World to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger.
•  Nandankanan is the only conservation breeding centre of Indian Pangolins in the world.
•  Nandankanan is the only zoological park in India to become an institutional member of World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
•  Nandankanan is the only zoo in India after which an express train Puri-New Delhi express has been named as "Nandankanan Express".
•  Nandankanan is the first zoo in India where endangered Ratel was born in captivity.
•  Nandankanan is the only zoo in India to have an Open-top Leopard Enclosure.
•  Nandankanan is the second largest heronry for Open Billied Storks in Odisha.
• 
  

Must-See Ancient Temples in Bhubaneswar

 

Whether you hold the mythologies to be true or not, one thing you cannot deny is that India is an ancient land. If not more, then the country has at least 5000 years of written history, beginning from the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation, itself dating from at least 3300 BC. There are several cities in India that bear marks of continuous human inhabitation of more than a millennium. One such city is Bhubaneswar in Odisha, every nook and corner of which boasts a long and rich history. Its major attractions and reminders of the glorious past are its monumental Kalinga architecture temples that have earned it the name, “Temple City of India” or “The City of Temples”. Read on for some of these incredible places to visit in and around Bhubaneswar:

1. Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar

The largest Hindu shrine in Bhubaneswar, Lingaraja Temple, in its present form, dates from the 11th century. The temple complex has four main sections: Vimana (sanctum), Jagamohana (hall of assembly), Natamandira (hall of events) and Bhoga Mandapa (hall of offerings). All these are arranged in a straight line, and each has a tower, higher than the one preceding it. The main feature of the complex is its almost 148-feet high sanctum tower, every bit of which carries ornate sculpting. Not only the tower, but the walls of Bhoga Mandapa also contain sculptures.

Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneswar

2. Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar

Similar to Lingaraja Temple, though smaller, Rajarani Temple is yet another great example of the 11th-century Kalinga architecture. One more feature, which sets it apart from the former shrine, is that it only has two structures instead of four as it was constructed several decades earlier. The sculptures here depict the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and also women going about their daily chores.

Rajarani Temple

3. Parashurameshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

The evidence of it being constructed much earlier than the two above-mentioned shrines is evident in its even smaller size and rather primitive carvings. Large parts of its Jagamohana (assembly hall) are bereft of decorative elements. This is said to be the first shrine in the region to have an additional structure (assembly hall) other than the Vimana-topped sanctum. Its low assembly hall has latticed windows, through which light enters the sanctum and also people can see inside.

Parashurameshwar Temple

5. Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Dating from the 10th century, Mukteshwar Temple is rather unusual when compared to others as its arched entrance gateway is a Torana, which is a Buddhist architectural element. Even the sculptures of deities on its top are reminiscent of Buddhist influence. Past the Torana are the Jagamohana and Vimana that too feature incredible carvings. This again reflects the blending of architectures, itself resulting from a blending of cultures!

Mukteshwar Temple

The Resurrection Of Indian Hockey

 In the last few years, Odisha has hosted some of the most important events in international hockey including the Men’s FIH Pro League, Men’s FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Women’s FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Men’s Hockey Series Finals, Men’s Hockey World Cup, Men’s FIH Hockey World League, Hockey Champions Trophy. The successful hosting of the 2018 Hockey Men’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar made it possible for is to bag the prestigious event for the second time. Odisha has been selected to host the 2023 Hockey Men’s World Cup – a rare fete for a state or country to host two consecutive World Cups.  The state government has also set up a High Performance Centre at the Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar for imparting world-class training to budding hockey players.

Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

Odisha’s tryst with Hockey has been continuing for some decades now. It has sent some of the best players to the national Men’s and Women’s teams in the last few decades. Sundargarh District has become the cradle of hockey in India today. While becoming the sports capital of the country, Odisha has added the best hockey infrastructure in the state. The Kalinga Stadium in Capital City Bhubaneswar is today one of the best Hockey stadiums in the world. Odisha is also adding another feather to its Hockey infrastructure cap in the form of an International Hockey stadium in Rourkela. The Birsha Munda International Hockey Stadium, being built with an expenditure of more than Rs 120 crore, will host the 2023 Men’s World Cup along with Bhubaneswar.

Odisha Becomes Educational Hub of Eastern India:

With the establishment of IIM, IIT, NISER, IISER, AIIMS, NLU and many other Institutions of national importance, Odisha has become an educational hub in the eastern India. 

IIM Sambalpur

While this may seem as the quintessential point of reference that Bhubaneshwar is the new knowledge hub of India, take a look at some of the steps and schemes implemented by the government in this regard : 

• 1.Several new ICSE schools in the last 20 years
• 2.IIM Sambalpur in 2015 – spreading education excellence to outlying parts of the State
• 3.The imminent opening of an AIIMS at Bhubaneshwar
• 4.Implementation of regional and state-wide awards to winners in maths and science
• 5.Development of teachers – across the board improvement in primary and secondary education
• 6.Funding of research in institutions like NISER – info tech given immense prominence here
• 7.In the rural areas the govt has funded indirect educational expenses such as uniforms,       internet networks, and the like – a worthy use of the fiscus indeed

IIT Bhubaneswar

KIIT University,Bhubaneswar