There are many interesting Places to See near
Bhubaneshwar. Check out Excusions around Bhubaneshwar.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri - The caves, 6 km from West of
Bhubaneswar city centre, were chiseled out for the ascetic Jain monks,
also has some inscriptions describing the exploits of king Kharavel.
Nandankanan - About 20 km from city centre is a Zoo and a
botanical garden surrounded by dense forest, famous for breeding of
various endangered species, safaris and white tigers.
Hirapur - 15 km southeast of Bhubaneswar, situated on the
eastern bank of river Kuakhai, the shrine Chausath Yogini Temple in the
village of Hirapur is dedicated to 64 manifestations of the goddess
Shakti, who symbolizes female creative energy. All the images, called
Yoginis carved out of the black chlorite stone in standing posture (0.6
m tall) are placed in niches in the sanctum. The inner enclosure of the
temple is a circular enclosure with no roof overhead, resembling a
Buddhist stupa. In the centre, there stands a mandapa enshrining the
image of 'Ekapada Shiva', an incarnation of the Shiva. The outer wall
has nine 'Katyayani' images depicting feminine charm at its best housed
in its niches. The miniature size of the shrine and its hypaetheral
shape makes it an interesting monument.
Atri - At a distance of 42 km from the Bhubaneswar or about 13
km from Khurda, the hot spring at Atri, near the famous Lord Hatakeswar
Temple, is believed to have medicinal properties. The waters of spring
with high percentage of sulphur bubbles up from the ground amidst paddy
fields. The water is at constant temperature of 55°C is channelized
to two ponds comprising a bathing complex for the visitors. The temple
is the venue of a grand annual fair, Makar Jatra, on the day of Makar
Sankranti (mid January) when the visitors congregate in large numbers to
worship Lord Hatakeswar to fulfill their desires and bath in the ponds
to get cure of their diseases.
Pipli - A small village enveloped in a blaze of colour, 15 km
South of Bhubaneswar, on the highway to Puri, is home of applique work.
The craft originated to serve temples, providing intricately stitched
coloured awnings and covers for deities and hangings for festival days,
details on the craft.
