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Along the eastern coast, on the Bay of Bengal lies the state of Orissa. Earlier known as Kalinga, the city recorded in the annals of history for its resistance to the Mauryan King Asoka(in 3rd century BC).
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How to reach
Bhubaneswar is connected by air to Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Raipur,  Varanasi, Nagpur and Hyderabad. It is also well connected by trains  from Calcutta(480 kms), Chennai(1225 kms), Hyderabad, Mumbai(1691 kms),  Delhi(1745 kms) and Trivandrum. Inter-state and tourist bus services  are also available. Bhubaneshwar is on the National Highway linking  Calcutta and Chennai.
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What to see

The Lingaraja temple
It is the largest temple in Bhubaneshwar dedicated to Siva. It was  constructed in 11th century BC. 

Bindusagar Lake 
To the north of the Lingaraja temple is a 1,300ft long and 700ft wide  lake called the Bindusagar lake.The stone embankment is very beautiful. 

Mukteswara Temple 
Mukteswara temple was constructed in the 10th century BC and has a  stone arch adorning the entrance. The manuscript of Panchatantra,  written by the Orissan Pandit, Vishnu Sharma is also kept here. 

Raja Rani Temple 
This 11th century temple is different as it has no diety and has an  unusual tower. The temple is built on a  platform with three elegant  mouldings, with intricate floral patterns, animal and human figures. 

The Parasurameswara Temple 
The Parasurameswara Temple is a small but beautifully decorated Shiva temple of the 7th century. Friezes featuring amorous couples, lions,  crouching elephants, birds, human figures and floral motifs. Its ornate  lattice windows, and busts of Shiva are worth seeing. 

Savaranjaleswara temple 
Depictions from the epic Ramayana are an important part of the temple. The eight-armed Chamunda(Kali) is the main deity of the temple. 

The Orissa state museum 
A collection of sculpture, coins, copperplates, stone inscriptions, and  bronze-age tools, rare palm leaf manuscripts and traditional folk and  musical instruments. Worth a visit. 

Handicrafts museum 
It is situated on Secretariat Road and has a vast range of handicrafts collection. 

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Shopping

Good place to shop for woven Ikat fabric, applique work, silver  iligree jwellery, stone carvings and patta chitra paintings. The Ashokaashtami procession is in Mar/April, Bali Yatra, a fair is held in Oct/Nov 
It is the capital city of Orissa and is called the city of temples because of the great number of temples here. There were more than 7000  temples at one time around the  Bindusagar tank in the city of which  only about 500 have survived the ravages of time. 


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