Start the tour with a visit to Lingraj Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Non Hindu are not allowed inside Temple) adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Rajarani Temple is also among the renowned temples in Bhubaneswar made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone. Brahmeshwara Temple built around 11th century, is another Siva-linga temple famous for its intricately carved sculptures.
The temple has an 18m high tower. Parashurameswar Temple, built in 650 AD, is one of the oldest temples existing in Bhubaneshwar. A typical example of the Orissan style of temple architecture, the temple features pine spire curving up to a point over the sanctum and the pyramid-covered Jagamohana, where people sit and pray. Small but richly decorated shrine of Lord Shiva, the Parashurameswar Temple has sculptures of amorous couples, animals and floral designs. Siddheshwar Temple is a typical Orissan Temple with very graceful figure of the standing Lord Ganesh with seven mouldings.
Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills were carved and tunneled, to create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Orissan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC. Kharavela was a king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty, who is known for expansion of the Kalinga Empire and his installation of public improvements, such as canal systems. His queen was evidently quite a patron of the arts, and probably had much to do with the impressive sculptural decoration of the caves.
Chilika Lake, the Asia’s the biggest inland salt-water lagoon, is separated from the waters of Bay of Bengal by a narrow neck of land. The Lake extends across the three districts of Puri, Ganjam and Khordha in Orissa. Golden sands, amazing sceneries of sunrise and sunset, soothing effect of sunbath and seclusion in tranquility, Puri Beach offers all these to her most privileged guests.
A favorite tourist spot, Puri beach is very lengthy and quite wide. Shree Jagannath Puri temple, one of the most impressing monuments of the Indian State Orissa, was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century at the seashore Puri. This astounding Vaishnava temple enshrines Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Balabhadra. The main temple of Jagannath is an impressing and amazing structure constructed in Kalinga architecture, with a height of 65 meters placed on an elevated platform.
Konark – Sun Temple – is a 13th century architectural marvel. The third link in the Orissan Golden Triangle, Konrak is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architiecture in the world. The glorious ruins of the Konarak Temple, dedicated to God Surya, has become so renown even internationally, that it is now protected under UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Project.
The Sun Temple conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the mighty of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved-symbolizing the march of tiem, lies in partial ruis on Konarak Beach. Rightly listed as a World Heritage Monument, the magnificent Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination of Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most stunning monuments of the world. Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, 'here the language of stone surpasses the language of man'.
It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words. The massive structure in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand is located three kilometers from the sea, but originally it was reported to be closer for which it was used as a navigational point by European sailors, who referred to it as the 'Black Pagoda'.