Bhubaneshwar was the capital of the Kalinga Empire. There are also several sites in the vicinity that testifies to the importance of the region far earlier than the 7th to 11th centuries when the Kalinga kings ruled Orissa and regions beyond. Both Jain and Buddhist shrines give clear evidence of important settlements around Bhubaneshwar in the 2nd century BC and one of the most complete edicts of the Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor belonging from 272-236 BC, remains carved in rock just 5 miles to the south-west of the modern city. The remains of a ruined city, Sisupalgarh have been excavated to show that it was occupied from the beginning of the 3rd century Bc to the middle of the 4th century AD. In 1948, the capital of Orissa was shifted from Cuttack to Bhubaneshwar.

Silver filigree, stone carvings and statues, applique work, lacquerware, Pattachitra folk paintings, jari work, tie-and-dye cottons and silks, tussar silks, shell work, wooden inlay, brasswork of ganjam, coir mats, carpets and handloom fabrics can also be bought from Bhubaneshwar.

The main tourist attraction in Bhubaneshwar are the temples. In Bhubaneshwar, one can see such a wide range of temple architecture belonging to different eras – from those built in the 7th century to 11th century ones that marked the end of the temple building epoch in Indian history. Lingaraj Temple, Raja Rani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Vaital Temple and Parasurameshwara Temple are the main temples in Bhubaneshwar. Dhaului Edicts and Udaygiri Caves can also be visited in Bhubaneshwar.

Lingaraj Temple The Lingaraj Temple is the largest and the most interesting temple in the city. This 11th century temple exhibits the temple art of several centuries. It is the finest representation of Kalinga art. The main deity in this temple is the Shiva but almost all Hindu gods are represented here. The Swayambhu linga is not strictly a Shiva linga, but a hari-hara linga, half-Shiva half-Vishnu. This temple is set in a huge walled-in compound with dozens of shrines. The Hindus can only visit the temple, but there is also an excellent vantage point from where others can see the entire temple. The Bindu Sagar Lake is located near the temple where it is believed that water from all the sacred rivers of India is gathered and it is considered as a very purifying experience to have a dip in the lake. The compound of the temple measures 520 by 465 feet. Its curvilinear tower (vimana) rises to a height of 127 feet.

The tower has been built without mortar and is hollow from inside and you can reach its top by an internal staircase below out of the 7-feet thick walls. The exterior side of the temple is profusely decorated with beautiful sculptures of gods and goddesses in various postures. Along the eastern side of the Lingaraj Temple, there are several small temples of a similar shape as the original Lingaraj Temple.

Mukteshwar Temple  The 10th century Mukteshwar Temple is an important transition point between the early and later phases of the Kalinga school of temple architecture. Many elements of the older order have been blended with new designs and conceptions. Various innovations made here became essential features of all the other temples. The temple is richly sculpted and offers pride of place to tales from the Panchatantra. The niches on the outer face of the compound wall include Buddhist, Jain and Hindu images, pointing to the synthesis which was a part of Orissan religious life. The temple gateway is an arched masterpiece and is excellently decorated with beautiful sculptures, elaborate scrolls and graceful female figures.

Behind the Mukteshwar Temple stands Kedareshwar where ground plan is circular. It has a 8-feet statue of Hanuman and goddess Durga standing on a lion. The Sidheshwar Temple situated northwest of Mukteswar is not very different. It has the traditional five parts.

Parasurameshwar Temple
Parasurameshwar Temple is lavishly decorated and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Parasurameshwar Temple is a highly ornated monument known for its four finely decorated latticed windows and grills featuring bands of animated musicians and dancers and the busts of Lord Shiva. This temple is believed to be Orissa’s earliest surviving temple and the beauty of the design and carvings is truly remarkable. This temple has friezes that depict amorous couples, animal life, human figures and floral motifs.

Dhaului Edicts 
Dhaului Edicts are situated only a few kms. from Bhubaneswar, by the Daya river. These edicts were carved by Emperor Ashoka into a five meter by three meter rock. The rock is situated at the base of the small hill. In these edicts, he related the horrors he experienced in the Kalinga wars which he won in 261 BC and his subsequent conversion to Buddhism. These inscriptions are still remarkably clear after 2000 years of exposure to weather.

By Air: 
Indian Airlines and its subsidiary Alliance Air operates daily flights from Bhubaneshwar to Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderbad, Varanasi, Nagpur and Raipur. 

By Rail:
Bhubaneshwar has direct rail links with Agra, Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderbad, Gaya, Madras, Puri, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi and Vishakhapatnam. 

By Road:
Bhubaneshwar is connected by road to various cities in India like Calcutta, Puri and Vishakhapatnam.