Are you planning to travel to Odisha in India? Then, allow me to present some of the beautiful places to visit around Bhubaneshwar, Odisha which can also be covered as day trips.
Bhubaneshwar Odisha, India is a visual treat for those craving for a mix of religious, architecture and countryside. Better known as the ‘City of Temples‘ depicting a variety of architecture from the 1st century. In the race of becoming a smart city, the capital has not lost its touch with the history which is easily evident in the maintenance of the religious architecture and customs.
Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar
If you wish to travel to Odisha – the state famous for Handlooms and the tribal culture, I would recommend keeping the capital as the center point as a number of places can be covered as day trips from Bhubaneshwar. There are a lot of sightseeing places in Bhubaneswar but today, I present you with options for the things to do around the capital as day trips.
1. Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar – Puri
A small town located in the eastern state of India aka Odisha, Puri is a highly renowned state with its significance because of the presence of Jagannath Temple in the city. The Jagannath temple is of prime importance to Hindu religion as it is one of the char dhams in Hinduism. Bhubaneswar to Puri is hardly 60 km and you can spend more than a day in Puri. If you wish to keep Bhubaneswar as the center, then Puri can be easily covered in a day as well.
Interested in exploring unheard temples in Odisha? Learn about the fascinating temple Biraja of Jajpur, whose references are also found in the famous Hindu epic Mahabharat.
Apart from the Jagannath temple, Puri is also famous for its gorgeous Golden Sand beach which attracts tourists from the nearby states. With its close proximity to the beach, it is recommended to cover all the places in early morning or post 16h00 while the sun will about to be set down. Head to the beach early morning or late evening to avoid heat stroke!! If you’re flying from Delhi into Bhubaneshwar, you’ll need to hire a taxi to Puri for a relative distance of 1.5hours. You will be delighted to see the beautiful farm side of the state while on the drive. Spending a morning while sunrise on the Puri is one of the best things to do in Odisha.
Check out – Places to visit in Puri!
2. Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar – Konark
Konark is well known in India and abroad for the historic thirteenth century Sun Temple. Located in close proximity to Puri, the small town is easily accessible from the road via bus and cabs. The Sun temple is a UNESCO world heritage site and thus attracts millions of tourists from India & abroad. The Marine drive or the coastal line of the town is also a must visit for a refreshingly clean and quiet beach than the touristy Puri beach. Konark hosts a Dance festival every year since the late 19th century which is held in the Dancing hall in the backyard of Konark Temple. To experience various dance forms from India including the famous Odissi from the hosting state, visiting the festival is a must.
Know more details on Konark!
3. Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar – Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is one of the famous Peace Pagodas across the world which dates back to 232 BCE. As the name suggests, the Stupa was built to symbolize the end of the war and the beginning of a new world where Peach might prevail. Located on a hilltop just outside of the capital city of Odisha in the Dhauli district and thus is also known as Dhaulagiri. The Buddhist center was established by King Asoka after the Kalinga war ended leading the deaths of millions of people. One hidden spot near Shanti Stupa is the Ashokan Edicts through where Asoka spread the word of Peace in the ancient language – Brahmi script. Indeed underrated place but among one of the top things to do in Odisha.
Learn more about Shanti Stupa!
4. Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar – Chilika Lake
Asia’s largest lagoon is Chilika lake is a brackish water lake covering more than three districts of Odisha. The visit to Chilika lake is more of a visual feast to the eyes and a place to enjoy the view of those old-fashioned boats making loud noises taking you back in the 19th century. Merging into the Bay of Bengal, a natural habitat of Irrawaddy Dolphins and home to Migratory birds in the winter season is the serene Chilika lake for a traveler. The journey from the capital to the lake will take you through the beautiful countryside of Odisha, where you will come across small villages, people drying and selling fishes on the roadside. Beware of the hawkers trying to sell pearls while luring to you to see and hold the red crabs, those are fake – yup we are a victim of that 😀
Learn more about the serene Chilika Lake!
5. Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar – Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves
Located just on the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar – the Odissi capital, the caves are the located on a hilltop are the ornated rock structures dating back to the 2nd century. Udaygiri and Khanadagiri caves are two caves separated by a road in the middle and history lovers will require an entire day to explore both. The rock carvings and sculptures will be a delight for history lovers, if you’re not into that, you can give it a pass. There’s a nominal entry fee for the caves and you might need to use multiple mediums to reach here as no buses go directly to the caves, or hire a cab!
Did you visit Odisha and the capital of the state? Which of these Places to visit around Bhubaneshwar would you add to your Odisha bucket list? Do share your thoughts with me.
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Thanks for Sharing About Places To Visit In Bhubaneswar. There are So Many Places to visit Like Lingaraj Temple, Dhauli, Khandagiri, udaygiri, Mukteswar Temple, Iskon Temple, Ram mandir And nadankanan Zoo….. This is Very Nice Journey to Bhubaneswar In Odisha.
Thanks a Lot….Keep sharing
The photos are so gorgeous! I have always wanted to visit eastern India, perhaps I will start with Orissa 🙂 A list of recommendation, saving this for later.
I haven’t been to India yet but everything I see makes me want to go. I mean the fact that you have an ancient pagoda listed right next to a stunning lake! I love that contrast. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve been wanting to go to India for the longest time!! I love love love the temples and its architecture. Hopefully I get to visit sooner than later.
One day I’d really want to see East of India and Bhubanehswar is high on my list. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos of the places nearby!
KONARK looks beautiful! It’s now on my list if I’m ever able to visit!
This is such an informative and detailed blog post. I love how the locations are placed in beautiful nature. So serene and magical
Konark looks so beautiful, I love how vibrant your photo is. It’s amazing how diverse India is. Normally I see posts of the typical attractions so this is a nice change.
I haven’t heard of Odisha but it looks and sounds beautiful. You mention bus and taxis but I’m wondering what’s the best way to get around to all these different sights if you were to make a trip out of it?
Ohh those places look fascinating. I’m always amazed by cave dwellings but never actually been to one. Are they suitable places to take a young family? I want our little girl to experience many cultures 🙂
Oh wow! These are very beautiful places! I really like all the architecture and manicured spaces surrounding them. However, Ckilika Lake caught my attention. The color of the water is incredible. Plus, I would love to spot some dolphins.
I never even heard of this place in India! Looks gorgeous!!
[…] Peace Pagoda in India is Shanti Stupa in Dhauli district Odisha. Located on outskirts of Bhubaneshwar city, Shanti Stupa is a must visit from Odisha. Go early to get amazing photographs from the stupa […]
Ok, you have sold Bhubhaneshwar as a destination to me – all these places are so on my list for a long time. Did not realise that I can do them all from Bhubhaneshwar. I so want to see Konark and Chillika lake – the latter looks gorgeous in your pictures.
So glad you liked my recommendations. Hope you enjoy whenever you visit the state🙂
I visited Odisha earlier this year and ofcourse Bhubaneswar as well. I’ve visited all that you’ve mentioned except Chilka lake! Gotta go in the right season just to see the birds & the fishes! 🙂
Yup you’ll love it🙂
Odisha has eluded me so far. I can’t wait to explore it. In fact I am planning atrip in March to see nesting of Olive Ridley turtles. I am a wildlife enthusiast so I might also do a birdwatching trip in Chilika lake.
Infact I also want to plan a trip to experience Olive Ridley turtles 🙂
You must
Visiting the caves must be such an exotic experience, I’ve never been to one in India!
It indeed was🙂
Day trips from Bhubaneshwar are really worth. Konark temple, Chilka lake, beaches of Puri and Udaygiri caves are on my list and you have give nice information on them. As some of them are UNESCO listed which makes them more worth going. Nature and ancient architecture of Odisha always enchants me.
I agree, UNESCO heritage sites are worth exploring!!
All of these places look amazing to visit, but I’d love to visit Chilika Lake. Seeing dolphins and birds would be a pretty neat thing. Thanks for the tips about the hawkers. I’ll be sure to know there are no red crabs there when I visit for myself.
Ha🙂 Chilika is one of my favorites too!
I’ve yet to visit India, but all these places make me want to go! I could definitely do with a stroll on the golden sand beach in Puri right now, it’s so cold where I am. And all these temples with a rich cultural history are simply stunning, thanks for sharing these trips.
Hope you like India whenever you come🙂
I’d love to visit Konark and see the sun temple during the dance festival! It seems like there are so many gems in India and something for everyone. Would love to visit one day!
That’s one thing in my list as well. I agree there’s something for everyone in India 🙂
Ahhhh this is such a bucket list trip! Looks like so much fun!
Thank you 🙂
We have backpacked three month in India in 2014 but I have never heard of Odisha! That is a pity but I guess India is so big that one need more than 3 month to see it all! Hope to get back to India and this time I wont miss Odisha thanks to your post!
Yeah, it’s little off beat location attracting tourists from neighboring states mostly! That’s a pity because it has so much to do & see yet not much takers!!
Do visit Odisha once. We welcome you.
Odisha seems like an exceptional and charming place to explore and these day trips seem like a must do, Shibu. How many days would you recommend staying in Odisha?
I would recommend 6-7 would be fine! There are other places in the state which we couldn’t cover so max of 7 days should do 🙂 Hope that makes sense!
Beautiful pictures and literature.
Thank you so much 🙂
Wow, totally want to go here some day! So pretty.
Thank you, 🙂
I’ve been meaning to get to India for years. Thanks for the advice!
Glad you liked it 🙂
Wow, Chilika Lake looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing your recommendations, seems like there are a lot of wonderful day trip options! 🙂
So glad you liked it 🙂 Thank you for the lovely words❤️
I can’t wait to visit India! Bookmarking this so I can remember to get out and explore when I’m there. Your beautiful photo of Puri makes me want to go there first!
So glad to know that🙂 Thank you for the lovely words❤️
I visited all these places last week and was thinking of writing. You reminded me that i should. I couldn’t visit Chilika due to time crunch but is it really amazing for bird biodiversity?
Oh, glad to know that 🙂 Yes, Chilika is amazing in the months of late November till January.
Such a breath-taking place! no words!
Carmelatte
Thank you 🙂
India is so diverse and full of hidden treasures! The temple is beautiful, I will maybe visit India in 2018, I’ll make sure to get back here to get some tips…
Glad you liked it, and I agree India is really diverse 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂