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The capital city of Odisha is Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar is also called the “Temple City” because it hosts nearly 700 temples within its area in its history. Bhubaneswar is also important as it once witnessed the disastrous and historic Kalinga war, which changed the life’s philosophy of the great king Ashoka. The capital city of Odisha is an educational hub along with being a business hub of the southeast part of India. Get ready to read more about the capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, in this blog.
Table of Contents
About Bhubaneswar: The Temple City
The modern part of Bhubaneswar was designed by Otto Königsberger, a German architect in 1946.
- Bhubaneswar is a place where the traditions of Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have blended together.
- The city has become a major centre for education in recent times.
- Bhubaneswar is also part of a popular tourist destination called the “Golden Triangle” aka “Swarna Tribhuja” and is the most visited destination of Eastern India, running along with Puri and Konark.
- Bhubaneswar is one of the Indian cities chosen for a government program “Smart Cities Mission”, to improve its infrastructure and make it a smart city.
- Bhubaneswar was once ranked the best city in India to do business, highlighting the economic growth of the region.
- Most people in Bhubaneswar work in service industries like education, healthcare, or government.
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History of Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneshwar is located close to the ruins of Sisupalgarh, which was once the capital of Kalinga and was the site of the famous Kalinga War in 262-261 BCE. The renowned Kalinga War fought by Emperor Ashoka took place in Dhauli, that is near Bhubaneswar. In this battle, the great king Ashoka emerged victorious over Kalinga.
- Throughout history, the area was governed by several empires, such as the Mahameghavahana dynasty and the Eastern Gangas.
- By the 16th century, the area fell under the dominion of the Mughals, which was succeeded later by Maratha control in the 18th century.
- Furthermore, the British took over the control in 1803.
- Finally, following India’s independence, Bhubaneshwar was termed as the capital in 1948.
Culture of Bhubaneswar
- The people of Bhubaneswar are known for being polite and humble.
- Most of the people who live in Bhubaneswar eat a diet that includes a lot of seafood and sweets.
- The main language spoken in Bhubaneswar is Odia, but some people also speak Assamese and Bengali.
- The most common religions in Bhubaneswar are Hinduism and Buddhism, but Islam and Christianity are also practised there.
- A popular food in Bhubaneswar is rice and fish curry, which is called “Machha Jholo” in Odia.
- Some of the sweets that people enjoy in Bhubaneswar are – Rasabali, Roshogolla, Chenna Poda, and Chennajhilli.
- Other main dishes in Bhubaneswar are Dalma, Santula, Kora-khaii, and Pitha.
- The local festivals and arts and music include – Ratha Yatra of Jagannath Temple and Durga Puja alongside other celebrations like Eid and Christmas. Other fairs that are held are the Adivasi Mela, the Rajdhani Book Fair and the National Crafts Mela, etc.
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Interesting Facts about Bhubaneswar
Some of the interesting facts about Bhubaneswar are –
- The term “Bhubaneswar” comes from the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, which means “Lord of the Universe”.
- Bhubaneswar is located in a tropical region, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. However, during the monsoon period, the city receives intense rainfall.
- Odissi is a classical dance form, that originated in Bhubaneswar.
- In a 2021 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Bhubaneswar was ranked as the fourth most livable city in India, taking into account factors such as sustainability, economic stability, and quality of life.
- Bhubaneswar was previously referred to as “Ekamra Kshetra” because of the Ekamra Kanan, a large forested region thought to be the dwelling place of Lord Lingaraj.
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Overview of Odisha
Until the year 2011, the area was officially known as Orissa, but it was later changed to its current name, Odisha.
- Odisha stands as the 8th largest state in India and is celebrated for its deep cultural diversity, boasting a large number of Scheduled Tribes.
- The state’s official language is Odia, which is considered one of the ancient languages of India.
- The area of Odisha is often called Utkal, a term that appears in the national anthem of India, “Jana Gana Mana.”
- The ancient kingdom of Kalinga, situated in this area, is famous for its contributions to Indian history.
- Odisha is bordered by West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
- Nearly one-third of Odisha’s total land area is blanketed by forests.
- Simplipal National Park serves as a protected area for tigers, situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
- Within the boundaries of Simplipal National Park, there exist 60 types of reptiles, 304 varieties of birds, and 55 different mammals.
FAQs
The writings of Anangabhimadeva lll mention the initial city as Abhinab-Baranasi–Katak. Similar to the city of Baranasi, located between Baruna and Asi, Cuttack is located between the rivers Mahanadi and Kathajodi, hence it was called Abhinab Baranasi (a unique version of Baranasi).
Ekamra kanan
Cuttack is known as the Silver City as it is famous for its silverware.
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