Wanderlust Tales : Trip to unexplored land of Odisha - Bhubaneshwar - Day 1
DAY 1THINGS TO DO IN BHUBANESWAR:
We left Puri roughly by 11-ish in the morning to reach Bhubaneshwar by 14:30 hrs.I was visiting Bhubaneshwar after almost a decade "February 2020" - and I am happy to see the good changes in the city, specifically on how clean and organised it has become.
This "I 💓 Bhubaneshwar" on the streets of Master Canteen Chaka was something new and exciting to see here.👌
This is one of the busiest streets here I believe, it comes alive in a different fashion altogether in the evenings - so many shops - ranging from food, clothing & shoes, luxury brand, jewellery, restaurants and even street food vendors.
Do take a casual stroll on the streets - albeit it would be crowded, but what better way to explore a city than on foot.
Read about Day 2 exploration:
Post a quick lunch here - we set to explore street food and shop for some local handicrafts and clothing.
Visiting Bhubaneshwar after a span of so many years brought back lot of memories. This was the Sriya Square.
- Shopping
One of the other stores for the Odisha handloom purchase is Kalamandir, Odisha Handloom Emporium, Priyadarshini to name a few.We purchased for dress materials - Odisha special Sambulpuri print and saris from variety of these shops here. For dress material you could find the range starting from Rs.400 upto Rs.4000 per meter. Typcially one would need 2 to 2.5 metres of cloth. The similar price range plies for saris as well - do shop achhe se. 🙈
Can you guess what this is ?! 😆
- Lingaraj Temple
A trip to Bhubaneshwar is never complete without visiting the Lingaraj Temple. We went there in post lunch to pay our respects to the Lord - do keep in mind the heat is on a surge here - keep yourself super hydrated. 🧊One of the oldest and ancient temples in Bhubaneshwar and a must visit if you are in town - dedicated to Lord Shiva - the temple is in existence since the 6th century which has beeb renovated later and established by Jajati Keshari in the 11th century.
The beautiful temple lies on the banks of Bindu Sarovar lake - which was created by Lord Shiva by collecting water from all the sacred rivers.
The temple is divided into four distinct parts - Yajna Shala, Natya Shala, Garbh Griha and the Bhoga Mandap.The height of the temple is 55m - and is built in the Kalinga style of architecture , built in dark shade stone.
It is believed that in the Garbh Griha the lingam has self originated and so is called Swayambhau and the people workship both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.The Shivlinga in here rises to a height of 8 inches above the floor level and is 8 feet in diameter.
Inside the temple, you would find numerous other shrines and temples dedicated to the Gods and Goddess. 🙏 It is a true depiction of a rich culture. Take your time to soak in the architecture of this temple in all - each of the karigiri depicts a story.
Inside the temple, you would find numerous other shrines and temples dedicated to the Gods and Goddess. 🙏 It is a true depiction of a rich culture. Take your time to soak in the architecture of this temple in all - each of the karigiri depicts a story.
On eve of Mahashivratri, I witnessed on television, how the pandas climb to the top of the temple carrying the flag and the deepa, a ritual which has been in place for about 1800 years.
There is quite some organisation now - you have to leave your phones, shoes and bags outside - there is minimal charge, although it ain't mentioned anywhere, how much - for 3 pairs of shoes and a phone they charged Rs.20/- and a token was given.
You can hire pandas here to take you around and do pujas to the Lord. The bhog to be offered to the Lord, can be purchased from inside the temple premises as you enter.
You can skip taking the 🥥 coconut, as I believe they don't offer it to the Lord directly - and there is small token price of Rs.5/- for offering coconut.
We missed on the chance to have the abhada - this is definitely on my list for my next visit. The super delicious satvik bhojan, is food cooked traditionally on wood fire in earthern pots by super skilled temple cooks. This is first offered to the Lord - post that can be procured by the devotees.
We missed on the chance to have the abhada - this is definitely on my list for my next visit. The super delicious satvik bhojan, is food cooked traditionally on wood fire in earthern pots by super skilled temple cooks. This is first offered to the Lord - post that can be procured by the devotees.
Temple timings : 5 AM to 9 PM
Entry : Free
Address : Old town, Bhubaneshwar
- Lingaraj Lassi Sharbat
I remember my mama taking us all the kids here, when this used to be an open shed and we have had large tumblers of lassi from this centre every other weekend.
So this was next on the radar - we took a cab from our hotel to the lassi point.
Started by Harihar Sahu in 1979, Lingaraj Lassi Sharbat has garnered a lot of popularity in the recent years and is now a larger shop behind the Durga Mandap, Saheed Nagar. This place has its own fan following and you would find this place crowded most of the times of the week.
This sweet refreshing tumbler is filled with lassi, which is laden with scoops of rabdi and it is garnished generously with grated coconut, raisins, cashew nuts and cherries. Exquisite, and the small tumbler was so filing - gosh! 😋
The tumblers are getting prepared right in front of you and at any point of time they would have 10-15 glasses selling off in a jiffy. This is one of the must have during the summers - best to satiate your thirst and hunger.😍Well, I am not sure - but I did see, some folks asking for extra serving of the rabdi - I did not even attempt - I was too full!😝
Price for a small tumbler : Rs.60/-
Larger one was priced at : Rs.80/-
Larger one was priced at : Rs.80/-
Address : Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneshwar
- Biju Pattnaik Airport - Bhubaneshwar
Although a small airport - but it is thoughtfully done and well managed with courteous staff and policeladies.There was "Khelo India" being organised in Odisha - for which the famous Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, had put up his work on display for the welcome of the players. You will find some handloom, mitha shops in the airport as well.
Ola/Uber ply very fine here - there was one local cab supporting cab facilities from the airport premises which we opted for our travel to Puri - although pricy but at Rs.1400/-, it was a sedan and a comfortable ride with no jhig-jhig. 🙈
That's all for today. 🙈
~Believe in yourself always!
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