Which Indian city is known as the Temple City of India?
Known as the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar boasts an extraordinary concentration of ancient shrines, sculptures and stone towers that span more than two millennia of history.
India is a land of temples, pilgrimages and spiritual hubs. But one city stands out above all in temple culture, history and architectural heritage: Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha.
Often called the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar boasts an extraordinary concentration of ancient shrines, sculptures and stone towers that span more than two millennia of history.
WHY IS BHUBANESWAR CALLED THE TEMPLE CITY?
The city earned this nickname because of its rich collection of Hindu temples, many dating back over 1,000 years and representing classical Kalinga architecture.
The title comes from both the number and heritage value of its temples. At its peak in ancient times, the region around Bhubaneswar is believed to have had hundreds of temples, making it one of the most significant Hindu religious centres in eastern India.
Locals also call the historic core Ekamra Kshetra, which refers to the ancient name of the place and its sacred temple zone.
Today, though some ancient monuments stand in ruins, the city still preserves an impressive architectural legacy spanning from the 6th century CE to the 15th century and beyond.
Bhubaneswar is also part of the Swarna Tribhuja (Golden Triangle) along with Puri and Konark, which together account for some of Odisha’s most visited temple and heritage sites.
WHAT ARE THE FAMOUS TEMPLES IN BHUBANESWAR?
Bhubaneswar’s temple landscape is vast and varied. Some of the most iconic include:
- Lingaraj Temple: A majestic 11th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Rajarani Temple: Noted for its exquisite carvings and distinctive sandstone.
- Muktesvara Temple: Considered a gem of early Kalinga architecture.
- Ananta Vasudeva Temple: Unique for its Vaishnavite shrine in a predominantly Shaivite city.
- Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar: A 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
These and many more, including smaller shrines dotted around the old town and Bindusagar Lake area, keep alive Bhubaneswar’s reputation as a temple hub.
ARE THERE OTHER CITIES IN INDIA CALLED TEMPLE CITY?
Several Indian cities are known for temple architecture (like Varanasi or Madurai), but Bhubaneswar is uniquely and widely recognised as the ‘Temple City’ nationally because of its unparalleled concentration and historical continuity of temples.
India is a land of temples, pilgrimages and spiritual hubs. But one city stands out above all in temple culture, history and architectural heritage: Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha.
Often called the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar boasts an extraordinary concentration of ancient shrines, sculptures and stone towers that span more than two millennia of history.
WHY IS BHUBANESWAR CALLED THE TEMPLE CITY?
The city earned this nickname because of its rich collection of Hindu temples, many dating back over 1,000 years and representing classical Kalinga architecture.
The title comes from both the number and heritage value of its temples. At its peak in ancient times, the region around Bhubaneswar is believed to have had hundreds of temples, making it one of the most significant Hindu religious centres in eastern India.
Locals also call the historic core Ekamra Kshetra, which refers to the ancient name of the place and its sacred temple zone.
Today, though some ancient monuments stand in ruins, the city still preserves an impressive architectural legacy spanning from the 6th century CE to the 15th century and beyond.
Bhubaneswar is also part of the Swarna Tribhuja (Golden Triangle) along with Puri and Konark, which together account for some of Odisha’s most visited temple and heritage sites.
WHAT ARE THE FAMOUS TEMPLES IN BHUBANESWAR?
Bhubaneswar’s temple landscape is vast and varied. Some of the most iconic include:
- Lingaraj Temple: A majestic 11th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Rajarani Temple: Noted for its exquisite carvings and distinctive sandstone.
- Muktesvara Temple: Considered a gem of early Kalinga architecture.
- Ananta Vasudeva Temple: Unique for its Vaishnavite shrine in a predominantly Shaivite city.
- Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar: A 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
These and many more, including smaller shrines dotted around the old town and Bindusagar Lake area, keep alive Bhubaneswar’s reputation as a temple hub.
ARE THERE OTHER CITIES IN INDIA CALLED TEMPLE CITY?
Several Indian cities are known for temple architecture (like Varanasi or Madurai), but Bhubaneswar is uniquely and widely recognised as the ‘Temple City’ nationally because of its unparalleled concentration and historical continuity of temples.