Just what does make Bhubaneswar the Temple Metropolis of India? Epitomizing a comprehensive history of the Orissan Style of architecture, it is said that there was once a time that the place had over 7,000 shrines.
Presently, Bhubaneswar has about 500 temples dominating the city skyline and majority of which are within a reasonable walking distance from one another.
Lingaraj, a 46-meter high structure serves as the zenith of temple tradition in the city. The capital of Orissa, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara here, which means “Lord of the Three Worlds.” It is from it that the city derived its name.
Aside from being known as the Temple Town, the city is aptly called “Cathedral City” because of its many temples. Present-day Bhubaneswar is a lively commercial and religious center and a pleasantly rural state capital that oversees the affairs of 25 million Orissans.
It is said that Bhubaneswar is the capital city of an ancient kingdom. However, these days Bhubaneswar represents the image of a modern city where apart from commerce, religious activities find a distinct niche.
The name of the city itself suggests the meaning “the Lord of the Universe”. Tourists come to Bhubaneswar to pay their homage to the religious, cultural and natural wonders of this beautiful temple city of the east.
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