Places to visit in Bhubaneswar

• Opening hours: The temple is open daily from approximately 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with brief midday closures for ritual bhoga preparation. Curzon Viewing Platform is accessible during daylight hours.
• Entry fees: Admission to the temple and the Curzon viewing platform is free. Official shoe and mobile cloaking lockers charge nominal fees (₹5 to ₹10).
• Entry restrictions: Following ancient orthodox temple tradition, entry into the inner temple compound is strictly reserved for practicing Hindus only. Non-Hindu visitors, international tourists of other faiths, and non-Indian passport holders can view the temple from the external Curzon Viewing Platform.
• No electronic devices, cameras, or mobile phones are permitted past the police security screening counter.

Lingaraj Temple is located in Old Town (Ekamra Kshetra), approximately 4.5 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 3.5 km southeast of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city buses (stopping at Lingaraj Temple or Old Town bus stops) provide frequent connectivity. The approach road passes through lively, bustling heritage lanes; dedicated two-wheeler and four-wheeler parking lots operate roughly 200 metres from the north gate.

• Opening hours: The temple complex is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• Entry fees: Admission to the temple and surrounding gardens is completely free (no ASI ticket required).
• Casual photography with smartphones and handheld cameras is freely permitted across the grounds. Commercial film equipment, tripod shooting, and drone photography require prior written permission from the ASI Bhubaneswar Circle.
• Visitors are requested to maintain the sanctity of active worship; footwear is prohibited on the temple platform.

Muktesvara Temple is located along Kedar Gouri Temple Road in Old Town, roughly 4 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 3.5 km southeast of the airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city services provide direct connectivity to Old Town. The temple is situated just 1 km northeast of Lingaraj Temple, making it very easy to walk or take a brief cycle-rickshaw between both sites. Paved roadside vehicle parking is available outside the ASI perimeter gate.

• Opening hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset (typically 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM).
• Entry fees: Regulated Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument ticket: approximately ₹25 for Indian citizens, SAARC, and BIMSTEC visitors; ₹300 for foreign nationals. Children under 15 enter free. Cashless QR-code ticketing counters and digital booking portals are available at the entrance gate.
• Still photography using mobile phones and handheld cameras is permitted without additional fee. Tripods, commercial videography, and drone flying require formal written ASI permits.

Rajarani Temple is located in Rajarani Colony, roughly 3.5 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 4 km east of Biju Patnaik International Airport. It sits conveniently off Lewis Road / Tankapani Road. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus routes running toward Tankapani or Old Town stop within a few hundred metres of the main entrance. A dedicated visitor parking area operates outside the ASI ticket kiosk.

• Opening hours: The temple complex is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• Entry fees: Admission to the temple and grounds is completely free (no entry fee).
• Photography using mobile phones and handheld cameras is freely permitted in the exterior courtyards; photography inside the active inner sanctum is discouraged by local priests.
• All visitors, regardless of nationality or faith, are permitted onto the temple terrace and can enter the Jagamohana hall respectfully.

Brahmeswar Temple is located in Brahmeswarpatna, along Tankapani Road, roughly 4 km southeast of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 5 km east of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city transit provide easy access along the Tankapani corridor. Roadside parking for two-wheelers and cars is available near the entrance gate along the quiet village road.

• Opening hours: Check the current visiting hours and permitted access with the site operator before departure; ceremonies, closures and visitor sessions can affect access.
• Entry fees: Free admission to all public ghats and walking paths.
• Photography is freely permitted around the lake and exterior temple walls.
• Swimming in unmonitored sections is prohibited; visitors must respect ongoing religious bathing rituals and avoid throwing plastic waste into the sacred waters.

Bindu Sagar is situated in Old Town, roughly 4.5 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 3.5 km southeast of Biju Patnaik International Airport. It lies immediately north of Lingaraj Temple (accessible within a 5-minute walk). Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and Mo Bus routes serving Old Town stop directly near the lake banks. Parking is available along the eastern embankment road near Ananta Vasudeva temple.

• Opening hours: The temple complex is open daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Entry fees: Admission to the temple and spring precinct is free.
• Photography is permitted in the open courtyards and around the spring pool; photography inside the inner sanctum of Kedareshwar is restricted by local priests during worship.
• Visitors of all backgrounds and faiths are welcome inside the courtyard and around the spring.

The Kedar Gouri Precinct is located along Kedar Gouri Temple Road in Old Town, roughly 4 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 3.5 km southeast of the airport. It sits directly across the lane from Muktesvara Temple (approx. a 2-minute walk). Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city buses to Old Town connect easily. Roadside vehicle parking is available along the quiet temple approach lane.

• Opening hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset (typically 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM).
• Entry fees: Udayagiri is a ticketed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument: approximately ₹25 for Indian citizens, SAARC, and BIMSTEC visitors; ₹300 for foreign tourists. Children under 15 enter free. Cashless QR-code ticketing is available at the gate.
• Khandagiri Hill across the road is freely accessible without an admission ticket.
• Non-commercial photography with mobile phones and personal cameras is permitted. Tripods, commercial filmmaking, and drones are strictly restricted by ASI.

The caves are located in the Khandagiri neighborhood along NH 16, roughly 6.5 km west of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 6 km northwest of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city services (Routes stopping at Khandagiri Square or Udayagiri Gate) operate continuously. A large dedicated parking facility for two-wheelers and cars is situated directly at the foot of Udayagiri Hill.

• Opening hours: The Peace Pagoda is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Ashokan Edicts at the base are accessible from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
• Entry fees: Entry to both the Shanti Stupa and the Ashokan Rock Edicts is completely free.
• Sound and Light Show: The evening laser show operates in English, Hindi, and Odia (typically two shows between 7:00 PM and 8:15 PM, subject to seasonal timing and weather), charging approximately ₹25 to ₹50 per person.
• Photography with personal cameras and smartphones is permitted across the monument. Drones are prohibited without prior security clearance from district police.

Dhauli Giri is located approximately 8 to 10 km south of central Bhubaneswar (Master Canteen Square) along the Bhubaneswar-Puri Highway (NH 316).

• By Road: Motorists take the Puri Highway south past Kalpana Square and Samantarapur, crossing the Daya River bridge, and turn east at Dhauli Square onto the well-paved 2-km Dhauli Ghat approach road directly to the hill top. Driving time from central Bhubaneswar is 20 to 30 minutes.
• By Public Transport: Mo Bus city transit routes (Route 23 and Puri-bound services) run frequently to Dhauli Square on NH 316, from where local auto-rickshaws ferry visitors up the hill. App cabs and tourist taxis are widely available.
• Parking: Ample parking space for buses, cars, and two-wheelers is available at both the lower Ashokan Edicts site and the upper stupa terrace, charging nominal regulated parking fees.

• Opening hours: Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Strictly closed on Mondays and official government holidays.
• Entry fees: Nominal admission ticket: approximately ₹20 for Indian adults, ₹10 for children; ₹100 for foreign visitors. Students with institutional ID cards receive discounted access.
• Photography fees: Casual photography using smartphone cameras or DSLRs is permitted upon paying a separate photography fee (approximately ₹50 to ₹100) at the ticket counter. Flash photography in the palm-leaf manuscript gallery is strictly prohibited to preserve delicate organic fibers.

The Odisha State Museum is located at Kalpana Square along Lewis Road in BJB Nagar, roughly 1.5 km south of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 3 km east of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city services (Routes stopping at Kalpana Square or State Museum stop) provide direct access. A large, gated visitor parking area for cars and two-wheelers is located right within the museum campus.

• Opening hours: Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Strictly closed on Mondays and official government gazetted holidays.
• Entry fees: Admission to the museum and grounds is completely free (or a nominal token fee of ₹10 depending on temporary special exhibition directives).
• Photography using mobile phones is generally permitted in the outdoor village compound; photography inside the indoor galleries is regulated, and flash is prohibited.
• Touching the fragile organic artifacts, musical instruments, and mud-painted walls is strictly forbidden.

The Tribal Museum is situated at CRPF Square along the National Highway (NH 16) in Nayapalli, roughly 5 km northwest of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 6 km north of the airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus routes running between Railway Station / Master Canteen and Khandagiri stop right at CRPF Square or Museum gate. Ample visitor parking space for two-wheelers and cars is available inside the SCSTRTI gate.

• Opening hours: Open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Strictly closed on Mondays and state gazetted holidays.
• Entry fees: Modest admission ticket: approximately ₹50 for Indian adults, ₹20 for students with valid ID; ₹100 for foreign visitors. Children under 12 enter free.
• Guided Tours: The museum provides scheduled, high-quality guided gallery walks led by trained museum docents (included with admission or for a nominal fee).
• Photography using mobile phones is freely permitted throughout the courtyards and galleries without extra charge. Commercial filming, tripods, and drones require written authorization from the museum directorate.

Kala Bhoomi is located in Pokhariput (near Gandamunda), roughly 6 km southwest of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 4.5 km west of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city transit lines running toward Pokhariput or AIIMS provide smooth connectivity. A large, well-organized dedicated parking facility for two-wheelers, cars, and tourist coaches is situated right outside the main gate.

• Opening hours: Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (October to February) and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (March to September). Strictly closed on Mondays and national gazetted holidays.
• Entry fees: Admission to the museum and grounds is completely free for all visitors.
• Non-commercial photography using smartphones and personal cameras is permitted across the galleries without extra charge. Commercial filming or equipment requires prior written authorization from the museum director.
• Touching the taxidermy specimens, skeletal mounts, and diorama glass is strictly prohibited.

The museum is located along Sachivalaya Marg near Acharya Vihar Square, roughly 4 km north of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 6 km northeast of Biju Patnaik International Airport. It sits close to the Regional Science Centre and Utkal University. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus routes running along Sachivalaya Marg / NH 16 stop within a short 200-metre walk of the entrance gate. Ample free visitor parking for cars and two-wheelers is provided within the museum grounds.

• Opening hours: Open daily for general tourists from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (open until 6:00 PM in winter). A dedicated morning walkers' window operates from 5:00 AM to 7:30 AM (accessible via monthly/annual walker passes or morning tickets).
• Entry fees: Modest admission ticket: approximately ₹25 for adults, ₹15 for children (aged 3 to 12).
• Boating charges: Pedal boat rentals operate on standardized rates (approximately ₹50 to ₹100 for a 30-minute ride depending on 2-seater or 4-seater boats).
• Casual photography with smartphones is allowed; DSLR cameras, pre-wedding shoots, and professional videography require separate ticketed camera permissions from the RPRC administration.
• Littering, plucking flowers, damaging plant labels, and consuming alcohol are strictly banned and penalized.

Ekamra Kanan is located in IRC Village, Nayapalli, roughly 6 km northwest of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 7 km north of Biju Patnaik International Airport. It is easily reachable from NH 16 and Jayadev Vihar via VIP Road / Ekamra Kanan Road. Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus city transit lines connect directly to the IRC Village bus stop near the garden entrance. A large organized parking ground operates outside the main ticketing gate for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, charging nominal standardized fees.

• Opening hours: Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (April to October) and 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March). Strictly closed on Mondays for animal welfare and maintenance.
• Entry fees: Modest admission ticket: approximately ₹50 for Indian adults, ₹10 for children (aged 3 to 12); ₹100 for foreign tourists. Separate tickets apply for the combo Safari bus rides (approx. ₹60 per person), Ropeway (approx. ₹100 per person), and Toy Train (approx. ₹50 per person).
• Battery-operated vehicles (BOVs) charge approximately ₹80 to ₹100 per passenger for the full zoo circuit.
• Single-use plastic bottles, polythene carry bags, and outside food containers are confiscated or checked at the security gate to prevent animal poisoning; visitors must deposit plastic bags at the entrance.

Nandankanan is situated in Barang along the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack corridor, roughly 14 to 15 km north of central Bhubaneswar (Master Canteen Square) and 18 km south of Cuttack.

• By Road: Motorists travel north via Jayadev Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, and Patia directly onto the well-paved Nandankanan Road. Driving time from central Bhubaneswar is roughly 35 to 45 minutes.
• By Train: The nearest local railway station is Barang Junction (approx. 2 km away), while Bhubaneswar Railway Station is 15 km south.
• By Public Transport: Mo Bus operates frequent, air-conditioned bus services (including Route 16 and Route 20) connecting Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Patia, and Cuttack directly to the Nandankanan Zoo entrance bus terminal.
• Parking: A massive, organized multi-lane parking complex operates outside the zoo entrance, accommodating hundreds of buses, cars, and two-wheelers with standardized parking fees.

• Opening hours: The sanctuary gates (Godibari and Deras) are open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Safaris operate from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Entry fees: Regulated Odisha Forest Department entry fee: approximately ₹40 to ₹50 for Indian adults, ₹20 for children; ₹100 for foreign tourists.
• Safari charges: Forest department safari vehicles charge approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per vehicle (accommodating up to 6 - 8 passengers) plus guide fees.
• Vehicle fees: Private vehicles entering the Deras Dam road pay nominal forest road charges (approx. ₹50-100 per car).
• Strict eco-tourism rules apply: plastic dumping, loud music, honking, and consuming alcohol inside the sanctuary are serious offenses punishable by forest law.

Chandaka Sanctuary and Deras Dam are situated on the western outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Khordha district.

• By Road: Motorists take the road heading west from Patia / Kalinga Studio / Khandagiri toward Chandaka village via Chandaka-Bhubaneswar Road (approx. 18 to 22 km from Master Canteen Square). Godibari Gate is located right along the main road, while Deras Dam is situated 5 km further along an interior paved forest approach road. Driving time is roughly 35 to 50 minutes.
• By Public Transport: Auto-rickshaws, app cabs, and Mo Bus routes connect Bhubaneswar to Chandaka village and Godibari. However, having a private vehicle or hiring a round-trip taxi is strongly advised to reach the interior watchtowers at Deras.
• Parking: Dedicated parking areas operate at both Godibari Gate and Deras Dam parking plaza with nominal forest parking fees.

• Opening hours: The temple is open daily from sunrise to sunset (typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
• Entry fees: Admission to the temple and surrounding precinct is completely free (protected by the Archaeological Survey of India).
• Photography using mobile phones and handheld cameras is permitted; visitors are requested not to touch the delicate chlorite sculptures or place coins/oils directly onto the ancient carvings.
• Worship is actively conducted by the village priest (pujari), who offers vermilion and flowers to Goddess Mahamaya.

Hirapur village is situated in Balianta block, approximately 15 km southeast of Bhubaneswar Railway Station (Master Canteen Square) and 14 km southeast of Biju Patnaik International Airport.

• By Road: Motorists take the Puri Highway (NH 316) south to Samantarapur or Lingipur, turning east onto rural roads winding through Kesura, Sai Temple, and across paddy fields directly to Hirapur village. Alternatively, take the road via Tankapani and the Daya river embankment. Driving time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
• By Public Transport: Auto-rickshaws and app cabs from central Bhubaneswar reach Hirapur easily. Local village autos connect from Samantarapur Square on NH 316.
• Parking: A small unpaved open parking ground operates outside the temple entrance gate; no parking fees apply.

• Opening hours: The open archaeological site is accessible freely during daylight hours from sunrise to sunset (typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
• Entry fees: Admission is free; there is no ticket counter.
• Sisupalgarh is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); digging, encroaching, removing stones, and defacing the historic laterite pillars are serious offenses under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
• Photography using handheld cameras and mobile phones is freely permitted.

Sisupalgarh is situated in the southeastern outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Khordha district.

• By Road: From central Bhubaneswar (Master Canteen Square), take Lewis Road or Tankapani Road southeast past Brahmeswarpatna. Cross the Gangua bridge and turn into Sisupalgarh village along paved rural lanes (approx. 5 to 6 km). Driving time is roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
• By Public Transport: Auto-rickshaws and app cabs from central Bhubaneswar reach the Sisupalgarh pillar site directly. Local shared autos run along Tankapani Road up to the village entry.
• Parking: Open roadside parking space is available near the village school and the ASI signboard leading to the central pillar mound.