BHUBANESHWAR

Bhubaneshwar: translation

   Bhuvaneshwar (Lord of the Worlds) is an ancient city named for SHIVA that now serves as the capital of the southern Indian state of Orissa. It is famous for its many temples, mostly dedicated to the god Shiva, all built in the Kalinga style of the region. Most characteristic of this type of architecture are the soaring, tapering towers that are decorated so as not to interrupt their straight lines. Most temples in Bhubaneshwar were built between 750 and 1250 C.E.; the most famous is Lingaraja, a temple to Shiva, or Tribhuvaneshvara (Ruler of the Three Worlds), built around 1100. Its tower is over 100 feet high.

   Further reading: Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa, Tourist Map of Bhubaneshwar (Bhubaneshwar: The Circle, 1986); P. R. Ramachandra Rao, Bhuvanes-vara Kalinga Architecture (Hyderabad: Akshara, 1980).