Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of an ancient state, is a sprawling city, now divided into old and new parts. Itself a historic city, its Bindusagar Tank was once the centre-point of a concentration of over 7,000 temples. Now it can still boast of about 500. A bird's eye-view shows temple towers and spires neatly laid out -- with the Lingaraj Temple, the White Peace Pagoda on Dhauli Hill andthe pink Temple of Mahavir Jina in the Khandagiri Hills dominating the skyline. The Lingaraj Temple is a living temple and thus does not permit non-Hindus within its walls. The presiding deity of Lord Shiva is represented in the form of a massive granite linga, eight feet in diameter and nine feet in height.
ACCESS
Bhubaneshwar is well connected by air and rail. The city is connected by good roads to different parts of Orissa and other states.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Lingaraj Temple, the Raja Rani Temple, the Lakshmaneswar Temple, Bindusagar, Brahmeswar, Siddaranya and the Museum.
EXCURSIONS
Nandan Kanan Sanctuary, Puri, Konark, Dhauli, Cuttack, Sakhigopal, Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves, Gopalpur-on-Sea -- a beautiful holiday beach resort and Pipli (famous for its colourful applique work).
SHOPPING
Bhubaneswar is famous for stone sculptures, `Patta' paintings, brassware, toys, items of horn, ganjifa playing cards, masks, dowry boxes and silver filigree work, among others. The main shops are the handicrafts museum on Secratariat Road and Utkalika (Orissa Government Emporium) in Capital Market.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
In Bhubaneswar, Hotel Kalinga Ashok, the Oberoi and Hotel Swosti have reasonable facilities.
ACCOMMODATION
The Oberoi(5-star Deluxe), Post: R.R.L., CB-1 Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar 751 013. Phones: 440890-97. Fax: 0674-440898.
Swosti (4-star) 103, Janpath, Unit-III, Bhubaneswar-751 001. Phones: 0674-535771-2-8-9. Fax: 0674-535770, 535784.
The NewKenil-worth (4-star) 86/A-1, Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar- 751 014. Phones: 433600-5. Fax: 674-433351.
Kalinga Ashok, (3-star), Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar 751 014. Phones: 431055-066. Fax: 0674-410745, 432001.
Sishmo (4-star) , 86/A-1, Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751014. Phone: 0674-433600-605. Fax: 43351.
Keshari (3-star) 113, Station Square, Bhubaneswar - 750001. Phone: 0674-521994 96. Fax: 0674-511553.
Prachi (2-star), 6, Janpath Bhubaneswar-751001.Phones: 502328, 502689. Fax: -0674-503287.
Panthaniwas (OTDC), Jayaev Marg, Phones: 432515, 432314.
Garden Inn, Janpath. Phones: 514120, 514121. Fax: 0674-504254.