Bhubaneswar city tour: Temples, caves and Ashoka's peace site

Lingaraj Temple and five centuries of stone carving in one day

A full-day Bhubaneswar city tour in a private car with a professional English-speaking guide covers the Lingaraj Temple (built in the 11th century in Kalinga style), the Rajarani Temple with its sculptures of Odissi dancers, the 10th-century Mukteshwar Temple, and Dhauli, where Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts from 260 BC mark his turn toward Buddhism. The tour also includes the ancient Jain cave dwellings at Khandagiri and Udayagiri, carved in the second century BC, with ornate carvings and an 18th-century temple at the top. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, lunch and all taxes are included. The tour runs eight hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lingaraja Temple30m
2. Rajarani Temple30m
3. Khandagiri Caves30m · entry included
4. Udayagiri Caves30m · entry included

Explore Bhubaneswar's temples and caves

• Visit Lingaraj Temple
• Visit Rajarani Temple
• Visit Mukteshwar Temple
• Explore Dhauli battle site and Ashoka edicts
• See Shanti Stupa Peace Pagoda at Dhauli
• Visit Khandagiri Caves
• Visit Udayagiri Caves

The experience

Lingaraj Temple anchors the morning: the most famous temple in Bhubaneswar, built in the 11th century by King Yayati Keshari and constructed from sandstone and laterite in the distinctive Kalinga style. The temple is dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. From there, the tour moves to Rajarani Temple, also from the 11th century, built from reddish and yellow sandstone (called Rajarani in the local dialect, which gave the temple its name). What sets Rajarani apart are its sculptures of women: some performing Odissi, the traditional dance form of Odisha, others in everyday moments. Mukteshwar, a 10th-century temple built by the Somavamsi dynasty and dedicated to Lord Shiva, follows, known for its beautiful carvings and sculptural detail.

Dhauli shifts the focus to history and philosophy. This is the site of an ancient battle fought in 260 BC where Emperor Ashoka defeated his enemies but, witnessing the bloodshed, renounced war and embraced Buddhism. Rock-cut edicts of Ashoka remain embossed on the rocks in the ancient Brahmi script and Prakrit language. The rock-cut elephant sculpture here is one of the oldest in India. The Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), built in 1972 through an Indo-Japanese collaboration, stands as a later monument to that same turn toward peace.

The day closes at Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves, ancient dwelling retreats carved for Jain ascetics in the second century BC during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri, meaning "Sunrise Hill", holds 18 caves with ornate carvings from the 1st century BCE, believed to have housed Jaina monks. Both cave complexes have an 18th-century Jain temple at the top. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with lunch and a professional guide who speaks English. Children from age 5 are welcome.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a professional guide speaking English.
• lunch.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by 5 Senses Walks

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the first temple. The guide collects you and returns you at the end, which matters if you're staying in the city center without a car or unfamiliar with the roads to Dhauli and the caves.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is Lingaraj Temple made of and when was it built?

Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century CE by King Yayati Keshari using sandstone and laterite in the Kalinga architectural style. It is dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva, and remains the most famous temple in Bhubaneswar.

What happened at Dhauli in 260 BC and what can I see there now?

Emperor Ashoka fought a battle at Dhauli in 260 BC, but after witnessing the bloodshed, he renounced war and became a promoter of Buddhism. You can see his edicts carved into rocks in the ancient Brahmi script and Prakrit language, plus one of India's oldest rock-cut elephant sculptures. The Shanti Stupa, built in 1972, stands as a later monument to peace.

What are Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves and who built them?

Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves are ancient dwelling retreats carved for Jain ascetics in the second century BC during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri has 18 caves with ornate carvings from the 1st century BCE, believed to have housed Jaina monks. Both sites have an 18th-century Jain temple at the top.

What makes Rajarani Temple different from the other temples on this tour?

Rajarani Temple, built in the 11th century from reddish and yellow sandstone, is famous for its unique sculptures of women: some performing Odissi, the traditional dance form of Odisha, and others in everyday life moments. This sculptural focus sets it apart from the other temples visited.

Does this tour include meals and how do I get picked up?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with lunch during the eight-hour tour. A professional English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout, and all taxes and fees are covered. Children from age 5 are welcome.