Bhubaneswar is the capital and also the largest city of the state of Odisha, which is located in eastern India. It is considered “the city of temples” because it has around 35 old and hundreds of new Hindu temples, most of which are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The population is about 850,000 and consists of about 95% Hindus, 3% Muslims and the rest Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. As is generally the case in India , the male population is 10% more strongly represented here. The regional languages are Odia, English and Hindi.

Bhubaneswar is located on the west bank of the Mahanadi River, which meanders through eastern India over a length of almost 850 kilometers. With a size of 135 km², the city of temples measures less than a fifth of Berlin or half of Vienna. The climate of the city is, as usual for India, very warm. Even in the winter months from November to February, the maximum daily temperatures are around 30°C.

Bhubaneswar has its finger on the pulse of time

After 1990, a lot of time was invested in the modernization of the city and a large number of small and medium-sized companies have settled here. In 2014, the city was even ranked as the best business location in India. Bhubaneswar Airport is the only one in the region and was named the best airport of India in 2013. The main railway station is located on the important Haora and Kolkata to Chennai route and thus has connections to Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Bhubaneswar is also strong in the field of education and can boast three universities, including Utkal University. The latter was founded in 1943, making it the oldest university in Odisha.

A city full of sights

Bhubaneswar offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in culture, like hiking or just want to unwind! Cultural highlights include the Konark Sun Temple and the sandstone Rajarani Temple, built in the 12th century. Likewise, the Brahmeshwar Temple, the Mukteshwar Temple and the Lingaraj Temple, which is also known as the largest temple of Bhubaneswar, cannot be missed. All of them were 9. and Built in the 10th century, they are a precious treasure of Indian history, both architecturally and mythologically. Typical for most temples is the steeply rising tower structure and the division into a sanctum area with a cult image and a assembly hall in front of it.

In addition to numerous temples, the Odisha State Museum is also worth seeing. It is now one of the most important museums in all of India. Here you can see unique sculptures from all parts of the country, as well as tablets and coins, but also specimens of extinct and endangered animals and handicrafts such as musical instruments and textiles. Since 2018, there has also been the Odisha Crafts Museum, which, spread over eight rooms, is dedicated to different types of craftsmanship. The special thing here is that the buildings were built in the style of traditional huts. The walls are decorated with paintings and clay figures sit on the roofs.

Always up for a trip

The Dhauli Giri Hills are particularly suitable for an excursion. They are known for a rock edict of Emperor Ashoka that is over 2000 years old, which is now protected with a building made largely of glass. Only a few meters above you will find a rocky dome from which the front part of an elephant has been carved out. It is believed that this sculpture is one of the oldest surviving sculptures in all of India. Another absolute highlight is the Shanti Stupa, which was built in 1972 and is lined with wide staircases and houses impressive statues.

Another attraction is certainly the Udayagiri and Chandagiri caves. They are among the oldest cave monasteries in India and are located in a rocky terrain just outside Bhubaneswar. However, they are very easy to reach by taxi. The entire complex comprises about 33 caves and, due to the naming of rulers in the form of inscriptions, can be traced back to the 2. and 3rd century BC.

With a short bus ride you can also reach the Chausath Yogini Temple. This testifies to a matriarchal cult of the gods and shows more or less well-preserved statues of 60 female deities.

The palate also needs a vacation once in a while

Not only the countless temples, but also the unique dishes make the holiday in Bhubaneswar unforgettable. Let’s start the palate journey with Dalma, a simple but very tasty lentil dish. It continues with Chungdi-Malai, so that even non-vegetarians get their money’s worth. The shrimp curry impresses with a successful mixture of curry, coconut milk, ginger, cinnamon and red chili powder. In addition to tasty curries, numerous desserts are also a speciality around Bhubaneswar. Chhena poda is similar to a cheesecake and consists of semolina, raisins, sugar, crumbled paneer, almonds and cashew nuts. Rasabli is also a must-try. The small donut-shaped tikkis, made with cottage cheese, flour, semolina and sugar, and then fried until golden brown and marinated in thickened milk. A real treat for the palate!

The Brahmaputra, in German “son of Brahma”, is one of the largest rivers in the world. It rises in the Himalayas in Tibet and flows through China, India and Bangladesh. On the way, it is fed by numerous bodies of water and changes its name several times. From the roof of the world at an altitude of 5200 meters, the river makes its way to the Bay of Bengal to flow into the Indian Ocean in the world’s largest coastal delta. On the long journey from its source to its mouth, the Brahmaputra covers a distance of 3100 kilometers through multifaceted landscapes and cultures. Among other things, it crosses the Assam Valley in India.

Setting off for new shores in a floating hotel

The magic and multifaceted nature of India is revealed on a cruise along the banks of the Brahmaputra. While passengers immerse themselves in an exciting and exotic world and discover its beauties, they enjoy the advantages and luxury of a comfortable cruise ship as well as a pleasant atmosphere and reliable accommodation. On the journey to new destinations and impressions, the hotel always travels with you. The Brahmaputra adventure can be experienced in a relaxed way on a river cruise.
The fascinating journey leads through the country’s incomparable nature with imposing landscapes, dense jungle and green forests. In the Assam Valley there are ten national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as the well-known Kaziranga National Park. In addition, you will get to know the rich culture of India while visiting cities steeped in history.

On safari in Kaziranga National Park

In the districts of Golaghat and Nagoan in the northern Indian state of Assam lies the Kaziranga National Park, one of the most beautiful places in India. It was founded in 1904 and 68 years later it was declared a national park. Since 1985, the park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an area of more than 900 square kilometers and consists of tall grasslands, tropical forests and swamps as well as extensive elephant grasslands. In the north and east, the protected area is bordered by the Brahmaputra. It is the habitat for numerous rare animal species, including wild water buffalo, river dolphins, Asian elephants, Bengal tigers and Barasing deer. In addition, the park is one of the last protected areas of the Indian rhinoceros and is home to over 70% of the world’s total population. A safari in a jeep or on the back of an elephant allows visitors to get up close and personal with wild animals such as monkeys and tigers. It is also worth visiting the tea gardens and the villages of the rural tribes of the Karbi and the Mising on Majuli, the largest river island in the world.

Temples, palaces and historical sites line the path of river cruisers in India

Silghat, the town on the southern bank of the Brahmaputras, is the gateway to Kaziranga National Park and the Butterfly Forest. Last but not least, the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape makes the place an attraction for numerous tourists.
Guwahati is the capital of the northeastern state of Assam. The metropolis between the picturesque hills of the Himalayan mountains is known as the gateway to northeastern India. Located on Nilachal Hill, Kamakhya Devi Temple is one of the most interesting sights.

It was built in the 10th century by King Naranarayan. Above Kamakhya is the smaller temple Bhubaneshwari, which offers a spectacular view of the city. On Mount Bhasmacala, on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra, stands the Umananda Temple, built by King Gadadhar Singha. The State Museum, the Anthropological Museum, the Forest Museum and the Museum of Home Industry are treasure troves of Assam’s rich cultural past.
On the north bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River lies the beautiful city of Tezpur, the cultural center of Assam with a rich history. Worth seeing include the Da-Parbatia, one of the oldest and most beautiful collections of sculptural art in Assam, and the ruins of the Bamuni hill from the 9. and 10th century. The area is also famous for its tea plantations and hilly tea gardens.

One of India’s holiest pilgrimage centers is the Shiva Dol Temple from the Ahom Dynasty in Sibsagar. Its seven-foot-high dome, called Kolosi, is made of pure gold. Walls and columns inside the temple are decorated with figures and images of Hindu gods and goddesses.

Tea and silk on the banks of the river

Assam is known not least for the cultivation of tea. Especially in the valley of the Brahmaputra there are numerous tea plantations that produce the famous Assam tea. On a tour you will learn interesting details about tea production.

Sualkuchi, a tranquil village on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, is the centre of textile production in Assam. For this reason, the silk weaving village is also known as the Manchester of India. The fine Assam silk is not produced anywhere else in the world. The place worth seeing with the rustic charm and its bamboo houses has become a popular tourist destination.

India’s Kaziranga National Park is located between the Brahmaputra River in the north and National Route 37 in the south, in the state of Assam. The area of about 919 km² consists mainly of swamps, forests and tall grasslands. Since 1985, the Kaziranga National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 2005 it has been an elephant reserve and since 2007 an official tiger reserve.

These large wild animals can almost only be found here

In Asia, too, wild animals suffer from hunting and the destruction of their habitat. This makes shelters such as the Kaziranga National Park all the more important. For visitors, large animals are usually the most interesting. In Kaziranga you will find five impressive species.

About 65% of all Indian rhinoceroses still in existence live here. This makes this national park the most important protected area for the endangered Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), also known as the Indian rhinoceros or unicorned rhinoceros. Unfortunately, it is also threatened by poaching in the national park, as its horn is in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine.

Also threatened by poaching because of its tusks is the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), for which this national park is also an important protected area. Encountering a herd of these second largest land animals in the world is an unforgettably impressive experience, which is quite possible in Kaziranga.

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), also known as the king tiger or Indian tiger, is also one of the five large animal species that find a protected habitat in this national park. Unfortunately, this is sorely needed, as there are only about 2,500 of these beautiful animals left in the wild. With a bit of luck, you can observe one of these rare animals on a jeep safari through the national park.
The grouper deer (Rucervus) or Barasingha is an Indian deer species that stands out for its angular antlers, often bearing 12 to 14 ends. The populations of this deer, which lives near wetlands, are endangered outside the national park due to habitat destruction and infection with diseases of domestic animals.
The fifth large animal species is the wild water buffalo. Although water buffalo are widespread as farm animals in Asia, the wild conspecifics have now become very rare.

Other animals and plants of the Kaziranga National Park

In this national park you will encounter numerous animal and plant species, some of which can only be found there. Of the approximately 35 mammal species, 15 are considered endangered species. The park is also home to 27 species of reptiles, 9 different amphibians, 29 species of fish and 500 species of birds. In addition, there are over 540 plant species, including lotus flowers, water lilies and water hyacinths. So there is a lot to discover in Kaziranga.

The origin and development of Kaziranga National Park

The beginnings of the park date back to 1905 and on the initiative of the then English Viceroy, Lord Curzon. In 1908, a core area was designated as a forest nature reserve. In 1916 it became a game reserve. It was not until 1938 that the first visitors were admitted. In 1947, India became independent from England and in 1950 the Indian state declared the area a nature reserve. At that time, the area had a size of 430 km². In February 1974, the area received the status of a national park. Since 1997, the park has been slowly but steadily enlarged by land purchases on the outskirts.

How to get to Kaziranga National Park

By plane, you can fly either to Jorhat, 96 km away, or to Tezpur Airport, which is just under 60 km away. From there, you can continue by rental car, taxi or bus to the national park. The nearest train station is Furkating Junction, about a 2-hour drive from the park.

What is the best time of year to visit Kaziranga National Park?
From July to October there is a rainy season in this area. The Brahmaputra then floods part of the park and many animals leave the area. On the other hand, there is almost no rain between November and April. The animals then returned to the park. This is the best time to go on a successful safari through the national park.

How to visit Kaziranga National Park

Because of the tigers living freely in the national park, no hikes can be made through the park. That would be far too dangerous. It is also forbidden to enter the park without a guide. In the months of November to April, however, various guided safaris are offered – with jeeps or on elephants. If you want to observe elephants and rhinos, you should book a safari that starts at dawn. There are observation towers scattered throughout the park from which you can get a good view of the park’s wildlife. In the information centre of the national park, visitors can find out about the park and nature and wildlife protection.