Bhubaneswar: The capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, is celebrating its 75th foundation day on Thursday. Interestingly, Bhubaneswar is a modern city whose foundation was laid by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948, but the city has been in existence since the beginning of the common era.
The name Bhubaneswar has been derived from the Sanskrit word Tribhubaneswar, which means lord of the three realms, i.e., Lord Shiva. Modern-day Bhubaneswar was designed by the German architect Otto Königsberger in 1946.
Here are some interesting facts you ought to know about Bhubaneswar.
- Bhubaneswar has a 3,000-year-old history beginning from the Mahamegha-Bahana Chedi dynasty with Sisupalgarh as its capital.
- Bhubaneswar is also known as Toshali, Kalinga Nagari, Ekamra Kanan, Ekamra Kshetra and Mandira Malini Nagari.
- Bhubaneswar was once home to nearly 700 temples. Even today, hundreds of these ancient temples are still standing. Hence, it is not surprising that the city is also known as the Temple City.
- The famous Kalinga War took place near Dhauli, a war that changed King Ashoka, who later turned towards Buddhism and peace.
- Bhubaneswar is one of the ancient living cities of world with more than 3500 years of history.
- Bhubaneswar is the confluence of the religions with of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist with archaeological importance.
- Initially planned for 40,000 population, Bhubaneswar city is now being inhabited by over 14 lakh people.
- Bhubaneswar replaced Cuttack as the capital of the State in 1948, a year after India secured independence from Britishers.
- Bhubaneswar houses the only white tiger safari and the largest lion safari are located in NandanKanan zoological park.
