Books on Bhubaneswar

Before it became the capital of Orissa in 1948, Bhubaneswar had been a temple town and an important Hindu cultural and religious center to followers of Buddhism, Jainism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism. The presence of so many different religions in fact gave the city its pluralistic character, one of the factors responsible for its eventual selection as the capital city. Now Bhubaneswar is a vibrant modern city with tree lined promenades, malls and all trappings of urbanism. 

Bhubaneswar: Webster's Timeline History, 650 - 2007 provides a complete lowdown on the city in historical, literary or semantic area.Here the focus is on "Bhubaneswar," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Bhubaneswar in their name. As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Bhubaneswar when it is used in proper noun form.  Bhubaneswar: From a Temple Town to a Capitol City by Ravi Kalia, associate professor of history at The City College of The City University of New York (CUNY), traces the past of the city till it became Orissa's capital. 

Hindu Monastic Life: The Monks and Monasteries of Bhubaneswar is a detailed, descriptive and analytical study of Hindu monastic life as it was lived and as it is being lived, in a traditional Hindu Temple-pilgrimage town. The study concludes with observations about the role that Hindu monasticism will play in contemporary India. A complete bibliography of Hindu monasticism adds to the utility of the study.

Bhubaneswar's cultural past can be best studied from the many inscriptions found around the city. **REPRINT** Inscriptions of Orissa, by Satyanarayan Rajaguru, curator, Orissa State Museum. Bhubaneswar, Orissa Sahitya Akademi, 19 provides a comprehensive insight into the city's heritage. Inscriptions of Orissa also by Satyanarayan Rajaguru is in a paperback form. 


To learn about specific temples dotting the landscape of Bhubaneswar one can start with Muktesvara Temple in Bhubaneswar, where the author traces its formal antecedents, discussing also influences form outside Orissa, concluding with the influence of the Muktesvara itself upon subsequent developments in Orissa. He also puts forth the most complete and exhaustive description of the temple offering an interpretation of its sculptures. For Lingaraj Temple one may try Hindu Temples in Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj Temple, Parsurameswar Temple, Brahmeswara, Mukteswar Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Mukteswara Temple.


Bhubaneswar with its treasure of architectural wonders is a photographer's delight. One can choose from Hindu Sculpture, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India Photographic Poster Print by Keren Su, 30x40, Empty Courtyard with Monument in Bhubaneswar, India Photographic Poster Print, 18x24, Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar, Orissa State, India Photographic Poster Print by Adam Woolfitt, 24x32, Round Stone Torana Gate, Mukteswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Orissa State, India Stretched Canvas Poster Print by Adam Woolfitt, 30x40


 From tourism perspective the Global Treasures BHUBANESWAR - India comes in really handy with its 11 minutes coverage of popular destinations.


Those interested in the socio-economic areas will find THE SLUM DWELLERS IN BHUBANESWAR, INDIA: FROM A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS PERSPECTIVE interesting. 


Among the recent popular books Subroto Bagchi's Go Kiss the World: Life Lessons for the Young Professional has many pages devoted to the author's life in Bhubaneswar. 


Still want more of Bhubaneswar? Try these mousepads, to keep the city close to you always: India, Bhubaneswar Mouse PadIndia - "BHUBANESWAR" Set of 4 Mini-Mousepad Coasters.