Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is often used as an airport stop on the way to Puri, which misses the point. The old town holds centuries of temple architecture within a surprisingly compact area, and Dhauli and the Udayagiri–Khandagiri caves add two very different chapters of Odisha’s history. Spend an early morning walking around the old-town temple cluster. Some sacred interiors are restricted, but the architecture and surrounding tanks still reward patient observation. Keep the caves and museums for a second day, especially if the heat is strong. The modern city is broad and green by Indian-capital standards. Autos and app cabs are the simplest way to connect its spread-out sights; the railway station area is practical, while Jaydev Vihar and Patia suit modern business stays.