Lingaraj Temple
The Lingaraj Temple is the largest and the most interesting temple in the city. This 11th century temple exhibits the temple art of several centuries. It is the finest representation of Kalinga art. The main deity in this temple is the Shiva but almost all Hindu gods are represented here. The Swayambhu linga is not strictly a Shiva linga, but a hari-hara linga, half-Shiva half-Vishnu. This temple is set in a huge walled-in compound with dozens of shrines. The Hindus can only visit the temple, but there is also an excellent vantage point from where others can see the entire temple. The Bindu Sagar Lake is located near the temple where it is believed that water from all the sacred rivers of India is gathered and it is considered as a very purifying experience to have a dip in the lake. The compound of the temple measures 520 by 465 feet. Its curvilinear tower (vimana) rises to a height of 127 feet. 

The tower has been built without mortar and is hollow from inside and you can reach its top by an internal staircase below out of the 7-feet thick walls. The exterior side of the temple is profusely decorated with beautiful sculptures of gods and goddesses in various postures. Along the eastern side of the Lingaraj Temple, there are several small temples of a similar shape as the original Lingaraj Temple.

Raja Rani Temple
The Raja Rani Temple is one of the most delightful and harmoniously planned temple. This 11th century temple stands alone in the green rice fields. The Rajarani Temple takes its name from the red and gold sandstone called rajarani that looks stunning with miniature temple spires clasping the main tower. Its decorations are beautiful and enchanting and consists of the naked, smiling nymphs, the embracing couples, etc. The temple is known for the exquisite carvings of the feminine form. It is also believed that some pleasure-loving king of Orissa might have built this temple as his pleasure retreat than as a prayer hall.

Mukteshwar Temple 
The 10th century Mukteshwar Temple is an important transition point between the early and later phases of the Kalinga school of temple architecture. Many elements of the older order have been blended with new designs and conceptions. Various innovations made here became essential features of all the other temples. The temple is richly sculpted and offers pride of place to tales from the Panchatantra. The niches on the outer face of the compound wall include Buddhist, Jain and Hindu images, pointing to the synthesis which was a part of Orissan religious life. The temple gateway is an arched masterpiece and is excellently decorated with beautiful sculptures, elaborate scrolls and graceful female figures.

Behind the Mukteshwar Temple stands Kedareshwar where ground plan is circular. It has a 8-feet statue of Hanuman and goddess Durga standing on a lion. The Sidheshwar Temple situated northwest of Mukteswar is not very different. It has the traditional five parts.

Vaital Temple
The Vaital Temple represents the Khakhora order of the Kalinga style of temple architecture, devoted to tantric cults. The elements from certain sects of Hinduism and Buddhism have been combined with the female life force, Shakti. The first erotic sculptures of Orissan art were found here. In course of time, temple builders considered these images as an integral part of temple decoration and adapted them to their skills and techniques. The eight-armed Chamuda (Kali) which represents Shakti is the main deity of this temple. The elaborate sculptural decorations with the sinister sculptural manifestation of Devi has become its identifying feature. The temple deity of Chamunda is seated on a corpse and portrayed with a garland of skulls around her neck, flanked by an owl and a jackal. Her emaciated body, sunken eyes, and shrunken belly is quite a good sight.

Udaygiri
Udaygiri is situated 7 kms. west of Bhubaneshwar, where caves cut from rocks seem to form a honeycomb. Udaigiri is considered as one of the most important Buddhist complex in Orissa. The archaeological remains of Udaigiri comprise a brick stupa, two brick monasteries, a stone stepwell and the Bodhistava and Dhayani sculpted figures from the Buddha pantheon. The 18 caves of Udayagiri includes the famous Rani Gupha or Queen’s Cave and Hathi Gupha or the Elephant's cave. Rani Gupha is a two-storeyed structure with a spacious courtyard and elaborate sculptural friezes. Popular legends, historical

scenes, religious festivals and dancers have been carved on stone with singular grace. On a rock, the life chronicle of King Kharavela, the first known Orissan ruler, responsible for the expansion of the Kalinga empire is recorded.