The Odisha State Museum on Lewis Road, near Kalpana Square, is the best place to understand the temples you have seen outside. Its sculpture galleries hold carvings rescued from ruined temples across the state, and its palm-leaf manuscript collection — including illustrated manuscripts of the Gita Govinda — is among the finest anywhere.
Other galleries cover coins and copper-plate grants, arms and armour, traditional musical instruments, natural history and the cultures of Odisha’s many tribal communities.
Top things to do at Odisha State Museum
See the manuscript gallery
Palm leaves were incised with a stylus and then blackened, allowing fine illustration. Look for the Gita Govinda manuscripts and the astronomical works.
Walk the sculpture galleries
Seeing temple figures at eye level, with labels, makes the carvings of Mukteswar and Rajarani far easier to read.
Visit the tribal and musical galleries
A good introduction to Odisha beyond the coast: tribal ornaments, weapons and the instruments used in Odissi music.
How to get to Odisha State Museum
- Location: Lewis Road near Kalpana Square, about 2 km from the railway station.
- By auto: 10 minutes from the station or from Lingaraj.
- Combine it: easy to pair with the Old Town temples in one day.
Insider tips
- Usually open 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays and public holidays. Confirm before you go.
- Entry is inexpensive; there may be a separate charge for photography.
- A good plan for the hottest part of the day or a rainy afternoon.
Best tours & tickets for Odisha State Museum
These experiences are the easiest way to see Odisha State Museum with a guide and transport sorted:
City tour from US$102 Mystical Bhubaneswar: Temples, Caves and Dhauli Hills Tour
Everything inside the city limits in one well-paced day: the Old Town temples, the rock-cut Jain monasteries on Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills, and the white peace pagoda at Dhauli above the battlefield of the Kalinga War. Hotel pickup included.
- Lingaraj, Mukteswar and Rajarani temples
- The 2,000-year-old Jain caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri
- Dhauli Shanti Stupa and the Ashokan rock edict
Private car Bhubaneswar: Private Car Hire with Driver and Flexible Hours
Not a tour but a car and driver for the hours you need — the most flexible way to string together sights that public transport serves badly, such as Nandankanan, Dhauli, Pipili or a late return from Konark.
- Your own air-conditioned car and driver
- Choose your own stops and timing
- Ideal for Nandankanan, Dhauli or Pipili
