Bhubaneswar(; ), also spelt as
Bhubaneshwar (
Odia:ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର), is the capital of the
Indian state of
Odisha. The city has a history of over 3,000 years starting with the Mahamegha-bahana Chedi dynasty (around the 2nd century BCE) which had its capital at
Sisupalgarh, nearby. Bhubaneswar, derived its name from
Tribhubaneswar, which literally means the Lord (Eeswar) of the Three World (Tribhuban), which refers to
Shiva. Bhubaneswar has been known by names such as
Toshali, Kalinga Nagari, Nagar Kalinga, Chakra Kshetra, Ekamra Kanan, Ekamra Kshetra and
Mandira Malini Nagari (
"City of Temples"). It is the largest city in Odisha and is a centre of economic and religious importance in
Eastern India.