Musteswari Dance Festival

Musteswar Temple, one of the oldest temple was built in 10th century. Due to the location and architechture it attacts many tourists to its premise. The temple is one of the smallest and most compact temples in Bhubaneshwar. However, it's famous for its distinctive stone archway and ceiling with eight petal lotus.

This architecture is one of the basic reasons why Mukteshvara Temple is also known as the "Gem of Odisha architecture". The temple has important role in build of Kalinga School of Architecture. For which the festival is named after it. Mukteswar Dance Festival is organised by Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi with help of Odisha Tourism Department every year at the 10th century Odishan architectural marvel, the Mukteswar temple.

The festival spread in a open air auditorium over three days, dedicated to Odissi style of dance, began each day with a group prayer to Lord Siva, a solo performance and then a duet, culminating in a group performance. Artistes of national and international repute perform here. Odissi dancers tapping their feet to the strokes of the accompanying instruments mesmerize the audience with their classic attire and graceful movements. The temple at the background adds beauty to the festival.