Muktesvara Temple is one of Bhubaneswar's essential monuments, admired for the balance of its 10th-century Kalinga architecture and the delicacy of its carvings. The arched gateway is especially memorable, framing the shrine with an almost ornamental lightness.
The temple is compact, so slow down rather than ticking it off quickly. Look at the sculpted figures, lattice work, and proportions before continuing through the old-town temple circuit; Muktesvara often explains why Bhubaneswar is called a city of temples better than any single large complex.