Short answer
The core circuit is the Jagannath Temple (Puri), the Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar) and the Sun Temple (Konark); the first two are active places of worship where non-Hindus are not permitted inside, while Konark, no longer an active temple, is open to all.
Entry rules
Both the Jagannath Temple and the Lingaraj Temple restrict entry to Hindus, a longstanding rule enforced at the gate; visitors excluded from entry can view the Jagannath Temple from the Raghunandan Library rooftop opposite, and the Lingaraj Temple from a designated viewing platform.
Dress and conduct
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected at all temple sites, footwear is removed before entering temple precincts, and photography is restricted or prohibited inside the inner sanctums of active temples.
Beyond the big three
Bhubaneswar alone holds dozens of smaller surviving temples, including the Mukteshwar, Rajarani and Brahmeswar temples, each illustrating different phases of Kalinga temple architecture without the entry restrictions of an active shrine.
Planning a temple-focused trip
A dedicated temple circuit fits comfortably into 4-5 days across Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, and can be extended with Cuttack's Biraja Temple or western Odisha's Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur for a longer heritage route.
