Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens in Bhubaneswar is a 487-acre green escape run by the Regional Plant Resource Centre, with a 40-acre lake, a cactus garden of more than 1,000 varieties, and shaded walking trails ten minutes from the city centre.
Key Highlights
- Spread across about 487 acres in Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, and maintained by the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC).
- Home to more than 3,000 plant species, including a cactus garden with over 1,000 varieties.
- A 40-acre artificial lake offers paddle boating in two-seater and four-seater boats.
- Open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, with entry of around Rs 40 for adults and Rs 15 for children.
- Best visited from October to March, when the flower beds are at their best and migratory birds arrive on the lake.
About Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens
Ekamra Kanan, also called Vanaspati Udyan, sits in Nayapalli on the Jayadev Vihar to CRP Road stretch of Bhubaneswar. It began as a plant conservation site under the Forest and Environment Department of Odisha, and the RPRC still runs conservation work here.
The grounds mix designed gardens with wilder patches. Gently sloping lawns and forested stretches run up to the edge of the Chandaka forest, which gives the garden its dense green cover and its birdlife. Early mornings belong to walkers and joggers, while families arrive later for picnics, boating, and the play areas.
What to See Inside the Gardens
The Cactus Garden
The cactus garden is the most photographed corner of Ekamra Kanan. More than 1,000 varieties of cacti and succulents grow here, many of them housed inside a large pyramidal glasshouse that keeps the collection safe through the monsoon. A recently opened Cactus House adds to the display, and the mix of shapes makes this the first stop for most visitors.
The plants are labelled, so a casual walk doubles as a short botany lesson, and the glasshouse light is best in the morning.
The Lake and Boating
The artificial lake covers close to 40 acres and anchors the whole garden. Paddle boats run on the lake, with two-seater boats at around Rs 50 for 30 minutes and four-seater boats at around Rs 100 for the same time. Boating has run here since 2004 and remains the park’s most popular paid activity.
A birdwatching tower stands near the lake and gives a raised view across the water and the tree line. In winter, migratory birds join the resident species on the lake, so carry binoculars if you visit between November and February.
Flower Gardens and the Butterfly Park
The garden’s flower beds change with the season, and the collection is large. The rose garden holds a wide set of rose varieties, the hibiscus garden has 52 species, and the scented flower garden holds 72 species of fragrant plants.
The Butterfly Park draws its own crowd. Butterflies gather around the nectar plants through the day, and the adjoining orchidarium holds a collection of orchids that flower in different months. If birdwatching is your main interest, winter mornings here pair well with a longer trip to Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary on the edge of Bhubaneswar, where waterbirds gather in larger numbers.
Musical Fountain and Evening Walks
The musical fountain runs in the evening, usually after 4 pm, and it pulls the day’s biggest crowd. Jets of water move to music under coloured lights, and families gather on the lawns around it.
A Koraput Coffee outlet inside the park serves coffee, millet cookies, and cake at fair prices. It is a useful break point on a long walk, and the seating near it stays busy through the evening.
Timings, Entry Fee and Boating Charges
Ekamra Kanan is open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, and morning walkers often enter from 5:00 am on daily or monthly passes. Entry costs around Rs 40 for adults and Rs 15 for children, and car parking is around Rs 40. Senior citizens above 60 enter free. The garden closes only on Holi.
Boating is charged separately: around Rs 50 for a two-seater and Rs 100 for a four-seater, per 30 minutes. Fees change from time to time, so check the rate board at the gate.
Best Time to Visit Ekamra Kanan
October to March is the best time to visit. The weather stays cool enough for long walks, the flower beds are full, and migratory birds arrive on the lake. January brings the annual flower show, the garden’s biggest event of the year.
The monsoon months turn the garden a deeper green and thin the crowds. Avoid midday between April and June, when the heat makes the open lawns hard to enjoy.
How to Reach Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens
By Air
Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, about 7.5 km from the garden. Taxis and app-based cabs from the airport reach Nayapalli in around 25 minutes outside peak traffic.
By Train
Bhubaneswar railway station is the nearest railhead, about 7 km away. From the station, take an auto-rickshaw, a city bus, or a cab to Jayadev Vihar and walk the short stretch to the garden gate.
By Road
The garden stands on the Jayadev Vihar to CRP Road, beside Salia Sahi in Nayapalli. Baramunda bus stop is about 5 km away, and Nayapalli bus stop is about 3 km away. City buses, autos, and cabs serve the area, and parking is available inside.
Nearby Places to Visit
Bhubaneswar’s temple quarter is a short drive from the garden. The Baitala Temple, a 9th-century shrine with a distinctive tower, sits in the old town and pairs well with a morning at Ekamra Kanan.
Nandankanan Zoological Park, about 15 km north, works as a full-day trip with its zoo and safari. Dhauli, the site of the Ashokan rock edicts and the white Shanti Stupa, suits an afternoon visit.
The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, Jain rock-cut caves from the 2nd century BCE, are another easy half-day trip, with carved cells, inscriptions, and views over the city.
ISKCON Temple Bhubaneswar, with its evening aarti and prasad, is a calm stop after a day in the garden. It lies in the Nayapalli area itself, close enough to reach in minutes.
For a longer day out, the Lingaraj Temple, the largest temple in Bhubaneswar, is worth an hour in the old town. Its 11th-century tower dominates the skyline and anchors the city’s temple circuit.
Ekamra Haat, the handicraft market near the garden, sells handloom and craft items from Odisha’s artisans. It is a good stop for souvenirs after the garden, and its food stalls serve local snacks.
Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 65 km away, makes a good day trip from Bhubaneswar. Its 13th-century chariot-shaped temple pairs naturally with a morning at Ekamra Kanan and an afternoon on the Konark coast.
Travel Tips for Ekamra Kanan
Arrive early. The garden is at its best between 6 am and 9 am, when the light is soft, the birds are active, and the paths are quiet. Carry water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes, since the paths add up to several kilometres.
Keep to the marked paths and do not pick flowers or plants. Carry minimal plastic, use the bins provided, and keep food to the picnic areas.
Plan boating for late morning or early afternoon, and visit the musical fountain after 4 pm. The play area near the entrance has slides and swings for children.
Ekamra Kanan gives Bhubaneswar a rare thing, a large green space that works as a garden, a classroom, and a family park at once. Go early, walk the lake loop, and keep an hour for the cactus garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens?
Ekamra Kanan is open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Morning walkers can enter from around 5:00 am on daily or monthly passes. The garden stays open through the year and closes only on Holi, so plan other days freely.
What is the entry fee for Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens?
Entry costs around Rs 40 for adults and Rs 15 for children, with car parking at around Rs 40. Senior citizens above 60 enter free, according to Bhubaneswar Tourism. Fees change from time to time, so check the rate board at the gate.
Is boating available at Ekamra Kanan?
Yes, paddle boating runs on the 40-acre lake. Two-seater boats cost around Rs 50 for 30 minutes, and four-seater boats cost around Rs 100 for the same time. Boating has run here since 2004 and is best in the late morning or early afternoon.
What is the best time to visit Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens?
October to March is the best time to visit. The weather stays cool, the flower beds are full, and migratory birds arrive on the lake. January brings the annual flower show, the garden’s biggest event of the year. Mornings stay pleasant even in the monsoon months, but the garden is at its best in the cool season.
Where is Ekamra Kanan Botanical Gardens located?
The garden is in Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, on the Jayadev Vihar to CRP Road, beside Salia Sahi. Bhubaneswar railway station is about 7 km away, and Biju Patnaik International Airport is about 7.5 km away. City buses, autos, and cabs serve the area, and parking is available inside the gate.
Is Ekamra Kanan good for families and children?
Yes, it is one of the best family parks in Bhubaneswar. Children get a play area with slides and swings, boating on the lake, open lawns, and the musical fountain in the evening, while parents get shaded walking trails. The Koraput Coffee outlet inside the park gives families a break point on long walks.
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