Odisha Tourism

Sambalpur serves as the gateway to the bewitching western zone of Orissa, abounding in lush green forests, colorful wild-life, exquisite array of hills and waterfalls, folk songs and dances and a number of monuments. Sambalpur has its own contribution to the cultural diversity of our country.

Referred to as 'Sambalak' by the Greek Geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD and 'Sambhal' in the medieval Tibetan literature, Sambalpur is one of the oldest cities of India. In the 8th century A.D, Sambalpur led the world by founding Vajrayan Buddhism by its King Indrabhuti, one of the 84 traditional Siddhas of India. Once a part of South Koshal, Sambalpur was a fortified town during the Chouhan rule. During the British rule also Sambalpur was a major centre of political activities. It was annexed to the British empire under the "Doctrine of lapse" in 1849 after Raja Narayan Singh died issueless. Veer Surendsra Sai, a scion of the royal dynasty rose in revolt and gave the Britishers sleepless nights during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. He continued his struggle long after the Mutiny had collapsed in the rest of India. Following his footsteps, Sambalpur played an important role in the freedom movement later. Gangadhar Meher the famous Oriya poet of nature has brought laurels for the locality by his immortal writings .

Sambalpur had the tradition of producing diamonds extracted from the sands of the river Mahanadi at Hirakud, literally meaning 'Diamond Island'. The cultivated plains yield numerous varieties of paddy, some of which are the finest in the country.

Sambalpur with its vicinity has earned international fame for the traditional handloom fabrics, popularly called the Sambalpuri textiles. The products exhibit considerable taste in harmonious blending of colours and elaborate richness of pattern and designs. It covers a wide variety of products - from furnishings to dress materials and tapestry. But the most popular among them is the colourful saree which has almost become synonymous with the whole range of products.

The region is rich in folk art and culture. The rhythmic Sambalpuri dances accompanied by lyrical music in various forms are vigorous and inspiring.

Sambalpur is endowed with natural splendor unspoiled by modern commercial development. It is fascinating to be in the midst of nature in all its glory.

Where to Stay at Sambalpur (STD code-0663) -

Hotel's Name & Address	Hotel's Name & Address
Panthanivas, OTDC, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2411282/2411296	Hotel Upahar, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2403078/ 2521558/ 2533631
Hotel Sujata, Laxmi Talkies Chowk, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2400403/ 2401112	Hotel Laxmi Nivas, Gole Bazar Chowk, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2400775
Hotel Upahar Palace, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.2400519/2404482, Fax-2522668	Hotel Triveni, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2403024/2521557/2522297
Hotel Li-N-Ja, Near Ashoka Talkies, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2521301/2522860/ 2402249	Hotel Saket, VSS Marg, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2402345/2402346
Hotel Sheela Tower, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2403111-16	Hotel Residency, V.S.S. Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2520055, 2520066
Ashok Hotel, Hindi High School Road, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2521010	New Bombay Lodge, Gole Bazar, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2520422/2520989
Rani Lodge, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2522173	Apsara Hotel, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2521366
Chandramani Lodge, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2521440/2402783	Nanda Lodge, G.M.College Road, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2533199
Indrapuri Guest House, Govt.Bus Stand, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2521712	Archana Lodge, Govt. Bus stand, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2403818
Mahanadi Lodge, Marwari pada, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2522007	Hotel Sheetal, Govt.Bus Stand, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2404717/2404388
Hotel Natraj, Near Gaity Talkies, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2533720/2405456	Maa Basanti Lodge, Ainthapalli, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2533440/2521398
Guru Nanak Lodge, NH-6, Bareipali, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2522007	Sambalpur Lodge, Near Laxmi Talkies, Sambalpur, Ph.- 2404320
Hotel Konark, N.H.-6, Bareipali Chowk, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2545845	Aradhana lodge, Golebazar, Sambalpur. Ph.- 2521390
Krishna Lodge, Chuna Godown, Giety Road, Sambalpur, Ph.2522384	Hotel Orissa Inn, VSS marg Sambalpur, Ph.2403747
Sambalpur lodge, Near Laxmi Talkies, Sambalpur Ph.2404320	Chandan Guest House, VSS Marg, Sambalpur, Ph.2522433
Haripriya Guest House, Budharaja, Sambalpur	Guru Harkishan Lodge, NH-6, Bareipalli, Sambalpur

Local Sightseeing -

Sambalpur Town -

Sambalpur is a mini temple town, boasting of scores of temples, most of which were built during the Chouhan rule. Prominent among them are temples like Samaleswari, Patnaneswari, Bada Jagannath, Ramjee, Kotha Jagannath, Budharaja, Anant Sajya, Brahmapura, Dadhibaman etc. There are some fine specimen of sculptures in the Gopaljee Math & Ananta Sajya temple in all their original forms. Most of the temples are located along the bank of the river Mahanadi creating a distinct sky line. The Budharaja temple is located on the hilltop which is a land mark of the city. Dedicated to Vaishnav, Saiva and Sakta Gods & Goddesses, the temples have become an integral part of the socio-religious life of the people.

On the outskirts of the city is Maneswara (8 kms.) yet another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Large size turtles in the pond here are additional attraction.

The presiding deity of Sambalpur is Goddess Samaleswari, fondly called Samalai, an embodiment of Shakti cult in Orissa. The image of Samaleswari is a large block of stone at the centre of which there is a projection with a narrow groove regarded as the mouth. Both sides are depressed and covered with beaten gold leaves for the eyes. It is a unique sculpture which does not correspond to any form of Indian iconography. Application of vermillion paste makes the image red coloured everyday. But once a year on Mahalaya Day, the image appears white by application of sandal paste. One of the twelve seats of Goddess Mangala, the shrine of Samaleswari dominates the skyline for kilometres. Said to have been built by Chhatra Sai around 1691 AD, the temple is a derivative of Vesara style of temple architecture.

Despite being an urban city, there is a weekly market- a Haat- known as Kamli Bazar, which sits near Pataneswari Temple every Sunday giving the city a rural ambience.

Existence of a Deer Park at Motijharan within the city itself is a pleasant surprise.

Excursions -

Distance from Sambalpur* -

Khalasuni Sanctuary- (50 kms.)*

Khalasuni's undulating topography ranging from 223 mt. to 750 mt. offers a wide ranging scenic beauty of wild virgin forests. There are a variety of wildlife like tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, and mouse deer, barking deer, peafowl, hornbill and a number of reptilian species. This sanctuary is an ideal place for nature lovers and tourists. It is 50 kms from Sambalpur; 50 kms from Redhakhol and 55 kms from Deogarh.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary- (40 kms.via Burla)*

Debrigarh Santuary has miscellaneous forest fringing the Hirakud reservoir and is an abode of Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted deer Peacock and Chowsingha. The entry point into the Sanctuary is at Dhodrokusum adjoining Hirakud reservoir, which is 40km from Sambalpur via Burla.

Hirakud Reservoir -(16 kms.)*

16 km north of Sambalpur town stands the Hirakud Dam on the river Mahanadi - the largest dam made of earth. Hirakud is an engineering marvel as well as a stunning site. From horizon to horizon, the reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia with an area of 746 sq km and a shoreline of over 640 km. A twenty-one km drive on the dykes offers a unique experience of calm serenity. One can comfortably enjoy the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi Minar on the north (Hirakud side), or from the Nehru Minar on the south (Burla side). This is a multipurpose Dam Project for flood control, power generation and irrigation. A considerable number of migratory birds also come here during winter.

Cattle Island, A Unique Wonder

Near the Kumarbandh village of Belpahar-Banharpali range which is about 90 km from Sambalpur town by road and 10 kms. by water way from Hirakud Dam, the island is nothing but a sub-merged hill. Prior to the Dam construction, it was a developed village. The specialty about the island is that it is inhabited by the cattle group of animals. During the resettlement period, villagers left some of their cows and bulls in the village. When the dam construction was over and the village was submerged, the cattle settled down on the hilltop, which looks like an island. Being away from mankind, the cattle are wild in nature and they never allow themselves to become the prey of human-beings. As they spend whole of their life on the hill filled up with dense forest, their shape and size are quite bigger in comparison to the normal cattle. All are of white color except a very few and are very swift like wild animals. People living adjacent to the island sometimes try to catch them, but rarely succeed. Cattle are generally pet animals, but here is a contradiction; they can be also wild in nature.

Huma, The Leaning Temple Of Lord Shiva (30 kms.)*

A village in the Sambalpur sub-division, situated on the left bank of the Mahanadi, 30 km. south of Sambalpur, Huma contains the Leaning temple dedicated to Lord Bimaleswar Siva, which was built in the reign of Baliar Singh, the fifth Raja of Sambalpur. Not only the main tower, but the Door Jamb and some of the smaller temples are also leaning south wards. The cause of the tilt is still an enigma which calls for deep research. A local legend attributes it to the desire of the Lord. The worship of Siva is said to have been initiated by a milkman(Gauda), who daily crossed the Mahanadi to a place a cane of milk on the bank where the underlying rock cropped out. Surprisingly the milk, was at once drunk by the rock. This miraculous incidence led to enquiries, which ended in the construction of the present temple. Huma is a place of pilgrimage. A great fair takes place here in February- March every year on the occasion of Sivaratri. Playing with the special type of fish locally called as 'Kudo' fish found in the river is like playing with Dolphins. They are so tame that they eat sweets and other foods from the hands of people. During auspicious days they are called by their names and given the 'prasad' of the God. Here nobody tries to catch them as they are believed to belong to the God. A cruise on the meandering river is also a pleasant experience.

Ghanteshwari - Bells Galore (37 kms.)*

As the name indicates there are bells and bells and bells wherever your eyes reach. 37 km south-west of Sambalpur and on the bank of river Mahanadi, it was playing an important role for navigation in the past. It was called a light house without light. The presiding deity of the place is Ghanteswari after whom the place is named. Earlier there were some big size bells on this spot which used to create enormous sound to warn the navigators about this trecherous spot. Now after the construction of Hirakud dam. There is no navigation through this spot. However, people continue to tie bells here in fullfillment of their wishes.Consequently, there are thousands of bells of different size and shape hanging here and there which are producing tinkling sound due to the wind heard from a distance. This is the uniqueness of this place.

Chiplima (37 kms.)*

Adjacent to the Ghanteswari, Chiplima, about 37 km. from Sambalpur, is known for a natural fall (24.38 mts. in height) harnessed for generating electricity. Moreover, a livestock Breeding Farm and Agricultural Farm are located here.

Ushakothi - Badarama Sanctuary (45 kms.)*

A spot of an altogether different hue is Ushakothi wild life Sanctuary, 45 km. North-East of Sambalpur on NH.6. Stretching for more than 300 sq. km., the Sanctuary harbours Elephants, Tigers, Gours, Sambars, Black Panthers, Deer, Spotted Deer, and Wild Boars etc. The two watch towers located near the saline tank inside the Sanctuary enable the visitors to catch a view of these animals.

Kandhara (78 kms.)*

Kandhara, 78 km. from Sambalpur in Redhakhol Sub-Division, is the birthplace of Poet Bhima Bhoi, the great propounder of Mahima Dharma, alternatively known as Alekha Dharma.

Nrusimhanath (165 kms.)*

Located at a distance of 165 km from Sambalpur, in the sacred Gandhamardan Hills, which according to legends, Hanuman carried on his shoulders from the Himalayas as described in the ancient epic Ramayana, Nrusimhanath is an important pilgrimage site. It has also an exceedingly fascinating and beautifully sculpted temple built in 1413 A.D. Uniquely, the presiding deity of the temple is a 'cat'. According to legends, this is a special incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is waiting here in the guise of a cat to devour the mouse deomon who is hiding in a hole of the hills.
The 15th century temple is located by the side of a murmuring stream forming a series of waterfalls at different stages like Bhimadhar, Gadadhar, Guptadhar, Pitrudhar, Kapiladhar and Chaladhar.Stone steps wind up the hillside behind the temple, leading past a waterfall, and eventually curving to a spot where some beautiful and very well- preserved rockcut sculptures are found.

On the opposite slope of the hill on which the temple is located, is the Harishankar Temple. Between the two temples, there is a 16 km. plateau, littered with Buddhist ruins that scholars feel may be the remains of the ancient university of Parimalagiri, referred to by the seventh-century Chinese traveler Hiuen T'sang as 'Po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li'. The trek along this plateau is an unforgettable experience.

Pradhanpat (100 kms.)*
The Pradhanpat hill with its picturesque waterfalls offers a rare scenic beauty. These falls are close to Deogarh town which is attractively situated with the background of wooded hills. There are a number of temples in the town of Deogarh notable among which are of Gopinath, Jagannath and Gokarneswara. Deogarh is 96 km from Sambalpur on N. H. No.6.

Top