Sambalpur Tourism

Sambalpur is one of the chronicled spots of Odisha and is located deep in the lap of nature. There are a few tourist places that are visited by the thousands of the visitor every year that visit Odisha. It is accepted that the name of Sambalpur is determined from the presiding Goddess Samalai whose idol was found by the King Balaram Dev, the first Chauhan Raja of Sambalpur, amidst sixteenth Century underneath a simul or otherwise called the silk cotton tree.

The whole state of Odisha is said to be a state of Temples. Sambalpur additionally has several temples and religious spots placed in the city. Some of the most famous temples of Sambalpur are the Brahampura temple, Liakhai Temple, Timini, Bariha, Madanmohan, and many more. Sambalpur is accepted to be affected by a whole lot by the Vaishnava customs however individuals are found visiting the Shaiva Mathas and Shiva temples.

The temple of Lord Shiva spotted at the of Budharaja Hills, Loknath, Maneswar and Gupteswar and along with the Goddess Samaleswari Temple, Mahamayi temple etc are the images of presence of the Shiv-shakti in the district of Sambalpur. Inclining Temple of Lord Shiva at Huma likewise depicts the compositional proofs and the rich society of the state of Odisha.

There are several mosques and churches in Sambalpur that talks about the communal harmony of city. Being the most imperative commercial centre as well as the district headquarter town, Sambalpur is also famous for the textile industries and specifically the tie-and-die Ikat work. The cultural dance form of Sambalpur, Karama, is being performed on most of the festivals especially the Bhardrav Ekadashi which falls during the months of August and September.

History of Sambalpur
Historically speaking, Sambalpur dates back to the prehistoric era. Yes, it even finds its mention in the book of Ptolemy and also in the records of Xuanzang. Talking particularly about the 4th century, it was a time period when King Samudragupta defeated King Mahendra of Koshala conquering Sambalpur. After this, Sambalpur has been ruled by multiple dynasties like Paduvanti, Samavanti as well as the Chauhans. In 1804, during the rule of Marathas, Sambalpur was taken over by the Britishers. Following this, it also saw many freedom struggles to overthrow the British supremacy. And after Indian Independence, the district was further divided into four separate regions known as Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Deogarh.

Major Attractions in and Around Sambalpur

1. Hirakud Dam
This dam is built on the Mahanadi river and is considered to be one of the largest earthen dams and also the longest dams in the world. Due to this dam, one can witness some of the most spectacular birds which migrate here.

2. Samaleswari Temple
This temple is also located on the banks of the Mahanadi river and has been dedicated to Devi Samaleswari. The Goddess is also referred to as Jagannath Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasawarswati. And interestingly, the name of the city has also been kept in her name.

3. Leaning Temple of Huma
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in the 17th century and is one of the only leaning temples in the world. If you like to visit spiritual places, then you won’t be disappointed with your visit here.

4. Deer Park
This Deer Park is no less than a mini-zoo. It is located on the suburbs of Sambalpur and spreads in an area of about 13 hectares. One can witness a variety of animals like antelopes, barking deer, leopards, monkeys, and whatnot here. For wildlife lovers and photographers, this place is a paradise.

Orissa Tourism

Orissa Tourism with its exotic beaches, rich flora and fauna, abundant wildlife and exquisite temples, is a traveler’s delight. The magnificent cities of this quaint state rightly speaks of its cultural past. Whether it is strolling around the majestic temple of Jagannath, lingering around the Konark Sun Temple, or exploring the ancient jain caves in Khandagiri, one can never have enough of the best tourist places of Orissa. Located on the eastern coast of India with a coastline of about 485 km, Odisha is home to mesmerising exotic beaches. The beaches of Odisha truly justifies its tourism tagline, ‘scenic, serene and sublime’. The colourful sunsets at the pristine Astaranga Beach, the surreal beach of Bhitarkanika lined with coconut and palm trees, hypnotic paradeep beach and disappearing sea of the Chandipur Beach is a splendid retreat for the lovers of sun, sand and sea. The traditional Oriya dishes satiates the taste buds with its exotic and rich local flavours. Whether it is the tried and tested age old Rasgulla, the local kora khai of Bhubaneshwar, or fresh seafood delicacies from the coastal areas, the local fare of Odisha leaves you asking for more.