sambalpur-tourism

The Essence of Incredible Odisha, Sambalpur Tourism

Sambalpur is known as the gateway to the western Odisha. It is located at a distance of 300km from the capital city Bhubaneswar.  Internationally Sambalpur is famous for its textile works. The city contains many monuments, historical places and parks etc.

The city is also famous for some of the premier instructions of Odisha like Sambalpur University, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology etc. Sambalpur is also known for its folk dance Karama.

Sambalpur Railway station is one of the major railway junctions in Odisha with the headquarters of Sambalpur Railway Division. Hirakud Dam, Sambalpuri Saree, Sambalpuri songs, Sambalpuri Dance, the Sitalsasthi Carnival and Gandhi temple made Sambalpur famous. Sambalpuri is the native language of this place. The locals are usually referred as Sambalpuriya.

Places of Attraction in Sambalpur

Shree Shree Samaleswari is the presiding deity of Sambalpur people. This temple is landed on the bank of the river Mahanadi.

Maa Ghanteshwari Temple is a temple in Sambalpur. As the name suggests you will get bells everywhere in the temple. People offer bells to goddess Ghanteswari after fulfillment of their wishes

Hirakud Dam is built across river Mahanadi at about 15 Km upstream of Sambalpur.  It is the longest major earthen dam in India. The construction of the dam completed in the year 1957.

Huma temple, situated at a distance of 32km from Sambalpur, was established in the year 1670. The temple is located on the banks of Mahanadi River, and dedicated to Lord Bimaleswar.

Ushakothi wild life Sanctuary, located at a distance of 43Km from Sambalpur. This place is stretched for more than 130 Km.

Chiplima, a combination of both Hirakud Dam and Huma Temple is located about 37 Km from Sambalpur. It is a famous picnic spot in Sambalpur district. Chiplima is known for a natural fall harnessed for generating electricity.

Famous Festivals of Sambalpur

Sitalsasthi is the marriage ceremony of God Shiva & Goddess Parvati. Huge no.of people gather in Sambalpur for Sitalsasthi Puja. Artists from different states of India also take part in thecarnival.

Nuakhai, is the most important social festival of Sambalpur. Generally it is celebrated in the month of August or September. In this festival the first grains of the paddy crop, cooked into various dishes and are offered to the deities.

Bhai-juntia is celebrated on the Mahastami Day of Durga Puja. It is a total fasting kept by women for the long life of their brothers.

Puo-juntia is observed by mothers. On this day mothers keep fasting to invoke the grace of Lord Dutibahana for the long life and prosperity of their sons.