Sambalpur also known as Sambalpur is our next Indian tourist place. Sambalpur is one of the headquarters of Odisha State, India. City is the 2nd biggest metropolis by populace in Odisha.
Sambalpur city
is placed close to Mahanadi River so travelers can enjoy this high flowing
river and closer picnic spots. Sambalpur is popular for countless tourist
destinations. Few key attractions of Sambalpur are Cattle Island, Balunkeswar Temple, Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bata Mangala Temple, Dadhibaman Temple,
Budhimaa Temple, Ghanteswari Temple, Liakhai Temple, Huma Temple (constructed
by Ruler of Chauhan Empire Baliar Singh in 1670), Loknath Temple, Satyabadi
Bariha Temple, Pataneshwari Temple, Maneshwar Shiva Temple, Samaleswari Temple,
and Timini Temple.
Ushakothi
Wildlife Sanctuary is one more key tourist location situated at 22 kms distance
from city. Voyagers can watch leopards, tigers and deer in the park.
Attraction in Sambalpur:
Hirakud Dam:
dam is located at 15 kms distance from Sambalpur City. Hirakud Dam is listed in
world’s biggest dam constructed on big river Mahanadi. Dam area contains concrete,
earth and granite materials. These materials are used for road construction as
well, so the Dam is features numerous things to our nation. Largest fake lake
of 746 square kms is also located in Sambalpur.
Cattle Island: a natural wonder place
of Sambalpur is next tourist place. The island is located in Kamarbandha town of
ranges of Banharpali- Belpahar. However, travelers have to cover the distance
of 90 kms to reach the Cattle Island. Attaining to Island through boat from
Hirakud Dam is best option as the straight route of 10 kms distance through
water is closer than road. Cattle area is having limited population so experts
call the place as Human-less island. The Cattle is popular for wildlife because
area is fully surrounded by dense forest.
Huma Temple: this shrine of Lord Shiva
is best spot of Sambalpur. Temple is constructed close to Mahanadi River and
its average distance from city center is 23 kms. Chauhan Dynasty King Baliar
Singh did construction of shrine. According to sources, a milkman was offering
milk to hard rock every day. Slowly local people came to know about the rock
milk drinking and after some time a shrine with Lord Shiva’s idol was
constructed on the same place. Fishing and boating are few other features that
people can do at Huma Shrine area. Every year a fair is conducted in Huma area in
March on occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Voyagers can watch the diverse type of
fish known as Kudo in river as this area.
Ghanteswari: a place with countless bells is next tourist
destination in Sambalpur. However, distance between city center and Ghanteswari is 33 kms located in south-west direction towards Mahanadi River. Earlier
the spot was identified as lighthouse for city. A shrine located in place is
having idol of Goddess Ghanteswari hence place is also recognized as Ghanteswari In early ages of city there were few big bells created to help
the navigators as the high wind forces the bell to produce big sound as
indication to navigators. At this spot, the three different streams get merged
and many boats were drowned due to such. However, after construction of Hirakud
dam the place becomes safer as dam bound the merge. The special thing of
location is small bells still available in the temple and making noise with
blowing wind.
Chiplima: next location of Sambalpur is
Chiplima, which is recognized for the combination of Huma Temple and Hirakud
Dam. Distance is only 37 Kms from city center of Sambalpur. This perfect picnic
spot is famous for natural waterfall located with 24.38 meters height.
Ushakothi: place is well known for its
forest reserve located at 43 Kms distance. NH (National Highway) 6 crosses from
Sambalpur city, though Ushakothi is 130 Kms away from Sambalpur City. Voyagers
can enjoy watching Wild Bears, Elephants, Gaurs, Tigers, Sambars, Deer, Black
Panthers, Spotted Deer and many more animals in Ushakothi Park.
Kandhara: there are countless shrines in
Sambalpur and Kandhara is one of them. Kandhara is 78 kms away. The greenery
nature beauty is main attraction of Kandhara.
Hatibari: next spot available for
voyagers is Hatibari, which is the forest area and located at 24 Kms distance
from Sambalpur.
Attaining to Sambalpur:
By Road: Sambalpur well linked city by
road to many cities of India. Closest big bus station to reach Sambalpur is Jharsuguda.
Buses for Jharsuguda are available at each 10 minutes. Buses for Bargarh are available
at each 15 minutes from Sambalpur. NH 10 is passing from Sambalpur and city is
having State bus station at Ainthapali.
By Rail: Sambalpur is having 4
different railway stations known as Khetrajpur, Fatak Road, Hirakud and
Sambalpur. Trains from Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda are crossing the Sambalpur
city. Direct trains for Sambalpur are available from Indore, Lucknow, Dehradun
and Guwahati.
By Air: there are two airports located
close to Sambalpur such as Swami Vivekanand Airport at Raipur (just 262 kms
away) and Biju Patnaik Airport located at Bhubaneswar (only 325 kms distant). A new domestic airport is under process at Jharsuguda
(only 50 kms away from Sambalpur).