Nuapada sits in the far west of Odisha, against the Chhattisgarh border, and is one of the state's least-visited districts. It was carved out of Kalahandi in 1993; the plains around the district town are ringed by Eastern Ghats hills, and rice is the main crop. Odia, Sambalpuri and Chhattisgarhi are all spoken here.
The district has a few specific draws. At Patora, 18 to 22 km from the town, the Yogeswar Temple stands by the Jonk River next to the Upper Jonk dam and a lakeside garden, an easy half-day. At Budhikomna there is a brick temple the district tourism office calls unique in Odisha. And on the Sunabeda plateau, about 600 sq km of dry forest and waterfalls, a sanctuary since 1988 and a proposed tiger reserve, you can spend a rough, rewarding day if you arrange it with the forest office.
Nuapada is not an easy destination. Distances are long, facilities are basic and the nearest major airport is at Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Travel with a car and driver, base yourself in Nuapada town, and visit between October and March. The district rewards patience, local contact and low expectations about comforts.
Before you plan
Nuapada at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is bestNovember to February is best; October and March are workable. April to June is very hot and July to August is heavily rainy.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days: one for Patora and Budhikomna2 days: one for Patora and Budhikomna, one for Sunabeda
- Airport
- Swami Vivekananda Airport, RaipurSwami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur (RPR), Chhattisgarh, roughly 140 to 180 km by road depending on the source
- Railway station
- Khariar RoadKhariar Road (KRAR) is the usual railhead; Nuapada also has a station for local trains
- Getting around
- Hired car with driverHired car with driver; local buses link the district towns but villages and forest roads need your own vehicle
- Daily budget
- ModestModest. Local meals and rooms are cheap, but car hire for long distances is the main cost; prices are not published, so confirm locally
- Senior comfort
- Moderate to demanding: Patora is easyModerate to demanding: Patora is easy, but Sunabeda involves rough, steep roads and few facilities
- Language
- Odia and Sambalpuri locallyOdia and Sambalpuri locally, with Chhattisgarhi and Hindi also spoken; English is little used
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Nuapada: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Nuapada itinerary
One good day
1 day in Nuapada
Drive to Patora in the morning for the Yogeswar Temple, then walk to the dam and the garden. Return to Nuapada for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, if time allows, drive on to Budhikomna to see the Pataleswar brick temple.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Nuapada
Visit the Yogeswar Temple and Patora dam in the morning, take a long lunch in Nuapada and drive to Budhikomna later.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Nuapada
Spend a relaxed day at the Yogeswar Temple, dam and gardens.
Day-by-day plan →
