Temples in Sambalpur
- 01
Ghanteswari Temple, Chiplima
A riverside shrine on the Mahanadi near Chiplima where devotees hang brass bells, a short drive from the hydro project and a popular picnic stop.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; the surroundings are greenest after the monsoon
- Tickets
- Entry is free for darshan. Bells are bought at the stalls outside. Hours quoted online are not authoritative, so confirm timings locally.
- 02
Leaning Temple of Huma
A 17th-century Shiva temple on the Mahanadi, about 25 km from Sambalpur, famous for its visible lean and for the tame fish at the river ghat.
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning; Shivaratri in February-March brings a large fair
- Tickets
- Free entry to the temple. Remove footwear at the entrance and dress modestly. Feeding fish at the ghat uses small purchased feed; confirm what is allowed. Shivaratri brings heavy crowds.
- 03
Samaleswari Temple
The riverside temple of the goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of western Odisha and the source of the city's name.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning; Navaratri (March-April and September-October) is spectacular but very crowded
- Tickets
- Entry is free for darshan. Footwear is removed outside, modest dress is expected, and queues lengthen sharply during Navaratri and Nuakhai. Check current darshan hours locally.
Day trips in Sambalpur
- 04
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
A large forest sanctuary of about 304 sq km east of Sambalpur, also called Ushakothi, known for elephants, birds and watchtowers along NH-53.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March
- Tickets
- Permission is arranged through the local forest office at Badrama; fees and guided options are not published reliably. Confirm with the Divisional Forest Officer before travel.
- 05
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
A forested sanctuary of about 347 sq km along the Hirakud reservoir, with leopards, gaur and sambar, winter waterfowl and an eco-camp.
- Time needed
- Full day; overnight if possible
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March
- Tickets
- Entry needs prior permission from the forest authorities, and boating is available only on prior intimation. Fees and safari timings are not published reliably; confirm with the forest office before travel.
Landmarks in Sambalpur
- 06
Hirakud Dam
A very long earth-and-concrete dam across the Mahanadi, about 16 km from Sambalpur, with two viewing towers, dyke roads and a reservoir that fills the horizon.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to February for comfortable weather and winter waterfowl; late afternoon for light
- Tickets
- The dam wall and dyke roads are open to view. Boating, tower access and any island trips run on their own tickets and seasons; fees and timings are not fixed publicly, so confirm locally.
