Sambalpur

Historical

Odisha

29°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Sambalpur is the kind of place where you will be finding the true beauty of nature in the form of rivers, lavish hills, green forests, and a variety of wildlife. And not to forget that it is equally an amazing place when it comes to exploring the modern aspects of Indian culture.

Economically speaking, Sambalpur, the biggest city of western Odisha, has been a hub of flourishing textile and handloom industry which is actually quite popular in the nearby regions.

It is interesting to know how Sambalpur got its name. As per history, this district got its name from Goddess Samaleswari who is known to be the main Goddess of the region.

Best Time to Visit Sambalpur

The months, from September to March, are considered to be the best time to visit Sambalpur.

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.

How to Reach Sambalpur

Sambalpur is truly an amazing combination of urban travelling and spiritual getaway. This is a rare combination to find. It is located at a distance of about 1,406, 671, 1,397, 1,645 km from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Sambalpur following the given means of public transportation.

By Air

To travel here by air, you can consider deboarding at either Swami Vivekananda Airport (RPR), Raipur at the distance of 263 km or Biju Patnaik Airport (BBI), Bhubaneshwar at the distance of 280 km. Both the airports have overall good connectivity with other Indian cities. Once you deboard at the airport of your convenience, take a cab or some other means of public transportation available at hand to reach your destination.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Sambalpur

By Train

There are about four local railway stations available in the Sambalpur city. These are Sambalpur (khetrajpur), Sambalpur road (fatak), Hirakud, Sambalpur city. All of these have been well connected with other Indian cities. After deboarding at one of the railway stations, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation.

By Road

Sambalpur is fairly well-connected to other cities by motorable roadways and national highways. One of the upcoming state highways which is the Sambalpur state highway 10 is currently under construction. However, there are various interstate buses regularly available to Sambalpur. You can also consider booking private buses or hire a cab if the budget allows you. Otherwise, depending on the location, you can also self-drive to this place.

From Raipur - 271 km via NH53
From Bilaspur - 271 km via NH53 or NH49
From Raigarh - 115 km via NH49 or NH53

Frequently Asked Questions about Sambalpur

Q. Where is Sambalpur located?
A. Sambalpur is located in the western part of Odisha, India.

Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Sambalpur?
A. The top tourist attractions in Sambalpur include the Samaleswari Temple, the Hirakud Dam, the Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Ghanteswari Temple.

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here