A place with natural settings, Rourkela has come into prominence with the establishment of the first of the three public sector steel plants set up in India in 1955. Situated in the minerally rich belt of Orissa, Rourkela marked a new era in the Steel Industry of India being the only steel plant devoted primarily to the production of flat products and sheets. Rourkela serves as the most convenient base for visiting the places of interest in the district of Sundargarh.

Tourist Attractions:

Hanuman Batika
The Garden located in the heart of Rourkela, has a 75-feet tall standing statue of Hanuman, monkey devotee of Rama. The statue designed by Sri Laxmana Swami has become an icon of the city. The garden on 13 acres of land has a beautiful temple complex. There are many shrines- Bata Mangala Mandira, Binayaka Mandira and Manas Parayana Sharala at the entrance and Santoshi Ma Mandira, Bruhat Sivalinga Mandira, Ram Daravar, Hanumanji Mandira, Ma Laxmi Mandira, Jagannath Mandira are some of them. The garden with all the temples has become a place of pilgrimage.

Rajgangpur

Famous for its cement factory.

Ushakothi

47 kms from Sundargarh, the rock-cut caves contain some pictographic writings which are yet to be deciphered.

Nehru Traffic Park

Located at Sector-19 the park was opened to the public in 1985. The park has a gallery for children and exhibits items to make the public aware of the traffic rules.

Mandira Dam

Known for the Dam across the river Sankha, constructed for supply of water to Rourkela and other places in the vicinity. It presents a picturesque sight ideal for holidays and picnic. Boating facility is available in the lake on prior arrangements with the Dam authorities. Permission to enter the Dam site is issued by the Officer-in-Charge at the main entrance.

Khandadhar

244 metres in height, the waterfall at Khandadhar is said to be the loveliest waterfall in Orissa and it is nice picnic spot.

Darjeeng

On N.H.No.23, it is a beautiful place on the river Brahmani, ideal for picnickers. 2 kms away, approachable on foot is Deodarha, a gorge on the river.

Pitamahal

Famous for a small Dam project and ideal for outing.

Jubilee Park & Mrig Vihar

Located at Sector – 8, this park has a musical fountain. Adjacent to this park there is a deer zoo.

Green Park

This Park covering 225 acre area, located in Sector- 8, has a variety of flora which has given it the name 'Green Park'

Vedavyas

Situated on the confluence of the rivers Sankha and Koel, Vedavyas is not only a place of natural beauty but also considered a ‘Tirtha’,a place of religious sanctity. A vedic Ashram and a school on the lines of Gurukula Ashram are the added attractions of the place. An ideal picnic spot, it is 5 kms from Panposh.

Junagarh

A fort of historical and archaeological importance with some ancient caves having marks of tantra worship. It is 4 kms. from Hemagiri and 15 kms from Kanika.

Access:

Rail : Rourkela has direct trains from Chennai, Bombay, Calcutta, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Sambalpur, Ahmedabad, Cuttack. Road : Rourkela is 470-km from Bhubaneswar and 192-km from Sambalpur by road.