Tours to Sambalpur are unforgettable journeys through the varying landscapes, rich cultural and folk traditions, and art forms that are unique to the western region of Orissa. Long considered a gateway to unlocking the treasures of beauty and art housed within Orissa, tours to Sambalpur is a must at least once in your lifetime.
A famous university town in Orissa, Sambalpur has fascinating escapes all planned for the adventurous traveler who wills to explore the raw gregarious beauty of the region. Tourism of Orissa helps you realize your wishes with its customized tour packages to Sambalpur.
Covered in dense evergreen forests, Sambalpur is an exposition of waterfalls, wildlife, tribal culture, folk dance and music, handicrafts and monuments. Known as Sambalaka in Ptolemy's account of Orissa, Sambalpur was once the center of Vajrayana Buddhism propagated by the then ruler of the region - Indrabhuti.
The major tourist attractions within Sambalpur are the temples of Samaleswari, Patneswari, Budha Raja, Brahmapura and the Gopaljee monastery. Also shop in the local markets such as the Gole Bazaar and the state emporiums or co-operatives for Sambalpuri textiles (ikat weaving). You can also attend a show of Sambalpuri dance in the nearby tribal villages.
There are many attractions within easy reach of Sambalpur that ought not to be missed on your tour to Sambalpur, Orissa. Hirakud Dam across the mighty Mahanadi River is the longest dam in the world that affords breathtaking view of the expansive river and the banks that recede from view. The most spectacular views can be seen from the minarets at the two ends of the dam - Gandhi and Nehru Minar.
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Badrama National Park are popular tourist destinations with the wildlife enthusiasts. The national park and sanctuary extend shelter to endangered species such as elephants, tigers, gours, sambars, black-panthers, deers and wild boar.
Other places that are also popular tourist destinations in Rourkela include the temples of Vidala-Nrusimha and Harisankar along with the mesmerizing waterfalls at Nrusimhanath; the only Leaning Temple of Orissa at Huma; caves with undeciphered pictographic inscriptions at Vikramkhol; and waterfalls of the Pradhanpat Hills.
Access:
Sambalpur city, falling under the Sambalpur district, is located on the left bank of the Mahanadi River. The township is very old, as is evidenced from the book of Ptolemy (2nd Century), where it finds a mention. The connecting city between Chhattisgarh and Orissa, Sambhalpur is often visited by tourists in large numbers. It is obvious that they first look for the answer to ‘how to reach’ the city. Sambalpur district is well connected by air, by rail and by road. For those traveling by air, the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar.
Reaching the city, even by train/rail, is not a bad option. There are plenty of express trains that connect Sambalpur with major cities in Orissa as well as the rest of the country, like Bhubaneswar, Puri, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. One can also get intercity trains that link it with Bhubaneswar and Raipur. Sambhalpur district also has a good network of roads, which connect it with the major parts of India. Buses and taxis are also easily available from Sambalpur for traveling to the neighboring cities.
