Places we are proud of: ANGUL

One of the biggest industrial hub  of Odisha. The District is surrounded by Cuttack and Dhenkanal on the east, Sambalpur and Deogarh on the west, Sundargarh and Keonjhar on the North and Phulabani on the South. The district is verymuch rich in its fairs and festivals. The District is a land of magnificent hill ranges, old monuments, virgin and long river beds, downy flakes, melodious jungle streams, healing hot springs, luxuriant forests.

ATTRACTIONS:

ANGUL:

Budhi thakurani, the presiding deity of Angul, has a special significance in the religious and cultural life of the town. The abode of Budhi Thakurani is in Sunasagada hill, which is an elevation of a single block of granite. It is widely believed that the deity is revered by the people of the district for its miraculous powers. The hill is dotted with the shrines of a number of deities and there is a mamoth Jagannath temple known as "Shaila Shrikhestra".

Shaila Srikhetra

Legend has it that  Angul was ruled by a Kondh chieftain named 'Sunas' who used this hill as his fort ('gada' in local parlance). the name Sunsagada owes its source to this particular association. The Kondh warrior worshipped Budhi Thakurani as hsi 'Esta Devi'. In 1848 Angul came under the direct control of the British and in 1896 the imperial administration shifted the district headquarter from Purunagarh to Angul, situated at a distance of 12 Km. The British constructed roads for the sake of facilitating transporation which, in turn, gave rise to the necessity of cleaning the forests. During one such cleaning operation an idol of a goddess which resembled a pillar was discovered deep inside the forest. Gradually, the foddess came to be worshipped as the presiding deity of the area and subsequently was christened Budhi Thakurani.

Sunasagada hill has been developed into a temple complex with a number of deities dotting its many sides. A devotgee to the complex gets the rare privilege of offering prayers to the Sun God and other gods including Gayatri at one place.

DEULAJHARI :

Deulajhari has 84 hot springs and houses a Shiva temple, the abode of Sri Sidhheswar Mahadev. It lies to the west of Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Deulajhari is the only place in Asia that has such a huge number of hot springs.

BINIKEI:

Temple of Goddess Binikei on the bank of the river Mahanadi is 8 Kms. west of Tikarpada is a famous piligrimage destination.

HINGULA TEMPLE:

Hingula Temple

Situated on the Singada River Valley, is famous for housing  shrine of Goddess Hingula. Goddess Hingula is related to Lord Jagannath during his preparation of prasad in rosa sala of Srimandir. Hingula yatra is celebrated with pump and ceremony in Talcher sub-division of the district at the temple of Hingula Thakurani near Gopal Prasad. This is the most significant festival of the district, which draws people from different nook and corner of the state. This is celebrated on Bishnu Damanaka Chaturdasi tithi as per Odia Panjika. The shrine is nearly 22 Kms. from Talcher Town. Regular transport facilities are available to that palce.

SATKOSIA GORGE:

Satkosia Gorge

Nature Lovers and bird wathers can explore the diversity of the wilderness. the reserve is studded with mountain, creeks, caves and waterfalls. Forests rest house are available at Tikarpada, Purunakote, labangi  and chhamurdia. The area was declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2007, comprising two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries; the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli sanctuary. The reserve is spread over 4 district; Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh.

Tikarapada is the main attraction for visitors. One gets a panoramic view of the Satakosia Gorge. The erstwhile Gharial conservation and Research centre is located here where one can see live specimens of muggers and Gharials. Visitors can avail boat rides and see the basking crocodiles and the majestic view of the Satkosia Gorge.

KHULUDI:

Khuludi

The Khuludi waterfall making its spectacular Jump from the hilltop surrounded by sal forest and paying homage to lord shiva is located at a distance of 120 Kms. from Angul and 20 Kms. from Pallahara. It si in the Malyagiri Mountain range of Pallahara Sub-division houses a glittering waterfall near the village Khuludi. The tourist can enjoy the beauty of nature their.

Places we are proud of: MAYURBHANJ

Mayurbhanj has the distinction of having a vast forest area bristling with varied flora and fauna-stretches of lush green forest served with a network of perennial streams. And its bracing climate contributes so much to make the district an ideal habitat for tropical birds and animals. Specific mention may be made of Similipal National Park- the ideal zone for animals like tiger, leopard, elephant, sambar, deer and birds. Added to it is the scenic beauty in extravaganza which keeps one amazed. A nature loving tourist cannot perhaps afford to miss the majestic sal forests, cool, calm and expansive grassy lands, soaring peaks and the waterfalls of streaming pearls which make Similipal the " Dreamland of Nature ".

Rich in ancient culture, the district is a treasure house for the students of history and archaeology. The Bhanja rulers have left their makes at places like Khiching, Haripur and Baripada. The prehistoric sites of Kuchai and Kuliana provide interesting study.

A host of colourful tribal dances as well as the traditional Chhau dance are added attractions of the district. Baripada, the district headquarters, can be conveniently made the base for planning a tour of district.

ATTRACTIONS:

Similipal

Similipal National Park covers an area of 2,750 Sq. Kms. out of which 303 Sq. Kms. form the core area and the rest around it the buffer zone. The altitude at strategic points in the park ranges from 757.5 meters to 946 metres. A vast stretch of lush green forest in Similipal has been selected for one of the fifteen Tiger Project of India. A package tour of the area could consists of the waterfalls of Barehipani ( 398.67 metres), Joranda (150.26 metres ), the grassy lands of Bachhurichara, cloud kissing peak of Meghasani ( 1,158 metres ) and the areas around bristling with rich wild life. Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Common Langurs, Flying Squirrel, Wild Dog, Talking Mainas, Beautiful Peacocks and varieties of other birds can be largely found here. A herd of elephants gliding majestically on the open scrub forests of Bachhurichara is a common sight. At Ramatirtha near Jashipur, one could enjoy the Crocodile Research project. The sanctuary can be approached from Jashipur on National Highway or from Lulung, about 30 Kms. from Baripada.

Places we are proud of: KORAPUT

Koraput, the largest district of Odisha, is a district of meadows, forests, rapids and  falls and terraced valleys thronged with colourful tribals. It has its own appeal for the visitors who prefer relaxation in the lap of nature. The unspoilt environment with its mystery and enchantment and the limitless panorama of flora and fauna has made Koraput a nature lovers’ paradise. As an open book of nature for study and enjoyment Koraput spreads its unlimited vista in a manner that defies description. Here man lives today as he lived long thousand years ago closely closeted in the bosom of nature.

The Modern Koraput is slowly emerging with its sophistication but the primal equipoise of culture and nature will continue to remain undisturbed for decades to come. How best it has been said  ‘ Had I been merely a lover of fine scenery ( of wild life and mankind ) I would have felt little of desire to seek elsewhere its gratification. One enters the elevating ghat roads spirally ascending the lofty hills and comes to the enchanting Koraput plateau and infallibly discovers that the visit to Koraput is really a rewarding experience.

ATTRACTIONS

Gupteswar

Gupteswar: The Hidden God

Famous for the cave shrine of Lord Siva, the place is ideal for natural scenery. The cave shrine is at the top of a lime stone hill which is about 151 metres higher than the surrounding country side. One can reach the cave by ascending a flight of steps.

The sacred lingam is called “ Gupteswar “ which literally means the  “Hidden God “. Gupteswar is popularly known as “Guptakedar” in Madhya Pradesh. People in large numbers come here to worship the deity.

The sacred place is associated with shri Ram of the epic “Ramayana”. The nearby hill has been named “Ramgiri”.