Toshali Sands

Tourist Paradise Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal is the gateway to one of the most ancient forest covers of Orissa. It brings to mind images of lush countryside dotted with ponds, filled with fish. Places and innumerable temples resign only to break the monotony of tourists. Along with this, there is also a cluster of temples and archaeological remains.

The broad plains of the river Brahmani were the dwelling place of early homo sapines who lived on berries and wild fruits before the advent of rice on these heavily watered expanses. The surrounding Sal forest come ablaze with the changing seasons making this district very beautiful atmosphere for tourists. This place is about 99 km away from Bhubaneswar.

In the adjoining areas of the district you may come across tribal settlements where you will hear a different dialect, see a different costume and see a different people. And if you are lucky your could get tribal artifacts like musical instrument’s masks, figuines of people and animals at throwaway prices.

The market of Dhenkanal is very famous for wonderful Dhokra work. This exquisite craft is much admired for its antiquated look. These products are cast in brass by lost-wax-process and display an intriguing wire work finish. Elephants, horses, lamps, jewellery boxes with the distinct look give that regal air when arranged in the drawing room. They can be brought in shops at reasonable prices but you have to bargian hard, besides these Dhokra work there we find everything in every reasonable price.

Dhenkanal as a district is one of the developing regions of the state. The staple food of the people’s is rice and agriculture is the main sources of Income.

Lord Balram Temple
Dhenknal is also famous for the Lord of Balram Temple built in 1700 A.D. This Temple is famous due to its traditions during car Festival. Because in Puri car festival the chariots being to more after hauling of Balram Chariot in Dhenkanal district. This temple is a look alike of Puri Jagannath Temple

IIMC
Dhenkanal district is also known in Indian for IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication). This is the only institute in Orissa where student get course on Mass Communication and Journalism. Many students are come here from all over Indian for studies. IIMC have their own building in the heart of Dhenkanal Town. Here students get all the facilities along with good atmosphere for studies.

Dhenkanala Science Park
National Council of Science Museums had established and innovative Science centre her to popularize science among common people of Dhenkanal and to create interest within school chidlrne for science. This center offers various types of fund games based on scientific theory. Like Bhubaneswar’s very famous Pathani Samant Planitorium, this centere is trying to build a Planitorium to show the activities of starts and planet. The mobile science exhibition is another added attraction of this science park. Game of light and shade in front of a mirror playing various tunes on musical instruments, competing with skeleton on bicycle etc. are some other attractions.
Approach:
Air - Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. Plane services operate daily between Raipur- Delhi Kolkata- Bhubaneswar - Vishakhapatnam.
Rail - there are direct train services to Dhenkanal like Puri- Sambalpur DMU (Via Talcher_ Khurda - Talcher (Fast Passenger) train, puri _ Dhenkanal train.
Road - Ideally located in the National Highway No. 42, Dhenkanal has direct road connections to major towns of the sate. And 99 km from Bhubaneswar.

Kapilas
Dhenkanal which is called a “Tourist Paradise” by the people of Orissa, is surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural sceneries. It’s ancient temples on the hilltops are an added attraction for the religious people.

The lofty peak of the Kapilas range is situated about 26 km. from Dhenkanal enshrines the temples of Lord Chandrasekhar, Viswanath and Narayan etc. The Lord Chandrasekhar Shiva enshrines at a highet of about 457 meters approachable by a flight of 1352 steps and a sepentine motorable road leading to the temples would make up an enjoyable part of the visit. It is better to hire a vehicle that could travel up to the temple premises.

In Orissa, Kapilas is the hill of monumental, mythological and spiritual significance among the Shaivite cult. This place is identified with “Kailas,” the legendary abode of Lord Shiva. The hill has several caves, shrines and the ruins of a medieval fort, which are regularly visited by piligrims. At Kapilas we find lots of monkeys playing in and around. During Sivaratri, a mela was organized at Kapilas every year for pilgrims.

Another temples like Viswanath Temple and Narayana Temple is also famous there. Lots of tourists and devotees are come to worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. You could enjoy the picturesque view of the forest along with the flow of the natural stream that runs through it. Take a visit to the deer Park, Science Park and botanical garden that stands at the foot of the hills. This place is very cool, calm and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daily life. Sirdi Sai Temple is also situated near Kapilas.

Joranda
Joranda is famous for Joranda Mela during Magha Poornima. This place is situated nearly 25 kms. away from Dehnkanal Mostly this festival is celebrated in the month of February at Mahimagadi of Joradna. This is mainly celebrated by the religious people belong to an unique religion locally named Alekh/ Mahima dharma. Every year this fair begins with much devotion, fun and amusement. Due to its unqiueness Orissa people give much importance to this fair. Mahima dharma devotees not believe on images of God , so there is “Sunya (Empty) Temple” there is not God for worshipping. This Temple is famouse for it uniqueness.

Saptasaja
This place is located 11 km. out of Dhenkanal Saptasajya is said to act as host to the Pandavas during their Agnyatvas days in these hills. The place with its beautiful surroundings, is popular with holiday makers. This place has beautiful picinic spot for tourist. It is also a favourit pilgrimage spot with temple of saptarshi, Raghunath and Sri Ram Temple reigning supreme during Ramanavami festival.

Tikar Para
Situated 120 kms from Dhenkanal and 58 km from Angul, the deep Satkosia gorge of river Mahanadi is a Gharial Sanctuary. The place is ideal for boating, angling and adventure. The forest and hills around the village have varieties of fauna to fascinate the visitors. The wildlife in the nearby forests is spectacular. At gharilal sanctuary alligators and crocodiles sun bathe in the open will mesmerize you.
Best time to Visit - October to April

Angul
Angul is a newly created district since 1st April, 1993 after reorganization of the district of Orissa. Flanked by hillocks on both sides of Angul, this place is beautifully carved on an open plain with a garlanding road. After establishment of (NALCO) National Aluminum Company Ltd. this place has come to limelight. NALCO is the largest in Asia. As an important road junction, Angul serves the ideal base for visiting the paces of interests in its neighborhood. Recently Sir Jagannath temple is built here at Sunashagada hilltop in the heart of the Angul town.

Approach
Rail: Angul is a railhead on south Eastern Railway
Road: Situated on N.H. at a distance of 160km from Bhubaneswar, this place is an important road junction of the tae connected by regular bus service from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Talcher, and other important places of the state.

Talcher
The erstwhile capital of the ex-state, Talcher is one of the fast growing industrial areas of Orissa. The establishments of Talcher Thermal power station, the largest coal-based Fertilizer Plant Heavy water plant and the Talcher collieries have greatly enhanced the importance of the place.
Approach:
Rail: Talcher railway station on south Eastern Railway.
Road: 20 kms from Angul and 65 km frm Dhenkanal. It is well connected with N.H. 42 by N.H. 23 at Banarapal. Regular bus services are available.

Deulijhar
Deuljhar has claimed a place in the tourist map of Orissa for its hot sulphuric spring and shrien of Lord Siva. The water of the spring having medicinal properties is chhanelised into 36 ponds to use. A bath in the spring water can cure skin diseases. Four Siva temples dedicated to Lord Siddheswar, Kedareswar, maheswar and Jogeswar are also situated here. 90 kms from Angul, regular bus services are available from Angul, Dhenkanal, Talcher, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to Athamallik and the rest 3 km is negotiable on foot or Jeep.