Places
to visit
Hirakund
Dam
The
longest Dam of the world, it stands in its lone majesty across
the great river Mahanadi which drains an area of 1,33,090 Sq.
kms more than twice the area of Ceylon. The bulk of Hirakud
Dam contains earth, concrete and masonry materials, "sufficient
to make a road 8 metres wide and pave it from Kanyakumari to
Kashmir and Amritsar to Dibrugarh in Assam."From horizon
to horizon the reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in
Asia with an area of 746 Sq.kms having a shore line over 640
kms. A twenty-one kilometres drive on the dyke affords a unique
experience of calm serenity and majesty of nature. One can enjoy
the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse
of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi
Minar ane comfortably stay at Ashok Nivas,a luxury Guest House
adjoining the Nehru Minar at the other end of the Dam.As the
largest multipurpose river valley project of the world, it is
a real gift to the nation-"all for happiness and prosperity".
Vikramkhol
26
kms to the west of Jharsuguda Railway Station, it is a cave
containing pictographic inscription (1,500 B.C. or even earlier)
of antiquity. This pre-historic find is of remarkable importance
and is yet to be deciphered. The plaster-cast of the inscription
can also be seen in the Orissa State Museum at Bhubaneswar.
Vikramkhol is 88 kms by road which is unmetalled.
Pradhanpat
The
Pradhanpat hill with its picturesque waterfalls offers a rare
scenic beauty. These falls are close to Deogarh town which is
attractively situated with the background of wooded hills. Two
beautiful guest houses named Basanta Nivas and Lalita Basanta
have been constructed by the ex-rulers of Bamra and are now
under the management of the Works Department, provide accommodation.
Reservations are made by the Executive Engineer, National Highway
Division, Sambalpur. There are a number of temples in the town
of Deogarh notable among which are of Gopinath, Jagannath and
Gokarneswara. Deogarh is 96 Kms. from Sambalpur on N.H.No.6.
Chiplima
The
place has gained prominence as the second Hydro-Electric Project
of the Hirakud Dam. A natural fall of 80 ft. (24-39 metres)
high in the river Mahanadi is made use for generating electricity.
The place is mostly inhabited by fishermen whose deity ‘Ghantlei’
is very popular in the neighboring areas. The State Live Stock
Breeding Farm and and Agricultural Farm are located here.
