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A population of tigers, leopards, panthers, sloth bears, elephants, sambal, gaur, chital and nilgai in a forest area of about 304 km². Watch towers provide a good view of the animals flocking the nearby watering points at night. Established in 1962 and easily accessible by road. Jeeps for movement within the forest are available for hire from the forest office. Guide and spot lights are available with the Forest Range Officer against nominal charges. Accommodation is available at the Forest Rest House, Badrama, 3 km away. For reservation contact DFO, Bamra (office near Bamra railway station).
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1962 over a forest area of about 304.03 square kilometres. It is situated at a distance of about 22 kilometres from Sambalpur, India. To the west of the Sanctuary lies Hirakud Dam.
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Erected by the Chauhans in the mid-16th century. Samaleswari Temple is dedicated to the goddess known as 'Maa', also known among the natives as samalei maa, meaning Mother Samaleswari. She is the presiding deity of Sambalpur, and is a strong religious force in the western parts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh state of India. Situated on the bank of the river Mahanadi the mother goddess Samaleswari is worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati.
Longest earth dam in the world. The reservoir forms an artificial lake with an area of 746 km² having a shoreline of over 640 km. The drive on the 21-km dyke is majestic. You 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 on the north. Ashok Nivas, a luxury Guest House, is near the Nehru Minar on the south. Cattle Island is near one end of Hirakud reservoir. It is near Kumarbandh village of Belpahar-Banharpali range and is about 90 km from Sambalpur town by road, but is 10 km by water launch from Hirakud dam. The island was a hillock before the construction of the Hirakud dam. During the resettlement period, villagers left some of their cows and bulls and when the dam construction was over the cattle settled down on the hilltop. With the passage of time, the nearby area was filled up with the reservoir water. Being away from mankind, the cattle are wild in nature.
The Pradhanpat hill with its waterfalls offers a rare scenic beauty. These falls are close to Deogarh town which is 96 km from Sambalpur on NH.6. Two guest houses named Basanta Nivas and Lalita Basanta were constructed by the former rulers of Bamra. Reservations are made by the Executive Engineer, National Highway Division, Sambalpur.
It stands out amongst all the wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha in terms of sighting wild animals, particularly in summer when trees shed their leaves. It stretches across the Lohara and Debrigadh Reserve Forests on the Barapahad hills in Baragarh district. The seasonal waterfalls and proximity of the large Hirakud reservoir are added attractions. It covers an area of 347 km². There is a population of tigers, leopards, sloth bears, chitals, sambars, and nilgais. Entry point is Dhorokusum. Accommodation is available at the Forest Rest Houses in Dhodrokusum and Dechua; and cottage at Chaurasimal. Reservation is done by DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Division at Sambalpur.
Famous for its Shiva temple, Huma contains the only leaning temple of Odisha. The Mahanadi river flows close by. Facilities for cruising in the river by country boat are available for a nominal price. Maha Shivaratri fair is held in February–March.