If you are interested to visit Sambalpur District, the main destinations are Samalai Temple at Sambalpur, Hirakud Dam at Burla, Bakra Mandir or Tilted Temple of Huma See Video , Ghanteswari Temple at Chiplima, Chipilima Water Fall, See Video Ushakothi and Gudguda etc may be visited.
Ghanteswari Temple:
Ghanteswari Temple is situated at the foot of Lamei Dunguri means Lamei a name of a hill, near Chipilima Hydro Electric Power Station, about 33 KM away from Sambalapur in south west direction on the bank of the River Mahanadi. It is famous and attracts lakhs of devotees, picnic parties, excursion groups and visitors to enjoy the beauty.
Name signifies that Ghanteswari means Goddess of “Ghants” means bells and you can also find bells all around the temple where ever you can see.
It is said there were some big bells on the spot and were creating sounds when wind blew strongly to alert navigators about the danger in River Mahanadi, as the river is confluence of three streams of water and forming a whirlpool and creating a danger of drowning of boats there, but after construction of Hirakud Dam the situation of current became safer now.The Calm and serene atmosphere of the place along with cackle sound of the river water is enhancing the attraction of the spot to the lakhs Visitors.
A Popular Folklore:
You can listen about a popular folklore there from the local people that a peasant named Hara Behera of neighboring village Tihikipali has established the temple perhaps during 1650-1670. And the folklore behind it is that the said Hara Behera used to go in to the river to collect black sand from the water with his wife Laxmi. One day he got a rounded stone there and brought it to home. At night he see a dream of a Goddess who came and disclosed that she was the royal hereditary deity of Biru’s estate of Chhota Nagpur, and interested to be established in same place near Mahanadi. And as per instruction of Goddess the Hara Behera established her at Badhiyal Grave under Simuli Lata a creaper near Bakbira Vllage and worshipped as Gramadevi means Village Deity of Jharua Keuta and Dumal communities.
Mode Of Visit: The place is only 12 away from the National Highway from Sambalapur to Bargarh route in left to the NH. You can find Rented Cars from Sambalapur or Bargarh to visit the place easily and economically. And both the Sambalapur and Bargarh is well connected with National High Ways and Railways.
