Sambalpur

Sambalpur derives its name from that of the Goddess Samaleswari, an incarnation of Shakti who is regarded as the reigning deity of the region. In history, it has been variously known as 'Sambalak', 'Hirakhanda', 'Udyānaa' or 'Uḍḍiyāna', 'Dakhin Kosal' and 'Kosal'. Sambalpur had also been known as 'Hirakhanda' meaning 'Land of Diamond', in the past Sambalpur was famous for diamond mining and trade. Even now, the adjoining areas yield a large volume of semi precious stones.

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Sambalpur is located at 21°- 3' North Latitude and 84°- 0' East Longitude in Western Odisha. The average elevation is 150.75 meters above the mean sea level. The geography of Sambalpur comprises of the following:-

• Rivers :- The Mahanadi;
• Hillocks :- Laxmi Dungri, Budharaja, Brooks Hill (Small hill);
• Plain Area :- Mandlia, Sunapali, Durgapali, Dhanupali, Makhnapara;
• Small Ponds :- 18;
• Big Ponds :- 8;
• Sea/Gulf :- Nil;

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Sambalpur experiences extreme type of climate with hot and dry Summer followed by humid Monsoon and cold Winter. The hot season commences from 1st week of March and lasts till the second half of June. In the month of May, temperature rises up to 47°. Similarly in the month of December, the temperature comes down to 5°C.^. Sambalpur gets rainfall from South-Western monsoon. The relative humidity is high during rainy season being generally over 75%. After rainy season the humidity gradually decreases and the weather becomes dry towards the winter. The best time to visit Sambalpur is between September to March.

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The chief communicative language of the Sambalpur region is Sambalpuri Language. Not much research has been done on the accent and phonetics of this language, and it is generally considered to be a dialect of Oriya; however, recent research done at Sambalpur University claimed Sambalpuri as a distinct language and the University has subsequently introduced a one year diploma course in Sambalpuri Studies. Some linguist consider the spoken language of Sambalpur is the anicient form of modern Oriya language .

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The economy of Sambalpur is basically dependent on agriculture and trade. Majority of the residents are either salaried or self employed. Forests play an important role in the economy in terms of contribution to revenue and domestic product. In the past Sambalpur has been a great centre of diamond trade. Kendu leaf or Coromandel Ebony or East Indian Ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon) also forms part of the economy of Sambalpur with many bidi manufacturing units functioning in Sambalpur . Kendu leaf is one of the most important non-wood forest products of Sambalpur district and is also called as green gold of Odisha. Lately industrialisation has started in the district and the prime industries of power, alumina and steel have been established. The place is famous for its globally renowned textile bounded patterns and fabrics locally known as Baandha. Sambalpur is famous for its Hand-loom textile works. Popularly known as Sambalpuri Textile.

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 Education 

• Sambalpur University
• Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology
• Gangadhar Meher College (Autonomous), Sambalpur
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  Women's College, Sambalpur
  NSCB College
  Hindi Teacher Training College, Sambalpur
  College of Agriculture, OUAT, Chiplima, Sambalpur B.Sc. (Ag.)
  Odisha Medical College of Homoeopathy & Research, Sambalpur
  VSS Medical College & Hospital, Sambalpur.
  Govt. College Physical Education, Kuksari, Sambalpur
  Lajpat Rai Law College, Sambalpur
  Silicon Institute of Technology, Sason, Sambalpur

   

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Two things have contributed immensely to the fame of Sambalpur and enriched the cultural heritage one the origin of the Sitalsasthi festival(marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati) and the origin of the world famous Sambalpuri textile and the Sambalpuri Sarees that enabled the Baandha art of Western Odisha march from its threshold of oblivion to its pinnacle of glory. Sambalpur has been at the centre of the custom, tradition, language and culture of Western Odisha. Several traits of the Sambalpur culture - Sambalpuri language, Sambalpuri dance, Sambalpuri songs or Sambalpuri sarees have held a national identity.

• Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav
• Sital Sasthi Carnival 

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Places of Interest

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  Hirakud

  Huma

  Samaleswari Temple

  Ushakothi

  Ghanteswari temple

  Chiplima

  Kandhara 

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BRIEF HISTORY OF SAMBALPUR

Sambalpur has a history full of events including Indian Freedom Struggle representing the different section of society. For the sake of convenience, however, the history, with special reference to the spark and fire and Nationalism, may be stated briefly. 

History has to say that Samudragupta in the 4^th century, defeated King Mahendra of Koshala, the kingdom that included Sambalpur. During the 5^th and 6^th centuries Sambalpur came under the rule of Sarbhapuriyas. Towards the 7^th century it passed in to the hands of Panduvansi king Trivaradeva. Towards the close of 9^th century king Janmajaya I Mahabhavagupta extended his empire which comprised the modern districts of Sambalpur and Bolangir. Hence forward, his dynasty came to be known as the Samavansi dynasty. During the last part of the Samavansi rule, Sambalpur was occupied by the Kalachuris of Ratnapua. The 13^th century saw a bitter fight between the Kalachuris and the Gandas. Later on, the Gandas occupied Sambalpur.

 During the middle of the 14^th century Ramai Dev laid the foundation of the Chauhan rule in Western Orissa. However, the Chowhan rule came to a close in april,1800, when Sambalpur was occupied by the Marathas. After the British occupied Orissa and bitterness between the British and Marathas ripened, the former found a convenient route via Sambalpur and annihilated the Marathas. Sambalpur was occupied by the British on 2^nd January, 1804. Finally it passed on to the Brithish in 1817. The subsequent years witnessed the movements of the Kandhas and Binjhal Zamidars against the British and their poppet ruler in Sambalpur was Rani Mohan Kumari. Although the modern concept of nationalism was not activating force, one could see the spirit of freedom and hatred of foreign rule reflected in the struggle. The period recorded the heroic sage of Surendra Sai. (Most renowned freedom fighter from Western Orissa). 

Sambalpur district, the western most district of Orissa, had been named after the headquarters town, Sambalpur. According to Mr. L.S.S.O. Maller, the town derived its name from the presiding goddess Samalai, whose stone image was discovered by Balaram Dev, the first Chowhan king of Sambalpur.

            The erstwhile Sambalpur District was divided into four districts namely Sambalpur, Bargarh,Jharsuguda and Deogarh in pursuance of Revenue & Excise Department Resolution No 14993/R Dtd 31.03.93 and Resolution No 56413/R Dtd 22.12.93.Bargarh  district comprising Bargarh and Padampur Subdivision started functioning with effect from 1.4.1993.Jharsuguda and Deogarh District started functioning w.e.f. 1.1.94.

 

Bargarh

Bargarh Photo Album