Approximately 52 kilometres from Bolangir and 82 kilometres from Sambalpur, stands the small, beautiful and historic town of Sonepur on the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi and Tel. It is the headquarters of the district of Subarnapur. Once a sub-division of Bolangir, it became a full-fledged district in the year 1993. Birmaharajpur, S. Rampur, Dunguripali, Binika, Ullunda and Tarbha are the other major towns in the district. With temples numbering more than a hundred, Sonepur is often called the city of temples or the second Varanasi.
The history of the area dates back to a hoary past with royal dynasties like the Bhaumakaras, the Somavamshis and the Chauhans having ruled over it. With a rich history and culture, heritage and religious sites, temples, hills, jungles and rivers, the district of Subarnapur is a storehouse of attractions for the tourists. Let us have a look at the prominent tourist places in the district:
1. Sonepur
Sonepur, the district headquarters of Subarnapur district is a small, beautiful and historical town with a long array of temples making it a temple city. The royal palace on one bank of the river Mahanadi is in dilapidated condition. A number of office buildings, markets and residential areas have come up after it became a district in the year 1993.
The Sureswari temple, the Pancharatha temple, the Lankeswari temple, the Samaleswari temple, the Rameswaram temple, the Suvarnameru temple, the Gundicha temple and the Shashisena temple are some of the prominent temples making Sonepur the meeting place of Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Saivism.
The Mahanadi with its rocky bed, gentle flowing water and various ghats along with its confluence with the river Tel presents a panoramic view over here.
2. Tarbha
Tarbha is a small town 30 kilometres from Sonepur. On one side of the town, the river Nibruti separates the two districts of Sonepur and Bolangir. It is a commercial town with a number of weavers, goldsmiths and brassmiths. In addition to a number of temples, there is Zariat Dargah dedicated to Fakir Baba or Tarbhawale Baba. Tarbha is also called Tarbha Sharif. The Dargah is a sacred place for the Muslims and other communities too.
3. Birmaharajpur
Birmaharajpur is a small sub-divisional town approximately 22 kilometres from Sonepur. Patali Shrikshetra is not very far from it. The religious site with a huge water body at the foot of the hills, the dense forests, the chirping of birds and the serene atmosphere attract the tourists.
4. S. Rampur
S. Rampur or Sonepur Rampur is a small town approximately 40 kilometres from Sonepur. The town is known for its culture and heritage. After Bargarh, the next popular Dhanujatra is held over here every year. The Puja Dunguri with caves and rock art is not far from it. The Chandlipat Jatra during Dussehra in the Puja Dunguri attracts devotees in large numbers.
5. Patali Shrikshetra
Patali Shrikshetra is a famous religious site in the district closely associated with Shaktism, Buddhism and Vaishnavism. Situated at Kotsamlai at the foot of the Trikuta hills, the caves are believed to have given shelter to the three idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra for long 144 years keeping in view frequent onslaughts on the Puri Jagannath temple.
6. Binika
Binika is a small but historic and cultural town 32 kilometres from Sonepur. It was once known as Binitaswapur. Near the town of Binika stands the Tarapurgarh where excavations have been done in the past for new light on history. The Kapileswar temple at Charda and the Papakshyaya Ghat are not far from it. The Mahanadi flowing by presents a panoramic view.
7. Charda
Charda is 4 kilometres from Binika and 32 kilometres from Sonepur. The place is known for the famous Kapileswar temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The temple presents excellent workmanship and architecture of Ananga Bhima Dev III of the 13th century.
8. Papakshaya Ghat
The Papakshaya Ghat is near the town of Binika and 32 kilometres from Sonepur. Situated on one bank of the river Mahanadi in a calm and quiet atmosphere, it is a holy place. It is believed that king Ananga Bhima Dev III of Puri got cured from leprosy by crossing the tunnel of the banyan tree and taking a bath in the Ghat.
9. Maa Metakani
Maa Metakani temple is near Ullunda and 23 kilometres from Sonepur. Maa Metakani is believed to be an incarnation of goddess Sureswari of Sonepur. There is a small temple on Sambalpur-Sonepur highway and the original Peetha is 1-2 kilometres away inside the jungles. Chaitra Purnima and Dussehra are the main festivals celebrated over here which attract devotees from far and wide. There is a childrens’ park adjacent to the original peetha which is a major attraction.
10. Bhimabhoi Samadhi Peetha
The Bhimabhoi Samadhi Peetha is at Khaliapali 32 kilometres from Sonepur. The Samadhi or Sunya Mandir of Bhimabhoi, the famous blind poet and saint attracts tourists and devotees from far and wide. Every year Magha Mela is organised over here.
11. Thengo dam
Thengo dam is 28 kilometres from Birmaharajpur and 34 kilometres from Sonepur. It is a medium irrigation project constructed to conserve the river water. A number of migratory birds visit the place in winter. The forests adjacent to the dam boast of varieties of flora and fauna. The chirping of birds in the evening, the beautiful natural surroundings and the calm, quiet and serene atmosphere of the dam attract tourists and picknickers from far and wide. It is a popular picnic resort in the district.
12. Badkhamar Matha
The Badkhamar Matha and temple is in the Birmaharajpur block of the district. The speciality of the Matha is that Naam Sankirtan is carried on round the clock over here for world peace. The surrounding is beautiful, calm and quiet.
13. Baidyanath temple
Not very far from the town of Sonepur stands the Baidyanath Kosaleswar temple on one bank of the river Tel. Built during the period of Somavamshis, the temple boasts of excellent sculpture and architecture. The Mahakaleswar temple of the same period nearby is in ruins.
14. Dunguripali
On Sambalpur-Bolangir highway and Jharsuguda-Titilagarh railway line, Dunguripali is a small town. In Dunguripali block there is Puja Dunguri where Maa Chandlipat is worshipped. There are caves in the hills which depict rock art making it a historic and tourist site. Veer Surendra Sai, the freedom fighter is believed to have hidden himself in the caves and tunnels of the hills during his rebellion against the British.
15. Ullunda
On Sambalpur-Sonepur highway Ullunda is a small town with a market catering to the needs of the people of nearby areas. Patali Shrikshetra and Maa Metakani peetha are not far from Ullunda.
Though comparatively small in size and population as a district in Odisha, Sonepur or Subarnapur is nevertheless prominent as a land of rich history and culture. Though a number of office buildings, market places, and residential colonies have come up after it became a district in the year 1993, yet it has to make a lot of progress in certain areas. Sonepur is the main town in the district. In recent times, a good number of hotels and restaurants have come up in the town which may cater to the needs of the tourists. The town of Bolangir, which is 52 kilometres away, may also be made a base for visiting Sonepur and the other sites. Two bridges at Sonepur and Binika, built in recent times, have made communications easier from Sambalpur side, which is 82 kilometres away. There are good highways to Sonepur from both Sambalpur and Bolangir. From Boudh side also, there is good communication. Sonepur has an extreme climate, and the best time to visit it is from October to March. Though railway has made its entry into the district in recent times, bus, autorickshaw, and hired vehicles are the main modes of transport. With a rich history and culture, heritage sites, temples, hills and forests, rivers and picnic spots, the district of Subarnapur will provide a unique experience and quality time to the tourists.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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