Dhenkanal is one of the centrally positioned districts of Odisha. The district is spread over an area of 4595 square kilometers that stretches across the geographical coordinates of 20° 29′ to 21° 11′ North latitude and 85° 58′ to 86° 2′ East longitude. The district is predominated by the agricultural sector. The district of Dhenkanal is bound on the east by the Jajpur district. Keonjhar district lies to the north of the district of Dhenkanal. The district of Angul borders Dhenkanal on the west. On the south lies the district of Cuttack.
The topography of Dhenkanal district is marked by the hilly regions and the valley formed by the river that flows in the district. The total population of the district is 10,65,983 according to the census conducted in the year 2001. Majority of the people of the district are engaged in the occupation of agriculture. When we are taking about the Tourist Spots and the Picnic Spots in Dhenkanal District, in that case we see there are various and famous Tourist Spots and Picnic Spots in Dhenkanal. Here you can get the information about the best Picnic Spots or most popular tourist spots in Dhenkanal District of Odisha. If you want to know the List of Famous Picnic Spots in Dhenkanal District of Odisha then see the below tourist spot link to know about the Famous Picnic Spots in Dhenkanal District of Odisha and experience the Dhenkanal Tourism.
TOURIST SPOTS IN DHENKANAL
Kamakhyadevi Temple
Kamakhya Temple, which is situated at the top of the Nilachal Hill at about 800 feet above the sea level. The entire temple complex not only comprises of many other temples but also a whole set of people connected with them. Apart from the main devi temple, it also comprises of some other major temples of devi Kali, Tara, Bagala, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Bhairavi and Dhumavati. Know More >>>
Kapilas Temple
Kapilash temple is situated in the north east corner of Dhenkanal town at a distance of 26 Km from the district head quarters. The temples is situated in about 2239 feet from the sea level. The temple is 60 feet in height .There are two approaches for the temple. One is through climbing 1352 steps and the other is ‘Barabanki’ or the travel twisting way. Know More >>>
Mahimagadi Joranda
Mahimagadi is the birth place of Mahima Dharma, situated at Joranda district, around 24 km from Dhenkanal Odisha. Santh Bhima Bhoi is the founder of Mahima Dharma. Lots of devotee called as Alekha baba are staying there. The Gadi Manidr, Dhuni Mandir, Jyoti Manidr & the Ashrams all are the attractive spots of Mahimagadi. Magha Mella known as Prabhu Prunima which falls on January or February month of every year, it is the greatest and attractive festival of mahimadharma. This temple is a unique temple built in area of meeting of three villages Joranda,Natima and Patna. The temple is dedicated to Surya as Shunya Gosain belonging to a sect of Hindus called ascetics of Mahima Dharma. Know More >>>
Saptasajya Temple
Saptasajya is one of the famous and tourist spot in Dhenkanal. This place is mainly famous for its scenic beauty. Really this place is like heaven for the nature lovers. This place is situated at a distance of about 11 km to the south of Dhenkanal town. According to legends, Pandavas spent some days of their incognito life (Agnuata vasa) in these hills. The temple of Raghunath, built in honor of Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita by Rani Ratnaprava Devi of Dhenkanal attracts large crowds every year on the day of Ramanavami, in the month of March-April. A small spring flowing close by enhances the beauty of the place. It is an ideal place for picnic and relaxation. Know More >>>
Siddha Balaram Temple
Siddha Balaram temple at Dhenkanal town is the pivotal figure in the domain Vaishnava cult in the district. History says that Anangabhima III brought Sri Balaram from Talmul to Bhima nagari garh in 12th -13th CAD. While he was taking the image to Puri,Sri Balaram Ordered him to give up the effort. Hence, he built Dasakamba Mandala at Chittala pur near Hindol. But with the advent of the Muslim rule the devotees kept the image at Kardabindha village. Subsequently, Sridhar Banja brought the image. Hari singh Vidhyadhara later on defeated the Bhanja King and brought the image of Balaram to Dhenkanal. He started construction of the temple in 1590 AD. The main temple is 90 feet high. Sri Raja Narasingha Bharambar and his son Kunjabihari Bharambar’s period, the construction of gateway,J aga mohana, the boundary wall were completed. ie. between 1708 to 1741AD. From 1906 to 1918, Raja Surya Pratap constructed the separate Jagannadha Temple in the campus of Sri BalaRama temple. Initially the car festival was initiated from the Dadhibamana temple, but Raja Surya Pratap started car festival from Balaram Temple. Know More >>>
Kanakeswar Temple (Kualo)
This temple is 72 km from Dhenkanal, 45 km from Angul and 25 km from Talcher town, Kualo is famous for housing a plethora of temples dedicated to Lord Kanakeswar, Baidyanath, Paschimeswar, Balunkeswar and Kapileswar. In its ruined form, the temple of Kanakeswar is about 24 meters high and preserves some of the earliest specimens of sculptures representing ancient temple building activities in Odisha.
Naganatheswar Temple
Naganatheswar temple belongs to Sri Sri Naganatheswar Shiva and it is at village Nagena, about 20 kms from Dhenkanal. It is the most ancient Saiva temple and was constructed during the reign of the Keshari dynasty. According to scholar Pandit Nagendranath Mohapatra-s Naganath Satakam, it is one of the 12 Yotir Lingas. In the Shotras of the Awashyotirlinga, one of the Yotir Linga is in the Daruka-Vana or Neem forest. This Neem forest is still there in the premises. The sloka of Dwadasha Yotir Linga says that Naganath temple is situated in the southernmost part of Anga Kingdom. It shows that during some time in history, that part of Kalinga touched Anga border. However, nearer to it, there is the debris of a fort which is still unidentified. Here, the river Brahmani turns to north and is as holy as the Ganges.
Shri Kunjakant Temple
The main deity of this Shri Kunjakant Temple is Lord Radha Krishna. You can see the Radha Krishna with their Astha Sakhi inside the temple. This temple was built by King Sura Pratap Singh in the year 1915. King Sura Pratap Singh and Queen KrishnaChandra Priya Devi was the devotee of Lord Radha Krishna. They were inspired by Baishnab Guru Babaji Ramdas. So they built this temple. Know More >>>
Saranga
Sixty-seven kms from Dhenkanal, 23 kms from Angul and 3 kms from Talcher, is the Anantasyi image of Lord Vishnu, on the rocky bed of the river Brahmani at Saranga. The hoods of Ananta, the serpent king spreads over the head of Lord Vishnu as the crown and cover. The primal lotus, housing Brahma, the creator, originates from Vishnu-s navel, the Supreme Being enjoying deep delight of his cosmic sleep in the waters of the river Brahmani.
Dandadhar
67 km from Dhenkanal and 30 km from Kamakshyanagar, Dandadhar is the site of an irrigation project on the river Ramial- an ideal place for outings. Its blue expanse of sparkling waters caged in a sun-bathed valley is a thrill for the searching eyes. Best for Picnic during Winter (December- February).
Ladagada
40 km. From Dhenkanal town, Ladagada is a place of religious importance. A piece of stone known as Lord Siddheswar is worshipped here with great reverence. The banyan tree which gives shelter to the Lord is known as Kalpabruksha.
Kapilash Zoo
Kapilash Zoo is one of the beautiful place in Dhenkanal. Although this zoo is not so big, but you can find some animals and birds here. The entry into this zoo is very cheap (Approx Rs. 2 per Person)
HOW TO REACH DHENKANAL
By Air
The Dhenkanal is linked with Bhubaneswar Airport there by connecting itself with all Metros by regular Indian Airlines flights. Some Private Airlines also operate to Bhubaneswar.
By Road
Dhenkanal is connected with the city of Cuttack & Bhubaneswar by NH.-5. It is also connected with Sambalpur & Rourkela by NH.-55. Regular Bus services are available to Kolkata, Raipur, Tata, Ranchi, from Cuttack. Taxi & Auto Rickshaws are also available .
By Rail
Indian Railways provides a network of Fast & Super fast Trains to all Major cities of Odisha. Dhenkanal is linked with different parts of India via Bhubaneswar & Cuttack.