Best Places To Visit in Angul

Angul is a town in the Indian state of Odisha. Angul also pronounced as Anugul was formed after the bifurcation of the Dhenkanal district in 1993.

Tribal groups like Gond & Kandhas dominated the region of Angul. As the times advanced, the land of Angul saw many events of invasion by Afghans and later by the Britishers.

Entrenched closer to the southern shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, Angul is elevated at 640 feet above sea level & sprawls across 6232 sq. km.

It is surrounded by Dhenkanal and Cuttack in the East, Sambalpur in the West, Sundargarh in the North & Nayagarh in the South.

Before the industrial revolution that changed the landscape of Angul, historically Angul was a land of different tribes who commanded over small citadels.

According to popular folklore, the name Angul is said to be derived from a local chieftain named ‘Anu’ who started a futile rebellion against the King.

The locals referred to that period as Anugol (Anu’s war), subsequently, the name “Anugol” stuck and the town came to be known as “Angul”

The temple of Budhi Thakurani is situated in one side Sunasagad hill which is in the middle place of the Angul town. The Bigraha of the Goddess is made in Black Granite stone and looks like a pillar. It is the symbol of Budha Budhi worship system of tribal culture.

This type of customs also seen in the village of Ogi, Para and Bagedia villages where Budha Thakur is worshipped and Purnakot, Jerang villages where Budhi Thakurani is worshipped in this district. It is also seen in the other parts of Orissa i.e. in Kaligali of Cuttack City where pillar type Goddess isworshipped as Goddess Kali and known as Budhi Thakurani.

As per history it is not clear regarding the period of worship of Budhi Thakurani at Angul. As per hear say, once upon a time this Angul was ruled by one Kandha named Sunas and he used this hill as Gada and accordingly the hill is called as Sunasagada. The Kandha ruler placed this Budhi Thakurani and worshipped as his Esta Devi and in due course this place was full of deeply forest.

In the year 1848 the Angul district was came to under control of British Empire and in the year 1896 they shifted their headquarter from Purnagada to Nuagada and planned the Angul town. They constructed road for convenience of the people. So it was required to clean the forest and at that time the hill came to their notice and they found that one pillar type of Goddess was there inside the deep forest.

Then the era was cleaned and from that day the Goddess was worshipped as the Adhistatri Devi of this area and called as Budhi Thakurani. In the year 1956 one saint came to Angul and visited the Sakti Pitha and became fascinated to see the Bigraha of Goddess.

Curiosity was aroused in his mind to know what is inside of the Bigraha. Then he tried to dig the back side of the Bigraha to find some thing. But he could not get any thing and returned away. In due course the holes had been filled and a Lions statue was placed there.

Now this Budhi Thakurani is renowned in the town as well as in the district. Daily thousands of people visited the place and Budhi Thakurani is placed in every persons heart of this district as Easta Devi/ Grama Devi.

The Jagannath Temple at Angul is known as “Saila Srikhetra” situated on the top of Sunasagad hill. The foundation of this grand temple was given on 21.2.1996 to build the temple like the model of world famous Lord Jagannath Temple of Puri.

Then the construction work was progressed day by day with the help of administration and local people of Angul. Then the dream came true when the temple work was finished. Now this place is called as Sailashreekhetra and people not only from Angul but also from whole State & other parts of India are coming to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath in this magnificent grand temple at Angul,Odisha.

National Aluminium Company Ltd. (Nalco) is considered to be a turning point in the history of Indian Aluminium Industry. In a major leap forward, Nalco has not only addressed the need for self-sufficiency in aluminium, but also given the country a technological edge in producing this strategic metal to the best of world standards.

Nalco was incorporated in 1981 in the Public Sector, to exploit a part of the large deposits of bauxite discovered in the East Coast. The Captive Power Plant (CPP) & Smelter Plant are situated near Angul.

The holy place (peetha) of the Goddess Hingula is situated on the bank of the river Simhada in the West of erstwhile Talcher Estate (Now in the District of Angul). In Assam, there is a place of pilgrimage named Jwalamukhi where a similar goddess Hingula or Hingulei or Hingulaksi is being worshipped.

It is for this reason that the presiding deity of Talcher in village Gopal Prasad who bears the form of fire is named Goddess Hingula. Such holy places (peethas) of Hingula are also situated even outside India in Karachi and Kabul. Both Hindus and Muslims worship at this holy place like that of Kaipadar in Khurda.

It is around 30 Kms away from Angul.. Hingula Yatra is celebrated with pump and ceremony in Talcher sub-division of the district at the temple of Hingula Thakurani near Gopalprasad. It is regarded as the most significant festival of the district, which draws people from different corners of the state.

Lovi Thakurani,Anugul,Odisha

Lovi Thakurani yatra, the annual ceremonial function of Goddess Lovi, is observed every year on Kartik Purnima day. Garh Santry, seventeen kilometers away from the district headquarters town Angul, is the village abode of the presiding deity Lovi.

The deity stands out from other idols of Hindu faith and belief because of Her peculiar name that is Lovi, which denotes greediness. However, the people of Garhsantry have to say that the meaning of the name is something deferent from what we generally mean in a negative way, rather it has a positive meaning that is greediness to devotion, offerings and all the more the sacrifice of egoism.

The annual festival is organized by the twin villages of Garhsantry and Tulsipal, where thousands of people all over the state congregate to offer their puja on the full moon day of Kartika when the sacred symbol of the deity is brought from aalam ghar the daily offering house situated at Tulsipal village with a ceremonial procession to the temple at Pidha sahi of Garhsantry.

The grandeur of the procession includes mass and huge drum bits, holding up of chati taraas in addition to folk dance of Paikas. The dehury, the priest, holding the symbol of the deity on his shoulder, walks through out the procession of five kilometers along with a huge follower of devotees. When he reaches to the temple which is already surrounded by a large number of temporary stalls, put the sacred symbol on a ceremonial dais and starts puja for two days consecutively.

A large number of devotees start flocking in with offerings to have a darshan. Some of the devotees of the local area have their child mundan for this occasion in a belief to get blessings of the Goddess so that they would lead a long and healthy life. The fare at the temple continues for four consecutive days and on the last day the symbolic representation of the deity returns to its original domicile.One can reach Angul either by bus or train. Lovi Thakurani Tourist place is 17 Km away from Angul.

Deulajhari is a famous Saivism pilgrimage place as well as famous for its divine water spring. As per local believes and ancient records there were eighty-four springs. But many of them are hidden in the jasmine forest. Now twenty-four springs are alive. Among these, the springs bearing the names like Agnikunda, Taptakunda, Himakunda, Annantakunda and Labakusa Kunda are prominent ones.

This village is situated at a distance of 28 Kms, on Angul- Bagedia road. The village is known for its shrine dedicated to Goddess Ramchandi. She is believed to be possessed of great powers. It is believed that by worshipping Goddess Ramchandi sterile women will obtain children. On the foundation of the old temple one magnificent temple was constructed.

A Yatra is held here on the second day of Krushna Pakshya Bhadra. This Yatra is known as Ramchandi Yatra or Kaduali Yatra . This Yatra is celebrated with big ceremony every year. Thousands of people attend this Yatra. Kosala is 28 Kms away from Angul. One can reach Angul by bus or train. There is regular bus service available to Kosala from Angul.

Rengali dam is a dam located in Odisha, India. It is constructed across the Brahmani River in Rengali village, located 70 km from Angul in Angul district Rengali Reservoir is a one such popular sightseeing destination that can be found in almost every traveller’s bucket list of places to visit while in the state. Built across the river Brahmani, this beautiful reservoir is situated some 64 km Deoghar amidst the endearing surrounding which makes the dam a perfect day-out place in the region.

Besides, there is a bridge on the dam which connects one side of the river with other. A short stroll on this bridge will surely make your outing at Rengali Reservoir even more special. The views of green hills from the bridge that surround the place along with the vast stretch of water are worth praising. Not just for the nature lovers, this tourist place is also an ideal destination for photographers to show off their skills.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve located in the border of Angul and Nayagarh district of Odisha, During 1976, this wildlife sanctuary was announced in Odisha. This wildlife sanctuary covers more than 796 sq km of area. It’s the wildlife sanctuary that is covered with dense forest. And the wildlife here seems to be really thriving. This part of Angul district is also popular for its tiger reserve that expands on 988.30 km sq of area. This tiger reserve is located right at the side of the 22km gorge that is created by river Mahanadi while it passes through the Eastern Ghats mountain region. Well, this tiger reserve was announced during the year 2007. It is also a part of Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary and also located adjacent to the Baisiapalli Wildlife Sanctuary.

It’s the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary which is best known for its deciduous forest. In this forest the wildlife appears to be very rich. From tigers to leopards and from spotted deer to nilgai, sambar, sloth bear as well as wild dog; you can really find a wide range of animals here. This sanctuary is also a home for many different types of migratory birds as well as reptilian species such as maggar crocodile, gharial, turtles, and both poisonous as well as non poisonous snakes. In order to protect and to expand the number of gharial crocodile, a Gharial Research & Conservation Unit is also located at this place. This unit has also become a distinctive feature of Satkosai Wildlife Sanctuary. Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger Reserve Angul Orissa. Find the right information flora and fauna to visit wildlife national park in orissa.

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important tourist sites in Odisha and spreads across an area of 795.52 sq km. It is located on the banks of River Mahanadi, about 140 km from Bhubaneswar. The sanctuary is famous for its gharial or crocodile species. Besides these, tourists can also spot  tigers, pangolins, leopards, spotted deer, elephants, rhesus, macaques, snakes, turtles etc. The sanctuary is circled by the Satkosia gorge, which has been formed by River Mahanadi. The Gharwale Sanctuary located here is a breeding place for gharials. One can also spot a variety of snakes and turtles in it. There is also a preservation centre here to help preserve the gharial population. 

On the left side of the gorge lies the Tikarpada Crocodile Sanctuary, known for its amazing forest and teeming wildlife. One can also take part in various adventure sports here like river rafting, trekking, fish angling, boating etc.  Adventure lovers can bask some activities here like water rafting, angling, game sighting etc.

A trek around the lush green Sal forests & the environs is the best way to explore the true beauty of this region. The Gharial Sanctuary located in Tikarpada is the breeding place for Gharials that are later released into the Mahanadi River (their natural ecosystem). The Sanctuary also comprises species of snakes, turtles, crocodiles etc.