BALANGIR
Balangir, the district of many charms has its own appeal for the visitors who prefer to relax in the lap of nature.A part of South Kosala from the time of Ramayana, it has got prominence in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods of Historey. The unspoilt antiquities with its mystery and enchantment at Ranipur-Jharial the limitless panorama of scenic splendour of the Gandhamardan hills bejewelled with sparkling waterfall at Harishankar and the ravishing beauty of the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi and the Tel at dawn and dusk in SOnepur have made Balangir a tourist's paradise.
Patnagarh
The ancient capital of the kingdom of Patna once known as Kuanri Patna.The temples of Patneswari and Samaleswari in Chalukyan style and theat of Someswara Siva belonging to the 12th century are the monuments, which have survived the wrath of time.One can find here the reminiscence of the earliest group of temples built during the Chouhan rule in Western Orissa which bevan from this place.
Harishankar
On the Southern elope of Gandhamardan hills stands Harisankar, a place of pilgrimage, famous for its uncommon scenic charms and the presence of Hari and Sankar, the dueal deity of Vaisnavism and Saivism. The perennial stream bursting into droplets rushes on its hard granite bed to form cascades at different stages. As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harisankar is a panacea for the heat of the summer season.
On the northern slope of the Gandhamardan hills lies Nrusimhanath in the Sambalpur district. Both the places are connected by a rough road of 16 kms across the hill-top which the pilgrims cover in a day on foot.
Ranipur-Jharial
Known as "Soma Tirtha" in scriptures, Ranipur-Jharial was a place which combined a cross section of religious faiths like Saivism, Buddhism, Vaisnavism and Tantrism. The circular open vault enclosure of 64 Yoginis, a major attraction of the place is one of the four such shrines in India. The temple of Someswar among the numerous Saiva shrines is also one more important temple in the cultural history of the area.
