Sumanta's Travelogue | Trek story |Rock Climbing Experience |Travel share: July 2008

Ghoghodeswar a hidden jewel of Rourkela:

As mentioned, on 2007 I joined in an engineering college at Rourkela, Odisha. During 1st year there was no time to visit anywhere due to daily fixed tight routine. On 28th July 2008, college suspended due to strike by university students so Sandeep (one of my close friend) gave a proposal to visit Ghoghodeswar as that was Monday. Though initially I was refusing but later agreed. At 11 am we started, another friend named Swarup joined with us. Our college was at Mandiakudar nearest to kansbahal of Rourkela outskirt. We got a local bus to Kansbahal & from Kansbahal started walking toward the Shrine of Lord Ghoghodeswar. After a long walk, reached at the shrine, lot of crowd was there by devotees due to Monday. The temple is situated at the bank of a small river making more beautiful. I surprised to see the temple as at such deeper locality that exists & huge crowding. Also a big Shivling is there. The environment surrounding was very beautiful due greenery & river. After the Darshana Is over we wandered around the Mela (Fair). Finally time to return, around at 2.30 pm, we started returning. This was the first exploration at Rourkela with Sandeep.

Information: This place is not such famous but in each Monday of Shravana Month huge crowd is observed due to the auspicious power of Lord shiva. Thousands of Kaudia (the devotees walks to the temple having two pots of water from any famous river and pour over lord shiva to earn the bless) crowded. Not only kaudia but also other devotees crowd this place on same day.

How to get there: How to reach Ghoghodeswar?
From Rourkela local bus service available at any time (35 kms). Nearest bus stop is kansbahal (30 Kms from Rourkela). Also one can reach from Sundergarh/Jharsuguda/Sambalpur directly by bus service. If you are coming from Rourkela side then alight at Kansbahal stop and walk forward on the highway till you notice sign board at left (100 mtr), now take diversion left as directed on the board walk around 4/5 km to reach at the shrine.
If you are coming from Sundergarh/Jharsuguda/Sambalpur side, alight at Kansbahal & walk back on the highway till the board comes and continue to the shrine.

Nearby Places:

Mandira Dam: this is dam having close proximity to kansbahal just 5 km away. A beautiful dam maintained by Rourkela steel plant. A temple of mandira devi situated at the top of the dam side hill that’s why the dam is named so. Though we need pass to visit the dam which can be processed at RSP office at Rourkela. Without entering into the dam we can also enjoy the beauty of surroundings. If you are lucky enough then the security personnel may allow you without pass on request. Also that place is allowed for picnic on generation of pass. Direct bus service available from Rourkela, bus stops 3 Km from the dam from where you have to walk to reach there. From Sambalpur/Jharsuguda/Sundergarh side you can alight at Bileigarh chowk and walk till the dam.

Kansbahal Dam: Another beautiful dam made for irrigation purpose. Just 7 kms from Kansbahal, no transport available from kansbahal to the dam. Private transportation is required to visit there.

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