Balangir in Odisha is proud of its rich cultural heritage. A planned township established way back in 1871, Balangir was once a tiny hamlet, until Ram Chandra Deo III made it his capital. Famous as the cultural hub of Western Odisha, particularly for its indigenous tribe Kosali’s folk art and dance, Balangir is known for its temperate climate and many temples, parks, picnic spots, age-old buildings and the famous Sambalpuri cotton fabric.
Start your tryst with Balangir at Rajendra Park, a century-old park built by the last monarch king of the princely state of Patna. Located within the heart of the city, this area is lush with greenery and filled with hundreds of varieties of roses and other flowers, beautifully illuminated fountains, play areas, rides and a cafeteria. For more communing with nature, head to Karanga Kata, one of the oldest lakes in Western Odisha. Recently renovated and beautified with a surrounding garden, you can indulge in some boating here.
Barely five kilometers from the main town is another lesson in serenity, the Anand Niketan Ashram at Khujenpali. Sprawled across 40 acres, this ashram has a yoga center, school, temple, gardens, woods and more. The Sailashree Palace is the imposing family residence of the royal family of Balangir and a proud heritage structure, lovingly preserved and maintained.
A turn around the various markets in the city, such as Sindhi Market and Balangir Market, will yield treasures such as the famous Sambalpuri saris, local snacks and sweets, all perfect for keepsakes or souvenirs.
State-run and private buses run throughout the city, but are not recommended as they can be quite crowded. The best bet would be to hire a car to get around comfortably.
On a daily basis there are approximately 28 flights that operate at Raipur Airport.Air India and IndiGo are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Balangir through train.Balangiris one of the most popular train stations in Balangir.On an average about 47 trains pass through Balangir on a daily basis.Sambalpur to Balangir, Bargarh to Balangir, Titlagarh to Balangirare some of the most popular routes to Balangir with 76, 76, 62 trains weekly respectively.
By road Balangir is surrounded by Sonapur, Bargarh, Phulabani which are 28.4 km, 44.63 km, 51.24 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.