The ancient town of Dhenkanal in Odisha is a delicious mix of nature, religion and history. Rarely will you find a city replete with characteristics of all three, but Dhenkanal is one of those truly blessed areas, one that must be visited when heading to the east of the country.
With a long, rich history of strong rulers that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, Dhenkanal is filled with imposing palaces and forts, and intriguing archaeological remains of eras gone by. Much of the region is covered in dense foliage and gushing rivers, such as the Brahmani and Mahanadi, and is home to myriad species of flora and fauna. These areas are bound to excite travelers who have a penchant for wildlife and natural wonders. A number of temples also dot this scenic city, notching up its tourism quotient quite high.
Despite its apparent beauty, Dhenkanal is not a crowded tourist destination. So, if you’re looking to learn about Indian history, delve deep in the forests of Mother Nature, or bow down to the greater powers at a shrine, or do both at the same time. Either ways, Dhenkanal must be added to your travel bucket list.
The Kapilash Temple, built around the 13th century, is one that attracts many devotees throughout the year. Located more than 2,000 feet above sea level, the views from this temple are truly breathtaking. Many deities including Ganesh, Karthik and Jagannath are worshipped at this temple.
Kapilash, where this temple is located, is, in fact, a wholesome tourist spot. The hills house a number of other temples as well, along with a medieval fort that is open to the public. There is also a Deer Park and a Science Park that attracts many visitors.
Tikarapara is the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The Gharial Sanctuary here is located in the dense forests, and gives you a peek into how wild animals live in their natural habitat.
And if you’re a history buff, then head to Ganesh Khola where you will find the remains of the palace and fort that belonged to the erstwhile kings of Dhenkanal.
Private as well as government-run buses are available in Dhenkanal. AC and non-AC taxis are also available from almost any part of the city to take you around the various tourist spots.
On a daily basis there are approximately 47 flights that operate at Biju Patnaik Airport.Air India and IndiGo are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Dhenkanal through train.Dhenkanalis one of the most popular train stations in Dhenkanal.On an average about 54 trains pass through Dhenkanal on a daily basis.Talcher to Dhenkanal, Angul to Dhenkanal, Sambalpur to Dhenkanalare some of the most popular routes to Dhenkanal with 73, 73, 72 trains weekly respectively.
By road Dhenkanal is surrounded by Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Anugul which are 21.44 km, 28.89 km, 35.15 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.