Set against the backdrop of thick green forests, Sundargarh materializes as a natural haven perched amid hilly terrain, criss-crossed by gushing streams. As you move about the town, the verdant paddy fields in the outskirts slowly give way to busy industrial units, leading up to the bustling locales and city streets where its daily routine unfolds. The name Sundargarh can be translated as ‘beautiful city’ in Hindi, and it certainly lives up to the name. The rich cultural heritage, embellished by traditional art forms and historical influences, only adds to the beauty. The town is located within the district of the same name in Odisha, which consists of the two former princely states Gangapur and Bonai. Weaving together its vibrant traditions and the resplendent beauty of nature surrounding it, Sundargarh is sure to enchant every traveler.
The gifts endowed upon it by nature make Sundargarh an excellent destination for nature lovers. There are several picturesque sites in and around the city that are worth visiting and exploring. The Khandhar Waterfall is one such site, where the water gushing down from a height of 244 meters enthralls you with its captivating beauty.
Sundargarh has an equally venerable tradition of religion and spirituality and is replete with sacred sites that are worth visiting. The Vedvyas is a place of religious as well as historical significance. It is believed that it was here that the great sage Vyasa composed and wrote the epic Mahabharata. The Ma Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the important shrines in the city. You can also visit the Hanuman Vatika, which is known for its religious values and is also a beautiful park serving as an ideal picnic destination. Especially worth visiting are the 7 jyotirlingas such as Batta Mangala Devi and the Jagannath temple, located here.
Local transport in Sundargarh mostly consists of buses and auto-rickshaws. City buses ply on major routes within the city and to certain important nearby towns. Auto-rickshaws can be hired from the streets and are available in almost every part of the city. However, if you wish to travel more conveniently, at your own pace, you can hire a private vehicle from one of the many fleet owners in Sundargarh.
On a daily basis there are approximately 17 flights that operate at Birsa Munda Airport.IndiGo and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
By road Sundargarh is surrounded by Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Raigarh which are 17.21 km, 43.31 km, 43.64 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.