Dhenkanal District is situated on the Cuttack Sambalpur Road( NH 42) and the Cuttack Sambalpur S.E.Railway line. It is bounded by the Keonjhar District in north, Cuttack district in south, Jajpur in the east and Angul in the west.

It is commnly believed that it owes, its name to a Savara chief called Dhenka who formerly ruled over in this tract. This District contains a centre of religions movement called " Mahima Dharma " since last 100 years or more and spread over through out the Indian Union. The religious movement in the medieval period also touched to this District. The famous " Kapilash Hill " which is popularly known as the "Kailash" of Utkal is also in this district. Lord Chandrasekhar Mahadev temple is set up at the top of the hill.

Some large scale industries like Nilachal Refractories, Utkal Asbestos Ltd, Orissa Polyfibres Ltd ,Shakti sugar are established in this district. The climate of this district is generally hot with high humidity during April and May and cold during December and January. The monsoon generally breaks during the month of June.

Most part of this district are covered with dense forest and a long range of hills. Therefore this district is called as the "Home of elephants and tigers for the country".

Total population of this district as per 1991 census was 9,47,870 which has been increased by 12.46 percent in 2001census ( provisional ). As per 2001 census total population of this district is 10,65,983 (provisional).

Important Place

DHENKANAL

The headquarters town of the district, Dhenkanal is ideally located on National Highway No. 42 connecting Cuttack with Sambalpur. It is commonly believed that the town is named after a ‘Savar Chief’ called ‘Dhenka’, who was in possession of a compact area around the present township. The town is clustered with the pinnaclesof several temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu panteon. Natable among them are the temples of Balabhadra, Sambhugopal, Raghunath and Kunajakanta Krishna
The unique collection of the District Museum here are traditional weapons of the ex-rulers of Dhenkanal and tools of the palaeolithic period.

APPROACH

Air – The nearest airport for approaching the places of interest in the district of Dhenkanal is at Bhubaneswar (99 km.) which is connected with Bew Deklgum Culcutta, Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Nagpur by boeing flights.
Rail – Dhenkanal Railway Station on S.E.Railway.
Road – 99 km. From Bhubaneswar on N.H. No. 42 Regular bus services connect Dhenkanal with Bhubaneswar, Cuttack Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Raipur, etc.
                  
KAPILAS :

ATTRACTIONS

The loftiest peak of Kapilas range enshrines the temple of Lord Shiva Chandrasekhar at height of about 457 meters. The place is identified with ‘Kailash’, the legendary abode of Lord Shiva. A flight of 1,351 steps and also a ghat road lead to the temple. Thousands of devout souls throng to Kapilas on the occasion of ‘Mahasivaratri’, the night consecrated to Lord Shiva in the month of February-March. To the east of the main temple at a higher altitude stands the temple of Narayan and Viswanath.
                                                                
The hill has several caves as well as the ruins of a mediaeval fort which are regularly visited by pilgrims. Some of the caves are associated with the Pauranic episodes that have great appeal to the visitors. The great names of Shridhar Swami, the celebrated commentator of the Bhagabat and Mahima Gosain, the founder of Mahima Cult, are historically associated with the place. Besides, the Deer Park and Science Park are two other added attractions of the place.

APPROACH

Rail – Dhenkanal Railway Station
Road – 26 km. From Dhenkanal, regular bus services are available.

JORANDA

ATTRACTIONS

Famous as the religious headquarters of ‘Mahima Dharma’, Joranda houses the samadhi of  Mahima Gosain, the preacherpropounder of the Mahima Cult, The other sacred tamples are the ‘Sunya Mandira’, ‘Dhuni Mandira’ and ‘Gadi Mandira’ Pilgrims in large numbers pour forth to Joranda fair held on full-moon day of Magha which falls in January-February every year.

APPROACH

Rail – Dhenkanal Railway Station.
Road – 24 km. From Dhenkanal, regular bus services operate between Dhenkanal and Joranda.

Saptasajya

Aplace of scenic beauty, Saptasahya is situated at a distance of about 11 km. To the south of Dhenkanal town. According to legend ‘Pandavas’ spent some days of their incognito life (Agnuata vasa) in these hills. The temple of Rafhunath built in honour of Lord Rama, Laxaman and Sita by Rani Ratnaprava Devi of Dhenkanal attracts large crowd every year on Ramanavami day in the month of March-April. A small spring flowing closeby enhances the beauty of the place. It is an ideal place for picnic and relavation.

Kualo

72 km. From Dhenkanal, 45 km from Angul and 25 km. From Talcher town, Kualo is famous for housing a plethora of temples dedicated to Lord Kanakeswar, Baidyanath, Paschimeswar, Balunkeswar and Kapileswar. In its ruined form, the temple ofKanakeswar is about 24 ,trs. High and preserves some of the earliest specimens of sculptures representing temple building activities in Orissa.

Ladagada
40 km. From Dhenkanal town, Ladagada is a place of religious importance. A piece of stone known as Lord Siddheswar is worshipped here with great reverence. The banyan tree which gives shelter to the Lord is known as Kalpabruksha.

Saranga

67 km. From Dhenkanal,23 Km. From Angul and 3 km. From Talcher one finds
the Anantasyi image of Lord Vishnu on the rocky bed of the river Brahmani at Saranga. The hoods of Ananta, the serpent king spread over the head of Lord Vishnu as the crown and cover. The primal lotus ,housing Brahma, the creator ,originates from Vishnu’s naval, the supreme being enjoys deep delight of his cosmic sleep in the water of the river Brahmani.

Dandadhar

67 km. From Dhenkanal and 30 km. From Kamakshanagar, Dandadhar is the site of an irrigation project on the river Ramial- an ideal place for outing. Blue expense of sparkling water caged in sun-bathed vally is a  thrill to the searching eyes.

Important Facts about Dhenkanal