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Earlier there were some big size bells on this spot and with the
help of wind those were creating enormous sound which made the
navigators aware of this treacherous spot and they never came near it.
This area being the conglomeration of three streams of water of river
Mahanadi, the water current here is very treacherous forming a
whirlpool. Due to this many boats were drowned while nearing this spot.
Here the wind blows quite heavily and with the help of it the bells were
producing sound. Now after the construction of Hirakud dam, this spot
has become safer.
The special significance of this place lies in the great number of small
bells hanging all around. The Chipilima Hydro Powerplant (CHEP) is
located near the temple on the same riverbank.
Getting There
Maa Ghanteswari Temple is situated 33 km (21 mi) southwest of the
district capital Sambalpur on the bank of Mahanadi River. Taxis and
regular buses are available easily to ply within these two location.
Sambalpur has two railway
stations, the main Khetrajpur and the Sambalpur Railway Station. The main
station is about 3 km from the city centre whereas the second one is a
little closer and most trains also stop here.
The daily trains departing from Sambalpur main station-Kolkata (12 hrs):
Koraput-Howrah Express (8006,1640); Puri (6 1/2 hrs): Tapaswini Express.
Jharsguda Railway Station, about one hour journey by bus from Sambalpur
provides connections for Mumbai and Delhi (via Katni).
There are also two bus terminal
(Govt. and the private), about 3 km from the city centre, the main VSS Marg
Bus Terminal, Private bus terminal. The private terminal has more regular services to
major towns in the area. Regular buses go to Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack.
Taxis and auto rickshaws are
available for visiting the places of interest and for excursions. There are a number of
moderately priced hotels in the town.
The nearest domestic airport is
Swami Vivekananda Airport, located in Raipur, 269 km west of Sambalpur.
It is about four hours
drive to Swami Vivekananda Airport
from Sambalpur. To make arrangements for a taxi from Airport to
Sambalpur, contact one the taxi operators and travel agents that have
counter in the Airport.
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