Ghanteswari Temple

Ghanteswari Temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Ghanteswari located at Chiplima on the bank of the Mahanadi River, about 33 km southwest of Sambalpur in Odisha. Known as the Temple of Bells, devotees tie bells after wishes are fulfilled, covering the premises with thousands of bells. The temple offers river views near the Chiplima Hydro Power Plant and is a popular pilgrimage and sightseeing stop in western Odisha.

Visitors can expect a small riverside temple complex on the Mahanadi River bank at Chiplima, with the main shrine dedicated to Goddess Ghanteswari. The temple premises and surrounding structures are adorned with thousands of bells of various sizes tied by devotees. The setting includes views of the river and the nearby Chiplima barrage, small shops selling bells and offerings, and a generally busy pilgrimage atmosphere, especially during festivals.

Ghanteswari Temple is associated with the tradition of bells being used as navigational aids for boats on the Mahanadi River. According to local accounts, bells and lights from the shrine helped boatmen navigate the river's currents and winds, and the practice of offering bells developed from this association. The temple has long been a local place of worship for communities along the Mahanadi in the Sambalpur region.

The temple is dedicated to Maa Ghanteswari, regarded as a form of the Goddess Shakti and widely revered in western Odisha. Devotees believe that tying a bell after making a wish and returning to tie another upon fulfillment brings blessings. The continuous offering of bells has made it known as the Temple of Bells and an important pilgrimage site, especially during festivals like Navratri and Durga Puja.