About Samaleswari Temple
Samaleswari Temple is a prominent Hindu Shakti shrine located on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Sambalpur, Odisha. Dedicated to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of western Odisha, it is one of the most revered temples in the region. Built in the 16th century by Chauhan King Balaram Dev, the temple features a distinctive stone structure and attracts devotees year-round, especially during Navratri and the Nuakhai harvest festival.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a historic stone temple complex on the Mahanadi riverbank with a sanctum housing the granite idol of Goddess Samaleswari. The complex includes the main shrine, smaller subsidiary shrines, and an open courtyard. The surroundings are busy with devotees, prasad shops and flower vendors. Visitors can observe daily rituals, aarti, and traditional architecture, and explore the temple precincts and riverfront area.
Key highlights
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Presiding deity of western Odisha - Goddess Samaleswari enshrined as a granite idol
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16th-century temple built by Chauhan King Balaram Dev on the Mahanadi River bank
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Important centre for Nuakhai and Navratri festivals
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Traditional Kalinga-style stone architecture with subsidiary shrines
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Scenic riverside location in central Sambalpur city
History of Samaleswari Temple
The temple was built in the 16th century by King Balaram Dev, the founder of the Chauhan kingdom of Sambalpur. He installed Goddess Samaleswari as the presiding deity of the kingdom. The temple has been rebuilt and renovated over centuries and remains the tutelary shrine of the former Sambalpur state.
Culture & Context
Goddess Samaleswari is revered as the presiding deity of western Odisha (Paschimanchal) and Sambalpuri culture. The temple is the focal point of the agrarian festival Nuakhai, when the first grains of the harvest are offered to the goddess, as well as Navratri celebrations. It holds deep religious importance for devotees across Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Route
| By air |
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