jharsuguda

Located at a distance of 55 kms from Jharsuguda in the Lakhanpur block near the village Kushmelbahal, Koilighughar is in a rivulet named Ahiraj which originates from the Chhuikhanch forest. After the fall, the rivulet flows westwards to merge into the river Mahanadi. Inside the fall there is a Shiva lingam known as Maheswarnath. The lingam is submerged in water and not ordinarily visible. If somebody tries to see it from inside the water in winter and summer the lingam is visible under the reflected sunlight, hence for the benefit of the pilgrims another Sivalingam has been created outside the waterfall. Every year a fair sits in Koilighughar on the occasion of Sivaratri.
 

Located in Jharsuguda district, Bikramkhol is a cave containing pictographic inscriptions of antiquity. There are some ancient script engraved in the wall of Bikramkhol and also paintings of animals. Circular holes have been dug in the wall where weapons, dress and other articles of use were being kept suspended. Even on the floors circular holes have been dug to pound the grains. Bikramkhol has been declared as a tourist spot by the Central Government and tourists, historians and researchers from all over the country and abroad visit in large number.
 

The Jhadeswar temple is located at a distance of about 1 km from the Jharsuguda railway station beyond the old town Purunabasti inside a small forest. There is a self appearing Sivalingam here the actual age of which is unknown. But during the reign of Govind Singh Jamindar of Jharsuguda the lingam was being worshiped inside a hut made up of leaves. In 1916 a Gujarati contractor named ‘Mulju Jagmal’ erected a small temple here. The Jamindar of Jharsuguda arranged Savayats for daily worship and donated agricultural lands for maintenance of the temple and puja. Since 1916, a fair takes place here on every Sivaratri day. The Jhadeswar temple area has important significance in the history of Jharsuguda. On the eastern side of the temple the original Jharguda settlement has grown. On its northern side there was a settlement of Gond subject of the Jamindar of Jharsuguda. Jhadeswar temple is recognised as original Siva shrine Adyaswambhu pitha of Jharsuguda. A Small beautiful garden has been grown near the Jhadeswar temple which is used as a picnic spot because of its scenic beauty.
 

Ramchandi temple, an important place of Shakti Worship shares an important place in the tourism industry of the State. It is located at a distance of 10 kms away from Jharsuguda town inside a cave. From time immemorial Devi Ramchandi is being worshiped as the presiding deity of Rampur region. The shrine is famous not only in the Rampur area but throughout the Western Odisha. Many pilgrims and devotees come to the Rampur cave from far and near to visit and worship the goddess Ramchandi.
 

Situated at the top of a small hill on the eastern side of Jharsugud, Shree Pahadeswar temple is yet another place of attraction in the district. The temple was constructed by a Gujrati Contractor Lt. Bitthal Bhai Saha in 1921. With its natural surrounding Garden, Ashsram etc and because of easy accessibility, it attracts a lot of visitors every year. A bird’s eye view of Jharsuguda town from the hill top attracts the visitors.