Maa Samaleswari Temple Sambalpur
Maa Samaleswari Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Samaleswari, located in Sambalpur, Odisha, India. It is one of the most revered temples in Western Odisha and holds significant religious importance among the locals and devotees. The temple is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Sambalpur city, which is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance in Odisha. Maa Samaleswari is worshipped as a form of Goddess Durga.
One of the most celebrated festivals at the Samaleswari Temple is the Sital Sasthi jatra, dedicated to the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This grand procession, marked by vibrant processions, traditional music, and dance, attracts a large gathering of devotees and tourists. Sitala Sasthi Yatra of Sambalpur is based on the marriage ceremony of Lord Siva and Goddess Parbati. The most significant feature of this folk tradition is that, the human beings become the parents of these deities.
As per the Hindu tradition, Sitala Sasthi Yatra is observed on Jyestha Sukla Paksa Sasthi Tithi i.e. on sixth day of bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Jyestha (May-June).
The driving distance from Bhubaneswar to Maa Samaleswari Temple is 280 km. The best time to visit the temple is during the cooler months of October to March.
