Dhenkanal is a city located in the eastern state of Odisha. Rich with its cultural heritage and architectural wonders, Dhenkanal offers a glimpse into the past. The place is surrounded by beautiful wild lives and forests. The city’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dhenka”, which means “fort”. It has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties, leaving behind many historical significance. The Bhanja dynasty ruled over Dhenkanal, contributing to its cultural heritage.
The place is home to magnificent temples, such as the famous renowned Kapilash Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Dhenkanal Palace and Gajalaxmi Palace showcase marvelous royal architecture. The handicrafts and artwork of Dhenkanal, including Patta paintings and stone carvings, display the artistic power of its craftsmen.
Dhenkanal Weather | Weather Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal Weather is pleasant in winter, visiting Dhenkanal during winter is the best time -Winter months are October to March. Peak summer should be avoided as the temperature in summers range from 25 Degree to 40 Degree.
Famous Temples Of Dhenkanal | Dhenkanal tourism
While exploring the divine heritage of Dhenkanal here are some of the ancient temples which serve as treasures of rich culture and religious heritage.
Kaplish Temple:- The temple is also known as, Chandrasekhar Temple, which is a renowned pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Chandrasekhar, who is the Avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple’s architectural splendor and scenic location make it a must-visit destination.
Saptasajya Temple:- Located around 11 Kilometers from Dhenkanal, the temple is settled amidst the beautiful Saptasajya hills. The temple holds immense significance as it is believed to be the place where Lord Ram and his wife Sita took refuge during their Vanvasha. The temple’s surroundings and the spiritual aura make it an ideal spot for seekers of peace and solace.
Balaram Temple:- Located in the village of Balaramprasad, about 20 kilometers from Dhenkanal, the temple stands as evidence of Odisha’s architectural marvel. The temple is dedicated to Lord Balarama, who is the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
Joranda Temple:- The temple is in Jordab village, and is an epicenter of the Mahima Dharma, a religious sect. This emphasized the worship of the Sun and advocates simplicity, non-violence, and communal harmony. The Joranda Temple serves as the headquarters of this sector.
Naganatheswar Temple is dedicated to Sri Sri Naganatheswar Shiva and is located in the village of Nagena, approximately 20 kilometers from City. This venerable Saiva temple holds the distinction of being the most ancient of its kind, with origins dating back to the Keshari dynasty. According to the scholarly work of Pandit Nagendranath Mohapatra in the Naganath Satakam, this temple is recognized as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Among the revered Jyotirlingas mentioned in the Awashyotirlinga scriptures, one is situated in the Daruka-Vana or Neem forest.
Astasambhu Temple:- The temple is located in Gadasila village which is approximately 70 kilometers from City. The Astasambhu Temple is a complex comprising eight temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The rhythmic chanting of prayers and the fragrance of incense create an aura of divinity in the sacred abode.
Dhenkanal Palace is official Palace of Bhoi Dynasty, 1992 it was converted into Home Stay. To feel and experience the Royal luxury one must visit this place.
Major Festivals of Dhenkanal
Other than Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, few local festivals and fairs are very popular and exclusive in City.
Joranda Mela –Joranda Mela or Sadhu mela is one of the famous fair in Odisha, which is celebrated annually on full day as per Hindu Calendar on Magha Purnima.
Balada Jatra | Bullock Festival– Is largely celebrated in Bhuban, the purpose of this festival is two show respect and importance of Bulls in agriculture and rural life. But during these days its getting difficult to continue this festivals as number of Balada or Bulls are getting reduced.
Budget Hotels In Dhenkanal
Listing down some budget hotels in Dhenkanal so that you can easily check out them as per your budget and convenience.
- Hotel Surya:- The hotel is located at Jagannath Rd, Kanchan Bazar, Dhenkanal, Odisha. The hotel provides the amenities like free breakfast, air conditioning, free wifi, child- friendly and restaurant facilities. The stay charges for this hotel start at Rs 1,391 per day.
- Nirupama Dhenkanal Hotel:- The hotel is located at JJM3+GCM, NH55, Dhenkanal, Odisha. The hotel provides amenities like free breakfast, free wifi, and parking facilities. The per-day stay price range from Rs 800 to Rs 1500 and vary according to your preference.
- Hotel Sakuntala:- The hotel is located at Dakhinakali Rd, Ganesh Bazar, Dhenkanal, Odisha. The hotel provides better rooms with better hygiene and proper veg Restaurants, including parking facilities and air-conditioned rooms. The per-day stay prices start from Rs 2,183 and can vary according to your preference.
- Hotel RK Regency:- The hotel is located at Meena Bazaar, Gandhi Mandir Rd, Kanchan Bazar, Dhenkanal, Odisha. The hotel provides services like an airport shuttle, air conditioning, free wifi, a Parking facility, free breakfast, and a restaurant facility. The stay price per day starts from Rs 1,941.
- Hotel Debakanya:- The hotel is located at L.I.C Lane, Ganesh Bazar, Dhenkanal, Odisha. The hotel provides services like free breakfast, free wifi, parking facilities, air conditioning, room services, full-service laundry, and is child-friendly. The stay prices per day start from Rs 2,250.
Premium hotels in Dhenkanal
Now, suggesting some of the premium hotels in and near Dhenkanal so that you can also have a look at these hotels before planning your trip
- Dhenkanal Palace
- Gajlaxmi Palace
Local Market of Dhenkanal
Some of the well-known markets in Dhenkanal where you can explore and experience the local shopping culture are:-
- Dhenkanal Bazaar
- Dhenkanal fish Market
- Radha Krushna Bazar
- Weekly Sunday Market
- AT- kashipur Market
Famous Food of Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal is known for its delectable cuisine that combines traditional flavors and local ingredients. Here are some famous foods of Dhenkanal:
- Enjoy Idly with Matar Curry (Ghuguni) at Maheswar, located near Gandhi Mandir road.
- Debakanya offers exclusively pure vegetarian food options.
- Indulge in delightful dining experiences at Meghamala, Kafils, and Odia Thali, renowned as some of the finest restaurants in Dhenkanal, offering excellent cuisine at very reasonable prices.
- Treat yourself to the acclaimed Gopal Lassi and Mishra Cold Cabin. While many claim to have the best lassi, these establishments truly stand out with their exceptional offerings.
- Savor the flavors of Pampdi Chaat at Master Chaat, situated on Gandhi Mandir road.
Pure Veg Restaurant In Dhenkanal
Listing down the name of restaurants for your convenience that serves vegetarian food:
- Jalus( pure veg restaurant)
- Gayatri Restaurant
- Dhenkanal Prasidha Bara
- Ayatri Restaurant
- Veggie Bites
Jain Restaurants In Dhenkanal
As Jain cuisine is relatively niche. Mentioned below are some of the restaurants that offer Jain food:
- Gayatri Restaurant
- Damas food junction( Serves food from 10A.M to 3P.M)
- Dhenkanal Prasidha Bara
Shopping Malls In Dhenkanal
Here are some popular Shopping destinations in Dhenkanal:
- Bazar India
- Pandey Market Complex
- Reliance Smart
- Beauty Palace NX
- Style Baazar
- Indu Market Complex
- Needs on Wheel
- Planet Fashion
- Trends
- Akshay Variety Store
- Manyavar
- Reliance Mart Superstore
Major Agricultural Crops In Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal district is blessed with a favorable climate and suitable oil conditions, leading to the cultivation of a variety of crops. Here are some major crops grown in Dhenkanal:
- Rice
- Maize
- Oilseeds
- Pulses
- Cash Crops
- Fruits
- Vegetables
How To Reach Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal is well connected with Road , Rail and Air.
- By Air:– The nearest airport to Dhenkanal is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar, approximately 100 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Dhenkanal.
- By Train:- Dhenkanal has its railway station that is DNKL(Dhenkanal Railway Station), which is well-connected to major cities in India. Regular trains run from cities like Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Kolkata, and Chennai to Dhenkanal. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi, take an auto-rickshaw, or use local transport to reach there.
- By Road:- Dhenkanal is well connected by road to various cities of Odisha and neighboring states. NH-55 passes through Dhenkanal, providing easy access by road. You can reach Dhenkanal by private car, taxi, or state-run bus.
Distance from Bhubaneshwar To Dhenkanal
The state capital is Bhubaneshwar and the distance between Bhubaneshwar to Dhenkanal is 60 kilometers.
Buses from Bhubaneshwar To Dhenkanal
Bus facilities available from Bhubaneshwar to Dhenkanal are mentioned below:
Trains From State Capital To Dhenkanal
The trains available between Bhubaneswar to Dhenkanal are:
- 20823- Puri-Ajmer SF Express. Runs on Tuesday and Friday
- 20857- Sainagar Shirdi Weekly SF. Runs only on Saturday.
- 22910- Puri-Valsad SF Express. Runs only on Sunday
- 18126- Rourkela Intercity Express. Runs daily.
- 12893- Balangir Intercity SF Express. Runs daily.
- 20817- New Delhi Rajdhani Express. Runs only on Saturday.
- 20807- Hirakud SF Express. Runs on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday
- 18452- Tapaswini Express. Runs daily.
- 18118- Rourkela Rajya Rani Express. Runs daily.
- 18304- Sambalpur Intercity Express. Runs daily.
- 08428- Puri-Angul Fast MEMU Special. Runs daily.
There are several other trains available you can check out at www.irctc.in
From exploring ancient temples to immersing in the beauty of nature, the district is a treasure of historical heritage, natural splendor, cultural vibrancy, and a captivating
journey for travelers. With its warm hospitality and rich tapestry of experiences,
Dhenkanal invites you to create lasting memories and embark on an enchanting journey through the heartland of Odisha.
Read More about Odisha’s City
Quick Summary of Dhenkanal Odisha
| Facts About Dhenkanal, Odisha | |
| Name of Place | Dhenkanal |
| Type of City or Place | District Headquaters |
| District | Dhenkanal |
| Current DM / Collector of District | Saroj Kumar Sethi, IAS |
| State | Odisha |
| Administrative Structure | Dhenkanal District HQ |
| 3 Subdivions/8 TehsiIs/8 Blocks | |
| Dhenkanal Pin Code | 759001 |
| Subdivisions Details | 3 sub divison |
| Tehsil Details | 8 Tehsil |
| Block Details | 8 blocks |
| Railway Station Available | Available |
| Nearest Railway station | Dhenkanal |
| No of Trains (Up/ Down) | From Bhubaneswar 24 |
| Airport Available | Doesn’t have any airport |
| Nearest Airport | Biju Patnaik International Airport |
| Distance from State Capital | 60 KM |
| City/ Town Population | 67,414 |
| District Population | 11,92,811 |
| University in Town/ City | Indira Gandhi institute of technology dhenkanal |
| Dhenkanal Autonomus college | |
| Indian institute of mass communication | |
| Medical College | Dhenkanal Academy of Medical science |
| Eng College | Indira Gandhi institute of technology dhenkanal |
| Synergy institute of Engineering and technology | |
| Other Degree Colleges | Dhenkanal Law College |
| Dhenkanal Autonomus college | |
| CBSE/ ICSE Private Schools | St. Xavier’s high school |
| DPS Dhenkanal | |
| MontFort School | |
| Govt Sr Sec School | Sri Lokanatha Govt high school |
| Satyabadi Govt.up school | |
| Balaram High School | |
| Apparels Brands Available | Trends, Jockey, Killer, Manyavar |
| QSR Brands Available | No |
| Major Retailers (National / International Chains only) | Mi store |
| My Jio Store | |
| Trends | |
| Style Baazar | |
| Shopping Mall | Bazar India |
| Reliance smart | |
| 5 Star Hotels (National / International chain hotel) | Not Available |
| No of Hotels listed on MMT/ Goibibo/ Booking.com | 5 |
| Recommended Hotels | |
| Private Banks | Axis Bank |
| Bandhan Bank | |
| Bank of Baroda | |
| Canada Bank | |
| DCB BANK, DENA BANK ,. etc | |
| Government Banks | Allahabad bank |
| Bank of India | |
| Andhra bank,. etc | |
| Famous Tourist Places | 1. Kaplisha Temple |
| 2. Badagada waterfall | |
| 3. Balarama wildlife sanctuary | |
| Famour Temples in City | 1. Kaplisha Temple |
| 2. Joranda Temple | |
| 3. Sapatsajya Temple | |
Population mix of Dhenkanal
| Religion | Percentage |
| Hindu | 96.48% |
| Muslim | 3.02% |
| Christian | 0.31% |
| Sikh | 0.01% |
| Buddist | 0.02% |
| Jain | 0.00% |
| Other | 0.00% |
| No Religion | 0.16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many companies are there in Dhenkanal District?
171 Companies are there in Dhenkanal.
What is Dhenkanal Famous for?
It is famous for its Ball metals, Horn works, Straw works, Wood Carving, Stone Carving, Dokra casting, Silver Filigree, and Tribal Jewellery.
Which is the biggest village of Dhenkanal?
Bhuban
Which is the highest peak of Dhenkanal?
The highest peak of Dhenkanal is Kaplias temple which is at a height of about 457 meters.
Which river is Dhenkanal famous for?
Dandadhar Reservoir.