Approximately 35 km from Debrigarh Nature Park (An excellent addition to your heritage itinerary).

Resting on the scenic and sacred banks of the Mahanadi River.

Worshipped since antiquity as Jagat Janani (Mother of the Universe), Durga, Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati, and Adishakti.

Second only to Lord Jagannath in regional influence across Odisha, her guardianship spans Western Odisha, Jharkhand, and parts of Chhattisgarh.

• Ptolemy, the famous ancient geographer, documented the territory as Sambalaka.
• Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (celebrated French traveler) and Edward Gibbon (renowned English historian) noted that rare, high-quality diamonds were regularly exported directly from Sambalpur to the Roman Empire.

The core square sanctum where the deity resides sits four steps below the main walkway, creating an intimate space for divine connection.

Surrounding the sanctum is a 10-foot-wide covered path supported by 12 robust stone pillars.

Embedded directly into the outer wall of the sanctum are 11 parswa devis (side Goddesses). This placement allows devotees to worship each of these secondary deities seamlessly as they complete their walk around the main shrine.

Rather than a typical sculpted form, the primary idol of Shree Shree Samalei Devi consists of a majestic, ancient block of large granite rock, preserved and served with absolute devotion since the dawn of time.