Rourkela

Etymology

The name Rourkela originates from the words of a local tribal language called Sadri. Rour means our and kela means village, hence translating to Rourkela or Our Village.

History

Surmounted by the hills and surrounded by rivers, the land of Rourkela speaks the mythological story of India and holds great religious significance. The city is dotted with a number of temples that have witnessed important incidents from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Vedvyas temple, an important attraction of the town is the very same place where Ved Vyas, the narrator of Mahabharat saged the holy book. Hanuman Vatika, which hosts the 75 feet tall idol of Hanuman, is referred to as the pride of Odisha and has been talked about in the holy book of the Ramayana.

Rourkela owes its development and industrialisation to the Germans, especially the German businesses Krupp and Demag, who established India’s first public sector steel plant facility here. In the 1950s and 1960s, Rourkela was the largest German colony outside of Germany. Due to the influx of a large number of Germans, a diaspora of the Indo-German mix was created in the town.The Germans also mingled with the local tribal communities and trained them to be equipped to work in the steel plants. Many myths and legends recount eerie tales of Germans as well as locals disappearing in the nearby Vedyas caves, and in the whirlpool of the river Koel. Another famous local legend is a Royal Bengal Tiger’s death in the steel plant’s blast furnace.

Restaurants and Local Food in Rourkela

Rourkela has lots of options and places to eat for tourists. Try the Odishi cuisine during your stay here. Rice is the staple diet in the region, and they have many tasty chutneys, green vegetables, dal preparations and sweets as sides in the Odishi thaali. Their fish curry is also quite popular. It is generally easy to get other cuisines in Rourkela as well.

One Day Itinerary

Day 1- Arrive in Rourkela, and start your sojourn by visiting one of the city’s most important tourist destinations – the Vedvyas temple. Named after the Mahabharat mythology, the temple lends great religious significance to the city. The Vedvyas temple hosts a famous religious fair in the month of February, which is a hugely enjoyable affair. Follow this up with a  visit to the Hanuman Vatika, famous for its 75 feet tall Hanuman idol, often referred to as the pride of Odisha.

Day 2- Leave early in the morning, and visit the idyllic Khandadhar Falls, located on the outskirts of the town. Also visit Deogarh, a small local village which has many popular picnic spots and is famous for its natural landscapes. Be sure to try out delicacies from the Odisha cuisine during your stay in Rourkela.