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Hirakud Dam erected across the river Mahanadi is located just 15 km from Sambalpur, in the state of Orissa in India. The colossal edifice is built with cement and soil. Being 26 km in length, it is one of the longest dams in the world. Hirakud dam was India's first prominent multipurpose river valley projects in India. The dam was initially built for the purpose of flood protection and irrigation.
The dam rambles lavishly between the hills of Lamdungri on the left and Chandili Dunguri on the right. The overall length of the dam is around 4.8 km. The dam is bordered from both sides with 21 km elongated dykes made of stone. Construction of the dam gave rise to a sparkling lake which expands up to 55 km behind the dam. The reservoir holds around 743 sq km of water with a coastline rambling over 640 km. The dam lavishly captures about 83,400 sq km of Mahanadi catchments. A drive on the dyke offers an inimitable experience of tranquil serene and marvelous natural milieu. The minaret of Gandhi Minar is located in close proximity to the reservoir and offers a fabulous view of enormous Hirakud Dam and its expanding waters.
To manage the flow of water at Hirakud dam, hydraulic intake gates are made available for each contraption. The river valley project at the dam offers about 1, 55,635 hectares of Kharif and 1, 08,385 hectares of Rabi irrigation in Sambalpur, Bolangir, Subarnapur and Bargarh districts. The project on the dam also facilitates flood protection to 9500 sq km of delta region in Puri and Cuttack districts.On an acute end of Hirakud dam, lies a Cattle Island. The innate conjecture is located near Kumarbandh village of Belpahar range. The island is easily accessible by a motor boat hired from the dam. The emerald island was an urbanized parish before construction of the dam. As the name suggests, Cattle Island is the homeland of cattle.
Leaning shrine of Lord Shiva called Huma, Bells Galore in Ghateshwari, Chiplima, Ushakothi, Kandhara, Hatibari and Sambalpur towns are some of the beautiful places worth visiting near Hirakud Dam.
Do visit the Hirakud Dam while holidaying in the state of Orissa
To know more about Tourist Attractions in Orissa go to:
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