Sonepur: The rocky bed, abundance of clear water and the pristine beauty of river Mahanadi in the district are attracting thousands of people from across Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh these days.
The river wears a festive look as people throng in thousand for picnic as winter is in full bloom. With new bollywood numbers blaring from the loudspeakers, smell of food, mostly of curry made from fresh fish from the river, instilling the air it is a rare experience for those who are here.
Harish Srivastav of Sarang Garh in Chhattisgarh, who was here with his family, said: "Earlier, we used to go to a nearby forest for a picnic. But it is special to have it in the middle of the river. I have not found this river so beautiful in any other place. I am looking forward to come here again next year."
Another visitor Lokanath Bishoi, who came from Cuttack, said the scenic beauty of Mahanadi at Sonepur was so fascinating that it could be a potential tourist hub in the state. "I feel Mahanadi in Sonepur can be developed into a potential tourist attraction as the Ganges in Varanasi and Haridwar," he said.
Over the past few years river Mahanadi at Sonepur has become a popular destination among tourists.
As winter sets in tourists from far-flung places as well as local residents throng the river bed, which becomes dry and accessible. Another advantage is that one can see numerous temples that dot the small town.
There is one temple called Lankeswari in the middle of the river. Benudhar Pradhan, a local resident who guides tourists, said thousand of people are found in the middle of the river between Binika and Sonepur in winter.
"There are thousands of picnickers in the river bed. Mahanadi is at its scenic best in Sonepur. There are certain places in the river bed namely the Hati Pathar, Tambu Pathar and Lal Pathar, which are preferred for picnic. The confluence of river Mahanadi and Tel at Rameswar is the other important place where picnickers throng in large number," Pradhan said.
"Mahanadi here has ample tourism potential. However, there is no initiative for development of infrastructure to tap the tourism potential of the river," Pradhan said.
