A mere 16 km north of Sambalpur town stands the Hirakud Dam on the river Mahanadi – the longest dam in the world and the largest dam made of earth. Hirakud is an engineering marvel as well as a stunning site.

From horizon to horizon, the reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia with an area of 746 sq km and a shore line of over 640 km. A twenty-one km drive on the dyke offers a unique experience of calm serenity.

One can comfortably enjoy the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi Minar on the north, or from the Nehru Minar on the other end of the dam. A considerable number of migratory birds also come here during winter.