It is a planned city that lies in the northern part of Odisha. It is the third-largest urban agglomeration in Odisha. It is located 328 km north of the state capital Bhubaneswar and is surrounded by a range of mountains and is surrounded by the Koel, Sangha, and Brahmani rivers. The city is also popularly known also as the Steel and as the Ispat Nagar City of Odisha. 

It has the largest steel plant of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), known as the Rourkela Steel Plant. It also has one of the country’s National Institutes of Technology (NIT Rourkela). On September 20, 2016, The city has been selected as a Smart City in the third phase of the Smart City List. Rourkela ranks 12th in all 27 city lists on merit. Every year, March 3 is celebrated as Rourkela Day. Rourkela has been declared the fastest moving city in India. 

Hanuman Vatika

Hanuman Vatika is the garden belonging to Lord Hanuman, and it’s situated in Rourkela. The garden has the world’s tallest statue of Hanuman. The garden was renovated and inaugurated by the late Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Statue’s height is 22 meters.  it celebrates its foundation day every year on 23 February. Jagannath Temple,  12 Jyotirlingas, Devi, Sarala Devi Temple,  Batta Mangala, Santoshi, and Lakshmi Mata temple are other temples inside the premises. to accommodate public gatherings and functions one Kalyan Mandap is built. The statue of Hanuman was made by Shri Laxman Swami of Hyderabad. The newly established Sai Baba temple has become a favorite of devotees, whose idol is similar to the one located in Shirdi Sai Baba.

Vaishnodevi Temple

The Vaishnodevi temple at Rourkela is a replica of the original Vaishnodevi temple in Jammu. The temple is located on the top of Durgapur hill towards the Rourkela steel plant. The Bhairabnath temple is located on a hill near the Vaishno Devi temple. the temple of Goddess Durga, located at the top of the hill, was opened to the public In 2007. During Durga Puja, the Navaratri Festival is celebrated, hundreds of Hindu worshippers come here in the spring and autumn seasons. 

Khandadhar Waterfall 

Near Lahunipara, 15 km from NH 215, this is a beautiful wonder of nature. Falling from the steep mountain flat on the surface it emerges like the edge of a sword and hence its name. Locating Khandadhar is not easy, but once here tourists feel that the long and uncomfortable journey was right for them. the falls are like a breath of fresh air In the middle dense of the forest. It is a beautiful gift for nature lovers. There is a guest house nearby which is managed by PBDA only for VIPs. The location does not have overnight accommodation.