Subarnapur

Sonepur is a newly created district,which is known as the second Varanasi of India. It is also known as the Heaven on the earth due to its natural beauty and abundance of natural resources. this district is known as the city of temples. This district has got glorified by giving birth to famous poets Bhimbhoi and Chandramani Das. This district was known as the most prosperous region as per the 1881 census. The river Mahanadi passes through this district.

The headquarter of District Sonepur is a temple city located at the confluence of Mahanadi and Tel Nadi.

Sonepur is famous for jems stone and diamond which are plently avaliable in the river basin of Mahanadi. It is also famous for handicraft like Teracota and handloom especially Pata Saree.

Sonepur (pronounced SOnpUr) is the district headquarter of Subarnapur district. This potential tourist's destination of Orissa is famous for it's large number of temples and beautiful scenery. Once upon a time it was known as the second Varanasi of India, possibly because of large number of Lord Shiva temples or due to a place of learned people. Before the legendary gold-coin rain, possibly due to which the place is named Subarnapur(Golden City), it used to be known as KAmAntakapuri, again the reason behind it is not clear. Could be due to Shiva's name, due to tantric achievements or just due to prosperity. It has a very important connection to history of Orissa, where idols of Lord Jagannatha of Puri, was hidden under earth for 144 years, thus being referred as Patali Shrikhetra. Sonepur's potential contribution to Buddhism, Jainism, Tantrism, Vaishnavism, Sanskrit literature, origin of Oriya language, new religious movements have not yet fully explored.

It has a pre-historic connection being at the confluence point of Mahanadi and Tel-nadi rivers. The large number of stone tools and weapons, Rock-art of puja dunguri, silver punch marked coins (claimed to be oldest), Asurgarh and Khambeswari pali settlements of early civilisation suggest that the township had started in Sonepur as early as 1000 B.C.

Media often represent Sonepur for Art and culture and the place is yet to accelerate in Academics, Industry and new/modern economic developments. Although Sonepur produces well educated man power, and many people of Sonepur-origin are very successful outside, it has not proportionately reflected in modern growth of Sonepur.

Please visit http://subarnapur.nic.in/ , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonepur & http://orissa.gov.in/tourism/sonepur.htm for further informations.
Thanks! - G K RATH, 26th June 2001.