The Leaning Temple of Huma is a tilted Shiva shrine on the left bank of the Mahanadi in Huma village, Sambalpur district, Odisha. Its main spire leans visibly to one side, the smaller shrines around it tilt in other directions, and the river below is home to tame Kudo fish that devotees feed by hand. It is an easy half-day trip from Sambalpur city.
The Leaning Temple of Huma, about 23 km south of Sambalpur city in Odisha, is a Shiva temple dedicated to Bimaleswar whose main structure stands at a pronounced tilt. Historians have not settled why it leans. It sits beside the Mahanadi, where sacred Kudo fish gather and a large fair fills the riverbank each Shivratri.
Key takeaways
- The Leaning Temple of Huma is in Huma village, Sambalpur district, Odisha, roughly 23–25 km south of Sambalpur city on the Mahanadi’s left bank.
- According to Wikipedia’s sourced entry, the main temple tilts at about 13.8 degrees while its pinnacle stays perpendicular to the ground; the cause is unresolved.
- The presiding deity is Shiva as Bimaleswar; tradition credits King Baliar Singh (around 1660–1690) with building or renovating the main temple.
- The nearest railway station is Maneswar, about 25 km away, and the nearest airport is Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda, roughly 50 km away.
- The big annual fair is held at the foothill in March on Maha Shivratri; plan a visit between November and March for the best weather.
- Entry is free and no special permit is needed; the river’s Kudo fish are protected and must not be caught.
About the Leaning Temple of Huma
The Leaning Temple of Huma is a Shiva temple in Huma village, Sambalpur district, Odisha, set on the left bank of the Mahanadi river about 23 km south of Sambalpur city. The Sambalpur district administration describes the presiding deity as Bimaleswar Siva, and the village as part of Sambalpur subdivision.
Do not confuse this Huma with other villages of similar name elsewhere in India. This is the Huma on the Mahanadi near Sambalpur in western Odisha, reached by the Sambalpur–Sonepur road.
The temple complex is best known for one thing: it leans. The main tower tilts to one side, several smaller shrines inside the walled compound tilt in other directions, and the whole group sits at an angle against the flat sweep of the river. According to Wikipedia’s sourced entry, the main temple leans at about 13.8 degrees while its pinnacle (the finial at the top) remains perpendicular to the ground, which only sharpens the optical effect.
On the question of age, sources differ. Tradition, as recorded on Wikipedia, credits the original shrine to the Ganga ruler Anangabhima Deva III, with King Baliar Singh (around 1660–1690 CE) building or renovating the main temple and King Ajit Singh (1766–1788 CE) adding the remaining shrines. The Sambalpur district site simply says the temple was built during the reign of Baliar Singh, the fifth Raja of Sambalpur. Treat the exact dates as traditional rather than firmly documented.
Why the Leaning Temple of Huma tilts
The reason the Leaning Temple of Huma tilts is not conclusively known. Both Wikipedia’s sourced account and the Sambalpur district administration present the lean as unexplained rather than designed, and Outlook Traveller plainly calls the cause “still a mystery.”
The most-cited explanation is geological. Wikipedia’s entry suggests a shift in the rocky base beneath the temple, possibly from river floods or past earthquakes, or simply uneven ground, and treats a construction flaw as an unlikely cause. The district site notes that priests and villagers say the angle has not changed in 40 to 50 years and recommends formal measurement, as was done for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to tell whether the tilt is still moving.
What the temple is not is “the only leaning temple in the world.” Wikipedia describes it more carefully as “one of only a very few leaning temples in the world,” and that is the claim worth repeating. If you read a bolder superlative on a signboard or a blog, take it as local pride rather than a verified fact.
The Kudo fish and the milkman legend
The Kudo fish are tame river fish that gather near the temple ghat and are fed, by hand, by bathers and pilgrims. The Sambalpur district administration says they will eat sweets and food offered from the hands of people bathing close to the temple, that on auspicious days they are called by name and given the god’s prasad (consecrated offering), and that they are never caught because they are considered the deity’s own.
A well-known legend, recorded on Wikipedia, warns that anyone who catches a Kudo fish will be turned to stone; a carved figure of a woman cutting a fish is pointed out locally as a victim of that curse. Treat this as belief rather than history. The practical point stands either way: fishing here is forbidden, so watch and feed, do not catch.
The temple’s own origin story, as the district site tells it, is gentle. A milkman (Gauda) crossed the river each day and poured milk over a rock on the bank, and the rock drank it. Word spread, the spot was investigated, and in time the temple rose over the self-revealed stone. According to local belief this is how Bimaleswar came to Huma; it is a story the community tells, not a documented event.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Leaning Temple of Huma is between November and March, when western Odisha is dry and comfortable, a window Outlook Traveller recommends for Sambalpur generally. Summers here are very hot, and the monsoon raises the Mahanadi, so the cool season is both pleasant and safe for the riverbank.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | November–February | Best time. Dry, cooler days, pleasant for the river and the walk around the complex. |
| Festival window | February–March | Maha Shivratri fair fills the foothill; crowded but atmospheric. |
| Summer | March–June | Very hot; visit early morning only and carry water. |
| Monsoon | July–September | River runs high; roads can be rough and boating may be limited. |
If a fair is your goal, aim for Maha Shivratri. The Sambalpur district site and the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments department both place the big annual fair at the Huma foothill in March, around Shivratri.
How to reach Huma
You reach Huma by road from Sambalpur city, about 23–25 km to the north, taking the Sambalpur–Sonepur road to the village. There is no railway station or airport at Huma itself, so you travel to Sambalpur first and finish the trip by taxi or bus.
By air: The nearest airport is Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda (IATA code JRG), roughly 50 km from the temple, which the Sambalpur district site noted as a then-new airport and which now handles scheduled domestic flights. For wider connections, Swami Vivekananda International Airport, Raipur (about 265 km) and Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (about 300 km) are the larger options; confirm current routes on the airline sites before booking.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Maneswar, about 25 km from the temple, per the district administration. For most travellers the practical railhead is Sambalpur Junction (station code SBP), a divisional headquarters of East Coast Railway and one of Odisha’s busiest stations, served by trains such as the Howrah–Sambalpur Superfast Express. Check live timings and fares on IRCTC or the NTES portal, as schedules change.
By road: From Sambalpur city or Maneswar station, follow the Sonepur–Sambalpur road to Huma village. Local taxis and autos make the run; the road has been reported as patchy in places, so allow a little extra time.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sambalpur city | about 23–25 km | District site gives ~23 km, ~25 km by road; some guides say up to ~32 km. |
| Maneswar railway station | about 25 km | Nearest railway station (district administration). |
| Jharsuguda airport (JRG) | about 50 km | Nearest airport with scheduled flights. |
| Raipur airport | about 265 km | Larger hub, Chhattisgarh. |
| Bhubaneswar airport | about 300 km | Odisha state capital. |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Huma is to see the leaning temple itself, feed the Kudo fish, and take a short country-boat ride on the Mahanadi. The whole visit is compact, which is why it pairs well with Sambalpur’s Hirakud Dam in a single day.
- Walk the tilted complex. Spend time looking at the main Bimaleswar temple and the smaller shrines; the angles are easiest to appreciate from the side, against the horizon.
- Feed the Kudo fish. Simple food is sold near the ghat; the fish come close to the steps. Do not try to catch them.
- Take a country-boat ride. Odisha Tourism and Outlook Traveller both note that you can hire a country boat for a short ride along the river for a small, locally set fare.
- Time it for Shivratri. If you come in March, the foothill fair adds stalls, crowds and ritual to an otherwise quiet riverbank.
| Experience | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Temple complex and darshan | 45–60 min | Free entry; modest dress; remove footwear. |
| Feeding the Kudo fish | 15–20 min | Fish food sold on site; fishing forbidden. |
| Country-boat ride | 20–30 min | Negotiate the fare before boarding; wear a life jacket if offered. |
| Shivratri fair (seasonal) | 1–2 hr | March only; expect large crowds. |
A suggested one-day plan
Huma works best as a half-day stop folded into a Sambalpur day, since the temple itself takes about an hour. Here is a simple, unhurried plan.
- Morning: Leave Sambalpur city early, drive to Huma (around 45–60 minutes), see the temple in soft light, feed the fish and take a short boat ride.
- Late morning: Return toward Sambalpur and head to Hirakud Dam (about 16 km from the city), stopping at the Gandhi Minar viewpoint over the reservoir.
- Afternoon: Lunch in Sambalpur, then browse Sambalpuri handloom textiles, a signature of the region.
- Optional: If you have read our wider Odisha travel guide, you can extend the trip east toward the coastal temple circuit.
Where to stay
There is no major accommodation at Huma village itself, so most visitors stay in Sambalpur city, which has private hotels and an OTDC (Odisha Tourism Development Corporation) tourist lodge, as Outlook Traveller notes. The riverbank at Huma is a day visit, not an overnight base.
The price bands below are indicative planning estimates (reconfirm when you book) as of October 2026; actual tariffs vary by season and by the Shivratri fair period.
| Type | Indicative per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / guesthouse | ₹800–₹1,500 | Basic rooms near the bus stand and stations. |
| Mid-range hotel | ₹1,800–₹3,500 | Most choice here; air-conditioned rooms, restaurants. |
| OTDC / upper mid | ₹2,000–₹4,000 | Government lodge and better private hotels; book the government option ahead. |
During Maha Shivratri, rooms in Sambalpur fill up and rates rise, so book well ahead if you are travelling for the fair.
Food to try
Eat in Sambalpur rather than at Huma, where options are limited to small stalls. Western Odisha’s food is simple and rice-based, and Sambalpur is a good place to try it.
- Pakhala (fermented rice soaked in water, often with curd) — a cooling staple, especially welcome in the hot months.
- Dalma (lentils cooked with vegetables and mild spices) — an everyday Odia comfort dish.
- Chhena poda (baked cottage-cheese dessert, caramelised on top) — Odisha’s signature sweet.
- Freshwater fish curry — common across the Mahanadi belt; eaten in town, not from the temple’s protected fish.
Street stalls near the fair sell snacks and sweets during Shivratri; carry your own water and some food for the Huma leg itself.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to the Leaning Temple of Huma from Sambalpur is inexpensive, with road transport the main cost. The table gives a per-person planning estimate for two people sharing a taxi, as of October 2026; these are indicative and should be reconfirmed locally.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Return taxi share | ₹500–₹900 | Half-day hire split between two; auto is cheaper. |
| Country-boat ride | ₹50–₹150 | Short ride; fare set locally, negotiate first. |
| Fish food and offerings | ₹20–₹50 | Bought at the ghat. |
| Meals and water | ₹150–₹300 | Lunch in Sambalpur plus snacks. |
| Rough total | ₹720–₹1,400 | Excludes your Sambalpur hotel. |
There is no entry ticket for the temple, which keeps the cost down. Prices will be higher during the Shivratri fair.
Permits, timings and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Huma. Odisha does not require an inner-line or protected-area permit for general travel, so Indian and foreign visitors alike can go to the temple without paperwork. Entry to the temple is free.
Official darshan timings are not published on the district tourism page, so plan to visit in daylight and reconfirm hours locally; dawn-to-dusk is the safe assumption for a riverside shrine of this kind. As a working temple, Huma expects modest dress and the removal of footwear at the shrine.
The firm local rule is that the Kudo fish must not be caught; feeding is welcomed, fishing is forbidden. For photography and any drone use, ask on site and at the Sambalpur district administration, as temple and local rules can change and were not published online at the time of writing.
Practical tips
- Connectivity: Sambalpur city has reliable mobile network, ATMs and UPI acceptance; carry some cash for the boat ride, fish food and small stalls at Huma, where digital payment may not work.
- Health: The nearest large hospitals are in Sambalpur city; carry basic medicines and water, especially in summer.
- Heat: There is little shade on the open riverbank. Visit early, wear a hat, and avoid midday in the hot months.
- Solo women travellers: Sambalpur is a regular tourist and pilgrimage circuit; the usual precautions apply, and the Huma complex is busiest and most comfortable by day.
- Packing: In winter carry a light jacket for early mornings; in the monsoon expect a higher river and rough patches on the approach road.
- Pair it up: Combine Huma with Hirakud Dam for a full day. If you are routing through the state capital, our Bhubaneswar travel guide covers onward temple stops.
Nearby places
Huma pairs naturally with Sambalpur’s other sights, most within an easy drive. The distances below are measured from Sambalpur city, drawing on Outlook Traveller’s listing.
| Place | Distance from Sambalpur | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Hirakud Dam | about 16 km | Long earthen-and-masonry dam on the Mahanadi; Gandhi Minar viewpoint over the reservoir. |
| Chiplima | about 36 km | Hydro site under the Hirakud project with the Ghanteswari temple. |
| Nrusimhanath | about 165 km | Hill shrine on Gandhamardan, with a 15th-century temple. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Leaning Temple of Huma?
The Leaning Temple of Huma is in Huma village, Sambalpur district, Odisha, on the left bank of the Mahanadi river. The Sambalpur district administration places it about 23 km south of Sambalpur city, roughly 25 km by road. You reach it by taxi or bus along the Sambalpur–Sonepur road.
Why does the Huma temple lean?
The cause is not conclusively known. Both Wikipedia’s sourced entry and the Sambalpur district site present the lean as unexplained rather than deliberate, pointing to a likely shift in the rocky base from river floods, earthquakes or uneven ground. A construction flaw is considered unlikely, and priests say the angle has held for decades.
What are the Kudo fish at Huma?
The Kudo fish are tame river fish that gather at the temple ghat and are fed by bathers and pilgrims. The district administration says they take food from people’s hands and are never caught, being considered the deity’s own. Local legend warns that catching one brings a curse, so feeding is welcomed but fishing is forbidden.
When is the fair at Huma temple held?
The big annual fair is held at the temple foothill in March, on Maha Shivratri, according to the Sambalpur district administration and the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments department. It is a crowded, lively riverbank gathering. Reports of a Makar Sankranti fair specifically at Huma could not be verified for this guide.
How do I reach Huma from Sambalpur?
Travel to Sambalpur city first, then take a taxi, auto or bus about 23–25 km along the Sambalpur–Sonepur road to Huma. The nearest railway station is Maneswar, around 25 km away, while Sambalpur Junction is the main railhead. The nearest airport is Jharsuguda, roughly 50 km from the temple.
Is there an entry fee for the Leaning Temple of Huma?
No. Entry to the temple is free and no permit is required to visit. Odisha does not need an inner-line or protected-area permit for general travel. Minor costs on the day are the country-boat ride, fish food and offerings, all set locally, so carry a little cash for them.
Last updated and sources
Huma suits anyone curious about Odisha’s riverside temples and western-Odisha heritage; fold it into a Sambalpur day with Hirakud Dam. Come between November and March, and time it for Maha Shivratri in March if you want the fair.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Sambalpur district administration, “Huma Leaning Temple of Lord Shiva” (sambalpur.odisha.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Leaning Temple of Huma” (en.wikipedia.org); Outlook Traveller, “Five Places to Visit from Sambalpur” (outlooktraveller.com); Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments department, Huma fair listing (hinduendowments.odisha.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Howrah–Sambalpur Superfast Express” and “Sambalpur railway division” for rail context (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed September 2026.
