Leaning Temple of Huma, Hindu temple in Sambalpur, India.
The Leaning Temple of Huma is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur, India, known for its visible tilt of two meters to one side. The outer walls display finely carved stone reliefs showing divine figures and mythological scenes.
Craftsmen built the structure in the 17th century in the Kalinga style, with tall towers and decorated entrances. The tilt likely occurred due to soil subsidence near the riverbank, yet the structure has remained standing over the centuries.
The site takes its name from the nearby village of Huma and draws pilgrims who come to pray to Shiva and place flower garlands at the shrine. During religious festivals, the courtyard fills with worshippers lighting oil lamps and chanting mantras.
The complex sits about 27 kilometers south of Sambalpur on the banks of the Mahanadi and is reachable by bus or car from the railway station. Visitors should plan to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon when fewer crowds gather and the light highlights the stonework.
Local fishermen call red-tailed fish to the water surface, and these fish come only here to take food directly from human hands. The villagers regard these fish as sacred and never catch or eat them.
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