Built across the river Sankha, Mandira Dam is a calm and picturesque site ideal for weekend holidays and picnicking. It was established as a source of water for
Rourkela and surrounding areas.
Boating facilities are available here on a prior arrangement with the dam authorities. There is a huge reservoir for breeding fish constructed by the SAIL, the largest integrated iron and steel producer in India. A guest house is also situated here.
Mandira Dam is about 30 km from Rourkela. There are no regular bus services from the town connecting the dam site, but taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at reasonable rates. Rourkela Railway Station on the Jharsuguda-Kharagpur railway line serves this area.
