Maa Samaleswari temple is positioned on the reservoir of the river Mahanadi, Sambalpur district, Odisha It is a famous Shakti Peetha. It is a very well-known among the people of Odisha and Chhatishgarh state. Maa Samaleswari is worshipped as a form (deity) of Goddess Durga. The Goddess is famous known as 'Shree Shree Samalai Devi' or 'Maa Samalai'. The icon of Maa Samalai is made out of granite rock. Few decades before, animal (buffalo) sacrifices were done in the temple, which has been stopped now. Local people have a strong believe on 'Maa Samaleswari'.

Sambalpur is located in the eastern county of India at a distance of 320 k.m. from the Orissa Capital Bhubaneswar. The Temple is situated in the central area of the city Sambalpur.Whereas it used to be known for its importance as a diamond trading centre, nowadays it is mainly known for its textiles. It's a good place from which to explore the surrounding forests and spot some of the rare species still roaming the area in one of the wild life sanctuaries, such as the well-known Badrama sanctuary.