Asta Sambhus In the district of Sambalpur a large numbers of Shiva temples were built during the Chauhan period. Economy The economy of Sambalpur District is basically dependent on agriculture and secondly on forests. Forests play an important role in the economy in terms of contribution to revenue, Domestic Product as well as dependence of people for livelihood. The people living adjacent to the reserved forests of Sambalpur Forest Division are heavily dependent on these forests. In the past Sambalpur has been a great centre of diamond trade. Kendu leaf (Diospyros Melanoxylon) is also produced in Sambalpur. Kendu leaf is one of the most important non-wood forest products of Sambalpur and is also called as green gold of Odisha. Lately industrialisation has started in the district and the prime industries of power, alumina and steel have been established. The place is famous for its globally renowned textile bounded patterns and fabrics locally known as Baandha. Sambalpur is famous for its Hand loom textile works. Popularly known as Sambalpuri Textile. It has earned international fame for its unique pattern, design and texture. Apart from textiles, Samabalpur has a rich tribal heritage and fabulous forestlands. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Sambalpur one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the 19 districts in Odisha currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). Demographics According to the 2011 census Sambalpur district has a population of 1,041,099, roughly equal to the nation of Cyprus or the US state of Rhode Island. This gives it a ranking of 433rd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 11.63%. Sambalpur has a sex ratio of 973 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 76.91%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 18.43% and 34.12% of the population respectively. Languages At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 52.41% speak Odia, 26.38% Sambalpuri, 4.98% Kisan, 3.98% Hindi, 3.88% Munda, 1.85% Sadri and 1.49% Kharia as their mother tongue. Culture Tourism Samaleswari, the presiding deity of this region is enshrined at Samlei Gudi on the bank of Mahanadi River. The other temple of importance is the Budharaja Temple, dedicated to Shiva and is perched atop the Budharaja hill. These temples are