A planned residential and recreation area on the eastern edge of the city, Mahanadi Vihar sits beside the river of the same name. The riverfront here is broader and quieter than in the old city, with a paved walking path and a few small temples along the bank.
It is a good spot to escape the central bustle for an hour, and the views across the river toward the sandbars and distributaries of the Mahanadi delta are worth the trip out. Local families come in the evening; the sunsets are particularly good in the cooler months.