The name of Mahanadi during the period of Mahabharata was 'Chitrotpala'. In the Bhishma Parv of Mahabharata, the Chitrotpala river is praised as Punayadayini and Paap (sin) Nashini. Indian people drank the water of Chitrotpala. This fact is proved by the following Verse of Mahabharata – "चित्रोत्पला चित्ररथां मंजुलां वाहिनी तथा। मंदाकिनीं वैतरणीं कोषां चापि महानदीम्।।" The Mahanadi has been called Chitrotpala Ganga in the Mahoba copper plate of Someshwar Dev.