The Budhabalanga, meaning old Balanga, rises in the Similipal hills and plunges through Barehipani Falls, the second-highest waterfall in India, located in Simlipal National Park.

It then flows in a northerly direction up to the village Karanjiapal in Bangiriposi police-station area.

Thereafter, it turns to the north-east and flows along the railway track up to the village Jhankapahadi.

It later flows through Balasore district and into the Bay of Bengal.

Its major tributaries are the Sone, the Gangadhar, and the Katra.