Keonjhar – A hidden Gem of Orissa

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The First view of Sanaghagara

Entrance

A small temple with a breathtaking view 

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Some time pass 

The Highest waterfalls of Orissa 

Keonjhar is a land locked district situated in the northern part of Odisha. It is surrounded by Singhbhum district ofJharkhand in the North, Jajpur in the South, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh in the West and Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East. Baitrani river originate from Keonjhar plateau. To the West is a range of lofty hills which contains some of the highest peaks of Orissa namely Gandhamardan (3477 ft.), Machakandana (3639 ft.), Gonasika ( 3219 ft.) and Thakurani ( 3003 ft.). About half of the area of this district spreading about 4043 sq. km. is covered by forests of Northern tropical moist deciduous type and contains Sal, Asan, Piasal, etc. The river Baitarani comes out of Gonasika Hills and flows to the north touching the border of Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It again flows East entering Anandapur Sub-division and the district of Bhadrak.

When ur darling demand some photo shot that's the ideal place 

How To Reach :-

By Road:Total distance from Kolkata to Keonjhar is 360 km. The popular route is take NH6 via Kharagpur,Baharagoda, Bangriposi, Bisoi , Jashipur , Rajanagar, Keonjhar.

By Rail: You will get train from Howrah, Shalimar as well as Sealdah. Best option is Dhauli Express or Falaknama Express. Get down at Jajpur Keonjhar Road. Then have to hire car to move around.

How to plan for Keonjhar trip:

For Keonjhar you need 3-4 days. First of all decide which places do you like to visit. What are your priorities. I will suggest you to focus on mainly four places 1. Sanaghara, 2. Baraghagara, 3. Gonashika , 4. Khandadhar falls.

Tour Plan Of Keonjhar :-
Day 1 : Start early from Kolkata and reached Keonjhar at 4 pm. Its near about 6-7 hrs journey from Kolkata . After Baharagoda road are not in a good shape upto Jashipur. Jashipur is one of the main entrance of Simlipal Forest. Anyone can take there lunch at Jashipur or Bisoi. But that should be road side dhabas.

Day 2 : After taking breakfast start for sideseing . Though there are plenty of place first day attraction should be 1. Sanaghara, 2. Baraghagara, 3. Gonashika , 4. Khandadhar falls.

Day3 : Today we visit one of the attractive falls Murgamahadev, Sitabinji, Ghatagaon Temple.

Day4 : We made our early breakfast and checkout from hotel. Then we sarted for Kichakeshwari Temple, khiching. Then Visit the beauty of Bhimkund, and return back to home.

Main Attraction Of keonjhar :-

A.Sanaghagara

welcome to Sanaghagra 

Children Park 

Sanaghagara Waterfalls

“Sana” means small and “ghagara” means waterfall. Sanaghagara is an exotic eco tourist spot, located only 5 kilometers from kendujhar town on the keonjhar to sambalpur National Highway. The San Machakandana river has gently passed down the hills creating natural falls with enchanting beauty. The calm, peaceful, relaxing, natural green forest environment with the beauty of water fall has been the best choice for nature loving tourist to visit sanaghagara waterfall again and again. Although winter is the picnic season, sanaghagara waterfall in Keonjhar is good to visit anytime in the year due to its cool climate.

B.Badaghagara

Baraghagara Waterfalls

Time to photo shot

Walking through the lash green grasses 

Badaghagra Falls is almost 10 km away from the district of Keonjhar, which is situated on the river Ghagra and falls from aheight of 60 meter. Badaghagra Falls is one of the central turist place in the state of Orissa/odisha. This place is good to picnic and trekking , It’s surrounding is very greenery with lots of vegetable farms.It’s the one of the best waterfall in odisha as well as in india too. The Badaghagra falls has a rich history to boast about.
C.Gonasika

A very old temple 

On the way to Gonasika 

Surrounded by a series of valleys and wooded hills of varying colours, the place is famous as a centre of pilgrimage for the temple of Brahmeswar Mahadev established by the side of river Baitarani. In fact, this is the place from where the river starts flowing. A little away from the point of origin, the river goes underground ( and hence called guptaganga) only to be seen jumping after a short distance over a stone projection looking like the nostril of a cow. The scenic beauty of the place is simply charming. It is 33 kms. From Keonjhar out of which service buses are available for 24 kms. For rest 9 kms tourist will have to go by either foot or hired vehicles. For accommodation tourists will have to stay at Keonjhar town.

D.Khandadhar Falls 

Situated at 19 KMs from Bonaigarh town and 15 km from NH – 215 near Lahunipara is famous for the beautiful Waterfall. The name coined because of style of water pouring from the top of the hill straight down like Khanda Dhara ( Edge of sword). This waterfall is a smoking waterfall because of the “Smoke like” appearance created by the spray of the plunging waters of the waterfall at this spot. The spot is ideal for picnic. It is 60 kms. From Keonjhar town ( of this about 40 kms fair weather and only jeepable). This waterfall is the highest waterfall of Odisha having 248 meters (800ft) height. This waterfall originated from a perennial rivulet named as Korapani Nala.

E.Murgamahadev :-

It is situated by the side of a perennial spring of Thakurani hill in Champua Sub-Division of Keonjhar District. It is famous for the temple of Murga Mahadev. The spot is 70 kms. From Keonjhar ( of this 6 kms, fair-weather road). Regular service buses are available upto Bileipada (64 kms) from Keonjhar. No accommodation facilities is available at the spot. Tourist will have to stay either at Joda (11 kms) or at Keonjhar ( 70 kms).

F. Sitabinji

Situated by the side of river Sita, the spot has gained prominence as a place of having ancient fresco painting on a rock shelter called ” Ravan Chhaya” which is looking like a half opened umbrella. The painting depits a royal procession. It is 30 Kms from Keonjhar (25 kms. On Jajpur-Keonjhar road upto Katarabeda and 5 kms. From there).

G. Ghatagaon

50 kms. from Keonjhar town on the N.H.215 towards Cuttack, the place is known through the state for the shrine of Goddess Tarini Pitha. The history of the temple is drawn in the depth of the past. However the known legends indicate that the deity was installed in the year 1480 by the then ruler of Keonjhar state Sri Gobinda Bhanjadeo.During “Kanchi War” the then ruler of Puri Sri Purusottamdev choosed Sri Gobinda Bhanja the ruler of Keonjhar as “Senapati” and under his leadership he was able to conquered Kanchi. King Purusottam Dev won the war and Princess Padmavati came with King Purusottam Dev. King wanted to bring Maa Tarini along with Lord Madanmohan , Raghunathjew to Puri. They prayed them to bring them. Thus they came to Kalinga or Odisha. After that Sri Purusottamdev was pleased and wanted to reward Sri Gobinda Bhanja. Sri Gobinda Bhanja asked to take the deity “MAA TARINI” along with him to Keonjhar state. King Purusottam Dev agreed to this and asked him to ask Maa’s permission. Govinda Bhanja prayed MAA and MAA agreed with one condition. Maa said she will go with him as long as Govinda Bhanja doesn’t look back to see Maa. With this Condition Maa went with Govinda Bhanjha to Kendujhar(Keonjhar). On the way from Puri to Kendujhar, Maa horse hoof sounds were audible. On the forest of Kendujhar, Maa’s horse hoofs was not audible to Govinda Bhanja. He got scared that Maa stayed behind and he turned to look back to see. There n then Maa turned into stone at Ghatgaon at the present place where the deity is installed. Govinda Bhanjha prayed Maa for forgiveness but Maa said she has made the condition with him before coming. And she will stay in the wild jungle and asked Govinda Bhanjha to worship in that place. Till today Maa Tarini is being worshipped in Ghatagaon. Which is now a major tourist attraction in Keonjhar (Odisha).

H. Rajanagar

It is famous for the ruined palace of Keonjhar King. Also raghunath Jew Matha, Dadhibaban Jew temple and chadei Kudoor are other attraction of the spot. Different kinds of birds from different places gather here ( Chadhei Kudoor) in winter which is most enjoyable. It 27 kms. from Keonjhar. Tourist will have to visit the spot by hired vehicle. No accommodation facilities available there. The same are available at Keonjhar town.

I. Kichakeshwari Temple

Kishakeshwari Temple is temple of Hindu Goddess Chamunda alias Kali located in Khiching, which was the ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, located about 205 km from Balasore and 150 km from Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district of north Orissa. The largest temple of the town is dedicated to Goddess Kichakeswari, the family goddess of the ruling chiefs of Mayurbhanj. The Goddess Kiscakeshwari was not only which was not only ishtadevata of Bhanj dynasty but also the State deity. The original temple dates back to 7th or 8th Century, with repairs done over the centuries.The main temple opens to devotees early at 5 a.m. and closes down at 10 pm. It, however, remains closed between 12 noon to 3 pm.

J. Bhimkund 

Bhimkund is a Natural water tank and a holy place in Odisha and is located in Mayurbhanj District . It is a beautiful natural water reservoir on the River Baitarani. It is located exactly on the boundary line between the districts Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, at a distance of about 100 km from Keonjhar. This reservoir is two storeyed which resulted into the formation of two waterfalls one above another. The water of this kund is magnificently blue. The kund (tank) is believed to have measureless depth. Locals say, water level of Bhimkund soar about 30 meters when a tsunami hit in 2004.

Hotels in Keonjhar

Hotel Kashvi International

Madhpur, Keonjhar, Tel: 06766 255323, 255324, DR Rs.2200-3000, Suite Rs. 3500

Hotel Shreekshetra International

NH-6, Keonjhar, Tel: 06766 250732, 257343

Panthanivas (OTDC Ltd)

JudiaKeonjharPanthanivas, Judia, Keonjhar. Tel: 06766 253603/ 9238211629},

Website: www.panthanivas.com, E-mail: otdc@panthanivas.com, otdc@ortel.net