Posts filed under ‘Bhawanipatna-Asurgarh-Phurlijharan-Sapagaranda-Dharmagarh’
Land of temples in Kalahandi on path of recovery
BHAWANIPATNA: FOR the land grabbers, the immovable properties of deities are easy target. Fifteen temples of Kalahandi Group of Temples, managed by Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment, bear testimony to years of neglect and becoming victims of encroachment. Now there is an attempt by the group to recover the immovable properties of deities and renovate the temples, which need attention. This has raised new hope.
The group plans to renovate Ramswami temple, Balaji temple, Dakhina Kali, Bhawanishankar, Jagannath, Madanmohan, Tarini in Bhawanipatna, Lankeswari, Gopinath Jew, Kanak Durga, Someswar, Ramswami and Balaji temples in Junagarh and Manikeswari, Rameswar and Nilakantheswar temples in Thuamul Rampur.
Most of these temples were constructed during the 19th Century by the then kings of Kalahandi. Even after the merger of the princely states in Odisha, these temples were managed by the royal family. In the seventies, the former King handed over these temples to the Government along with 1,500 acres of land and valuables of the deities for the management and maintenance of the temples and also for performance of rituals. Despite having the potential of adequate returns, the situation remained grim.
According to the record of the Group of Temples, a large chunk of valuable agricultural land of the deities located in different villages under Bhawanipatna and Dharamgarh sub-divisions remained under the occupation of the encroachers. Besides, the encroachers are eyeing the land of the deities in prime locations of Bhawanipatna and Junagarh and these valuable lands are being systematically grabbed by people for construction of houses and for also business purposes.
In Bhawanipatna, out of 34 acres of Balaji temple land, more than 10 acres are under the illegal occupation of locals where both huts and buildings have been constructed. The rest of the areas are also under threat. Most of the lands of Kali temple, located in the heart of the town, are under also illegal occupation. The land of Ramswami temple is also not spared from land grabbers.
Khandabasa of Junagarh: showcasing the history and culture of Maraguda and South Kosal
Following report is from the Sambad:
Go chase waterfalls of western Orissa
Following item are from The Telegraph
Bhubaneswar, Feb. 6: If you thought of Orissa as a home to beautiful beaches, awesome temples and exotic wildlife sanctuaries, do not forget to add waterfalls to the list.
Almost all the districts of the state have one or more falls, but some are associated with popular destinations like protected forests, wildlife sanctuaries and temples because, in most cases, tourists are not interested to see just waterfalls, feel officials of the tourism department. But the recent rise in the interest of people in getting into eco-tourism sites, there could be a chance to get serious travellers to do some trekking around waterfalls.
Alok Mishra, marketing manager with the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), said that apart from the regular packages, emphasis was also given to promote waterfalls as major destinations as done in states like Maharashtra and Kerela, but connectivity through roads and infrastructure facility for tourists to stay should be upgraded to explore their potential.
Former joint director of the tourism department Biranchi Mishra, who is also a well-known travel writer, felt that waterfalls do attract tourists at places like Hrishankar, Pradhanpat, Barehipani, Jorandha, Khandadhar and Sanghagra and Badaghagra, but these need to be clubbed and packaged with other religious, historical, forest areas so that tourists could be more interested to include the places in their travel list.
“Like Barehipani and Jorandha in Similipal Tiger Reserve are two beautiful waterfalls of the state. But they are attached to the tourists’ travel plan who want to visit the protected areas. But people coming to see the falls in Keonjhar district — Sanghagra and Badaghagra — might be interested in coffee plantations and observing the lifestyle of the tribal families. So we have to integrate them.
Likewise, the waterfalls of Nrusinghanath and Harishankar have other nearby attractions like temples and medicinal plants. Pradhanpat falls in Deogarh district had the first hydroelectricity generating unit when there was no hydro-electric power concept in Orissa. It showed the foresightedness of the then ruler of the princely state called Bamanda. We have to have a complete database on such things and inform the travellers,” he said.
Barehipani
Orissa’s pride among all the reserved forests, Similipal Tiger Reserve, has got this stepped waterfall which descends from the Meghasani hills in Mayurbhanj district. It is the highest waterfall of the state coming down from a height of 400 metres. Barehipani’s beauty from the viewpoint on the other side of the hill is a thing to remember. As the birds in the forest become quiet at dusk, the sound of the waterfall become very prominent. The waterfall looks breathtaking in full moon.
Jorandha
Similipal is also home to Jorandha (150 metres) amidst the rich Sal vegetation. The tall trees around the fall create a wonderful ambience.
Devkund
Devkund falls, in periphery of Similipal Tiger Reserve, has a series of beautiful waterfalls and the shrine of goddess Ambika. It is situated at a distance of 65km from Baripada and 140km from Chandipur. On the outer periphery of the Sal forest, the perennial waterfall is situated under the Udala block. The waterfalls from the hilltop in five stages by creating five “kundas” or reservoirs named Amrita Kunda, Ghrita Kunda, Haladi Kunda, Devi Kunda and Deva Kunda. On the banks of the river Dev festivals like Raja and Makar Sankranti are celebrated every year.
Khandadhar
This beautiful waterfall in the mineral-rich forests of Sundargarh district descends from a height of 225metres and is the second highest waterfall in the state.
The magnificent view of the cascading waters also makes for a good picnic spot and the entire area is a treasure trove of rare medicinal plants. The place is 114km from the steel township of Rourkela.
Badaghagra/ Sanghagra
Part of the Ghagra river, a tributary of Baitarani, the waterfall is 10km away from Keonjhar town. The 60metre fall is also near the Sanghagra falls (30metres), lying 5km from the district headquarters town. These two falls are popular picnic spots near Keonjhar town. However, another picturesque spot is Gonasika (45km from Keonjhar) where the river Baitarani goes underground briefly and emerges further down over a stone projection shaped like the nose of a cow.
Nrusimhanath
The sacred hills of Gandhamardan in Bargarh district enshrines the temple of Nrusimhanath. Waterfalls like Bhimadhar, Gadadhar, Guptadhar and Chaladhar are beautiful locations.
Besides the falls, tourists also love to see ancient archaeological remains present in the area. The spot is 20km from Nuapada.
Harishankar
On the southern side of Gandhamardan hills, Harishankar shines with a series of beautiful waterfalls cascading on the hill slopes and the last one provides a water slide to the amusement of bathers. An added advantage to the two places of Nrusimhanath and Harishankar is the 16km trekking route by which travellers can go from Harishankar to Nrusimhanath and vice-versa and the journey ensures meeting many rare, endangered and precious medicinal plants. Even historians say that influence of Buddhism was also seen in the archaeological works in the entire area. According to Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang, the belt might be the seat of a Buddhist university called Polo-mo-lo-ki-li.
Phulrijharan
The 16metre high waterfall is only 15km from Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. The rainbows created by sun rays playing with the water spray creates a special charm.
Pradhanpat
This beautiful fall is part of Pradhanpat hill, which offers a scenic view and the water comes with several steps from the top creating several natural swimming pools on the hill itself. Close to the Deogarh town, the place is 96km from Sambalpur on NH-6. This waterfall had the first hydro-electric power unit in the state. This region was previously under the princely state of Bamanda.
Duduma
The southern-most district of the state, Malkangiri, has got this beautiful waterfall besides several beautiful lakes spread across the region. The fall is situated 70km from Jeypore town. Duduma waterfall descends from a height of 155metres and feeds water to Machhakunda Dam.
Apart from the waterfalls listed in tourism packages, Gandahati in Gajapati district and Khandadhar, Gundichaghai and Handibhanga in Keonjhar district also draw large crowds.
Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura-2010 ends on high note
Following is a report from The Pioneer:
Addressing the concluding day of Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura-2010, chief guest MP Bhakta Charan Das said that there is urgent need to revive art and culture which is gradually disappearing. He also urged to establish a tribal tourism centre in the district and reiterated to save the glorious tradition of Indian music, dance and drama through united efforts.
Not only local artistes but also artistes from other districts of the State as well as from Chhattisgarh and Assam performed cultural programmes amid thousands of spectators during the four-day festival. Former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang also performed instrumental music on tribal instruments such as Changu and Kansari on the stage.
Many dignitaries were felicitated with Kalahandi Baraputra Award on the occasion. Bharat Bhusan Deo, Prabhash Chandra Mishra, Ratnakar Bhoi, Jayanta Behera, Gajanana Naik and Satya Narayan Rajput received the prestigious award in various fields from the guest of honour. A souvenir named ‘Kalajharan’ was also released on the occasion. School and college toppers also received Gyanashree Award instituted by Vendanta Aluminium Limited (VAL).
A seminar on the topic, ‘Together we can develop Kalahandi’ was also organised on Sunday morning at Bhawanipatna Town Hall.
Koshli Song “Maati Maar Basnaa” by Dr. Harekrishna Meher of Govt. Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi
Some pictures of Maa Manikeswari temple and Kalahandi palace
Following pictures are taken from Kalahandi district website:
- Chhatar of Maa Manikeswari
- Maa Manikeswari Temple Complex
- Maa Lankeswari at Junagarh
- Sabha Mandapa in Kalahandi Palace
- Palace of Kalahandi King
Potential of Kalahandi to become a great tourist attraction of India
Following is a report from the OTV:
Bhawanipatna: Unexplored flora and fauna, lush green forests, untouched waterfalls and serpentine roads penetrating the dense jungles – this is Kalahandi at its best. The tribal-dominated district might have earned the dubious distinction for child sale and hunger deaths, but at the same time the place beckons tourists from across the country and abroad.
That Kalahandi is a repository of nature and natural resources is a manifest truth. But it is said that the same territory is also home to a host of unexplored picturesque places. Scan this.
Nearly 16 kilometre from Bhabanipatna, there thrives two enchanting waterfalls – Phulri and Ghusurigudi. The two waterfalls are also a treasure-trove of beauty and adventure, akin to Khandadhar in Sundergarh district, which is one of the most famous waterfalls in Orissa.
It will be a heavenly treat for tourists to wade through the greenery of jungles to reach Phulri waterfall. Equally adventurous is the Ghusurigudi waterfall, which can be reached by trekking three hills.
Locals have been demanding to promote and popularise the scintillating destinations that have been lying under cover from the outer world. The state tourism department, which is making tall claims for the development of tourism, is also not aware of the breathtaking sites.
Kalahandi is also famous for Manikeswari temple the palace which was built by the erstwhile Naga kingdom. The temple used to be the abode of Goddess Manikeswari, the deity of the royal family. Even today, the shrine has much royal significance attached to it. The then king was a good Samaritan and had steered Kalahandi on path of development and prosperity by constructing well-furnished wide roads, schools and tube wells in the town. And interestingly, the kingdom’s philanthropy is still tangible in the town.
Manikeswari temple has some strict rituals for devotees. Devotees are not allowed to enter the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum. They can have the glimpse of the deity from the outer precinct inside the temple. Camera are not allowed at the shrine. Chhatar Yatra is the main festival of Goddess Manikeswari in which hundreds of animals are sacrificed to propitiate the deity as per tradition.
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum 