Route from Kolkata to Keonjhar and back :
Total distance from Kolkata (West Bengal) to Keonjhar (Odisha) is 370 km. The popular route is to drive on NH6 via Kharagpur, Baharagora, Bangriposi, Bisoi, Jashipur, Rajanagar, Keonjhar.
The return journey from Keonjhar to Kolkata was via Panikoili, NH5 upto Balasore, NH60 upto Kharagpur, NH6.
Itinerary :
Day 1 : During India's Independence Day holidays in mid-August 2014, Indian Roadie Soumitro Bhattacharjee left Kolkata at 9 am with his family in his Mahindra Scorpio and reached Keonjhar at 4 pm. Keonjhar is about 7 hrs drive from Kolkata via NH6. After Baharagora the road is in a bad shape upto Jashipur. Jashipur is one of the main entrances to Simlipal Forest. Lunch break at road side dhabas can be at Jashipur or Bisoi.
Day 2 : After breakfast left for sightseeing. Though there are plenty of places, the first day's attraction were 1. Sanghagara 2. Badaghagara 3. Gonashika 4. Khandadhar Falls. Returned to our hotel in Keonjhar for the night.
Day3 : Visited Murgamahadev Temple, Sitabinji, Maa Tarini Temple at Ghatagaon. At the end of the day again returned to our hotel in Keonjhar.
Day4 : After an early breakfast we checked out from our hotel in Keonjhar. The first halt was at Kichakeswari Temple at Khiching. The second halt was at Bhimkund. Thereafter, it was the return drive back home to Kolkata.
Main attractions of Keonjhar :
A. Sanghagara
6 kms from Keonjhar town and situated by the side of NH6. It is a small (100 ft) but beautiful waterfalls. It is a very good picnic spot. Buses and hired vehicles are available at Keonjhar for reaching Sanghagara. Hotels in Keonjhar are the best option for accomodation.
B. Badaghagara
10 kms from Keonjhar town. It is yet another small (200 ft) but exciting waterfall. It is one of the most popular picnic spots of the district. Buses and hired vehicles are available at Keonjhar. For accommodation tourists will have to stay in Keonjhar.
C. 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 resurface 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. Buses are available for 24 kms. For the rest of 9 kms tourist will have to go either on foot or by hired vehicles. For accommodation tourists will have to stay at Keonjhar town.
D. Khandadhar
A sparkling waterfall of 500 ft. amidst lush green forests. A shower in the cascading water is a great experience. 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 is fair-weather road and Jeepable). There is no accommodation facilities at the spot.
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, a 6 kms stretch is 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 paintings 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). No accommodation facilities are available at the spot. Tourists will have to stay either at Keonjhar or at Ghatagaon.
G. Ghatagaon
50 kms from Keonjhar town on the NH215 towards Cuttack, the place is a popular pilgrimage spot in Odisha for the shrine of Goddess Tarini Pitha. A P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow, Tarini Yatri Niwas of Tarini Trust and a Panthasala of Tourism Department are available to cater to the accommodation needs of pilgrims.
H. Rajanagar
It is famous for the ruined palace of erstwhile Keonjhar King. Also Raghunath Jew Matha, Dadhibaban Jew temple and Chadei Kudoor are other attractions of the spot. Migratory birds gather here (Chadhei Kudoor) in winter. Rajanagar is 27 kms from Keonjhar. Tourists will have to visit the spot by hired vehicle. No accommodation facilities are available in Rajanagar. Hotels are available at Keonjhar town.
I. Kichakeswari Temple
Kishakeswari Temple, located in Khiching is the temple of Hindu goddess Chamunda alias Kali. Khiching was the ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, located about 205 km from Balasore and 150 km from Baripada in Mayurbhanj district of north Odisha. The largest temple of the town is dedicated to Goddess Kichakeswari, the family goddess of the ruling chiefs of Mayurbhanj. The Goddess Kichakeswari was the 'ishtadevata' of Bhanj dynasty and was also 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 am and closes down at 10 pm. It, however, remains closed between 12 noon and 3 pm.
J. Bhimkund
About 40 Kms from Karanjia, near Booring village in Thakurmunda P.S. is the sacred pool BHIMKUND on the River Vaitarani. The legend reveals that Bhima, the second Pandava used to take his bath in this pool when the Pandavas were passing their incognito life in Birat Nagar, said to be the present Kaptipada. Here river Vaitarani flows through a gorge in steps forming a series of picturesque rapids until it settles down in the pool called "BHIMKUND". It is encircled by precipitous stone wall. During Makar Festival in the month of January thousands of people gather here to take their holy dip. The place can also be approached from Dhenkikote (20 Kms) on SH11 connecting Keonjhar and Panikoili. The place is ideal for picnickers.
Hotels in Keonjhar :
Hotel Kashvi International
Madhpur, Keonjhar Tel: 06766 255323, 255324, Double Rooms Rs.2200-3000, Suite Rs. 3500
Hotel Shreekshetra International
NH6, Keonjhar Tel: 06766 250732, 257343
Panthanivas (OTDC Ltd)
Keonjhar Panthanivas, Judia, Keonjhar Tel: 06766 253603, 9238211629.
Website: www.panthanivas.com E-mail: otdc@panthanivas.com, otdc@ortel.net
(Content credit: Soumitra Bhattacharjee
Additional inputs by: Deep Banerjee)
How good or bad is the OTDC Pantha Nivas in Keonjhar town? Did you stay here or somewhere else?
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