Kolkata to Deogarh via NH49 (old, NH6) road trip by Sandip Hunday in November 2019

Indian Roadie regular Sandip Hunday drove from Kolkata to Deogarh (near Sambalpur) (Kolkata_Deogarh), a distance of 486 kms in his Honda WRV on Friday, 2019-11-22.
He crossed Vidyasagar Setu/ 2nd Hooghly Bridge over Hooghly River and toll plaza at 8.30am and reached Deogarh (Odisha) at 7.30pm.

Route :
He drove on NH 49. Kolkata - Kolaghat - Kharagpur - Jamshola - Baharagora - Bangriposhi - Jashipur - Keonjhar - Pallahara - Barkote - Deogarh.

Road condition:
Road was excellent from Kolkata to Baharagora.

It was just ok from Baharagora to Keonjhar.

However, the NH was in very bad condition for the rest of it from Keonjhar to Deogarh. It was total offroading experience.

There was one portion  of around 50 kms between Keonjhar and Pallahara which was absolutely a terror. Only  trucks were plying with extreme difficulty.

Here, thanks to Google and with confirmation from some localities found a new route of 45 kms. It was an excellent and scenic ghat drive, via a small place called Telkoi.

He took the same route back to Kolkata on Sunday, 2019-11-24.
He left Deogarh at 9am and was there at the Vivekananda Setu toll plaza at 7.30pm.

During return journey, lunch break was at Pantha Niwas, Keonjhar. Thereafter, stopped for a short while for tea at Kolaghat.

Total distance for the round trip was 987 kms.

P.S:
* Sandip is of the opinion that in another 18 months the whole strech from Kharagpur to Deogarh will be fully 4 laned because construction work was in full swing in November 2019.

* A bypass is being constructed to skip the narrow road passing through Deogarh.

* Road widening work is presently on right up to Sambalpur (Orissa).

Drive to Bangriposi from Kolkata and back in February 2016

Indian Roadie fan/ member, Neeraj Pandey got back from a 841 kms road trip with family from Kolkata to Bangriposi and back in early February 2016.

Route taken during onward journey was Kolkata - Dhulagarh Toll Plaza - Uluberia - Kolaghat - Kharagpur (Exit NH16) - Lodhasuli (ROR: Jhargram) - Baharagora - Jamsola - Jharpokharia - Bangriposi (distance 242 kms).
5 kms between Baharagora to Jamsola had craters within craters.
Time taken to negotiate this stretch was 1 hour. The Ritz managed fairly well with no underbelly scrapes.

Khairi Resort is a big no no. They gave him a room on the first floor. The room was dirty with a strong smell of pee from the loo. He left immediately and checked in to Hotel Bangriposi.
First look at Hotel Bangriposi and there was this thought "Lets go to Ramtirath and stay at Toshali". Incidentally, a couple of years ago, Neeraj had done a JV with the Forest Dept and Toshali Group, 60 kms from Bangriposi going towards Keonjhar at a crocodile breeding centre called Ramtirath.

Hotel Bangriposi was a small building with dirty rooms and absolutely unimpressive. Its only when he went behind that he came across a nice cottage. It was basic but neat, clean and had a good sit out. Neeraj, in any case he carries his own sheets, towels, etc. He decided on staying in the cottage for the entire duration of the trip.
The cottage was kind of a village initiative and it was pretty nice to see children and chickens playing about. The cottage did not have brick walls except for the toilet. The entire structure was straw mats held together with bamboo. There was no AC and summer months will obviously be very hot.

He got woken up in the morning with cock crows and chirping birds. Food was fixed. The menu comprised of a simple chicken dish and rotis for two which cost Rs 300 and breakfast with 2 omelettes and puri and aloo was for Rs 200.
It's a very relaxed place and recommended. However, do remember they have only one cottage.

Return route was Bangriposi - Baripada (36 kms) - Duel - Gopinathpur - Gopiballabhpur - Pheko Ghat (105 Kms) - Jhargram - Kharagpur - Kolkata (Total distance 322 kms).

Neeraj reported that the drive through the countryside of Odisha and West Bengal was pretty interesting. Except one bad stretch of about 1 km, which was nothing compared to Jamsola, it was generally good roads, sometimes quite narrow with no traffic.
This road met NH6 at Pheko Ghat.

During his stay in Bangriposi, Neeraj took two trips Bisoi and back (60kms), one to Ramtirath and back (120 kms) and one on the evening of 12th February 2016 to Baripada and back (72 kms) to see the palace and buy tissue paper.

Hotel Neelkant just after one crosses Kharagpur and before Great India Hotel has good food and extremely clean loos.

Drive to Keonjhar from Kolkata in August 2014

Keonjhar is a land locked district situated in the northern part of Odisha. It is surrounded by Singhbhum district of Jharkhand in the North, Jajpur in the South, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh in the West and Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East. Baitrani River originates 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 Keonjhar district spread over 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.




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)