Kandhamal Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Kandhamal

Ludu Waterfall is situated at a distance of 165 km from Phulbani. It is located inside the Kotagarh Sanctuary along with various other minor falls. The majestic waterfall is surrounded by thick and lush green forest and rocky hills all around.

The drive to Ludu Waterfalls may become very exhausting due to bad road conditions but after reaching the place one will surely get swayed away by the exquisite beauty of the place. The fall is flanked by sal trees all around.

The Kotagarh Sanctuary also consists of a good number of huts which are dwelled by local tribals of the place. Far off from the noise of the city, the serene location of the spot offers peace of mind and soul. One will get spellbound reaching here and do nothing than to sit and admire the natural beauty of the place. A must visit for shutterbugs.

Putudi Waterfall is located 15 km away from Phulbani, the administrative headquater of Kandhamal. Pearched amidst thick forest and the barren rocks of the mountain the water falls from a height of 100 m on the river Bada Salunki.

Secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city and located among whispering forests, the place offers a serene and tranquil environment where the silence is only broken by the roaring sound of the waterfall.

Putudi Waterfall serves enough food for the camera and is an exquisite shooting spot. Many regional films have been shot here owing to the beauty of this place. Visitors often throng to this place to have picnics with friends and family.

Putudi is connected with good roads thereby enabling a comfortable ride to the place. Best time to visit Putudi Waterfall is during the winter when the climate is cool and water is cold.

Kalinga is located 48 km from Phulbani and is famous for its zig-zag roads. The roads spiral around the high hills like a serpentine and offer an enchanting experience to whoever drives over them like nowhere on earth.

Adventure enthusiasts come to this place to go on a thrilling drive on the roads of Kalinga. Surrounded by rocky hills which are draped with dense greenery, Kalinga has a vast silviculture garden. Several medicinal plants are grown in this garden as well. The silviculture garden is populated with thick bamboo trees and plenty of rubber plants.

The aroma of the garden that had spread all around the village is sufficient to relax and rejuvenate one’s body and soul. Kalinga is of huge historic importance as well. Several freedom fighters during the British rule belonged to Kalinga Ghati.

Phulbani is the administrative headquater of Kandhmal. The place offers a diverse range of flora and fauna across its virgin forests and towering mountains. Phulbani is flanked by several small and big waterfalls.

The perennial river Salunki flows across the lush green jungles and traces its path through the mountains giving rise to some of these roaring waterfalls. The mystic river Salunki houses a dam named ‘Pilasaluki’ and is surrounded by scenic green wood and hence is one of the favourite picnic spots.

The Salunki river has many ghost stories associated with it and one can listen to this folklore from the tribal people dwelling by the river and the hillside. Numerous nature enthusiasts come here to marvel at the splendour of nature and spend some stress busting time under its bliss. A drive to Phulbani is often very enthralling as the bumpy roads are surrounded by rocky hills and densely grown trees.

Pakadadarh Waterfall is located at a distance of 18 km from Phulbani. The water plunges from a height of 30 m. It is situated near the Sudurukumpa village on the Panisal and Baghipada road. This place is nestled amidst lush green forest and lofty hills.

The panoramic view of the waterfall on the backdrop of dense greenery is breathtaking. This place acts as one of the preferred picnic spots. People interested in photography must make it a point to visit this place.

Balaskumpa is located at a distance of 15 km from Phulbani. The place earns its fame from the temple of Baraladevi. Goddess Baraladevi is the presiding deity of Kandhamal and is believed to be the saviour of mankind. Dusshera is celebrated with a huge congregation of devotees who come from very distant places as well.

Balaskumpa is basically located on the confluence of two hillstreams where the River Pillasalki originates. Balaskumpa is also the homeland of the Pillasalki Dam which adds to the influx of tourism in Kandhamal.

The location of Pillasalki Dam is ideal for picnic as it is thickly populated with green vegetation. Many visitors come here to relax and unwind themselves from worldly hues. Balaskumpa is connected with good motorable road and hence the spot is easily accessible.

Chakapad is located 55 km from Phulbani and is one of the religious places of Kandhamal. Saivism is the presiding religion of this place. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lord Birupakshya. The temple built on the banks of an ancient and sacred river Bhutaganga is visited by thousand of devotees all year round.

One striking feature of the temple is that each and every tree as well as the Shiva Linga inside the temple leans towards the south. Two other temples of Anandeswara and Jageswara are also revered with huge devotion.

Shiva Ratri, Rasha Purnima and Shitalsashti are three important celebrations of these temples which call for a horde of devotees. Chakapad is situated at a height of 800 ft above the sea level and surrounded by deep green forest. It is served by regular bus services from Phulbani. People having a deep sense of spiritualism must visit this place to transcend into divinity.

Daringbadi tops the list of must-visit places in Kandhamal. Located at a distance of 100 km from Phulbani, Daringbadi sits on an altitude of 915 m. Daringbadi is also known as ‘Kashmir of Orissa’ owing to its vast pine jungles, coffee plantation and verdant valleys. It is an ultimate summer resort due to its low temperature during summers.

During winters the temperature drops below 0° Celsius and the area gets covered under snow. Daringbadi is densely populated with forests and wildlife. A good number of waterfalls are present inside the place, some of which are still away from public view. A hill view point has been built on top of the mountain from where tourists can enjoy the scenery of the lush green valley.

Doluri river flows across the mountain enhancing the beauty of the place. One guest house is also built inside the forest to aid the tourists with comfortable accommodation. Several tourists from across the globe visit this place to explore the natural bounties and the exotic wildlife as well.

Belghar is situated 155 km from Phulbani and is located at a height of 2555 ft from sea level. Gifted with towering mountains, thick forests and exquisite wildlife, Belghar is home to its primitive inhabitants ‘Kutia Khandas’.

The Belghar sanctuary has a good collection of wild and endangered species of flora and fauna, specially the white tusk elephants. The wooden inspection bungalow of the Forest Department is also an attraction of the place which is lighted by using solar power. A huge crowd of peacock can be seen in the Ushabali valley which is situated nearby.

The valley adds to the beauty of the place. Belghar has another attraction to its credit and that is the cane work made by the tribal people. Kotagarh Sanctuary is located in close vicinity to Belghar which has a diverse collection of wildlife like tiger, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, elephant, peafowl, red fowl and other wide variety of reptiles.

Katramal is located 35 km away from Phulbani. Katramal is a place of exquisite natural bounties. It boasts of a waterfall which perches among the lush green wood and falls into a pool of water. Roads to Katramal are generally bumpy and rough with lots of uncovered stones and pebbles all around. The drive can be enthralling and exhausting as well.

But on reaching the spot one can easily get spellbound by the magnificent natural beauty. The striking feature of this place is the fishes that dwell inside the pool jump out of the water into the air to catch the food in the close vicinity.

Several tourists marvel at this sight throwing biscuits or puffed rice into the pool. Katramal is densely surrounded with tall trees of all kind that have grown around the rocky hills. This breathtaking hinterland is one of the favourite getaways for tired souls.