रुबाई - Rubaai: Odisha

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Photoquote: Nature song

Matiabandh Pokhari near King's Old Palace, Konjhar

Matiabandh Pokhari near King's Old Palace

Keonjhar, a beautiful Odia district, once was a small princely state. Keonjhar served as a capital where the king Dhanurjay Narayan Bhanjadeo built a small palace sometime between 1861 and 1905. After India become the republic, the Royals slowly left the palace due to some or other reason. Lack of attention deteriorated the beauty of the small castle. Nowadays, the palace is not open for public; however, two temples nearby are. One is Maa Tarini temple located inside the palace. After sunset, this part of Keonjhar is frightening. No lights, no directions and feels like it's a typical ghost-Bangalow.

The other temple Matiabandh Pokhari (now called Chandan Pokhari) is on the south side of the palace, outside the premises inside a small lake. Once the lake dries up, people visit the temple. During Rath Yatra and Chandan Yatra, a unique fair is organised.

Lakeside is a peaceful place to be, especially in the morning. The lake and palace are now very near to the new expressway AH-46, to be operational soon.

Location:

Wandering Destination: Siva Temple, Burla, Sambalpur

A small Siva Temple is located near the Nehru Tower of Hirakud dam. Temple built by Rotary Club is located on a small hill and is visible when you descend from Nehru tower to go towards Burla. The ceiling of the sanctum of the temple is painted with pictorial depicts using vibrant colours. Premises of the temple hosts small temples of other deities as well. Temple is a calm place to visit in the evening. Hardly few people visit the temple in the evening.

Location:

Wandering Destination : Vikramkhol Cave

Wandering Destination: Vikramkhol Cave

Vikramkhol caves located in the Sundargarh district is known for the prehistoric rock art and rock inscriptions found reserve forest of Belpahar.

The ancient cave located in Banjari village bears a script written by then resident humans far back in the 4000 B.C (Mesolithic Period). Details about the caves were first published in Indian Antiquary in 1935 by historian K.P.Jayaswal.

The size of the inscriptions is 37 meters in lengths, 5.65 meters in breadth and 8 meters in height. All these engravings both figurative patterns and motifs were pigmented with ochre color. As per IGNCA report [4], at present there is a single specimen of the painting of a honeycomb pattern drawn in bichrome of dark red and white and a host of engravings. A replica of the inscription is exhibited in State Museum of Odisha located in Bhubaneshwar.

The ancient symbols engraved on the walls of the cave of are

Paintings of flora and fauna (footprints of animal, deer, cobra hood marks, cupules, cobra hood marks, palm, and floral design)
Geometric shape (triangles with or without a depression at the center, obliterated portion of a rhombic pattern, honeycomb pattern, dots, Roman, and Brahmi alphabetic form, oval carpet shape)
Circular holes dug in the wall where weapons, dress and other articles of use were being kept suspended
Floors, where circular holes have been dug to pound the grains

Even though Vikramkhol is a tourist place, it lacks the protection to the artwork and lacks the facilities for the visitors. Rock shelters discovered are deteriorating because of lack of attention. The inscriptions are open to the air, maximizing chances of fading over time or vandalism by the visitors. As it is located inside Reserve Forest of Belpahar range, the remote access to the place has also contributed to neglect by Government Agencies.

How to reach:

The caves are about 33 Km from the nearest town of Jharsuguda in Odisha. On NH49 cross the Belpahad railway crossing and at about 2 Km leave the highway to go towards Hemgir. Continuing on the road for 7 Km, one can see a temple on the road, turn left to enter the forest and follow the dirt road for 3 Km to reach Vikramkhol.

Always keep left once you leave the main road.

A video showing the entrance to the cave road:

Some important tips:

Just after the rainy season, the 3-Km road from Grindola to the cave is not motorable. People are advised to keep your car on the main road and walk the distance through the cave.
Forest roads are not mapped on google map. Seek directions from the locals. They are very helpful.
Carry water and food especially if you are walking. There is no arrangement for food and water at the cave.
Photography is allowed.
No entrance fee.

Wandering Destination: Ghanteshwari Temple

Wandering Destination: Ghanteshwari Temple

As the name suggests, Ghanta means bells. The title "Ghanteshwari" is originated from the fact that, devotees tie a bell when they visit with some wish. Hundreds and thousands of bells are tied to the holy tree under which the idol of the goddess is situated. Even the breeze rings the bells to create a sweet tinkling sound from the thousands and tiny and big bells.

In front of the temple is the Mahanadi river bed. The width of the river is large which with the green mountains in the backdrop with some white clouds on the rich blue sky is a beauty to watch on a clear day. However, in earlier times, this beautiful place was dangerous to the sailors.

One story behind the concept of bells goes like this: The Mahanadi river earlier used to have whirlpools which have claimed many lives. An idea of a ‘lighthouse without light’ was born. It was decided by the sailors to build a warning system to intimate the sailor as he approaches the very dangerous spot near Ghanteshwari Temple. To warn any sailor nearing this spot bells were ranged with full force to produce a loud sound.

Due to the Hirakud Dam built for the flood control, the water level in the bed is now controlled. Controlled flow of Mahanadi obsoletes then much-needed warning-mechanism, however, faith and beliefs of people in Maa Ghanteshwari are still strong. Thousands of devotees visit the temple daily and pray to their beloved goddess.

Video:

How to reach:

Ghanteshwari Temple is located in the backyard of Chiplima Hydroelectric Power Station 13 Km from the NH6 (33 km southwest of Sambalpur). Parking is provided by the local governing body at 20 Rs. per car and for 10 Rs. per bike.

Wandering Destination: Chiplima Power Station

Schematic of a typical hydroelectric plant construction

A hydroelectric powerhouse at Chiplima (Power House – II under stage III) is an outcome of renovation carried out by Odisha government under 11th five-year plan. The Chiplima powerhouse was earlier a part of HPS Burla. As a part of the restructuring, Chiplima Power House (Power House No. II) has been separated from HPS, Burla, with effect from 01.07.2009 and renamed as Chiplima Hydro Electric Project. Currently, three generating units with installed capacity of 72 MW (3 x 24) makes the power. The plant uses Kaplan turbine spinning at 350 RPM and uses a head of 72 feet.

Powerhouse is located near famous Ghanteshwari Temple. To enter inside the generation unit, prior permission from authorities should be obtained. However, a spectacular view of the reservoir and the Mahanadi basin is seen while crossing the dam wall to reach the Ghanteshwari Temple.