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.

More reading:

[1] http://sundergarh.nic.in/rock.htm

[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292981343_Glimpses_of_the_Rock_Paintings_and_Rock_Engravings_of_Odisha

[3] http://www.ccsp.it/web/INFOCCSP/VCS%20storico/vcs2009pdf/Pradhan.pdf

[4] http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orjharsuguda002.pdf

Rani Satiji Mandir, Birimitrapur

Rani Sati Temple, Birimitrapur

Rani Sati Temple, also known as second Jhun-Jhun Dham is located in Birimitrapur, a small town on the Odisha -Jharkhand border famous for limestone mines. Rani Sati Temple spread over two acres of campus run by a trust, headed by Gopalji Tulsian. Besides Rani Sati temple other temples in the premises are Sita Ram Temple, Ganesh Temple, Hanuman Temple, and Shiva Temple. 

Temple was constructed in 1967 and then was renovated in the years 1992 and 2000. The white marble temple structure is decorated with art works (especially one on the ceiling), costumed with silvery metal sheets and has a golden top. Day of attraction is on auspicious days like Bhado Amavasya or the no-moon day when special pujas are offered.

Timings:

Contact Info:

Shree Rani Satiji Mandir
"Jhunjhunu Dham"
Main Road,Birmitrapur(Odisha)-770033
Tel No:0661-3209970/2610627
Email: ranisatimandir@gmail.com

Notes:

• Photography is not allowed inside the temple.
• No separate parking facility available.

How to reach:

Rani Satiji Mandir is about 35 Km from Rourkela on NH23 towards Ranchi. Private/hired vehicle is the best way to reach the temple. Bus service from Rourkela to Birimitrapur is also available. A passenger train from Rourkela runs daily to Birimitrapur Railway station in the morning.

Visit to Pitamahal Village

Visiting Pitamahal Village -PhotoEssay

To visit Pitamahal village, which is nearby the Pitamahal dam, follow the road from the other side of the newly developed Garden. The road passes by the water-spillover arrangement. One cannot cross the canal in between so to reach to Pitamahal village. Instead one has to take a big round to cross the canal at GadheiBalanda and come. 

An evening is a natural choice to visit this place. Herdsman takes back his cows and bulls back to the village after a day long grazing in the Bamra forest. The road is not yet listed on the google map. The condition is good for a bike to travel and only a strong car can cope with the terrain.

Fishing in the Pitamahal lake on every evening is a routine for most men here. After a day's work, about a quarter kilo of fish is enough for the dinner. Fishing is done either by multiple fishhooks or by taking a small craft to the interiors of the lake. Fishing is seldom done for earning. 

A worker, living in a nearby village, originally from Jharkhand, trying his luck on that day. Unfortunately, couldn't get any fish. Small water depth is the reason, he said!

Dr Liu, a renowned photographer and former panellist on the famous magazine "Better Photography", shooting the beauty of the lake.

I have in most of Odisha; people carry wood from the jungle in this typical fashion on the bicycle. No technology or modification in the bike. Just with the help of a big wood log and a rope from the bark, one carries wood sufficient for a week for a family of four.

Another day is over, time to go back home.

A cyclist is crossing the stream.

Colourful sky after sunset over the paddy field.

Check my earlier post on Pitamahal Dam here.

Revisiting Kansbahal Dam

Revisiting Kansbahal Dam

A visit to Kansbahal dam in Monsoon season is completely different from the other as after heavy rains water is released. The release outlet is on the other end of this earth dam. Water is released only if it crosses the danger level which happens when it rains heavily in the catchment area. The flow of water creates sone interesting photo opportunities. Enjoy the view!

Read my earlier post about Kansbahal Dam here.

Ghogar

Ghogar

Ghogar temple, near the Rajgangpur town of Odisha, was established by King of Raghunath Sekhar Deo. Temple is dedicated to lord Shiv temple and also known as Ghogar Dham or Sri Ghogareswar Mahadev. 

The temple is located on the banks of the river Ghogar, near to the Kansbahal dam. A check dam is built near the temple to store the water for the use of temple and also used for fishing. The temple campus hosts the place for lunch (Bhandara) and tp stay (guesthouse). 

Temple is a great attraction for devotees during a ritual called "Bolbum, observed during the month of Shravan, where people walk miles carrying the water from their native to come here and offer tot eh lord Shiv. Other two important festivals observed here are Kartika Purnima andMahashivratri. 

I visited the premises in the September only to see the place is so dirty and ill-maintained and decided not to visit again. The temple trust seems not at all managing the system to maintain the holiness of the place. I clicked very few photos for record purpose and never entered inside the temple. 

How to reach:

The place is abut 40 km from Rourkela near the L and T campus at Kansbahal. The best way to reach Ghogar is to travel by road with a private vehicle.

Agriculture and people of Odisha

Agriculture and people of Odisha

                                                        - a photo essay

Odisha is a state where a large population, more than 60%, depends on the income from the agriculture although it contributes merely 15% to the state GDP. Odisha is fast growing state of India, and the modern industry is just entering in the state. The major industry in the state is Mining and metallurgy related. 

Farmers from some part of Odisha like Sambalpur, where the water is available throughout the year, takes two to three crops per year. But otherwise, the farming is done in the Monsoon season. The most preferred crop is paddy, which is also a primary staple food and rice is preferred with the fish. Favourite rice recipe is famous 'Pakhala' especially in the summer season. Tribals ferment the boiled rice mixed with herbs to make Handia.

Due to the various support schemes started by the state and central government, farmers are opting for modern practices and farming technologies. Tractors, seeders, irrigation equipment, are commonly used. However, poor one still use the classical method, a pair of bulls. A bicycle is a preferred mode of short distance, up to 5 kilometres, transportation for obvious reasons: cheap, affordable, easy maintenance. It is a typical picture where women use cycle, a family uses a cycle and obviously children too.

Water is available is in plenty in Monsoon season from June to September. An extensive network of rivers which pass through this region to meet the Sea of Bengal keeps the water level up to maintain the area green throughout the year. Villagers store the water in a small pond and is used for daily activities.

Adults, mainly women of the house, work tirelessly in the field to make most from the season. Working starts early in the morning and is finished before sunset, making the working hours somewhere from 10 to 12 hours daily. Availability of school for almost every village has raised the literacy level up indeed. However, the drop-out rate, is still higher in the rural area. Children prefer to either earn or work in the fields than to go to school.