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.

Wandering destination: Khandadhar waterfall, Odisha

Wandering destination: Khandadhar waterfall, Odisha

Read my earlier post about reaching to the top of Khandadhar waterfalls here.

Khandadhar is located at about 95 Km from the nearest town Rourkela. The road is absolutely smooth and takes very near the hill hosting the fall.  Frome the entrance, one has to ascend about 150  steps to reach near the waterfall.

Khandadhar waterfall is located in the picturesque location surrounded by the evergreen hills. On cloudy days, the play of light and shadow assures dramatic landscapes.

The water flows down from the small natural pool situated beneath the waterfall. These streams is an interesting capture during the post monsoon season when the water is apt to produce a photograph showing a smooth-water-flow. 

Valley as seen, Khadndadhar fall on the backside

A small pool naturally created by the falls is certainly great fun to take a bath in. Tourists gather in a huge number on this spot, especially during the winter months.  Though pool and the nearby area seems innocent, falls has caused some deaths mostly because over enthusiastic and drunk tourists.

A complete view of the falls - to get this one has to climb down through the stream. The pool is somewhere in the mid of this photo.

Downstream  

The place is an interesting place to watch flora and fauna of Odisha.  During my visit in mid-August, I spotted following butterflies.

Butterflies spotted at Khandadhar:

• Large Oakblue 
• Common Pierrot
• Grass Yellow
• Common Mormon
• Common Leopard
• Common Crow
• Common Nawab
• Common Banded Peacock
• Orange Oakleaf
• Blue Mormon
• Yamfly
• Baronet
• Common Emigrant
• Lime
• Common crow
• Great Eggfly
• Chocolate pansy
• Lemon Pansy
• Indian Sunbeam
• Staff Seargent (?)
• Lineblues

Indian Nawab

Baronet

Yamfly

Robber fly

Tips for travellers:

• Travelling by private or hired vehicle is the only option. No public transportation available.
• No entry fee
• Place near the fall is well developed as a picnic area. Though the basic facilities like toilets are missing. 
• It's a NO plastic zone, so please don't litter.
• Be careful while attempting adventurous activity of any kind. Innocence of the water stream may be an illusion.
• There is guest house of forest department and can be booked for an overnight stay.
• There are NO food stalls nearby. The best way is to carry the food or prepare it onsight.

Read my earlier post about reaching to the top of Khandadhar waterfalls here.

How to reach:

The Panposh Bridge

The Panposh Bridge

The Panposh bridge, constructed in the early 1950s, connects the steel city with the rest of the state. This 150 m long bridge is built to cross river Brahmani near Rourkela. Alongside main road bridge there are two rail bridges running parallel.

Soon the Rourkela and Sambalpur, two major cities of Odisha will get connected through a four-lane highway passing through Jharsuguda where new airport is being constructed. There is urgent need and demand for the old age bridge to be renovated or to build a new one close to it. In the evening time when the heavy vehicletraffic starts, traffic jam is very common as there is no alternate way to enter rourkela from west sideof the city.

Meanwhile, city authorities have taken up project for beautification of near by ghat on the river to make it a place to spend calm evenings. Sunset over the river seen from the proposed beautification site certainly not to be missed.

 

The paanposh bridge as seen from the Vedvyaas

 

Evening traffic on the bridge

Location:

Colorful rocks at Birtola

Colorful rocks at Birtola

Near Bireswar temple, in the bed of Brahmani river during the summer when the water level is low, the colorful rocks shining metallic can be easily accessed. Every year, rocks change the colors and shapes. The surface textures, colors, and patterns are exclusive to watch. Here are some of the rock structures photographed this summer of 2016.

Wandering Destination: Bireswar Temple

Wandering Destination: Bireswar Temple

Bireswar Temple is dedicated to lord shiva. It is situated at a scenic place, called Birtola near Darjing, on the banks of the river Brahmani.

Rourkelaites are fond of the destination for a weekend picnic. The reflections of sun setting is spectacular to watch.

Colorful rocks here is another attraction. Rocks facets patterns, metallic finish and variety of colors indeed is an attraction for nature lovers. 

The Banyan trees penetrating the limestone rocks

On the opposite bank of river situates the Bamra range forest which hosts a variety of trees including Mahua, Tendu, and Saal. The river can be crossed with the help of seasonal fishermen here.

Some family of fisherman lives in the dried up river bed and earns by selling the river fish.

How to reach:

Bireswar temple is located at Birtola on the SH23 highway, about 48 Km from Rourkela. It can be approached by road.