A de'light'ful experience: The village is decorated with plenty of lamps placed everywhere including in and around the house, on the bridge, and open places.
View from the watchtower. The place is spread around in not less than 10 acres.
Various kind of typical folk dance performances keeps on going around: Dance, Puppetry. Drawing Mehandi on hand is an attraction for tourists apart from other paintings and art form.
Food is served in traditional style. Normally group of about 20 people seated in a rectangular fashion and bonfire at the center fuelled with pure ghee.
Typical thali served initially. More and more food items keep on coming too fast. Food made in lots of ghee.
And you can take a photo with Rajasthani headgear.
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.
Koilighughar is one of the serene and tranquil location of a waterfall, lesser known spot which is hidden in the Chhuikhanch' forest dominated by Mahua and Saal trees near Lakhanpur. Koilighughar waterfall is around 100 ft on the river Ahiraj later to merge into the Mahanadi river. It is said that Inside the fall there is a Shivalingam known as Maheswarnath.
The lingam is submerged in water and is not ordinarily visible. For the benefit of the pilgrims, another Shivalingam has been created just outside the waterfall. Worshippers, in plenty, come here to praise the lords. The place of lingam is unique due to its location. Perhaps the most scenic I have ever seen. Beware of the monkeys who are daring enough to snatch anything from your hand, particularly bags.
To enjoy the front view of this beautiful little beast, one should cross the river, go left and climb down a shallow cut through the boulders. The best season to enjoy the thick forest and water flow is from October to December. Koilighugar has an annual fair on the occasion of Sivaratri.
An ashram of Soham swami is located on the premises where the priests of the temples live.
Place of worship where the alternative Shivalingam is located
A priest cleaning the arsenals of the goddess Durga on the occasion of Vijayadashami
Front view of the fall
Ashram of Soham Swami
Mobile Shots:
An entrance gate being built
Temple on the campus
Cooking space for visitors
Driving from Gobindpur to Koilighugar through forest
Videos:
How to reach:
On driving from Jharsuguda, drive towards Raigarh on SH 49. From Gobindpur, located at about 20 Km from Belpahar, take a right turn and drive for about 6 km through the forest to reach Koilighugar Waterfall.
Road from Jharsuguda till Gobindpur is newly built in 2016 and is very wide and smooth. At Belpahar railway crossing chokes the traffic especially due to the heavy transport vehicles. While returning to Jharsuguda make sure that you cross the railway crossing before 3.30 PM. After 3.30 PM, all the trucks are released and will make the drive difficult.
Raigarh is about 40 Km if continued on same highway 49.
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.
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!
