How to Exploring Keonjhar on a Kolkata Package Tour

This waterfall is located in a forest area surrounded by forests about 8 km away from Keonjhar town via NH 6 towards Sambalpur. This area, which is surrounded by steep hills and pediments of dolerite rocks, is mainly covered with deciduous forests. The Machhakandana canal falls from the top of the hill into a ‘V’ shaped valley. creating Sanaghagara waterfalls. The beauty of this fountain is enchanting in a quiet secluded forest environment amidst green vegetation.

About 17 km from Keonjhar town, Gonashika is a holy shrine in Orissa. The holy river Baitarani has originated from here. In the Gupta Ganga hills, the Baitarani River has disappeared inside the ground, originating from a rock shaped like a cow’s nose. Almost in about 1/2 kilometer, the flow path of the river is not visible from outside. As a result, another name of Baitarani is Gupta Ganga or Gupta Baitarani.

This waterfall is located about 10 km from Keonjhar town. The Bara Ghagra River falls from a height of about 100 feet, creating this uniquely serene waterfall. The serene environment of this waterfall surrounded by green forest is very pleasant and enjoyable. The locals often come here for picnics.

Its distance from Keonjhar is about 60 kilometers. The Khandadhar stream fell about 500 feet as it hit a rock from the top of a steep hill. As a result, the adjacent area is filled with small water particles and covered with a layer of smoke. The lush green forest all around, the distant mountain range and the sound of endless water all combine to captivate the environmental vision. It is the second highest waterfall in Orissa.

Sitabinji derives its name from the nearby Sita stream. This small hamlet of Sitabinji is famous for its folklore relating to te Hindu epic of Ramayana. It is locally believed that Sita took shelter here after being deserted by Lord Rama. A huge boulder of about 150 feet can be seen in the wide green courtyard. The boulder has taken the shape of a temple. The shrine is held together by mud and brick with idols of Sita and her two sons made of stone.

In contrast to scholarly versions of Ramyana, the aboriginal tribes of Keonjhar in North Odisha have their own version of the episode of Sita reaching the Ashram of Valmiki after being abandoned by Rama. Local belief and folklore says this was the place where the ashram of Valmiki was located. There is a rock shelter like a half open umbrella which is locally known as Ravana Chhaya. It has some tempera paintings. This is the place where Mesolithic (Late Stone Age communities) tribes roamed more than 10,000 years ago.

The tempera painting of Ravana Chhaya was most probably created around the 7th century AD Before applying tempera which is a fast-drying color, the rough surface of granite was smoothed with a thin coating of lime. The drawings mainly feature a royal procession featuring a Royal figure with a sword in hand seated on an elephant with several other figures. A writing in Sanskrit probably dating from the 7th century gives the name of the king as Maharaja Sri Disabhanja.

Ghatagaon Tarini Temple is 50 kilometers from Keonjhar town. There are many rumors surrounding this temple. It is said that during the battle of Kanchi in the 1480s, Sri Gobinda Bhanjadeo, the king of Keonjhar, brought his Goddess mother Tarini from Puri to Keonjhar. The goddess Tarini agreed to come with the king on the condition that during the journey he cannot look back at her. During the journey at one point of time near Ghatagaon forest, the King turned back thinking that the Goddess had lost her way. But the goddess was behind him. Undeterred, the goddess ordered to establish her temple in that forested place. Since then the goddess is worshiped here. The goddess is still worshiped by tribal priests.

Bhim kund is located about 100 km from Keonjhar town. The place belongs to Mayurbhanj district. Here through a rocky river bed, the holy river Baitarani gushes down.Considered as a sacred place, people gather here during the annual celebration of Makar Sankranti in large numbers. It is believed that the Pandavas were staying some time here during their exile.

Gundichaghai waterfall is located about 50 kilometers away from Keonjhar town. Here the Musala River splits into several streams and falls about 50 feet below creating a scenic waterfall.

The location of Kanjipani Base or Kanjipani Valley is about 30 km away from Keonjhar town. On the way you can see Indian beer, small deer, wild boar or cheetah. Located at an altitude of 610 meters, the beauty of this valley becomes more enjoyable in winter and monsoon. In monsoon, Kanjipani Valley is covered with thick clouds. In winter, the temperature here sometimes drops to Zero degree celsius.