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Mayurbhanj District unfolds an enormous panorama of nature`s beauty. Amid the surroundings evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as the famous Chhau dance. This dance form has gained worldwide fame and recognition. It is noted for its beauty, vigor, and marvel of the art.
Mayurbhanj is a district in Odisha. The geographical area of the district is 10,418 Sq.Km. and is situated on the Northern boundary of the state with district Headquarters at Baripada. The district lies between 22.0087° North and 86.4187° east. The district is bounded in the North by the Medinipur district of West Bengal, Singbhum district of Jharkhand in the South, Balasore district in the west and by Keonjhar district in the East.
Mayurbhanj occupies a unique position being endowed with lush green vegetation, different Fauna, and rich cultural heritage. The district has a rich mineral base and is home to the Similipal Biosphere. Iron-ore(Hematite), vanadiferous and titaniferous magnetic, China Clay, Galena(lead ore), Kyanite, Asbestos, Steatite(soapstone), and quartzite constitute the principal mineral resources of the Mayurbhanj district, of these the iron-ore deposits of Gorumahisani, Badampahar, and Suleipat, which have been exploited for a period of about half a century, deserve special mention.
Mayurbhanj has many picturesque waterfalls. Joranda, Barehipani, and Uski lie within the Similipal reserve, while Sitakund, Devkund, and Olukudar are on its outer periphery. They offer majestic views amid high plateaus and hills.
Top Attractions in Mayurbhanj District
Kishakeshwari Templeis temple of Hindu Goddess Chamunda alias Kali located in Khiching, which was the ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, located about 205 km from Balasore and 150 km from Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district of north Orissa. The largest temple of the town is dedicated to Goddess Kichakeswari, the family goddess of the ruling chiefs of Mayurbhanj. The Goddess Kiscakeshwari was not only the ishtadevata of the Bhanj dynasty but also the State deity. The temple, made of chlorite, is architecturally brilliant and well-carved from its outer surface. This temple is one of the most impressive temples of Kalinga architecture.
The style of the temple is contemporary of the Brahmeshwara and the Lingaraj temples of Bhubaneswar. The height of the temple is 100 feet (30 m) and the total area is 1,764 square feet (163.9 m2). The original temple was built somewhere in the 7th or the 8th century and was in bad shape as it had fallen in the hands of vandals. However, the erstwhile and last ruler of the Princely State of Mayurbhanj, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo was appalled of its state.
The temple is made up of black chlorite facing east, consisting of rekha vimana, and stands over a high platform of 1.20 meters. The interior is single room where the Goddess deity is present and worshipped. The exteriors of the temple is highly decorated, with magnificent sculptors like nayakas, naga-Nagin, Ganesha, Kirtimukha, Khakharamundi and other divine god and goddesses. The huge pillars sculpted with Nagin are the unique heritage of this temple. The shrine contains a large ten-armed fearsome skeletal image of Chamunda-Kali with striking veins, ribs and sunken belly, wearing a garland of skulls and seated over a dead body.
Mayurbhanj: The scenic beauty of Mayurbhanj always impresses tourists. Away from urbanization and the city crowd, several places here become a major attraction for culture lovers. Devkund is one of the important places in the district where people go sightseeing with family or friends. Devkund means the bathtub of Gods and Goddesses. Climbing up more than 100 steps from Devkund, at the source of the river, there is the temple of Devi Ambika Mata (Durga temple), which is worth seeing. Pujas are still performed in the temple built by the kings of Mayurbhanj in 1940.
The chirping sound of known and unknown birds, the multi-coloured butterflies add to the charm of Devkund. So this place is very important for Hindu culture peoples, as they believe that it is the bathing place of their Gods and Goddess, so by touching this water they get blessings of their god and goddess. It is located in the district of Mayurbhanj.
Devkund is famous for its waterfall that falls from the top of the hill. Devkund Waterfall is located in Bhira Patnus and since it went viral on social media, it has become an extremely crowded place. It is the confluence of three waterfalls and is said to be the origin of the Kundalika River. It is about a three-hour trek from the base village along the dam backwater and through the forest to reach this place known as ‘Devkund’. A major part of the trek goes through some semi-dried forests with the river running parallel and sometimes crisscrossing through the route. A guide is required to be taken during the trek as there is a dense forest around.
How to reach- Devkund has situated 60 km from the main town of Baripada and 85 km from the Balasore district. Devkund is going through in the Udala division. It is a natural beauty of Odisha and Similipal National park is near it.
It’s the altruistic nature of Odisha that it lets travellers come and take joy at the sight of the second highest fall across India, Barehipani. This waterfall shares land with the Simlipal National Park settled in the Mayurbhanj district which is known for sheltering wild elephants, gaurs (Indian bison), Bengal tigers and chausingha(four horned antelope).It is the River Budhabalanga that lets this waterfall cuddle and flow over the mighty Meghasani mountain.
One of the most interesting things about this famous waterfall in Odisha is its two drops that descends from a wife cliff with a height of 399 m where the tallest drop ranges 259 m. Furthermore, those who visit the national park for see the Bengal and White Tiger, their experience becomes even exciting and wonderful with the presence of this popular tourist attraction amid the thriving vegetation of the region.
Travelers love to stop and stare at the beauty of the height of Barehipani Fall and also the crashing sound it makes while coming all the way down. Tourists can also choose to visit, another popular waterfall in Odisha, Joranda Falls which makes its name as the 19th highest waterfall in the country and is located inside the Simlipal.
Similipal, which derives its name from ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree, is a national park and a Tiger Reserve situated in the northern part of Orissa’s Mayurbhanj district. The tiger reserve is spread over 2750 sq km and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. The park is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m above mean sea level). At least twelve rivers cut across the plain area, all of which drain into the Bay of Bengal. The prominent among them are Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Salandi, Kahairi and Deo.
The park is known for the tiger, elephant and hill mynah. It holds the highest tiger population in the state of Orissa. 55 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 21 species of frogs, 38 species of fish and 164 species of butterflies have been recorded from the Park.
An astounding 1078 species of plants including 94 species of orchids find their home in the park. The vegetation is a mix of different forest types and habitats, with Northern tropical moist deciduous dominating some semi-evergreen patches. Sal is the dominant tree species here. The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores. These forests boast of many plants that have medicinal and aromatic properties.
The park is known for the tiger, elephant and hill mynah. It holds the highest tiger population in the state of Orissa. 55 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 21 species of frogs, 38 species of fish and 164 species of butterflies have been recorded from the Park.
Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur. Grey hornbill, Indian pied hornbill and Malabar pied hornbill are also found here. The park also has a sizeable population of reptiles, which includes the longest venomous snake, the King cobra and the Tricarinate hill turtle. The Mugger Management Programme at Ramatirtha has helped the mugger crocodile to flourish on the banks of the Khairi and Deo Rivers.
The Joranda Falls is located in the Simlipal National Park near Dhanaulti in Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha.It is in the core area of Similipal national park. The Barehipani Falls is located close to the Joranda Falls.
It is the 19th-highest waterfall in India.The Joranda Falls has a total height of 150 metres. The water plunges over a lofty cliff in a single drop, spreading out slightly as it falls. This is the 19th highest waterfall in India. A large number of tourists visit this waterfall to enjoy the tranquil nature and revive themselves of the hectic city life. This spot is both a relaxing and stunning experience.
