Tourist Places in Odisha – Part V – Nuapada District

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Nuapada tourist places

The district of Nuapada, with its headquarters at Nuapada, lies in the western part of Odisha and is surrounded by the district of Raipur in the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh and the districts of Bolangir, Bargarh, and Kalahandi in Odisha. In ancient times, the area formed part of the territory of Mahakantara. After independence, it was added to the district of Kalahandi and became a full-fledged district in 1993. Nuapada and Khariar are the major towns in the district, along with certain other smaller towns. As tourism has great potential in the district, let’s have a look at the tourist places:
1. The Town of Nuapada: Approximately 137 kilometers from Bhawanipatna, stands the small town of Nuapada, which is also the district headquarters. Although a town, Nuapada still retains a rural and agrarian characteristic. Eighteen kilometers from here stands the beautiful Yogeswar temple at Patora.

2. The Town of Khariar: Approximately 68 kilometers from Nuapada towards the town of Bhawanipatna, stands the town of Khariar, Khadial, or Rajkhariar. It is also called Rajakhariar. Though small, it is a cultural town with a number of tourist sites around. The town boasts of a royal palace and temples dedicated to Maa Samaleswari, Maa Raktambari, and other deities. There are numerous other temples which make it a temple town.

3. Pataleswar Temple: At Budhikomana stands the famous temple of Pataleswar, which is known for its art and architecture. The temple is made of bricks in the ‘Pancharatha’ style unique to the state. It is a famous pilgrimage center in the area. It is approximately 34 kilometers from the town of Nuapada.

4. Patora: Patora is a dam site of the Upper Jonk Irrigation Project, approximately 18 kilometers from Nuapada. With great scenic charms and hills around, there is also a boating facility in the dam reservoir. Patora is also famous for the Yogeswar temple, which attracts devotees and tourists from far and wide.

5. Patalganga: It is a nice spot with a perennial spring in the midst of nature. Legend has it that Ram, Laxman, and Sita visited the place during their exile. When Sita felt thirsty, Laxman shot an arrow that pierced through the earth and brought forth a flow of water. The water of the spring is said to be as holy as that of the Ganges. During solar and lunar eclipses, people gather here in large numbers to bathe in the holy water. The place is near Boden and approximately thirty-five kilometers from Khariar.

6. Upkaganga: There are three streams flowing from the earth over here in the Sunabeda river forest. It is called Upkaganga because of the flow of water from the earth like a stream. It is approximately 42 kilometers from Khariar.

7. Saliha: Saliha is the place where, in the year 1930, the people of Khariar united to protest against taxation on the tenants of the Estate. To commemorate the occasion, a pillar for freedom fighters has been erected at this place. It is approximately eighty kilometers towards Mahasamund from Khariar.

8. Godhosh: There is a waterfall at Godhosh which is 63 meters high. It is inside the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary and approximately 29 kilometers from Nuapada. Dense forests, hills, and the natural cool water of the waterfall make it one of the best tourist places in the district.

9. Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary: The Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately forty kilometers from Komna. Sunabeda is a plateau inhabited mostly by tribal people. It is the source of the rivers Jonk and Sundar. Sunadei is the presiding deity of the area, worshipped by the local people during Dussehra. The 63-meter-high Godhosh waterfall amid dense forests in the sanctuary adds to the beauty of the place.

10. Beniadhus: It is a popular waterfall in the midst of dense forests and hills. On the Jonk river in the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, the waterfall is approximately 60 kilometers from Nuapada and is one of the best picnic spots in the district.

11. Khalardhas: The Khalardhas waterfall is approximately 70 kilometers from Nuapada. On the Jonk river and nestled against dense forests in the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, it is the highest plunge waterfall in the area with a height of approximately 150 meters.

12. Sunadevi Temple: Sunadevi or Sunadei is the presiding deity of the Sunabeda plateau. She is held in high esteem by the local people. It is believed that in the Dwapara era, Bhim, while ploughing the land, found the existence of the Devi in the place and erected a temple on the site. Every year, Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and splendor in the temple.

13. Thipakhol: It is a beautiful waterfall in the district of Nuapada, attracting both tourists and picnickers. It is about eighteen kilometers from Sinapali.

14. Yogimath: Yogimath is approximately nine kilometers, sixty-seven kilometers, and eighty-two kilometers from Khariar, Bhawanipatna, and Nuapada, respectively. It is a historical place with art and painting on rock surfaces in ochre red color found in the caves. There has been much research on the rock arts and paintings, proving that human settlement and culture existed here even in prehistoric times. Green fields, trees, and a hill called Rishipith near the Yogimath caves enhance its appeal.

15. Maraguda: Maraguda valley in the Sunabeda plateau has been the subject of much research and excavations. Ancient ruins of a flourishing city have been found here. It formed part of the territory of Mahakantara in ancient times and was the capital of South Koshala or Dakshina Koshala. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, visited the city in the 7th century AD. It is believed that during the Mahabharata era, the capital of the Nishadha kingdom was in the Maraguda valley.

In addition to the above-mentioned places, there are numerous other tourist sites in the district like Rajib Udyan, Debagiri, Tikhali Dam, Dadhibabana Temple, Komna, Ekta Chowk, temples, hills, and dense forest areas, picnic spots, and waterfalls to attract tourists.

Nuapada was a sub-division of Kalahandi district before it became a full-fledged district in 1993. Though small in size and population, Nuapada is rich in mineral and forest resources. It has a rich cultural heritage dating back to ancient and even prehistoric times. It also has a vibrant tribal culture. The best time to visit the district is from October to March. Accommodation and food are not a problem as there are hotels, restaurants, lodges, and guesthouses.

Towns like Nuapada, Khariar, and Khariar Road, though small, offer a specialty in culture and tradition. Trains, buses, and hired vehicles are the main modes of transport in the district. Tourists will have a lot of fun and quality time once they plan and come to the district.

(The views expressed are the writer’s own)

Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,

Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.

Email: [email protected]

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