Approximately 91 kilometres from the city of Sambalpur stands the town of Debagarh or Deogarh, also being the district headquarters of the district bearing the same name. Once a subdivision of Sambalpur, it has become one of the thirty districts after a reorganisation of districts in Odisha. Deogarh is almost an industry-less district, and therefore, the people depend upon agriculture. There are forests and mainly hills in the district, which provide a natural environment. There are good waterfalls in the district, one of which has been a source of hydroelectricity and also one of the earliest in Asia. Since the district abounds in natural environments, the government has tried to promote tourism over here. Let us have a look at the tourist places in the district:
- The town of Deogarh – On the Kolkata-Mumbai highway, Deogarh is 91 kilometres from the city of Sambalpur. It has been the capital of the princely state of Bamanda. Though a small town, it boasts of the royal palace, many old temples, hotels, and markets, and can very well be self-sufficient for tourists.
- Pradhanpat – The Pradhanpat waterfall is just one kilometre from Deogarh town, and there is a motorable road up to it. The waterfall, presenting an exciting sight, is pitted against a natural and scenic backdrop and attracts visitors and tourists to take a bath in the natural, cold, and transparent water. The place is associated with Maa Pradhani and Lord Champakeswar. It has always been a favourite picnic spot in Deogarh and the neighbouring districts.
- Deojharan – Deojharan waterfall is sixteen kilometres from Deogarh and situated in a dense forest in Reamal block. The exciting waterfall, along with its natural scenery, has all the ingredients to attract tourists. The hills and forests are good material for still photography and videography.
- Kurudkut – The Kurudkut waterfall is approximately three kilometres from Deogarh town. It is surrounded by dense forests and hills. The sound of the waterfall and the natural scenery attract tourists. It has been one of the earliest sources of hydroelectricity in Asia. Picnic parties also rush to it in winter because of its beauty.
- Gohira – Situated at a distance of twenty-five kilometres from Deogarh, the Gohira Dam, completed in the year 1981, is a water resources project. There is a Shiva temple near the dam. The dam reservoir, surrounded by hills, presents a breathtaking sight. It is also a favourite picnic spot in the district and outside.
- Daragadi – The Daragadi stream is at a distance of seventy kilometers from the town of Deogarh. Surrounded by dense forests and high hills, the stream marks the meeting place of three districts: Deogarh, Sundargarh, and Anugul. The stream also flows through the districts of Keonjhar and Anugul. Its natural and scenic beauty has always been a point of attraction for tourists.
- Kailash Palace – The Kailash Palace is fifteen kilometers from Deogarh. The royal resort was built by the king of Deogarh in the year 1919 and is, therefore, a heritage site. The palace has been developed as an ecotourism site by the Government of Odisha. The natural beauty of the place attracts tourists.
- Katasar Ghat – The Katasar Ghat Shiv temple is forty kilometers from the town of Deogarh. Two natural streams flow inside the premises of the Shiv temple and the Banadurga temple. It is a very calm and quiet place, attracting tourists for its natural beauty.
- Sri Jagannath Temple – Sri Jagannath Temple is inside the town of Deogarh. Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are the main deities in the temple. It is a very old temple, having been built in the year 1705. Rathyatra is celebrated every year here. The temple architecture is a point of attraction for tourists.
- Satchidananda Library – Started in the year 1920, the Satchidananda Library is a public library in Deogarh containing 10,301 books. Started in memory of King Satchidananda Tribhuvan Dev, who was a renowned poet and a man of scientific ideas, the library is a storehouse of knowledge for the people of Deogarh.
- Olata Bata – Olata Bata is a giant ficus tree situated in Purunagada, just two kilometers from Deogarh. The inverted leaves of the tree bear great religious sanctity, and the tree is a strange botanical phenomenon. Literally, Olata Bata means the reverse banyan or ficus tree.
- Jhadeswar Temple – The Jhadeswar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is three kilometers from the town of Deogarh. Having been built in the year 1854, it is one of the oldest temples in the Bamanda state. It has been constructed in the Kalinga style of temple architecture. The holy shrine attracts visitors and devotees. Baba Jhadeswar is an ‘Ubhalinga,’ having originated on its own.
- Kalajira and Godavari Lake – The Kalajira Minor Irrigation Project and the Godavari Lake are at a distance of sixteen kilometers from the town of Deogarh. The Godavari Lake presents a calm and quiet atmosphere and attracts migratory birds in winter. The king of Deogarh constructed a temple and a Dak bungalow near it. It is a favorite picnic spot in the district.
- Saruali – The Saruali Dam is a popular picnic spot about sixty-two kilometers from the town of Deogarh. The dam, built with locally found rocks, was completed by the king of Deogarh in the year 1875.
- Akshar Shila Rock – The Akshar Shila Rock contains rock inscriptions that have been deciphered by scholars of the Bamanda state. Unless the inscriptions are protected, they will suffer irreparable damage, causing a loss to the heritage of Deogarh.
- Kuntroo – Kuntroo waterfall is about 22 kilometers from the town of Deogarh. It is a hidden waterfall in the district. The Kailash Palace is also not far from it. The waterfall is surrounded by dense forests and hills, thereby attracting tourists in winter. The environment around is very pleasing.
- Kuladera – The Kuladera waterfall, flowing from the top of a hill and surrounded by dense forests, is 60 kilometers from the town of Deogarh. It can also be reached from Rairakhol, which is 44 kilometers away. The water is very good for bathing. The waterfall is reached after a long trek through the hills. The natural beauty of the waterfall and the surrounding area attracts picnickers in winter.
- Deogarh Palace or Rajbati – The Deogarh Royal Palace is a major attraction for tourists. It was built by Sir Basudev Sudhal Dev, the then king of the Bamanda state, in the year 1896. It is an enormous structure with all the facilities for the royal family within its four walls, including a temple dedicated to Maa Kanaka Durga.
- Basant Nivas and Lalit Basant Nivas – Basant Nivas and, a little above in the Pradhanpat hills, Lalit Basant Nivas are two structures of the Deogarh royal heritage. Both were built by King Satchidananda Tribhuvan Dev at the beginning of the twentieth century. Similar in architecture and design, and meant for royal personalities, guests, and visitors, the view of the Pradhanpat hills and the town of Deogarh below can best be experienced from these royal buildings.
Despite being a small district in size and population, Deogarh offers an array of attractions, including waterfalls, hilly areas, and picnic spots. The best time to visit Deogarh is from October to March. Food and accommodation are not a problem as there are good hotels, lodges, guest houses, and government facilities for tourists. Autorickshaws, buses, taxis, and private cabs are the main modes of transport in the district. The Mumbai-Kolkata national highway passes through Deogarh, connecting it to various towns and cities in Odisha. The town and district of Deogarh will certainly not disappoint tourists.
(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.
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