Hidden Treasures Of Odisha - Places You Didn't Know Of

1. Mahendragiri 

There are many beautiful places in Odisha and many of which are not even known to the local people here. Odisha is my home state and I feel blessed to be born in such a beautiful place. 

For a traveler who loves to be in the laps of nature, there is nothing more beautiful than to travel to a place where he can enjoy its true beauty.

For those who want to explore the lush greenery, the vast expanse of mountains, and beautiful coastal lines, this place has a lot to offer.

 So if wanderlust has come knocking on your door and you are planning a trip, then these are the places that you must visit in Odisha.  

Odisha is not just about visiting Puri, Konark, Chilika and other over-hyped places with bustling tourists. There are plenty of other places and today I'm going to talk about such a place about which you might not even have heard about - "Mahendragiri". 

Amidst the rich scenic beauty of evergreen forests, Mahendragiri, at 5,000 feet high, stands in its unrivaled glory in the district of Gajapati. 

With lush and stunning landscape, Mahendragiri takes you on a visual trip amongst the second highest mountain peak in Odisha.

With thick greenery at every corner, you will surely never want to leave this place. 

How to reach:

Mahendragiri is approachable from Brahmapur by two routes. The first route, the route currently in use, is to Paralakhemundi, 115 km. from Brahmapur via Ichhapur - Palasa. 

The second route is from Brahmapur to Paralakhemundi via Digapanandi-R. Udayagiri and Rayagada which runs over a distance of 173 km. The third route is 126 km from Brahmapur via Ichhapur-Jarada-jajpur and Paralakhemundi. 

To go to Mahendragiri one has to go to Paralakhemundi which is about 120 km. from Brahmapur via Palasa( Andhra Pradesh). 

 Now the communication has improved and one can go to the foothill by jeep. 

Unfortunately, there aren't any places for accommodation so many tourists don't prefer to go there.

2. Chandragiri 

This is the destination for you if you are in search of peace and tranquility. 

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, tropical forests, gurgling rivers, and exquisite mountain slopes, Chandragiri's monuments are still miles away from civilization.

 It is the 'mini Tibet' of Odisha. When you visit the monastery, you can find the traditional Tibetan Buddhist colorful prayer flags to welcome you. 

The Tibetan refugees that have settled there call this divine abode Phuntsokling, which translates to - Land of Happiness and Plenty.

How to reach: 

The nearest station is Berhampur railway station. Then from Berhampur take a cab or any public transport to reach Chandragiri. The nearest international airport is in Bhubaneshwar.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head on to these places to enjoy in the lap of mother nature.

3. Debakunda Waterfall

Debakunda is a hamlet perched on a hilltop and boasts of a waterfall and a lake, that will make you fall in love with the serene beauty of the place. 

It is considered to be sacred by the local people. It also has an amazing trekking trail if you want to explore the place more.

The entire village is covered with greenery with rows of teak, aakashmoni, piyasal, mahaneem, mango, and sheesham trees that will provide a gorgeous canopy over your trail. 

The view of the waterfall, plunging into the lake below from the hill, is a sight to behold for every photographer. 

While you are there, you can also visit the 70-year-old temple, whose entrance is a 200-step ascent from the lake at the bottom of the waterfall. 

Several species of birds such as the hill mynah, peafowl, hornbill, and various reptiles are also a common sight.

How to reach: 

The nearest station is Balasore and from there, you can take a two-hour drive in a cab to the waterfalls. 

The nearest international airport is in Bhubaneshwar.

4. Daringbadi

Daringbadi is an ideal summer resort of the state situated at an altitude of 3000 ft above sea level.

 The place is also known as ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ because of its astonishing beauty. This is the only place in the state where winter season has beautiful snowfall. 

The hill station is located in Kandhamal district of the state. The place is gifted with coffee gardens, pine forests and beautiful valleys. 

The exact beauty of the entire place can be enjoyed by reaching the top of this hill station. 

The main places to visit here are the beautiful waterfalls of Doluri river, Putudi Waterfalls, black pepper and turmeric gardens, and Belghar Sanctuary. 

The main pilgrim place to visit here is Samaleswari temple. The majority population here is Christians and there are about 200 churches here. 

Travelers can taste delicious local food like ‘Bara’ available in the snack shops here.

Tourists can go for adventurous trekking to the nearby hills to enjoy the wild unspoiled environment. 

You can accommodate in PWD Inspection Bungalow or Revenue I.B here or can else stay in an Ashram near the bus stop of Daringbadi.

The place has a sub-tropical climate. The best time to visit here are the months from September to May.

How to reach:

 The beautiful hill station is about 250 km from Bhubaneswar and 125 km from Berhampur.