Kandhamal is a district of state of Orissa , India. The capital of the district (headquarter) is Phulbani.

The Dream Land of Nature

The district Kandhmal a part of erstwhile district of Boudh-Kandhmal came to existence on 1st April, 1993 as a result of reorganization of the district of Orissa. The district is a land of scenic beauties, water falls, natural springs, hill tracts, perched with history antiquities. The District is otherwise peaceful but on 25th December 2007, it attracted attention due to Christians and Hindus and Kandha tribe and Pana caste people. The district lies between 83.30’ E to 84-48’ E longitude and 19-34’ N to 20-54’ latitude. This is the land where Kandha tribes are the principal inhabitants. The district headquarter is Phulbani located in the central part of the district.

General Information

AREA 8021 km².
Population6,48,000 (as per 2001 census)
Male 3,23,000
Female 3,25,000
Altitude 300 to 1100 meter
Rainfall 1597.1 MM
Climate Minimum temperature in December 1 degree Celsius & maximum temperature in May is 35 degree Celsius.
Language Oriya and Kui(tribal language of Khonds)
Clothing Light cotton in summer & woollen in winter.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

The people of Kandhmal celebrate all the Hindu Oriya festivals as per Oriya Panjika(calender)

Name of Fair/Festival Place Period

Mahasivratri, Chakapad Magha (January February)
Kedu jatra, No specific place Chaitra (March-April)
Bali Jatra, Tumudibandha
Baruni Jatra, Hill of Rusimal Chaitra (March-April)
Dassahara/Durgapuja, Bolaskumpa & Balliguda Aswin (Sept-October)
CAR festival(Rath Yatra), Phulbani & Balliguda Ashada (June July)
Thakurani Jatra, Phulbani Baisakha (April-May)
Dola Jatra/Holi, Phulbani Phalgun (March)
Danda Jatra, Phulbani & Balliguda (In all G.Ps) Chaitra (March-April)
Lankapodi Jatra Bisipada Baisakh (May- June)

Accomodation

Sl No Name of accommodation Unit Reservation Authority
1 Circuit House, Phulbani Collector, Kandhamal
2 Inspection Bungalow (R&B), Phulbani Executive Engineer (R&B), Phulbani
3 Forest Rest Shed, Phulbani D.F.O., Phulbani
4 Minor Irrigation, IB., Phulbani Executive Engineer, M.I., Phulbani
5 Pilla Salunki Irrigation, I.B., Phulbani S.D.O., Pillasalunki Irrigation Sub-Divn., Phulbani
6 PWD (R&B) I.B., Balliguda & Tumudibandha Executive Engineer (R& B), Balliguda
7 Pantha Nivas, Daringibadi Tourist Officer, Phulbani
8 PWD (R&B) I.B., Daringibadi Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda
9 Wood House, Belghar D.F.O., Balliguda
10 PWD I.B., Kalinga/G.Udayagiri Executive Engineer R&B, Balliguda.

OTHER ACCOMMODATION
11 Guru Lodge, Phulabani Manager
12 Laxmi Lodge Manager
13 Venkateswar Lodge, Phulbani Manager
14 Hill View Lodge, Phulbani Manager
15 Hotel Rajkamal, Phulbani Manager.

Approach

AIR
The nearest Air Port for approaching the places of interest in the district of Kandhmal is at Bhubaneswar 211 km. There is one Air Strip at Gudari 5 km from Phulbani town for landing of small planes and Helicopters.
RAIL
The nearest Rail head is Rairakhol, on Sambalpur – Bhubaneshwar rail line, which is 99 km from Phulbani. However Berhampur 165 km away from Phulbani is convenient rail head. One could conveniently make Phulbani the district headquarters/ Balliguda, the sub-divisional headquarter as the base for visiting the places of interest.
ROAD
Kandhamal can approached from Sambalpur via Baudh (170 km) and Berhampur (165 km) as well as from Bhubaneshwar via Nayagarh (210 km). It is 170 k.m. away from Bolangir.
FACILITIES:
Transport facility exclusively meant for tourist to visit the places of interest in the district is not available. However, problem can be solved by hiring private taxis at Phulbani/ Balliguda.

MEDICAL
1. District Headquarters Hospital, Phulbani.
2. Government Hospital, Balliguda
3. Government Hospital, G. Udayagiri.
4. Government Hospital, Tikabali.
5. Government Hospital, Daringibadi.

BANKS
1. State Bank of India, Main Branch, Phulbani (with ATM)
2. State Bank of India, Balliguda (with ATM).
3. State Bank of India, G. Udayagiri.
4. Urban Cooperative Bank, Phulbani.
5. Allahabad Bank, Phulbani.
6. Kalahandi Anchalika Gramya Bank, Phulbani.

POSTAL
Available at Phulbani, Balliguda, G. Udayagiri, Raikia and almost every gram panchayats places.
SHOPPING
Phulbani, G. Udayagiri, Raikia, Balliguda and other places.
SPECIAL ATTRACTION Tribal Dance such as Singha Nruty, Dhangda Dhangedi dance, Krahenda Dance (haunting as worrier dance), Kui dance (Khajani Nrutya), Kedu Nrutya (during Kedu jatra).

Places of Interest

BALASKUMPA
Balaskumpa is a village in this south-east of Kandhmal (Phulbani) Sub-Division situated 20-25’N and 84-21’ at the confluence of two hill streams which combine to form Pilla Salki river. The village contains a shrine, Baraladevi, the presiding deity of Kandhamal. The goddess is worshipped every year in the bright fortnight of Aswin (Sept-October). It is 15 km from Phulbani district headquarters, connected by a good road.
BELGHAR
Belghar is situated at a height of more than 2000 feet (609.6 mtrs) above the sea level in Balliguda sub-division. It is connected by a road. The place is 70 km from Balliguda and 155 km from Phulbani. The place is full picturesque scenery, mountains, forest and wild animals, especially elephants. It is believed to be homeland of Kutia Kandhas, who are considered to be the descendants of primitive inhabitants of the area. The place is having an Inspection Bungalow of Forest Department, which is built with wooden planks. It is lighted by solar power. Ushabali valley near the village is one of the rare beauty spots in this hilly region. Some times flocks of peacocks are seen by the roadside and haunted by wild elephants.
CHAKAPAD
It is situated about 800 ft (243.84 M) from the sea level in G. Udayagiri Tahasil. Lord Birupakhya (Siva) is the presiding deity of the area. The historical river Bhrutanga is flowing feature of the place is that, the trees all around and the Siva Linga inside the temple lean towards south. Another temple dedicated to Lord Anandeswar and Jogeswar (Siva) is located near by one big fairies held here on the Sivaratri day. The place is situated in the midst of thick forest, abounds in beautiful natural scenery. The arya Gurukula Ashram, Vedvyas, Sundargarh district has found an Asharam here, known as Banabasi Kalyan Ashram. The inmates are mostly Adivasi boys, who along with general and physical education are taught with Vedas & Scriptures. It is 70 km from Phulbani. The Ashram was established by one Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a great seer who was popular among tribals for his work. He was killed by Christian Naxalites on 23rd August 2008. Ethnic violence had erupted in Kandhamal since then.

DARINGIBADI
Daringbadi is situated at a height of about 3000ft (914.4 mtrs) above sea level in Balliguda sub-division. It is 105 km from Phulbani. The place can be approached directly from Berhampur. The place is attractive in summer season due to its low temperature. Hill View point has been developed at Daringbadi where from a visitor could watch and enjoy the beauty of valley. Tourist complex has been built at Daringibadi for accommodation of the tourists. Vast patch of Coffee plantation attract a large number of visitors to Daringibadi all through the year.

DUNGI
The place is about 45 km from Phulbani situated on Phulbani-Berhampur road in G. Udayagiri Tehsil. This is the only archaeological site in Kandhmal district. There was one Buddha Vihar of 11th Century, after it is ruined, Siva temples have come up on the site, excavated during construction of new temples and are kept in the temple premises. One Buddha statue has been shifted to Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar from the nearby area.

JALESPETA
The place is about 127 km from Phulbani situated near Tumudibandh. Vedantakeshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati had established the Shakaracharya Kanyshram, a residential sanskrit school tribal girls here. He was brutally massacred here on Janmashtami day.

KALINGA VALLEY Kalinga valley is located 48 km away from Phulbani, the district headquarters on Phulbani – Berhampur road. The valley is near to Dashpalla, where Empror Ashoka had fought famous Kalinga war and then embraced Buddhism. The valley is famous for silviculture garden and medicinal plant cultivation. The silviculture garden has rubber trees and human thick bamboo plants. The garden has pleasant aroma, which refreshes body and mind.

LUDU
The place is located about 100 km from Balliguda in Kotagarh Block and 185 km from Phulbani. It is situated in dense forest inhabited by wild elephants. One fair weather road is leading to the side via Subarngiri. There is a waterfall at a height of 100’ height.

MANDASARU KUTI
The place is about 100 km from Phulbani in Raikia Block. There is an old Church on the outskirts of village, surrounded by mountains. Near the Church one mountain gorge is naturally created around depth with unique picturesque. An excellent shooting spot of films. One can feel the thrilling of echo in mountains only by visiting the place.

PAKADAJHAR
The place is about 30 km from Phulbani town near the village Sudrukumpa situated on Phulbani-Boudh road in Phulbani Tahasil. There is one waterfall of 60’ height in natural forest background. One good road is leading to the site from Sudrukumpa. With recent development of the destinations a lot of tourists haunt the place for picnic from early November to end of February.

PUTUDI
Putudi is 18 km from Phulbani town with a waterfall of height, situated in dense forest. The roaring sound of water fall with dense forest all around creates a thrilling sensation to the mind of visitors. One good road is leading to the side. The waterfall is on the river Salunki and excellent shooting spot.

RUSHIMAL
The place is situated about 8 km from Daringibadi near the village Tamangi in Kattingia G. P. A group of hills known as Rushimal hills from which originates river Rushikulya. At the source there is a small reservoir known as “RUSHIKUNDA” and above the hill top a cave known as “RUSHIGUMPHA”. The place is famous for Baruniyatra.

URMAGADA
The place is 17 km from Phulbani town on Phulbani-Gochhapada road in Phulbani Tahasil. The waterfall is of 50’ height, situated in a dense forest. One fair-weather road is leading to the site.

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