Waterfalls Of Kosal (Western Orissa)

Khandadhar, Sundergarh Dist

The Khandadhar Falls is located at Nandapani in Sundergarh district in Western Orissa. It is the 12th highest waterfall in India.

The Khandadhar Falls is 104 kilometres (65 mi) from Rourkela via Bonaigarh, and 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Kendujhar

It is a perennial horse tail type waterfall. The Korapani Nala, a small stream, plunges from a height of 244 metres (801 ft) in a single drop

Nearest Railway Station:- Rourkela (100 km)

Neaerest Airport :- Ranchi & Bhubaneswar

Gudguda, Sambalpur Dist

This is one of the small but beautiful waterfalls of Sambalpur district, Orissa. It sprinkles out from the Gudguda mountain, as told by the local peoples. Picnickers throng to the spot during the X-mas holidays, New Year. Specially in winter season from November to February picnickers gather there to have some fun and eat out. The picturesque scenery of the dense forest and the waterfall provides solace to people. The cool atmosphere provides a toxic sensation and feeling to those who understand. The spot can be visited from the Jharsuguda end and Sambalpur end. All weather road connects Kuchinda the base town of Gudguda waterfall. From there the rest 36 kilometers, the road is not pucca or black tapped. But the drudgery of the 31 kilometers evaporates, once the spot is seen. The water from the waterfall is used for irrigation that provides livelihood to the people of the locality. Litchi grows during summer one of the mainstay of the area's economy thanks to the water of the waterfall. other vegetables also grow that provides financial security to the area and its people.

Kharadhus, Nuapada Dist

Kharadhus Water fall of 50 Meter height, located toward west of Beniadhus waterfall. It is 102 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 105 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 115 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 162 KM from Bhawanipatna.

Beniadhus, Nuapada Dist

Magnificient Beniadhus water fall of 24 mtrs. height located in the Sunabeda Wildlife sanctuary. The Jonk River starts from sunabeda plateau. The Goddess Sunadei, presiding deity of the plateau, is sacredly worshiped by the people of the area on the day of Dusserra. It is 102 KM from Nupada District Headquarter

Nearest Railway Station :- 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 105 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 115 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 162 KM from Bhawanipatna.

Nearest Airport :- 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar

Godhus, Nuapada Dist

Situated at a height of 30mtr, the fall is very much energetic in rainy and winter season and get dried in summer. In the down a temple of Lord siva is present. An annual fair is arranged here on Baisakhi which attaracts thousand of pilgrims. Sorrounded by forest with watch tower and Jalki water reservoir near Lodra village, suitable site for nature camp. It is 30 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 163 KM from Raipur / 540 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 33 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 42 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 172 KM from Bhawanipatna.

Kharadhus, Nuapada Dist

Kharadhus Water fall of 50 Meter height, located toward west of Beniadhus waterfall. It is 102 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 105 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 115 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 162 KM from Bhawanipatna.

Phurlijharan, Kalahandi Dist

Fifteen Kilometres from Bhawanipatna, Phurlijharan is a perennial water fall about 30 Ft in height and has a special charm of its own. Themulticoloured rainbow created by the sunrays falling on the scattered water particles of the fall is an amusing sight to be seen. The evergreen forests around the fall provide ample opportunities to group picnickers.

Nearest Railway Station :- Kesinga (50 KM)

Nearest Airport :- Bhubaneswar,Vishakhapattnam & Raipur (All above 250 kms)

Koilighugar, Jharsuguda Dist

The Koilighugar Waterfall, around 200 ft in height, is in the Lakhanpur, near the village Kushmelbahal. The waterfall is in a rivulet named Ahiraj which originates from the 'Chhuikhanch' forest. After the fall the rivulet flows west wards to merge into the Mahanadi river. It is a picturesque beauty spot with its sylvan back drop.

Inside the fall there is a Shivalingam known as 'Maheswarnath'. The lingam is submerged in water and is not ordinarily visible. For the benefit of the pilgrims, another Sivalingam has been created outside the waterfall.

From Gobindpur Chowk in National Highway 200, which is between Jharsuguda and Raigarh, take a right turn. A 6 km drive from there through thick sal and mahua forests will take one to Koilighugar Waterfall. Gobindpur is 20 km from Belpahar.

Pradhanpat, Deogarh Dist

This beautiful fall is part of Pradhanpat hill, which offers a scenic view and the water comes with several steps from the top creating several natural swimming pools on the hill itself. Close to the Deogarh town, the place is 96km from Sambalpur on NH-6. This waterfall had the first hydro-electric power unit in the state. This region was previously under the princely state of Bamanda.The waterfalls height is 743 Metre

Nearest Airport: – Bhubaneswar (280 KMs.) and Raipur (376 KMs.).

Nearest Railway Station : - Sambalpur (90 KMs.), Bamra on the Nagpur-Hawrah Section of South Eastern Railway (103 KM), Jharsuguda (98 KMs.) and Rourkela (115 KMs.)

Road: - 90 KMs. from Sambalpur

Harishankar, Balangir Dist

On the Southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills stands Harishankar, a place of pilgrimage with uncommon scenic charms. A perennial stream bursting into droplets rushes on its hard granite bed to form cascades at different stages. As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harishankar is a panacea for the heat of the summer season. On the Northern slope of the Gandhamardan hills lies Nrusinghanath in Bargarh district. Both the places are connected by a hill top road of 16 kms., which the pilgrims cover in a day on foot during Nrusingh Chaturdasi. Trekkers and adventurists also find the journey an interesting one. Harishankar is connected by an all weather good moterable road (81 Kms.). Regular bus services operate to an from Balangir. But visitors are requested to take their own transport from Balangir.

Nearest Railway station :- Balangir (80 Km)

Nearest Airport :- Raipur (220 Kms) & Bhubaneswar (350 Kms)

Daily Bus service and taxi available from Balangir

Lodging :- Pantha Niwas at Harishankar

Nrusinghanath,Bargarh Dist

Nrusinghanath is a place in Paikmal,Bargarh District, with a beautiful waterfall and it is one of the most popular tourist places of the Kosal region. A 500 year old temple dedicated to the Hindu god Narasimha is also situated there. One more interesting fact is that the God is worshiped here in the form of a cat as compared to the general Lion-man idol of the god. The God Narsimha is known here as "Marzara Kesari" in the Kosli language.

The sacred hills of Gandhamardan in Bargarh district enshrines the temple of Nrusimhanath. Waterfalls like Bhimadhar, Gadadhar, Guptadhar and Chaladhar are beautiful locations. Besides the falls, tourists also love to see ancient archaeological remains present in the area.

The Temple

The foundation for the temple was laid down by Baijal Dev on March 17 1413 A.D. as per inscriptions. The temple of Lord Nrushinghnath is only 45 ft high. It is divided into two parts; the first being the seat of the Lord – a short raised narrow plinth and the other Jaga Mohan (the anti-chamber) having three gates and is supported by four pillars, the like found nowhere in Orissa. The rocks used in the Jaga Mohan pillars are of rare kind. They are not seen in the Gandhamardan hills. Believed that, from far off places, Baijal Dev had brought them. With a soft rubbing, these rocks begin to scintillate, to a degree. While entering inside the inner-sanctum, one can see the rock stautes of Nav Grahas (the Nine planets of Astrology) in a line. The other beautiful sculptures include the statutes of Ganga, Jamuna, Nandi, Jaya-Vijaya, Trividram and three conspicuous manifestations i.e. Bamana, Baraha and Samhar Nrusimha. The eight-handed Ganesh and the Cow-herd Sahadev are not inserted, rather they are carved on embedded prototype, near Nav Durga. The original idol of Nrusinganath is also kept.

Nearest Railway station :- Bargarh (50 Km)

Nearest Airport :- Raipur (220 Kms) & Bhubaneswar (350 Kms)

The above article is composed by Satyajit Nayak