Kalahandi

It has historical significance. One can find remains of several forts. Like the entire Odisha, temples are found in abundance. Ampani hills offer mesmerizing views. There are valleys which are ideal picnic spots. There are many waterfalls too. Spotted deer add to the list of attractions of this place.

This place has vital archaeological importance. The remains of many idols and ancient thins are kept and preserved in various museums. The people of this place used to practice ‘Sati’ widely which was later abolished by Lord William Bentick. 

The tourism industry of Kalahandi witnesses a thriving prosperity owing to the concentration of variety of significant places having exquisite beauty with historical and religious significance.

Bhawanipatna: Bhawanipatna is the headquarters of the distict Kalahandi. It has numerous temples dedicated to different deities. The place derives its name from its presiding deity ‘Bhawanishankar’. It is 418 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar. 

Amathaguda: Situated on the right bank of the river Tei, Amathguda is a fort which once had strategic importance due to its location. The fort is now and ruins. Two bridges have been constructed across the river both of which have been washed away.

Asurgarh: Asurgarh is yet another fort which lies in the Asurgarh village between an oval shaped tank and the River Sandul. This fort used to be rectangular in shape. The expanse around the fort was covered via boats. It has four entrances in all four directions, that is, North, South, East and West. Deities Budharaja, Vaishnavi, Ganga Devi and Kala Pahad are worshipped at the gates respectively. The presiding deity of the fort, goddess Dokari is worshipped inside the fort. The central part of the fort is elevated. People believe that a demon king was trapped her. He was known as Gosinha Daitya.

Ampani: Ampani hills are located 77 kilometers away from Bhawanipatna. A peculiar phenomenon involving the rays of the sun is observed in a valley known as ‘Haladigundi’. The objects suring morning and evening appear yellow. Spotted deer, sambars and black panthers are found in the area near the Behera reservoir.

Belkhandi: It is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Tei and Uttei. These rivers are the tributaries of Mahanadi. Belkhandi, situated 67 kilometers away from Bhawanipatna, is religiously and archaeologically important. The remains of the monuments built in the 12th century are found. These remains along with images of Sapta Matruka and Uma Maheswar are kept and preserved in a museum adjacent to the temple.

Gudahandi: Three small hills combine to form and be known as Gudahandi Hills. These hills have caves which bear pictographic paintings of remote antiquity. They bear resemblance to the Indus Valley civilization. The three hills combined look like a pot with a lid on. It is believed that the place derived its name from its appearance as ‘Gudahandi’ means a pot of sweet.

Junagarh: Jungarh used to be the capital of the ex-state of Kalahandi. It has a well built fort along with several temples. The famous ‘Sati rite’ was followed majorly in this part of India, which was abolished by the British. This place is 26 kilometers from Bhawanipatna.

Karlapat: Karlapat is a small village. There is a waterfall at the foot of the hill called Khandua. This is believed to be the abode of a female deity ‘Khandua’. There is also a temple dedicated to ‘Manikeswari’.

Phurlijharan: This is a waterfall located about 15 kilometers from Bhawanipatna. This waterfall has a height of 30 feet. A rainbow is formed by the sunrays falling on the water particles. This is an ideal picnic spot.

Rabandarh: This place is situated 12 kilometers from Bhawanipatna. It is named after a waterfall present inside a mountain gorge. It has beautiful views of the mountains, dales, rocks and thick forests. It is a good picnic spot also. The downstream from the waterfall is used for irrigation purposes.

Budhikomna: It is 115 kilometers from Bhawanipatna. Budhikomna houses the unique brick temple of Pataleswar.

Yogimath: This place is 9 kilometers east of Khariar. It is famed for the cave paintings of Neolithic age.

Patalaganga: This place is located 40 kilometers from Khariar. It is considered as a holy spot.

By train: The place is well connecte via trains to all major cities of the country.

By air:There is one Air Strip in the District which is at Utkela (25 kilometers from Bhawanipatna).