Toshali Sands

Witnessing the Panchadhara mountain ranges

While coming to Athmallik in Orissa the tourists get opportunity of witnessing the Pachadhara mountain ranges. Amidst rich scenic beauty of ever green forest this mountain ranges stand in their unrivalled glory. The mountain ranges are associated with mythological stories of Ramayaana and Mahabharata. They find mention in the work of celebrated poet Radhanath Ray. These picturesque ranges present a panoramic view of nature. The whole area is abounded in pangolin spoted deer, sambar, leopard, tiger, elephant, bear, rabbit etc. varieties of colourful birds such as malbar pied, horn bill, hill maina, emerald dave, stork, bill king fisher etc. are seen here. Because of the growth of deforestation the wild animals are often found coming out from the forest into Athmallik and the nearby areas. The elephants and beers often come out of the forest to eat and damage of the crops particularly in wither season. Sometimes the hunters are also seen killing the deers and elephants for the purpose of meat and collection of ivory.

Goddess Vandurga, the presiding deity of this area adorns near the buss who is worshipped in the form of a stone post having no iconic representation . A beautiful temple of her is under construction of desires. People coming to Athmallik from different parts of Orissa pay a visit to her and have their offerings.

The rivulet Kukudajore flows down amidst the mountain ranges with its usual trick-line note. The bus runs round 10 kms on the edge of this rivulet. Kukudadarah, a beautiful spot located nearby the road to Athmallik provides a pleasant atmosphere for the tourists. Her one cans breth the nature in its virgin state and enjoy the grandeur to its flora and fauna. It is an enchanting picnic spot and draws large crowd in winter season. Through out this season everyday more then twenty/thirty picnic parties come here for relaxation and enjoyment.

Panchadhara in Oriya language means five streams. According to the settlement report of 1927-31 Panchadhara is so called as it contains five perennial streams viz Badajhar, Mulijhar, Nekudiajhar, Badrijhar and Chanagadiajhar, out of which two are visible near the bus pass. Situated at a height of 760 metre from the sealevel the length of this mountain ranges are around 55 km while wide is 9 km to 12 km. Vering from place. The height of this mountain ranges are around 897 meters.

The other prominent places on the foothill of Panchadhara mountain ranges are Ketakijaran., Teleipathar, Jhimeichua and Kutgan. Thee places filled with colourful wild life are really thrill to the searching eyes. These are like perfect heaven for pure nature lovers and utilitrain scholars either for holi dying or for recreation. In the western part of the Panchadhara mountain ranges is studied the Bareni reserve forest. Here the hight of the highest peak is 460 metres. This place is also the home of many carnivores and herbivores.

On the eastern side of the mountain ranges is located the majestic Satakosia gorge with its lush green forest and skylined lofty mountians, an ideal place of interest alike. The meandering Mahanadi flowing amidst two beautiful mountains form here the mightiest gorge in India measuring 22 km long. It is accalimed as one of the worlds most enchanting spots. The place is deal for boating, angling and adventure. The evergreen forest on both of river Mahanadi provide ample opportunity for group picnickers.

The trip of Panchadhara mountain ranges remains incomplete withut having a visit to the Korab reserve forest. Located on the foothill of this ranges it is an enchanting place for the nature lovers. This place is well known for elephants and are seen often in their natural habitat while going an the road. Apart from the skyline lofty mountains the century old huge trees still survive which has not yet been threatened with deforestation unlike other forest. A beautiful bunglow is there to provide accommodation (reservation authority is D.F.O. territorial, Ahmalik) to those who wants to spend a day or two. The Korab forest can be visited only having permission from D.F.O. Territorial, Athmallik. No bus facilities are there which can be accessible only by a taxi.

This forest has much tribal settlement adjoining it and is almost untouched by modernity. It is an ideal setting for painters who can paint the verdant landscape.

Apart from the wildlife treasure and colourful birds the whole area of Panchadhara mountains ranges has sheltered various medicinal plants which is used by human beings. The Teek, Sal, Piasal and Sishu trees are exported in huge quantities from this area. While the forest product like bamboo, raisen, mahua, honey, lac and Kendu leavs have helped the poor people to develop their financial standard, these product have enhanced the revenue of the government.

In the last Puja vocation I with my family members was returning from Bhubaneswar to Sambalpur. We reached Bionda at 6 A.M. I invited them to have a visit to this area, which they had not seen are clothed with paddy crops. We found a series of mountains in our left site with palmdate trees. After a slow drive of one hour we entered into the Pachadhara mountain rages. The sun had already risen. The whole area was glitteirng by its gleam Wizard at a place on the top for around one hour and took the breakfast, which was with us. I instructed my photographer to take some snaps of my family members and of some lovely sceneries. Indeed it was a pleasant journey.

Excution: At a distance of 6 km from this hill ranges is located a small but beautiful town, Athmallik which enshrines Goddess Maheswari at Ragudisashi who is worshipped in the forming the form of an elevan armed Duga, a rare iconic representation. Deuljhari which has earned celebrity for its Saiva Shrines and hot sulpher spirng is 10 km from this place via Athmallik. The Vaisnavite monastery at Belpunji can be accessibel by a taxi which is only monastery at Belpunji. The sakti shrine of Goddess Binikeyee worshipped in the form of a four aremd Chamunda and enshrined at the entrane point of Satakosia Gorge near village Daruha is 28 km. From the Panchadhara hill ranges.

Getting There: Good motorable raod contact this place with Bhubaneswar (230 km). Cuttack (196 km), Angul (74 km), Sambalpur (154 km) and Athmallik (6 km) by regular bus services. The nearest rail station is at Boina (23 km) on the S.E. Railway which is connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.

Accommodation: Good accommodation facilities are available at Athmallik for the tourists. A Circuit House managed by local administration (reservation authority is Sub-Collector, Ahtmallik), and Inspection Bunglow of public works department (reservation authority is Executive Engineer, R &B, Dhenkanal provide accommodation facilities. However the comfort seeking tourists.