India is a big country with diversified landforms, climates, religions, cultures, languages, and socio-economic conditions. Each state in India has its own variations. Odisha, a coastal state in Eastern India, houses numerous mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, streams, flora and fauna, in addition to its own cultural heritage. Koraput is a southern tribal district of Odisha where Nature smiles throughout the year. The coolness in summer, cloud-covered mountains and hills with all-around greenery in the rainy season, and cold winter with occasional snowfall make this district unique. The long stretch of scenic beauty and cool, healthy climate of this region rejuvenates the body and mind. It is called the “Switzerland of Odisha”.
Koraput town, the headquarters of Koraput district, was chosen by the British as a settlement due to its healthy climate. It is a small, beautiful, and peaceful town, where life goes slow as compared to other big cities and towns. I served three and a half years in my service career in Koraput.
Location And Transportation:
Koraput shares its border with Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. It also shares its border with Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi districts of Odisha.
It is well connected by road and rail with major cities and towns of Odisha and neighbouring states. The nearest major airport is Visakhapatnam, though a small airport is located at Jeypore, about 20 km away.
Stay:
Budget hotels are available in Koraput with a price range of about INR 600 to INR 3000. In addition, similar hotels are also available in nearby towns Jeypore and Semiliguda. But staying in Koraput gives the real charm.
Places of Visit:
There are several places of visit in and around Koraput town. The important ones are:
1) Shri Jagannath Temple: Atop a hillock in the heart of the town, it is also called “Sabar Srikshetra”, and is the most important religious place in the town.
The Jagannath Temple (Sabar Srikshetra) of Koraput
2) Maa Muthyalamma Temple: Inside the town, she is the presiding deity of Koraput.
3) Government Tribal Museum: The museum exhibits a nice collection of arts and artefacts, domestic implements, jewellery, garments and weapons associated with local tribal culture.
4) Hanuman Statue, Dumuriput: A 33-feet-high kneeling statue of Lord Hanuman is in front of the Shri Ram temple in Dumuriput, about 12 km from the town.
The Hanuman Statue of Dumuriput
5) Coffee Garden: The Coffee Board-maintained coffee garden is on the periphery of the town. Prior permission is necessary to visit this garden.
6) MIG Fighter Aircraft factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Located in Sunabeda, about 15 km from Koraput, prior permission is necessary to visit.
7) Biju Patnaik Aeronautics Museum: In Sunabeda, it displays an old MiG engine, a fighter plane, and photographs related to the HAL factory.
8) NALCO Township: About 25 km from Koraput, NALCO township is in Damanjodi. A large 110-foot-high standing Lord Hanuman statue and a Shri Jagannath temple are located here.
9) Maa Kanta-Baunsuni Temple: The shrine of the revered deity is located in a bamboo forest near NALCO township.
10) Deomali Mountain peak: This highest peak of Odisha is about 60 km from Koraput. At about 5486 ft. above MSL with a flat top, there is a government-run resort with 8-10 cottages.
11) Panchpatmali Hills: About 50 km from Koraput, these hills, with a height of about 1300 metres, are famous for holding one of the world’s largest bauxite deposits. In spite of NALCO’s mining activities, its beauty attracts Nature lovers.
12) Jeypore Palace: A beautiful palace located in Jeypore. Royal families stay here.
The Jeypore Palace, Jeypore
13) Batrisha Simhasana, Nandapur: Earlier capital of Jeypore state, it is related to the legend of King Vikramaditya.
14) Gupteshwar Mahadev Caves: A large Swayambhu-Shivling inside the limestone caves on the bank of the Saveri River. This river forms the border between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
15) Kolab Dam and Garden: A beautiful garden beside the dam is located on the way to Jeypore from Koraput.
16) Duduma Waterfalls: A beautiful waterfall on the “Machhakund” river, about 60 km from Koraput.
17) Kechela Reservoir and Island: Upper Kolab dam and reservoir in Kolab River near Kechela village, about 10 km from Koraput. It is a picnic spot, and people can visit an island.
Shopping:
Koraput, being a small town, is not suitable for shopping; rather, the main shopping hub is Jeypore, about 20 km away.
Last Words:
Nature’s beauty in Koraput is beyond Imagination. The 5-hour train journey from Rayagada to Koraput in the morning by Hirakhand Express on the Kirandul-Rayagada railway line (K-R line) is a lifetime experience. The train passes through beautiful hilly terrain with about 36 tunnels and 78 major bridges. Once a Naxalite-infested area, it is now peaceful. Though 3-4 days are sufficient to cover all the visiting places in and around Koraput, the cool and healthy climate of Koraput makes it a nice place for vacation.
Kishor Kumar Mishra
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