TOURIST DESTINATION IN KORAPUT DISTRICT

Project Report submitted to the PG Department of

History,V .Dev College for the partial fulfillment for the
degree of

MA in HISTORY
(2018-2020)

By
SANKAR MAJHI
(EXAM ROLL NUMBER- PGHIS18-007)
Under the supervision of
Dr. Rusav Kumar Sahu

PG DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, VIKRAM DEV

AUTONOMOUS COLLEGE, JEYPORE, DIST-
KORAPT, ODISHA, PIN-764001
 CERTIFICATE / DECLARATION

This to Certify that the Project entitled, “Tourist Destination of

Koraput District ” Submitted by Sri/Srimati Sankar Majhi for
the award of MA in History has been prepared under my guidance
and supervision.
I certify that the project is the result of his original research
and in-depth-studies. This work has not been published anywhere
or submitted to any other university or institutions by the scholar
for the said degree.

Place :- Signature of the Signature of the

Date :- Candidate Supervisor
 ______________CONTENT’S____________

CHAPTER PAGE

Chapter 1- Introduction 1-10

Chapter 2- Tourist Destination in Koraput District

Chapter 3 - 16-20

Chapter 4- Conclusion 25-26

Chapter 5 - Photos 26-30

Bibliography 26-30

Illustrations 30-40
INTRODUCTION :-
The present Koraput district forms a part of the
legendary.Dandakaranya or Dandaka forest which has
been lavishly described in the most famous Indian Epic,
the Ramayan. From that time it has retained its prestine
beauties in shape of flora and fauna, rolling mountains,
undulating meadows, terraced valleys leading upto
verdant hills, roaring waterfalls, oozing springs, green-
yellow scene of primitive crops, soothing climate, simple
populace with aboriginal culture, which inspires tourists
to the land to compare their experiences with that of
Kashmir- the heaven on earth.
Koraput with her golden autumn and misty mornings of
the rainy days, her painted spring and slumbering
summer and her winter ranging from fierce to mild
provides varieties of living in different seasons, rare
elsewhere. Here in spring nature and man vie with each
other to make living joyous. Koraput with her original
natives living there from pre historic days yet accepting
outsiders who are so different from them in life style but
are latest development of Homo sapiens of later
development is a place where old and new coexist. Various
tribes with their distinct ethnicity live on hills as well as in
valleys establishing a harmony with Mother Nature yet
adjusting themselves to the changes of time.Indeed
Koraput is a museum of old and new in nature and human
endeavour.
Human endeavour exhibits itself by producing electricity
from the falling Stream of Mountain River, manufacturing
sophisticated engines and mining and processing precious
minerals while rehabilitating many displaced persons and
giving employment to the local people as well as the out
siders in different projects. Koraput is a un written book
for the anthropologists who read social anatomy of tribal
life and culture. Koraput has both plant life and wild life
which would give years of study to Biologists and limitless
adventure for mountaineers.
Origin of the Name of the District :-
The district of Koraput derives its name from its
headquarters, the present town of Koraput. In ancient
times when the Nalas were ruling over this tract, Pushkari
near modern Umarkote was their capital city. In the
medieval period Nandapur developed as the capital under
the Silavamsi kings and after them under the kings of the
solar dynasty. Vira Vikrama Deo of the solar dynasty
shifted his capital to Jeypore about the middle of the 17th
century and developed into a prosperous town. Koraput
was chosen by the British in 1870 for better health
prospects because of its higher elevation surrounding
mountain ranges which keeps the climate cool compared
to. Jeypore which is in a valley even though it was the seat
of the Maharaja as capital of Jeypore estate.The origin of
the name of Koraput is obscure.
According to Mr. R.C.S. Bell, the name of the town is Kora-
Putti‘ or ― the hamlet of the Nux-vomica and it is derived
presumably from Kora that must at one time have been
prominent near the site. Some opine that the word is
derived from KHORA a sect of people who still inhabit
nearby villages. According to the second theory, Koraput
is a corrupted form of Karaka-Pentho‘. Karaka literally
means hail-stone‘. Another opinion is often found that the
term Kora that means the Sun God who was worshipped
by the local tribals in ancient times. Hence the town was
so named.It is also believed that one ‗Khora Naiko‘ laid
foundation of the village during the time of Nandapur
kings. He hailed probably from Ranpur and served under
the Nandapur kings in the Militia, and for his faithful and
meritorious services he was permitted to establish this
village which was named after him as Khora Putu, and
later on the name has been abbreviated to Koraput‘.
About District :-
Koraput District located in the backdrop of green valleys
contemplating immaculate freshness, was established on
1st April, 1936. Decorated by forests, waterfalls, terraced
valleys and darting springs, the District draws the nature
loving people. The Koraput District lies at 17.4 degree to
20.7 degree North latitude and 81.24 degree to 84.2 degree
east longitude. The District is bounded by Rayagada in the
east, Bastar District of Chhatisgarh in the west and
Malkangiri District in the south. As far as the history of
the District is concerned, the region of Koraput existed far
back in the 3rd century BC when it belonged to the valiant
and dreaded Atavika people. The region was ruled by
several dynasties, like Satavahans, Ikshvakus, Nalas,
Ganga kings and kings of Suryavanshi, who nominated
the Koraput region before the arrival of British. Finally the
Koraput became a District in the year 1936.The Koraput
District covers an area of 8807 sq km consisting total
13,79,647 population as per 2011 census.The District has
got 2 sub divisons namely Koraput and Jeypore. There are
total 14 Tahsils, 14 Blocks, three Municipalities, one
NAC, 23 Police stations, 2028 Villages and 240 Gram
Panchayats functioning in the District of Koraput.Koraput
District experiences minimum 12.0 celsius and maximum
38.0 celsius temperature.The District experiences mainly
three seasons i.e summer, winter and rainy. Summer
occurs from April to June, Rainy season is from June to
October and Winter is from November to March. Winter
season in Koraput District is longer than other parts of
Odisha. The average rainfall in the District is measured to
be 1505.8mm(Average) rainfall.The Economy of Koraput
District is primarily based upon forestry and agriculture
(including shifting cultivation), the bulk of commodities
used domestically for everyday use are agricultural and
forest products. The District with semi evergreen to
deciduous vegetation endowed with various wild plants as
a natural resource.
The perennial streams and rivulets, the availability of huge
under utilized ground water, the potentials to promote eco
tourism, the women self help groups who have taken
responsibilities of implementing mid day meal, Public
Distribution System and other economic activities and the
village and cottage industries in different parts of the
District are the strengths of the District’s
Economy.Agriculture is the mainstay of the Economy of
the Koraput District because around 83 percent depends
on it. The soil and climate in the District are favourable for
taking up of agro horticultural activities.

The suitability of soil and climatic condition for production

of coffee, cashew, cotton, tobacco, vegetable and fruits and
the production of these crops strengthen the economy of
the Koraput District. The common annual food crops
grown in the District are paddy, millet, maize and
pulses.As per education is concerned, Koraput District
has got 49.21 percent lteracy rate. There are
total 3,40,843 literate male and total 2,27,247 female in
the District.
There are many educational institutions in Koraput
District. Jeypore Law College, Samanta Chandrasekhar
Institutes of Technology and Management, D.A.V College
for Teacher Education, Sri Aurobindo Purnanga
Shikshakendra are Siddharth Institute of Engineering and
Technology are the important educational institutions of
the District.There are various historical places to be visited
in the Koraput District. Places like Gupteswar Temple,
Jeypore, Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput Museum, Duduma
waterfall, Kolab dam, Daman jodi, Jain Monastery,
Maliguda are the places that are visited by lots of tourists
round the year.
District of Koraput celebrates many festivals with great
enthusiasm. Common festivals of the District are Chaitra
paraba, Bali yatra, Sume Gelirak, Dashara feast, Sivaratri,
Holi, Ratha yatra. Parab is the most important festival
being celebrated every year in the district which includes
dance, music and celebration.

Location, General Boundaries :-

The erstwhile undivided district of Koraput has been
divided into four districts, namely, Koraput, Rayagada,
Malkangiri and Nowrangapur in 1992. So the present
Koraput district is located between 18 degree 13‘ and 19
degree 10‘ North Latitudes and 82 degree 5‘ and 83 degree
23‘ East Longitudes. On the extreme North it is bounded
by Nabarangpur district, on the West by Bastar district of
Chattisgarh State, on the South by the district of
Malkangiri and on the East by the districts of
Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh State.
Its area is 8807Sq.Kms.
History of the District as an administrative unit :-
The whole of the district of erstwhile larger Koraput
comprises the ex-estates of Jeypore and Kashipur
zamindari of erstwhile Kalahandi princely state. In the
beginning when Koraput district (undivided) was
consitituted after formation of Odisha province in 1936,
Kasipur was not a part of Koraput. After independence
when Kalahandi district was formed, Kasipur continued to
be its part till 1962 and in the same year it was taken out
of Kalahandi district and made a part of Koraput district
as a Tahasil. Vinayak Deo, the founder of the present
Jeypore Raj family, inherited the kingdom from the
Silavamsis by the middle of the 15th century A.D. It is said
that this Kingdom then extended up to Budalinga of
Kalahandi district in the North, up to Kambamottu in the
present Malkangiri district in the South, up to Bhaskar
River in the present Nabarangpur district in the West and
up to the coastal plains in the East.
The capital of the Kingdom was at Nandapur which had
been founded by the Silavamsis. This kingdom, however,
lost its independence in 1571A.D. and became a feudatory
of the Qutub Shahis of Golkonda. The Nandapur kings
started paying annual tribute to the Sultans.
During the time of Viravikrama Deo, who ruled in the
middle of the 17thCentury A.D., the amount of such
annual tribute was Rs. 24,000. During the rule of Sri
Biswambhara Deo, I (1672-1676) and his successor Sri
Mallaki Mardana Krishna (1676 -1681) a number of feudal
estates were created which in course of time assumed
independence.
During the time of Balaram Deo III (1711 -1713) large
number of zamindars and feudatories seceded from the
Jeypore Kingdom with the help of the Marathas. Viziaram
Raju of Vizianagaram took away a large slice of coastal
territory with the help of Jafar Ali Khan, the Fouzdar of
Chicacole, during the reign of Biswambhara Deo II (1713-
1752). In 1768 the descendants of Viziaram Raju claimed
Kashipuram, Nandapur, Madgol etc., under an alleged
patta of Salabat Jang and they were supported by the East
India Company. Vikram Deo I, the then ruler, held back
those territories in lieu of an annual rent of Rs. 40, 000 of
which no more than three-fourths were ever paid. It was
during the rule of Vikram Deo II that the capital of the
kingdom was finally transferred to Jeypore.
Though Lord Clive obtained in 1765 from the Moghul
Emperor a Firman granting the Northern Sircars to the
Company and four years later Vizagpatnam was made the
headquarters of the district a century elapsed before the
British Government assumed the direct administration of
Jeypore territory. At that time the whole of modern
Koraput district was not directly under the control of the
Rajas of Jeypore. There were a number of semi-
independent chiefs like the zamindar of Pachipenta and
Raja of Bissam Cuttack who were administering their own
territories without having any concern with the Jeypore
kings. The Kotpad Pargana and the Salimi Mutta were
parts of Bastar till 1777 and 1828 A.D. respectively. This
state of affairs continued till 1862 A.D and on Ist January,
1863 A.D. British Government appointed an Assistant
Agent at Jeypore with jurisdiction over the present
Malkangiri, Nowrangpur and Koraput (except
Narayanapatna P.S.) sub-divisions. Another Assistant
Agent at Parvatipuram with jurisdiction over Narayapatna
police station and Rayagada and Gunupur subdivisions
was also appointed under the Collector of Vizagapatam for
the administration of civil and criminal justice.
From the time of assumption of administration by the
British Government no perceptible change occurred in the
territorial limits of the Jeypore estate till the time of
Vikram Deo III (1889-1920). This ruler purchased the
Pachipenta estate for six lakhs of rupees and thus the
boundary of Jeypore extended down to the Ghat near
Itikavalasa. In 1920 he also acquired a portion of the
Madgol estate by purchase and the other portion was later
on acquired by his son Rama Chandra Deo by
relinquishment in the year 1928 A.D.
The district of Vizagpatam, like those of Ganjam and East
Godavari districts, was divided into two sharply distinct
portions, namely, the Plains and the Agency. Due to some
administrative difficulties, T. Harris, Agent to the
Governor in Vizagpatam district strongly urged the
Government of Madras to form a single administrative
division of the Agencies in the three districts. His plan was
approved and in 1920, all the Agency tracts were removed
from the control of Collectors and were placed under the
charge of a Commissioner who had his headquarters at
Waltair. The administrative subdivisions were distributed
as far as possible on linguistic lines overriding the former
district boundaries. The present Koraput district was
parceled out among four subdivisions called Kondh,
Savara, Odia and Ghats each in charge of an Officer,
designated as Assistant Commissioner. Due to some
practical difficulties, lack of accommodation and financial
stringency, the experiment had to be abandoned in 1923.
The office of the Commissioner was abolished and the old
arrangements were restored.
No further changes of importance were made until the
formation of Odisha Province in 1936 when Koraput
district was created and a number of changes were found
necessary. The Parlakimedi taluk was included in the
district for seven months after which it was again restored
to Ganjam. The district is now in charge of a District
Magistrate and Collector with headquarters at Koraput.
There were, at the beginning, two subdivisions –Rayagada
and Koraput. Koraput subdivision comprised five taluks
namely, Koraput, Pottangi, Jeypore, Nowrangpur and
Malkangiri. On 1st March, 1941 a new subdivision called
Nowrangpur subdivision consisting of the taluks of
Malkangiri, Jeypore and Nowrangpur was created. The
taluks of Koraput and Pottangi were abolished and the
Narayanapatna Agency which was separated from
Rayagada Taluk constituted the new Koraput subdivision.
The arrangement of three subdivisions continued till 1962
although meanwhile some new taluks or tahasils were
created.Subseqently Malkangiri and Jeypore sub divisions
were created. In 1992, Koraput was divided into four
districts. Present Koraput district has now two
subdivisions with the Tahsils as shown against them
Koraput Sub-Division: Koraput, Nandapur, Machkund,
Pottangi, Semiliguda Bandhugaon, Narayanpatna,
Laxmipur and Dasamantpur. Jeypore: Sub-
Division.Borigumma, Jeypore, Kotpad, Kundra and
Boipariguda.
Fourteen Tahasils are co terminus with fourteen Blocks
vide Notification No. 17662, Dated 19.04.2008 and No.
33533 / R &DM, Dated 06.08.2008 of the Government in
Revenue and Disaster Management Department
Government of Odisha. There are 23 Police Stations in the
district.
GEOGRAPHY :-
Maligaon Confluence point, Murani River
Unique feature of Koraput district is that an intersection point of
longitude and latitude of earth lies in this district. It is called a
Degree Confluence point in the words of Alex Jarret, an American
programmer from New Hampshire.The Confluence Point in
Koraput District is near the village of Maligam under
Dashmantpur Police station in Laxmipur Block. It is about 25 k.m.
from Koraput. Confluence means meeting of longitude and latitude
of earth. The exact point is in the middle of the Murani River, which
flows its way among the small hills. The Point has been clearly
marked on the Survey of India Topo Sheet No 65J13, by the banks
of the river. It is 19.00.000 N 83.00.000 E. However, the
Confluence Point lies centered in the middle of the river. The old
1942 Survey of India map sheet could not give the exact location
on the ground as the river had altered its course by at least 30
meters since the survey. The only way to reach the Point was to
wade through the thigh deep water. Anil Dhir, a journalist and
Kashinath Sahu located this point in 2014.
The whole district can be divided into two geographical divisions
each of which can be separated by natural barriers as their
respective limits with undulated Koraput sub division and plain
Jeypore sub division. The portion of plateau which lies in the
Koraput district consists of an undulating table land profusely
scattered with hundreds of little hills of remarkable similarity in
appearance. The process of denudation has advanced too far and
the hills are either covered with low scrub or disfigured with
patches barred by shifting cultivation. The average rainfall of the
plateau is 1560 mm and of this the greater part falls during the
months of July and August. It is drained westward by the rivers,
Indravati, Kolab and southward by the Machkund towards the
Godavari valley. This plateau is really a rare gift of nature for its
scenic beauty. This is not so in case of Jeypore Sub-division which
is more or less plain.
Hill System :-
This district lies on a section of the Eastern Ghats and consists of
two natural divisions having mean elevations of 915 and 610
meters respectively above the sea level. There are number of
mountain ranges and isolated hills that rise out of these table
lands. Taking them in order from north to south the most notable
heights are Panchapat Mali (1336.89 mtrs), Karnapadi Dongar
(1487.5 mtrs) Meyamali Parbat (1500.30 mtrs) Turia Dongar
(1598.78 mtrs), Deomali (1672.56 mtrs), Polamakani Parbat
(1585.67 mtrs) and Sirimanda Parbat or Damuku (1415.24 mtrs).
The village Pottangi lies at the foot of the last named Damuku.
Deomali, also known as Duhdari, whose twin peaks can be clearly
seen from Koraput on any fine day, is the highest mountain peak
in the district as also in the whole of Odisha.
In Jeypore sub-division there are low hills, some of which rise to
793 mtrs. Elsewhere, the plain is only broken by isolated hills,
among which those near Podagada (930 mtrs), Borigumma (916
mtrs) and Boipariguda (927 mtrs) may be mentioned.
TOURIST DESTINATION IN KORAPUT DISTRICT :-
Koraput is one of the major district and tourist destination
in odisha . This place is naturally very beautiful. Koraput
district and town is surrounded by mountains,hills,thick
forests and waterfalls, Many types of wild animals and
different tribal communities are leaving in forests of
koraput, So it’s a popular tourist place in odisha. Every
year thousand of tourists from different states of india and
from other foreign countries coming to visit koraput and
to explore the extraordinary beauty of this land.
A visit to this place would make you a memorable one and
let you know the cultural heritage of the sothern region of
Orissa and the scintillating beauty of Eastern Ghats. It
also helps in better appreciation of the socio-economic
conditions and the development of tribal regions. This is a
very nice article on an unknown place to many. Koraput
is a hill town surrounded by hilly terrain in the Eastern
ghat region. The beautiful sceneries and spectacular
natural vegetation are the ornaments to this place. The
podu cultivation and the graded bunding which are the
different types of cultivation in hilly terrain can be
observed here. This adds more beauty to the hill region.
The coffee plantations and the teak trees along the ghat
roads would give more scenic beauty to this place.
The author has given a pen picture of the nearest
sightseeing spots which clearly gives the reader more
about the cultural heritage of Orissa.
What is tourism:-
Tourism means people travelling for fun. It includes
activities such as sightseeing and camping. People
who travel for fun are called "tourists". Places where many
tourists stay are called "resorts". Places that people go to
for tourism are called tourist destinations
Tourism is a Collection of activities, Service and industries
which deliver a travel experience comprising
transportation, Accommodation, eating and drinking
establishment, retail shop,Entertainment business and
other hospitality services provided for individuals or
groups travelling away from home.
MEANING OF TOURISM :-
Tourism is travelling for recreational,leisure ,family or business
purposes,usually for a ltd duration. Tourism is mainly associated
with trans national level,but many also refer to travel to another
location within the same country.It is the important of presever
and protect our natural resources,culture and tradition and for
this tourism is a vital fector.
Tourism is not only concerned with the movement of people but
also includes various other services providing agencies .The
movement of people is temporary in nature as it goes of to a
maximum of 1 year.,but the impect on the allied services industry
is long lasting, which given boost to the economy ,creating job of
opportunities.
Definition of Tourism :-

There are a number of ways tourism can be defined, and

for this reason,the United Nation World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) embarked on a project from 2005
to 2007 to create a common glossary of terms for
tourism.It defines tourism as follows:

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon

which entails the movement of people to countries or
places outside their usual environment for personal or
business/professional purposes. These people are called
visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists;
residents or non-residents) and tourism has to do with
their activities, some of which imply tourism expenditure
(United Nations World Tourism Organization, 2008).Using
this definition, we can see that tourism is the movement
 of people for a number of purposes (whether business or
pleasure).

Building on the definition of tourism, a commonly

accepted description of a tourist is “someone who travels
at least 80 km from his or her home for at least 24 hours,
for business or leisure or other reasons” (LinkBC, 2008,
p.8). The United Nations World Tourism
Organization (1995) helps us break down this
definition further by stating tourists can be:

1. Domestic (residents of a given country travelling only

within that country)
2. Inbound (non-residents travelling in a given country)
3. Outbound (residents of one country travelling in another
country)

The scope of tourism, therefore, is broad and encompasses

a number of activities.

KORAPUT SITE:-
Koraput is the epitome of beauties and bounties and a gift
of nature to Odisha. It is a hill town lying along the Eastern
ghats and happens to be the district headquarters of
Koraput District. It lies in the hill ranges that occur
between Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) and Visakhapatnam
(A.P). It is a tribal district with great natural reserves,
virgin mountains, rapids, waterfalls and beautiful valleys.
This place is abundant in meadows, forests, waterfalls,
terraced valleys and darting springs.
Nature seems to be particularly partial towards some
places. One of them is Koraput. The district offers the
perfect getaway with its enchanting hills, verdant forests,
winding streams, exotic wildlife and a rich tribal tradition.
Steeped in heritage and history, Koraput is famous for
hosting the unique tribal festival, Parab. It is equally
renowned for its diverse mineral deposits, drawing
industrial giants to this land in southern Odisha. This
coexistence of traditional tribal life alongside modern
industries makes for a unique blend in Koraput. Apart
from scholars researching tribes or history and biz
magnates, people also come here to escape from hectic city
life and enjoy some peace amid natural beauty.Here are
many places that are in the bucket list of every tourist
headed for Koraput.
The places of attraction surrounding Koraput are
Gupteswar Shiv Temple, Sabara Srikhetra, Upper Kolab,
Botanical Garden, Maliguda Tunnel, Duduma Waterfall
and many more. Major Industries like Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited at Sunabeda, National Aluminium
Company (NALCO)-Damanjodi, Ballarpur Industries
Limited (BILT) at Jeypore, Kolab Thermal Power Station
and Machkund Thermal Power Station are located at a
circumference of 20 K.M round this place.
Apart from its tribal dominance, it is well known for rich
and diverse types of mineral deposits. It is a home for
Orissa's vast tribal population. The smile and the jewellery
are the two adornments of the tribal girls here.
A real paradise for the nature-lover, the visitor can have
a firsthand meeting with its ancient civilization.
Economy of the Koraput depends mostly on agriculture
because around 83 percent depends on it. The soil and
climate of this area are conducive for agro horticultural
activities. The production of coffee, cashew, cotton,
tobacco, vegetable and fruits and other crops strengthen
its economy. The common annual food crops grown are
paddy, millet, maize and pulses. The establishment of
Aero Engine factory HAL at Sunabeda and Bauxite ore
processing unit NALCO at Damanjodi has contributed for
the industrial development of this region.
The rivers Kolab & Machkund are two major river systems
of the Koraput Division The area with semi evergreen to
deciduous vegetation endowed with various wild plants as
a natural resource.
Winter season in Koraput is longer than other parts of
Odisha. Common festivals celebrated are Chaitra paraba,
Bali yatra, Sume Gelirak, Dashara feast, Sivaratri, Holi,
Ratha yatra. Parab , a state sponsored festival being
celebrated every year in the district which includes dance,
music and celebration to bring about the cultural unity of
the state.
ADIVASI COMMUNITIES :-
Koraput is a part of tribal belt in southern odisha .
As the term tribal often denates a negative
connotation.The indigenous people here prefer to be
know as adivasi. “Original inhabitants” many
different Adivasi Communities live in this district.
The traditional culture (Including Language)
knowledge and subsistence of the adivasi are
closely connected with local ecosystems most of the
area was covered by thick forest unit relatively
recently. As a result of
deforestation,industrialization and urbanization.
Many adivasi communities have adopted new ways
of life however many adivasis maintain a tradition
of selling produce (Vegetables and Fruit) in Sunday
markets popularly know as hat poda or (Hat).
The dangar festival or (Parab) is held annually
ostensibly to showcase the way of life of adivasis in
the first and second weeks of December organised
by the district administration many foreign tourist
visit the festival,there has been criticism of the
festival,with allegations that adivasi are reluctant
participants. Who are paraded like “museum
specimens” for the benefit of the tourism industry.
Tribal Museum (KORAPUT)
The Tribal Museum in Koraput was set up to preserve the
cultural heritage of local tribes as well as to promote their
arts, crafts, dances and music. The museum has a
beautiful collection of stone sculptures, weapons, tools,
clothes, ornaments, wooden objects, paintings, rare
artefacts and textiles among other things, making it a
treasure trove of knowledge on the rich cultural heritage
of Odisha. The displays are a testimony to tribal cultural
values, their skills in art, music, and even fighting.

Set on the high point of a small hillock overlooking the

town, this heavily wooded place with tall trees, captures
the unfettered imagination of the indigenous people of this
area. Don't be fooled by the small size, this museum is a
must see for every visitor who comes to the tribal districts
of Odisha and makes Koraput the base for going to the
surrounding hill tribe settlements. I would strongly
recommend that they visit this informative museum before
they embark into the tribal hinterland; it will give them a
proper introduction. It is a space in which the life stories
of different tribes have been told and shared in imaginative
ways. The museum is dedicated to various tribes that
inhabit the Dandakaranya region and showcases the
culture and heritage through various displays and
dioramas.

The Tribal Museum, founded in 1992, holds great

importance because of its authentic display of the tribal
culture of Odisha, providing a glimpse into their largely
unexplored lives. Set up with the intention to preserve and
create awareness about the culture, heritage, art and
lifestyle of the tribal world, the museum is now looked
after by the Council of Analytic Tribal Studies.

The entrance is decorated with tribal paintings, on both

sides of the path from the gate; pillars, totemic poles,
terracotta exhibits, pottery and implements are
displayed. Life size portrayals of tribal dancers and
musicians welcome visitors. Adorning the walls inside
and outside the museum is the trademark white on red
tribal motifs. The museum has a modest display of
costumes, ornaments, musical instruments, weapons,
tools, fishing and agricultural implements, kitchen
implements, models of their huts, weaving looms etc. Also
on display are the different food grains and cereals and the
unique harvesting methodology. Nearly 235 varieties of
food grains that the tribals harvest are displayed. The
wildlife, avian-fauna and medicinal plants are also
depicted in photographs and specimens. A life-size statue
of a Bonda highland girl, adorned in her tribal finery,
colourful jewellery of wild seeds, welcomes visitors in the
first room. There are numerous rare photographs which
depict the history and culture of the tribes of Koraput. On
display are seemingly ordinary objects that are potent
symbols of faith and an expression of art among tribal
communities.

The galleries showcase a broad spectrum of tribal

artifacts, but the museum devotes as much to the cultural
and historical record of the different tribes of the region as
it does to their arts and crafts. “We wanted the museum
to tell the story of our people,” explains Gadhadhar Parida,
the director of the Museum.

Near the entrance, is a perfect example of a tribal Sacred

Grove, the age-old tradition where a patch of forest is
dedicated to local tribal deity and no one is allowed to
neither cut any plant nor kill any living being. There is a
commonality of the sacred groves and their religious and
cultural links among the different tribal groups. These
sacred sites are maintained through traditional methods
of community-based conservation.

The high point of the museum is the large 3-D

topographical model of the region in which the hills,
valleys, forests, dams and reservoirs, and the location of
the different tribes and villages has been marked. It is a
true to scale model, which gives the visitors a bird’s eye
view of the grandeur and pristine beauty of the natural
wonders of the district. One can easily spend an hour
identifying the places visited or can select the places they
want to see. .A beautiful amphitheater setting adjoins the
museum. Set amidst tall trees, with chirping birds and
flitting butterflies, it is an idyllic setting for the various
tribal seminars, programmes, outdoor performances and
festivals that are frequently held here. The adjoining
campus of the Council of Analytic Tribal Studies (COATS)
with its extensive library and study centre is a mecca for
tribal scholars and academicians alike.

The museum is housed in a 150-year-old colonial

bungalow which was earlier the Tea District Labour
Association office. The TDLA functioned in Koraput from
1862 to 1953, recruiting labourers for the tea gardens of
Assam. The British era bungalow was purchased by the
Dandakaranya Development Authority and converted into
the residence of its Administrator. After the DDA was
wound up, it was decided to demolish the old structure,
but better sense prevailed and it was carefully restored
and converted into the tribal museum in January 1992.

Tribals have been exploited from pre-colonial times.

Human , Natural and material resources of the tribes
everywhere have been taken away and they have been
caught in a spiral of poverty and impoverishment. The
laws and rules which have been imposed upon them have
destroyed the very fabric of his life-world. During the late
colonial period, Verrier Elwin, the intrepid
explorer,clergyman, and later a Gandhian, befriended
tribals all over india is owed to him. He wrote extensively
on tribal customs,dress,physiology,magic,marriage
customs,food habits, songs,weapone, sacred right,myths
and stories,His writings exoticised the tribals as colourful,
picturesque people engaged in headhunting ,sexual orgies
in the ghotuls and in human and animal sacrifice.

The modern world can learn much from the beauty of

tribal social practices, their culture of sharing and respect
for all, their deep humility and love of nature, and most of
all, their deep devotion to social equality and civic
harmony. The culture and traditions of indigenous people
should be protected at all cost. Tribal museums play an
important role in this endeavour

ONKADELI (HAAT) TRIBAL MARKET :-

03 Kms away from the Duduma water fall, a small village
called Onkadelli drawn the attraction of foreign tourists to
its weekly market day on Thursday where the Neolithic
tribe Bonda come from inaccessible forest for better
purposes. It is 90 Kms away from Koraput.Onkadelli is a
particularly popular tribal produce market, with Bonda,
Mali, Kondh and Paraja people attending to buy and sell
fruit, vegetables, dried fish, condiments, utensils, objects
of daily life as well as handicrafts fashioned by
the dokra (lost-wax) method of metal casting.
.This is the story of the land where Odisha meets Andhra
and where the Machkund River has been rippling away for
millions of years. Four thousand feet above sea levels, the
Konda – Kamberu range, an arm of the Eastern Ghats
surrounds this land. Locked on either side by mountains
and interspersed valleys, this area has survived an
aboriginal tribe for thousands of years. Its children call
themselves Remos, which means brave men. However, for
people living in plains, they are known as Bonda, which
means naked or savage.
This is a magical land with waves of mountains leaning
against each other. Clouds kiss their peaks. Singi Arko
(the sun and the moon) disseminate their light below
through the clouds, mists and sky-touching trees.
Plentiful streams are dancing down from the mountains
all around the year. Hidden among these creations of God
are the settlements of Remos. Here they have roamed for
ages, far away from civilisations, cradling their deadly
weapons from one forest to another and one mountain to
the next. Within this time frozen land Singi Arko plays
their favourite game, creating day and night year after
year.
This is a magical land with waves of mountains leaning
against each other. Clouds kiss their peaks. Singi Arko
(the sun and the moon) disseminate their light below
through the clouds, mists and sky-touching trees.
Plentiful streams are dancing down from the mountains
all around the year. Hidden among these creations of God
are the settlements of Remos. Here they have roamed for
ages, far away from civilisations, cradling their deadly
weapons from one forest to another and one mountain to
the next. Within this time frozen land Singi Arko plays
their favourite game, creating day and night year after
year.
Bondas descend from their mountains once in a week to
the village of Oncadelli, the venue for a weekly market held
on every Thursday and also the site for Machkund
Hydroelectric Project. Clad with heavy necklaces made out
of glass, heavy metallic rings, hefty brass earrings on their
upper ears and a crown of beads on their shaven heads,
the Bonda women leave their home at the break of dawn
in the dense forest, climb down the hills for a few hours
and cross several mountain streams, barefoot. For foreign
travellers, Onkadelli Haat is the only place where they can
meet Remos. The Bonda Ghati is restricted to
tourism.Selling and gulping down the fermented salap
drink in a pipe made out of dried gourds is a common sight
at Onkadelli Haat. Salap drink is the lifeline of Bondas.
There goes a story: After the earth was created, both men
and women wandered freely in jungles feeding on fruits
and roots. But there was a problem. The women had to
find a private place for delivering babies. Once, a pregnant
woman saw a green salap tree on the gentle slope of a
mountain. The tree was covered with thick branches.
Under her cool shade, she delivered a son and a daughter.
A deer arrived around that time nearby. The hungry Remo
ran after it with his bows and arrows and did not return
for a long time. The woman waited patiently and finally
doubted on her husband’s selfishness. She thought, her
husband might have killed the deer and eaten its flesh
without remembering her. She too was hungry. Without
bothering about her two newborn babies, she went in
search of her husband and finally met him.
The babies cried aloud out of hunger. The salap tree under
which they had sheltered had a soul. In those days, the
salap trees did not produce any juice. It had nothing to
feed babies with. However, under cover of the earth, its
roots had reached the ocean. The tree prayed with great
devotion to the Ocean God for help. The Ocean God was
pleased and gave the tree a little of its bounty of the water.
The water spread through the roots, the trunk and
branches of the tree and dripped into the open mouths of
the crying babies. It was the juice of the salap that kept
the babies alive. They grew old and strong.
Haats or weekly markets are Koraput’s invaluable
treasures and a key attraction for travellers from across
the world. In the absence of malls and business districts,
the tribal markets are solely a local affair. Tribes, men and
women descend from their villages, sometimes walking
miles and miles in the forested hill paths to sell and buy
(earlier barter) forest produces and grocery items,
foodstuffs, objects of daily needs, jewellery and clothes,
alcohol brewed from sago palms, sheep and goats, dry fish,
chicken and even cattle.
The weekly markets are held every day at different places
in Koraput District. Onkadelli Haat is one such haat which
is most popular among travellers, because of the Bonda
and Gadaba women who gather here in large numbers.
Apart from Bonda, the haat is frequented by Didayai,
Gadaba, Porajas and Mali tribes, both men and women.
You discover here best of organically grown local
vegetables, small onions, raw cashew nuts, locally grown
mushrooms, roots and tubers, dry sweetmeats, tobacco
leaves, varieties of dry fish, rice, millet, and small and
large bamboo baskets.
The forest products that are sold in Onkadelli Haat are
tamarind, mahua flower, mohua seeds, sal seeds, hill
brooms, honey, jhuna and siali leaves of fibre.
Onkadelli Haat is full of life on every Thursday. As a large
percentage of the population of the area assemble here, it
becomes the principal source of accessing local news.
Tribal people discuss weeklong news of their villages and
families and invite their friends and relatives for various
family and village events. It also serves as a centre of
matrimonial negotiations.
It is difficult to say when Onkadell Haat had its origin in
the absence of written records. However, according to
anthropological views, the evolution of weekly markets
evolved with the progress of early human civilisations or
late Stone Age. Our Stone Age ancestors no doubt were
self-sufficient but eventually were engaged on some
exchange activities, which could be either exchange of gifts
or exchange of surpluses. Archaeological records have
revealed that the intensity of craft specialisation often
fostered trade in Late Stone Age society. While a particular
village had specialised in making stone artefacts or copper
tools, yet another village specialised in pottery making.
The surplus had to be exchanged for various needs and
hence was the need for a centralised market place.
The region around Onkadelli had remained mostly in
isolation for a very long time, perhaps as late as the British
Period. It probably has a long history, but its date of origin
cannot be established without proper evidence. However,
it is guaranteed for an immersive experience when you
travel to this offbeat destination.

PARAB :-
A festival of festivals paraba an annual tribal festival
organized by the District Council of Culture, Koraput is a
gala event of the state, organized in the month of
November every year all over the district. The whole month
of parab witnesses events on sports culture, seminar
mountain trekking, boat race and artists camp. On a third
day from all over the country are staged on one platform,
with crafts mela and exhibitions in the Koraput Parab
ground. In the month of November (2nd-3rd week),a
famous festival paraba is being celebrated every year
which showcases the typical life of tribals inhabiting.
Paraba became most popular festival of the district has
brought a cultural movement in the State.

SABARA SRIKHETRA (Koraput) :-

The main attraction of Koraput is a Jagannath temple,
popularly known as Sabara Srikhetra, named after the
Sabara tribe who built it. This shrine is an exact replica of
the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, be it for the 22 steps
from the entrance to the main door, “Avada”(prasad)
selling centre known as Ananda Bazar, Swarga Dwara or
the many smaller temples dotting the vast premises. One
can also enjoy the beautiful and well maintained garden
in and around the temple, perfect for a relaxing stroll or
simply sit seeking some spiritual peace.
Sri Jagannath temple is located in Koraput, Odisha. It is
not only built as an altar for worship, but also as a
multipurpose area for Jagannath consciousness.
Jagannath consciousness is the main theme of Jagannath
which can not be confined within the limits of a traditional
religious theological order, because it is a cult (or even a
philosophical system).It is originated from the tribal
culture, and it has no antagonism towards any religion,
caste or creed, Practice of tolerance in the real life of the
individual and the society wedded to this ideal, is one piece
used in the cult. This is practiced at Sabarasrikhetra in
letter and spirit. Everybody has free access to this shrine,
which virtually demonstrates the very concept of
Jagannath consciousness having tribal bias

Upper Kolab reserviour

Kolab reservoiris located 15km away from Koraput city.
The huge waterbody is formed by the backwaters of Kolab
River and surrounded by stunning hills, making it a
perfect spot for boating.Kolab waterfall, also referred to as
Bagra waterfall, is equally exquisite in its natural beauty
with mesmerizing scenery of dense forests and hilly
terrain.The reservoir and the waterfall are surrounded bya
botanical garden with over 200 varieties of flowering
plants. It’s an ideal picnic hub for those living in the
Koraput-Jeypore region. You must visit this place at least
once for the scintillating experience and to feel rejuvenated
as well.
KOLAB RIVER :-
The Kolab rises near Sinkaram hill on the 915 mtrs
plateau, flows north-west in a winding bed, passing eight
kilometers to the south of Koraput and falls down to the
610 mtrs plateau not far south of Jeypore. At Bagara, to
which a branch road leads from the top of the Jeypore
Ghat there are three small falls whose potentialities as
sources of hydro-electric power were investigated in the
thirties of the last century. At present hydro electricity is
produced after the installation of a hydro power plant at
the foot of the hill to the side of Jeypore town which is
functioning since 10.03.1988. At the end of its decent to
the Jeypore plateau the river is spanned by a fine bridge
near Kotta. It flows right across the Jeypore tahsil in a
north-west direction for 32 kilometers to 48 kilometers
and then suddenly runs nearly south, forming the
boundary between Koraput and Bastar. It then runs south
back into this district forming, for a few kilometers, the
boundary between Nowrangpur and Malkangiri districts
passing at this point through a gorge in the wild hills to
the west of Ramagiri, which are called Tulisi Dongar range.
As it issues from this it falls about 15 mtrs into a large
pool, 4 or 5 mtrs deep, into which in days gone by, as
tradition goes, witches used to be thrown with a stone
round their neck. Turning west again, and passing Salimi,
the river flows into Bastar past Sukuma, and at last again
divides Bastar from Koraput, forming the western
boundary of Malkangiri subdivision for many kilometers.
In the last part of its course, it is called the Sabari or
Saberi. At Motu the extreme south-western corner of
Malkangiri district it meets the Sileru to pass out of
Odisha into Andhra Pradesh and falls eventually into the
river Godavari. The total length of the Kolab - Sabari is
448 kilometers, of which all but 88 kilometers flow
through this district or alonkg its boundary.

Duduma Waterfalls :-
Duduma Waterfall is situated in the border of Koraput (Odisha)
and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) districts of India. This
horsetail type waterfall is 175 metres (574 ft) in height and is
formed by the Machkund river. It has two sub-waterfalls, one on
the Odisha side and the other on the Andhra Pradesh
side. Duduma is about 92 km from Koraput and about 177 km
from Visakhapatnam. Machhakund (Duduma) Hydroelectric
Project is located near Duduma Falls. It is a collaborative project
between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government
of Odisha. The project, consisting of 6 units, has an installed
capacity of 120 MW. Machkund is a pilgrimage destination. The
aboriginal tribe of Bonda, Gadaba, and paraja's live near this
waterfall.
Even though Odisha is settled on the eastern arm of India, the
state knows how to attracts tourists travelling from across the
globe to its natural vibrancy. Talking of which, there is a waterfall
in the Badigada village of Koraput district that is known as one of
the highest waterfalls in India, Duduma Waterfall. This waterfall
finds its origin from the River Machkund and its water is the
backbone of the Machkund Hydro Electric Power Project

Machkund River :-
The Machkund rises in the Madgol hills of Visakhapatnam district
on the 915 meters plateau, and near Wondragedda, not many
miles off its sources; it becomes the boundary between Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha. For some 48 kilometers or more the river
runs nearly north along a very meandering course through the
wide Padwa valley. Five kilometers from the bend and about the
same distance south of Badigada the descent is barred by a huge
barrier of rock shut in on either side by walls of rock two or three
hundred feet in height. Below this is a sheer abyss over which the
river used to fling itself into a boiling pool half hidden by dense
clouds of spray, on which the sunlight used to throw the brightest
of rainbows. In the dry season it was possible to scramble to the
edge of the abyss and look straight down through the spray into
the great pool beneath, while from beneath the scene was the most
impressive, inspiring a mixed sense of awe and beauty in the
minds of the visitors. But, with the diversion of the stream and
installation of the Machkund Hydro-electric Project that beautiful
sight is no more to be seen.
These falls, with a 165-mtrs drop, are known by the name Duduma
falls presumably in the absence of an adjacent village to name
them after, as the word Duduma‘ itself means Waterfall‘. Below
the falls for five or six kilometers the river flows towards the south-
west in a deep and a gloomy gorge, hemmed in on both sides by
rock walls seven or eight hundred feet high into which it is
impossible to descend except by the winch or the flight of steps of
the Machkund Project. The river flows down this narrow valley
shut in by high hills till it reaches Kondakamberu (Malkangiri
district) 67 kilometers from Badigada. This valley of the Machkund
is the most inaccessible and the least populated region in the
whole district. On the way one meets a small village of primitive
tribes named Didayis, who are not found anywhere but in this
valley, while at one point the path runs through dense forests for
twenty four kilometers without any sight of human habitation.
The surrounding forests used to serve as admirable abode of wild
life and even in the middle of summer there is a broad stream in
the river some 0.70 meter deep. It would be possible to make the
whole journey from the falls to Kondakamberu in a dugout canoe
at any time of the year. At Kondakamberu (427 meters above sea-
level) the river is some 7.31 meters wide and unaffordable at all
seasons. It is now joined by a large tributary, the Gurupriya, which
rises in the high hills of Madgol and flows entirely through forest
down a steep and rocky course. A few miles beyond Kondakamberu
the river assumes the name ‗Sileru‘ (Rocky stream) and once again
becomes the boundary of the State, separating it this time from the
East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It flows by a much
steeper gradient than before, abounding in Mahaseer ( a rare type
of game fish) and crocodiles until at Motu it joints Sabari. Nothing
can excel the supreme beauty of this lonely river, with its bamboo-
covered banks, its deep long reaches of water, it falls, its grass-
covered islets and its rushing clear water. Its length is 294 Kms,
of which there is a sixty one kilo meter flow through this district
and 192 kms along its boundaries.
DAMANJODI (NALCO) :-
Damanjodi is an industrial town located in a hilly area in
Koraput. The place became famous because of the
presence of National Aluminium Company (NALCO),
which is Asia’s largest and the world’s seventh largest
producer of aluminium. The town’s main attraction is a
temple with a108-ft-tall statue of Lord Hanuman, making
it the world’s second tallest statue of its kind. The other
attractions of this place are a Jagannath temple on the hill
top, Maa Kantabausini shrine surrounded with a scared
bamboo grove, the artificial Sabri Lake and Nalco Club.
The National Aluminium Company (NALCO) which comes
under the Navratna group of Public Sector Undertakings
(PSU) is one of the largest integrated aluminium projects
of the world which was established in Koraput district of
Odisha in the year 1981. NALCO was established to
extract bauxite ore from the vast reserves (the reserves in
Koraput district are estimated to be 486 million tonnes) in
the Panchpatmali hills of the district and process it into
alumina. The NALCO mines have a production capacity of
63 lakh tonnes per annum and the refinery complex in
Damanjodi, which is 11 km away from the mine site, has
an installed capacity of 21 lakh tonnes of alumina
annually (Stanley 1996).
Resettlement at NALCO (National Aluminium CoMpany)
The rehabilitated colonies were established in two phases.
Initially the government established the rehabilitation
colonies in an area which is just 2 kilometers away from
the plant site of the company which is named as
Amalabadi Colony or also known as Dr. Baba Saheb
Ambedkar Colony. The naming of the colony after Dr.
Baba Saheb Ambedkar opens the symbolic space for
resistance, and grounding resistance against globalisation
processes promoting inequality in local spaces (Burawoy,
2000). This colony was meant for initial resettlement of
441 displaced families from 13 villages. But later on, in
the year 2003, another resettlement colony was set up in
Champapadar which is close to Goudaguda village.
Initially this colony was meant to resettle 76 households
from the village of Khoraguda and displaced families from
its surrounding villages. This colony is situated 7
kilometers away from the township and is also far away
from the plant office. To resettle the project affected
displaced people, the company took various steps. It
provided pucca houses of 40 square meter area consisting
of one living room and a kitchen to the displaced people.
The estimated cost of the pucca house was Rs. 14500/-.
The other benefits associated with the relocated areas
included water taps, schools and approach roads.The
Government of Odisha assisted the company in providing
a resettlement house of about 100 square feet area located
in 0.04 acres of land. All the houses to resettle the
displaced families were constructed by NALCO with the
help of the government of Odisha.
Displacement and NALCO
According to study conducted by Reddy in 1993 by March
1992, the project at Damanjodi site had displaced and
resettled 441 families at the resettlement colony of Dr.
Babasaheb Ambedkar Resettlement Colony which is
popularly known as Amalabadi. His study showed that up
to 1991, the company acquired a total land of 7,056 acres
of land and later the government acquired 43.75 acres of
land from the private land for the construction of the
resettlement colony at Amalabadi. The project affected 25
villages of which 14 villages were directly affected and the
other 11 villages were indirectly affected by the project
(Reddy 1993). Other studies by Stanley (1996), Dash
(2008) and Samata (2010) shows that, in later part of the
project due to its expansion in the district caused
displacement of 630 families at Damanjodi site. The
number of affected villages increased to 26 villages
(Stanley 1996; Samata 2010). Out of total displaced
families, 441 families were rehabilitated at Amalabadi
camp. Subseqently nother 156 families were settled in the
same camp. A second DP camp at Champapadar was
initiated for 75 households displaced from Khoraguda and
Champapadar villages. At present there are more than 200
families who are living in the Shaheed Laxman Nayak
resettlement colony which later became known as
Champapadar DP camp (Samata 2010). Immigration and
emigration issues including urbanisation of .
population in the district :-
Migration in Koraput District is increasing with a sharp
upward curve, in fact doubling from 2006 to 2007 and
rising another 25% by 2008, an alarming trend.Large
tribal population of this district mostly depends on the
natural resources and subsistence farming. The total
forest cover after independence in these regions was 70%.
But it has reduced to less than 30%. As a result of
industrial growth, infrastructure development,
construction of large dams and clearance of forest for
human habitation, all of which have negatively affected
tribal livelihoods, employment and food security and have
made tribal people vulnerable forcing them to look for
alternative forms of livelihood. Thus, labour migration has
emerged as one of the main alternatives for tribal people
who meet the demands for unskillūed labourers in high
growth cities located in Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,
Mumbai and other locations. In the tribal areas of Koraput
District, migration is an involuntary survival tactic, not a
voluntary strategy for advancement, caused by the
following inter-related factors.
RANI DUDUMA WATERFALLS
Nandapur is a small town approximately 45kms from the District
headquarters Koraput. It is situated at about 14 miles from
Semiliguda and 50 km from Patangi. Rani duduma waterfall one
of the natural beauties near Nandapur, a small village in Koraput
District of Orissa State in India,which literally mean queen fall,
this place is also favorite among picnicker. The place is of great
historical importance as researchers have acquired materials
connected to its antiquity. G. Ramadas infers that the village has
derived its name from the famous Nanda dynasty of Magadha,
which was supposed to have ruled over this area. It can be easily
accessed by hiring local transportation or public transport
facilities. This is one of the ideal visiting places in nandapur for
picnic with family and friends.
NANDAPUR
Lying about 45 km away from Koraput, Nandapur
was the ancient capital of Jeypore kingdom. It
attracts visitors for its historical heritage and the
famed Batrisa Sinhasana, which is a 32-step, well-
preserved relic. It is believed to be linked to the
fabled throne of Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor
of the Solar dynasty. Major attractions here are a
Shiva temple at Papadahandi, an arresting 6 ft red
image of Lord Ganesha and the shrine of
Bhairavnath. One can also explore other areas of
Jeypore that are speckled with old palaces and
temples, standing testament to the bygone era.The
arresting red image as a six-feet Fanesh and the
shrine of Bhairavnath and other monuments of great
antiquity. It is 45.Kms.aways from koraput. Rani
Duduma waterfall with is surrounding natural
beauty offers on ideal picnic spot. A 13 th century
shiva temple and a famous Buddhist site builtin the
11 th century are also major attraction.especially for
history buff.For the more religious minded, there is
a much revered temple of lord Ganesh.
 Tourists can take a detour to the Bagra Waterfalls that
are a popular picnic spot. Plummeting from a height of 30
ft, Bagra is a group of three waterfalls lying near the Kolab
river
DUMRIPUT
A village stands between Koraput and Sunabeda by the side of
NH-26, the famous Sri Ram Temple situated in the locality is widely
known for the highest kneeling Hanuman Statue in Odisha. Shree Ram
Navami festival is popularly celebrated every year which attracts a large
number of devotees. It is 12 Kms away from Koraput.
Dumriput is a small town located between Koraput and
Sunabeda. The Sri Ram Temple with the second tallest
kneeling Hanuman statue in Odisha is the main tourist
draw here. The top of the temple also offers a spectacular
view of the natural beauty surrounding the town. Visits to
the nearby Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary and Gudahandi
Hillsare also highly recommended for nature lovers.

So, what are you waiting for? Apply for that long overdue
leave from work, pack your bags and head off for the
intoxicating charms of Koraput.

Situated about 69 km from the nearest town 0, and 7 km

from Sunabeda, it covers a geographical area of about
220.54 hectares. The population of the village, as per
census 2011, is 379 out of which 189 are male and 190
are female.

In addition to the natural environment which surrounds

the village, the kneeling Hanuman statues is another
tourist attraction of the spot.] The Sri Ram Temple
situated at Dumuriput is widely known for the second
highest kneeling Hanuman Statue in Odisha. Ram Navami
festival is celebrated every year which attracts a large
number of devotees. Nearest railway station is Dumuriput
where Jagdalpur-BBSR Hirakhand Express
stops.Vishakhapatnam-RGDA-Koraput Passenger DMU
stops. There are views from the top.

KANTA BAUNSUNNI DAMANJODI

The town came to limelight with the discovery of baux ite

mines in the Panchapatmali hills and setting up of
NALCO, Asia’s biggest Alumina complex. Nearby stands
the highest peak of Odisha. And World’s Second tallest
Hanuman Statue that stands at 108.9 feet (33.1 metres)
located at NALCO township, Damanjodi, Koraput. It is 36
Kms away from Koraput.

BALDA CAVE

Balda Cave situated 66 Kms away from Koraput.

Surrounding with natural beauty. The top of the mountain
plateau is flat one. 05 nos of football matches can be
played at a time. The Jalaput reservoir from this plateau
is enchanting one. Donger Dei is the main deity of the cave
worship by the local people during Chaitra Festival. It is
best place for trekking and place for nature lover.

RAJA CAVE & BALMIKI ASHRAM

Raja Cave & Balmiki Ashram in other name know as Kapat

Parbat. It is believed the ancestor of Balmiki reside in this
site situated on the bank of river Machakund and the river
dividing border of Odisha & Andra Pradesh. It is a scenic
spot & best place for trekking in Nandapur block for Eco
& Cave tourism. Akhayaturtiya is the main festival of this
site.
JEYPORE

Jeypore, the city of victory is the largest town in the

district and home to royal family is steeped in history. The
old fort is encircled by high masonany wall with an
imposing gateway. Towards the eastern part of the town is
a big tank called Jagannath sagar attracts for water
sports. It is 22 Kms away from Koraput.

Jeypore—the City of Victory—was the capital of the local

rulers in the past. The ancient forts, palaces and temples
in and around the town bear testimony to the rich royal
history of this place. The ancient King’s Palace and
surrounding fort ramparts are the main tourist draws. The
town also boastsof the second tallest Jagannath temple in
Odisha after the original one in Puri.Jagannath Sagar,
Sewa Paper Mill and Shree Fish Planet are the other places
among visitors to the “royal city”.

JAGARNNATH SAGAR

Jagannath Sagar is a lake nestled in the heart of the town of Jeypore. The lak
flanked by park and play areas. There is also a boating club here. great dam
Jagannath Sagar with its marvelous panorama creates the enigma of a lake o
the bosom of indescribable nature of once Jeypore kingdom.

Jeypore kingdom that covered the entire undivided Koraput District in the pr
independent Bharat Varsh was no less inviting than Jammu and Kashmir wi
Jagannath Sagar as the Dal lake.

It is inundated to say that Jeypore deserved the merit of a Heaven on Earth

throughout South India only due to Jagannath Sagar which embellished like
dazzling jewel on its chest.
SUBEI
Subei village is situated at a distance of 5 miles from
nandapur of the koraput district . The jaina monument of
the village are noticed at the foot of the panagiri hill.
Within an oval enclosure near the main road one can
notice a series of jaina Tirthankara and Sasanadevi image
keot in dilapidated structure. The enclosure is full of
debries of fallen shrine . The enclosure wall too. Demage
at several places. The area is overgrown with shrubs. The
image are thickly covered with moss and lichen and
attended very rarely by the local people . No attempt has
been made by any agency in the recent year for proper
maintenanceof these monuments.Of the ten shrine in
enclosure only two are some what atanding for the present
(Fig.100). It would appear that each was a triratha
structure with a low tower topped with an and Rohini, one
of Trithankara Mahavira (Fig.101) and nine of Trithankara
Risabhanatha From the predominence of Risabhanath
image one can safely presume that the site dedicated to
Lord Risabhanatha in the past. All the image of the site
are carved seated on pedestals. The lower part of the
pedestals depict their conventional lanchanas . The
Trithankara are attended by chauri-bearears on side.
They are also provided with kerala tree,trilinear umbrella,
prabhamandala,heavvnly music and flying opsaras.The
hairs on the head of all Risabhanatha figures are arranged
in jatas.Few ststrands of the jatas are invariably seen
falling on their shoulders.One of the Risabhanatha images
contains figures of all other 23 Tirthankaras and their
respective marks of cognizances.The chakresvari image is
found half buried under ground.She has sixteen hands
but attributes in all these hands are not traced as some of
them damaged in the meanwhile.Withdifficulty, mace
,sword,trident, disc,bow and vessel can be noticed in the
right hands and spear,shield,arrow,dagger and a conical
object in some of the left hands. A figure of Risabhanatha
is carvedat the top. Rohini ,the Sasanadevi of Ajitanatha
is carved seated in padmasana on a lotus pedestal
supported by spirited lion.She has twelve hands of which
one of the right hands is broken and two kept plam over
plam.The remaining four hands of the right side display
vajra,swird,dise and arrow and the five hand of the left
side hold spouted vessel,shield,bell,tridandi and bow. Her
Tirthankara Ajitanatha is shown at the top.Ruins of
another shrine is noticed at a place about 200 yeards from
this place. Stones up to the base levele of this shrinehave
already been removed. Shrubs have grown round the
ruined structure. Amidst the debris one can notice a
Risabhanatha image. It represents artists finish and
iconographic details of the images found at Subei. A
thorough investigation in the area may yield similar-
runied structure. Sasanadev chakresvariand Yaksha
Gomukha below the plain pedestal. The ruins of Subei
cain be placed in the A.D.9th century.

KECHELA :-
Kachela, a village of pottangi Tahsil is located in the right
bank of river Kolab. It is 6 mile from the Baghara water
fall and some 10 miles from Koraput town, the Sub-
divisional and district headquarters of the same name .
The place was once a stronghold of jaina activity . About a
furlong to the south of the village , under the foot of the
Deo Donger hill are noticed the ruins of a stone temple and
6th sculptures of the jaina pantheon. The temple wjile in
perfect condition appears to the have been measured some
30 feet in height and 10 feet in both length and breadth.
Lower part of the temple up to the bada is till available.
The inner area of the ruined temple contains a beautiful
Ambika imsge in standing pose and a slab depicting the
twin figures of Gomedha Yaksha and Ambika Yakshmi.
The independent image of Ambika , the Sasanandevi of
Neminath displays a bunch of mangoes in right hand hold
a boby on the left. Neminatha, her Tirthankara is perched
in the mango tree carved at back. The Sasanadevi is
provided with rich constums and ornaments. The drapery
in folds run up to her anklets. Lion the mount of the
Sasanadevi of the Sasanadevi is shown above the lotus
pedestal.
The twin image of Yaksha Gomedha and Yakshini
Ambikha are carved setated on a common slab.Both of
them are provided with thick cushions.Ambivalence
displays a mango in the right hand while left is engaged in
carrying a baby.Gomedha on the other hand rests the left
hand on his left right and carries an indistinct object in
the right hand.The mango tree in the background is
crownd by Tirthankara,Neminatha.A massive tree caused
the collapse of the temple and the local people with great
difficulty recovered the Ambika image from the trunk of
that tree.
The four other scuplptures depit umage of jaina
Tirthankaraa.Threeof them contain independent image of
Risabhanatha,santinatha and mahavira while the rest one
,the twin figures of Ajitanatha and mahavira(Fig.93).They
are all lying in the open premises amidest thick growth of
wild bushes.The independent image of Risa bhanatha and
mahavira are designed seated in meditative pose where as
the others standing in kayotsarga mudar .All the images
are provided with the conventional attributes of
lanchana,lion throne, chauri bearers, kevala tree,trainear
umbrella,heavenly music and halo.Someof these
Tirthankaras also represent all other 23 Tirthankaras on
their sides. The sasanadevis of the three independent
Tirthankaras are found carved below their pedestals.The
santinatha,image,in addition,contains eight grahas on the
settle.Several dressed stone slabs and sculptured
fragments of the original temple are lying scattered at the
place.
The tribal people who reside in the village visit the ruined
temple and the image on festiveoccasions.They at time
offer animal sacrifices without knowingtheir religious
affinity.Large stocks of votive terracotta lamps and plates
are found near the ruined temple.Kachela village including
the site ofthe runied temple is likely to bes submarged
under water of the proposed Kolab dam.The jaina relics of
the place may be attributed a date in the A.D.9th century
in view of their iconographic features and tradition.
GUPTESWAR :-
Gupteswar is located at a distance of 26 miles from
Jeypore amidst thick growth of sal forests.The place can
be approached by a forest tract which starts from the east
of the Ramagiri hill of to a distance of 9 miles.Due to its
traditionala association with Ramayana figures the place
has become a centre of pilgrimage in the neighbouring
tracts of Orissa and madhyapredesh.Through the place
has on archaeological relics of interest,yet the gaint
sivilinga rising to the highest of 6 feet within a roughly
circular chamber has become the main centre of
attention.The linga is 10 feet in circumference.It is a
believed,Rama and sita worshippers this hidden sivalinga
during their sojourn in Dandak forest.The chamber
containing the sivalinga is noticed at night of 500 feet from
the surroundingcountry.The entrance of the chamber is 9
feet wide and some 8 feet high.One can reach the place by
ascending a modern is flight of steps flanked with lines of
champk trees.There are a number of caves in the close
neight bourhood but of little interest excepting the one
where drops of water come out.
The placefrom where the drops of water fall is popularly
regardef as the under of kamadhenu.Devotees wait there
with outstretched hands to receive the water drops
whichcomes in long interval.This sivalinga is known in
Orissa as “Gupteswar” or “the hidden God”.lIn the
neighbouring tracts of Madhyapredesh it is regardedas
“Gupta kedara”.A savara daring his hunting pursuit
traced the sivalinga in the dense forest and brought the
matter ot the notice for the then ruler Viravikram Deo of
Jeypore throughthe thanadar of Ramagiri.The king
immediately arranged a great feast at this place and made
provision for the observations of sivaratri festival every
year.Since then a large concourse of pilgrims takes at this
place on sivaratri day which falles two daysbefore new
moon in the month of phalguna.The neighbouring
Ramagiri hill bears the name Rama of the Epic fame.
The Gupteswar shrine of Lord Shiva is located inside a
cave high up on Ramagiri Hills. The main attraction of the
temple is the naturally-formed, gigantic Shiva Linga,
which, according to local beliefs, has been increasing in
size since ages to reach its present 2-metre width. Since
the Shiva Linga is located inside a cave that was not easily
accessible in olden days, it came to be known as
Gupteswar temple (Hidden Shiva shrine).The temple is
surrounded with a dense forest of rare Sal trees and Saberi
River, which make for excellent scenery and a memorable
experiencefor visitors.
Deomali :-

Deomali, is a mountain peak in the Chandragiri-Pottangi

subrange of the Eastern Ghats. It is located
near Koraput town in the Koraput district of
southern Odisha, India.
Highest point in Odisha

Deomali Peak, with an elevation of about 1,672 m, is the

highest peak in the state of Odisha. It is situated near
Doodhari village, Pottangi Panchayat division which is
70 km from Koraput via semiliguda, in Southern Odisha.
It Surrounded by deep green forest, the peak is rich in
flora and fauna. This hill range is rich in mineral resources
such as bauxite, limestone and gemstones. Deomali is
dotted with brooks and deep valleys, and inhabited by
tribes such Kandhas, Parajas, Bhumia, Malis and Bhotias.
It is not only a marvel for the tourists but also to the
adventurous sports lovers for hang gliding,
mountaineering and trekking. On this recent days Odisha
tourism Department, is taking many development steps to
popularize this peak amongst the travellers as a hot
tourist spot by connecting the Tar roads, Hill top amenities
centre, drinking water points on the hill top, Watching
towers for perfect view of the arena. Many waterfalls also
found while heading for the top of hill.

PODAGARH
The ruins of podagarh are noticed ta a place some two
miles from the present Umerkot town of koraput distric.
This place hsa been identified with puskri,the ancient
caoital of the Nala rulers on the basis of the podagarh rock
incscription (Fig.97)which has been kept loosely in a
dilanimated structure on the podagarh hill.One has to
climb very carefully on edge of the podagarh hill to reach
the shrine containing the inscription.The surroundings of
podagarh are now covered with dense forest and the solid
rock of the hill is visible for a long distance.The upper part
of the hill seems to have been used for residential
purposes as post holes and burnt ashes are still noticed
at manyplace.A thatched shrine just below the hill
priscrives beautiful images of Ganesh Durga,parvati and
Bhairava.Huge quantities ofterracotta animals and votive
lamps are played near this shrine.On theroad side one can
notice a flat stone slab containing a long inscription on
both of its side firmly planted on the ground. This
inscription has not been published so far. Due to complete
exposure to nature the letters of this important inscription
have shown signs of decay. At the foot of the hill and close
to the podagarh village are to be seen a silted up tank and
a medieval siva temple . Around the siva temple sculpture
depicting Ganesh,Bhairava,lingapuja,etc. Are lying
scattered. The sati stones of this place display open palms
of the sati. Several ancient coins, terracotta figurines,
pottery objects, beads,copper bangles were recorded from
the adjacent tank during renovation.
BHAIRAVSINGPUR
Village Bhairavsingpur located in jeypore Sub-division of
koraout is very rich in jaina antiquities. The religious
shrines dedicated to saiva,Vishanava and jaina pantheons
are all situted at the foot of the neighbouring hills. AS
many at twenty one jaina statues of
Risabhanatha,Parsvanatha,Ajitanatha,Mahavira,Ambika,
and Gomedha havebeen collected from this place for the
district museum at jeypore.The hoard also contains
several Tirthankara images which cannot be identified
properly at this stage.A Risabhanaths image made of a
steatite slab is still worshipped in good condition within a
thatched shed of the village.Another such image preserved
in the jagannatha temeple is often used by the local people
for sharpening their axes and blades.The siva temple near
the foot of the hill also preserves several jaina icons within
niches of its outer wallows.The tirthankara image of the
place are seen either seated in yogasana pose or standing
in kayotsarga mudra.They represent all the either
preyahsas.The sasanadevis of respective Tharthankaras
are also represented below the lotus pedestal alongwith
the supporting lions,lanchana and devotees.In some of
them cut-marks are discernible.Yaksha Gomedha and
Yakshini Ambika are seen seated on a common
pedestal.Several images of Ambika,the Sasanadevi of
Neminatha,too noticed in the sculptures of the place.The
Risabhanatha images display matted looks of hair on the
head in addition to their lanchana,the bull below the lotus
pedestal.Similar limages are to be found in the villages of
Charmula and Narigaon within a distance of four or five
miles of Bhairavasingpur.
BORIGUMA
Boriguma town is situated in a place midway between
jeypore town and Navarangapur, the sub-divisional
headquarters of the district. At a distance of one mile from
this place and at the foot of a hill are noticed ruins of a
fort, residential building, large and a modern tin-roofed
temple dedicated to God Bhairava. The brick structures in
the vicinity of the Bhairava temple are seen spreading to a
great distance. They are available upto the plinth level. To
the east of the hill are some depressions in the ground
which may be associated with the remains of a moat of
very ancient date. The present Bhairava temple as well as
the series of tanks and vast ruins of brick structures in
the neighbourhood are the relics of the past. The Bhairava
image locally known as “Buddha Bhairava” has been
greatly reverred by the local people. In each Friday they
worship this deity in great numbers. On the last Friday of
the month of magha each year a huge festival takes place
which drages several thousand of people from the
neighbouring villages. The shrine proper has a tinned roof
of recent origin. It hss been arranged in two separate
divisions. In the front division,the image of Buddha
Bhairava and Mahisamardini Durga are in active worship.
The Mahisamardini Durga image was recovered from a
tank in the close vicinity sometime in the year 1951.
In the second division a sivalinga has been installed. The
room adjacent to it contains figure of a bull, damaged
portion of God Narayana and image of Uma-Mahesvara. In
the niches of the outer masonary walls of the shrine are
preserved image of Trivikram, Varaha-Vishnu, Narasimha,
Parvati Trihankara Mahavira,and twin figures of Yaksha
Gomedha and Yakshini Ambika.The Vaishnavite and jaina
images have no bearing on the temple rituals.The
Vishnavite status are all very crudely dashioned.But the
jaina icon representong features of the 11th century
A.D.are very artistically corved .Two more bulls have also
been installed in front of the shrine.
The low compound walls have been damaged at maney
place.Several places of decorative fragments of some earier
temple of this Place are lying in the premise.In the midst
of brick-bats one can find a Sivalinga installed.The local
people inndicate that sivalingas of 6’ to 7’ high whre found
in large number at this place but the people of the
neighbouring villages have removed them all foe
woeship.The series of tanks which mayhavebeen parts of
a moat bear at present names like Tamka bandha,
Jhilmilia bandha, Badarajoda,bandhs,sanarajoda
bandha,Rani bandha,etc.Some of them have been
renovated in recent years.It is ascertained from the local
people that a natural cavern on the other side of the
Bhairava hill constains a Sivalinga.The local tribal people
worship this Sivalinga on various occasions.
CHARMULA
Charmula another jaina site of the district is located in the
close neighbourhood of Bhairavasingpur.Recently two
Jaina images of Tirthankara Risabhanatha and
Parsvanatha were brought to the district Museum at
Jeypore.The Risabha image is seated in yogasana pose on
a plain pedestal supported by gajasimhas.Figures of
chauri bearers,lanchana,Yakshini Chakresevari and
devotees with offerings are depiced on the pedastal.The
upper part of the stone slab on the other hand displays
the kevala flying apsaras with garlands,heavenly
music,trininear umbrella and eliptical halo Hairs on the
head of the Tirthankara are arranged in jata.The
parsvantha image from this place is carved standing in
kayotsarga pose on a lotus pedistal.A canopy of seven-
hooded snake is found over head the other features like
the chauri-bearers,kevala tree,trilinear umbrell,
gandharvas with musical instruments and apsaras
holding garlands are all envisaged along side the
image.The coils of the snake are gathered behind the
image.The image shows signs of decay due to continuous
negligence.The decorative elements as also the legs ,face
and hands of the figure are partially mutilated.
Maliguda Tunnel
The Maliguda Tunnel of Odisha is the 4th Biggest broad-
gauge railway tunnel in Indiaafter "Banihal - Quazigund
Tunnel" which is in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The tunnel is 13 km east of Jeypore, India, 27 km
from Koraput. The tunnel on which the entire route of 430
km was built by Japan Engineers in between (1961-66)
withJapanese collaboration for the supply of Iron Ore from
Kirandul to Vizag Port via- Dantewara, Jagdalpur,
Jeypore, Koraput, Padua, Araku, Kottavalasa.

Welcome to Maliguda Tunnel, the highest broad-gauge

railway tunnel in India and coincidentally, the second
highest in the world. It is also considered the biggest after
Banihal-Quazigund Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir. The
tunnel draws its name from the nearby Maliguda village,
which has turned into a picnic spot allowing people to
soak in the scenic beauty in the lap of nature.
Situation 35 kn eastward of Jeypore and 50 km from
Koraput, the tracks on this 430-km stretch, which
includes the tunnel, were laid in collaboration with
Japanese engineers between 1961 and 1966.
It served as the iron ore supply route from Kirandul to
Vizag Port via Dantewara, Jagdalpur, Jeypore, Koraput,
Padua, Araku and Kottavalasa, among others. Today, it
continues to be an important link on this route, ensuring
smooth railway operations.
21 Kms eastwards of Jeypore and 43 Kms away from
Koraput is a small village where on a hill top stands India’s
highest broad gauge railway tunnel. The place is ideal for
weekend picnic.

POTTANGI :-
Pottangi in the region of Orissa is a place located in India
- some 785 mi (or 1,263 km) South-East of New Delhi, the
country's capital. The local timezone is named "Asia /
Kolkata" with an UTC offset of 5.5 hours. Depending on
your mobility, these larger destinations might be
interesting for
you: Sunki, Similigurha, Raipur,Pachipenta, Nagpur or B
hubaneswar.While being here, you might want to check
out Simhagadda and Pottangi as well.

We discovered some clips posted online. Scroll down to see

the most favourite one or select the video collection in the
navigation.

KNEW TOURISM PLACE KORAPUT 2020 :-

Koraput is one of the major district and tourist destination

in Odisha.This place is naturally very beautiful, Koraput
district and town is surrounded by mountains,hills,thick
forests and waterfall . Many types wild animals and
different tribal communities are leaving in forest of
koraput. So it’s a popular tourist place in Odisha, every
year thousands of tourists from different states of india
and from other foreign countries coming to visite koraput
and to explore the extraordinary beauty of this land.

PUNJISIL :-
This is a very nice article on an unknown place to many. Koraput
is a hill town surrounded by hilly terrain in the Eastern ghat
region. The beautiful sceneries and spectacular natural vegetation
are the ornaments to this place. The podu cultivation and the
graded bunding which are the different types of cultivation in hilly
terrain can be observed here. This adds more beauty to the hill
region. The coffee plantations and the teak trees along the ghat
roads would give more scenic beauty to this place.
The author has given a pen picture of the nearest sightseeing spots
which clearly gives the reader more about the cultural heritage of
Koraput.
GADAPODAR:’
Most of the people choose naturally blessed tourist place
in Jeypore (Koraput) Odisha to quench their thirst relaxing
time. When so happens waterfall is the first thing that
come to the mind of travellers.where they can Enjoy a
picnic with their family and loved ones. One such spot
jeypore which is known for its scenic background is the
Gadapadar waterfall . A famous waterfall and background
is most beautiful sceneries of Jeypore. a town in Jeypore
(Koraput ) district . Bada saluki and offer a panaramic
view to its visitors. This waterfall which is surroundedby
forest and mountains is among those tourism places that
promote tourism in Jeypore (Odisha) and pull in local and
national travellers .
Sabara Shrikshetra (Koraput) Deomali

(Korapu
Baba Gupteswar Duduma Water Kanta
Baunsuni Temple Subei Jaina Temple

Jaina Statue Subei ( Koraput ) World 2nd Tallest Statue Damanjodi

 Kechela ( Koraput ) Parab (Cultural
Festival ) Koraput

Maliguda Tunnel ( Koraput

CONCLUSION :-
A visit to this place would make you a memorable one and
let you know the cultural heritage of the sothern region of
Orissa (Koraput) and the scintillating beauty of Eastern
Ghats. It also helps in better appreciation of the socio-
economic conditions and the development of tribal
regions. This is a very nice article on an unknown place to
many.
Koraput is a hill town surrounded by hilly terrain in the
Eastern ghat region. The beautiful sceneries and
spectacular natural vegetation are the ornaments to this
place. The podu cultivation and the graded bunding which
are the different types of cultivation in hilly terrain can be
observed here. This adds more beauty to the hill region.
The coffee plantations and the teak trees along the ghat
roads would give more scenic beauty to this place.
The author has given a pen picture of the nearest
sightseeing spots which clearly gives the reader more
about the cultural heritage of Orissa.
BIBLIOGRAPHY