#keonjhar, #sanaghagra, #baraghagra, #gonasika, #otdcpanthanivas, #sudurerpiyasi
Today we explore the main tourist spots of Keonjhar district of Odisha Sana Ghagra or Chhota Ghagra, Bara Ghagra, Gonasika, Bhimkund, Sitabinji, Kanjhari Dam. We started early morning from Sainath Guest House in Keonjhar town and started ascending the smooth hilly roads passing by Keonjhar OTDC Panthanivas. The ruins of Keonjhar fort and the tips of Baldevji Jew Temple and Jagannath temple are visible from here. After crossing the entry points of Sana Ghagra and Bara Ghagra we took a left turn from the main Mumbai road highway and entered into the relatively narrow forest roads of Gonasika. A cloudy weather and the beautiful winding roads really gave us the feeling of Sikkim in Odisha. Situated at a distance of around 2223 km from Keonjhar town, Gonasika is believed to be the source of one of the prominent rivers of Odisha river Baitarani. The place is also known as Gupta Ganga, where a small stream flows out of the nostrils of a cowshaped rock. After parking our bikes we climbed around 100 steps to reach the temple. This place is much less visited by tourists and completely surrounded by jungle. All you can hear is birds chirping and the soothing sound of the stream flowing. Videography is somehow restricted inside the temple. On our way back to Keonjhar we first visited Bara ghagra waterfall and dam which is around 3 km from main road and 8km from town. After that came to Sana Ghagra Tourist Complex, which is within 4 km from the town itself. There is a lake inside, where boating facility is also available. A small mountain stream named Machhkandana river creates a water fall here and then finally flows down to Baitarani river. This place is relatively popular than the other two. One can stay at the nature camp built within the complex. However, the best time to visit Keonjhar is monsoons, since we did not see much water in he waterfalls in this summer. From Sana Ghagra we headed towards Keonjhar town again. But now starts the second part of our journey to the other side of the town. So please wait for the second episode of today's journey.