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Khandadhara:– A lonely Cycle Trekking Experience & adventure

Dear Readers,

So finally I could able to post my first adventurous Cycle Trekking to Khandadhara Waterfall, Sundergarh, Odisha. Before reading this my humble request to you please visit About Page to know about me (us) & the purpose of this blog.

Initially I introduce my failed story to the same place on 2008.

Some day on APR 2008: Khandadhara Waterfall-a Failed tour & escaped from coming disaster#*

#Photos are attached beneath the story to ease the reading experience.

* If you don’t want to read this failed story then you can skip into Success story here.

As you know I was visiting lonely initially. One of my friends told me that he visited to Khandadhara waterfall & the place is very beautiful. So I expressed my enthusiasm to know more about this place though I knew about this waterfall. So I asked him where is that place situated, he told that near Rourkela, 100km distance. Quickly I collected the data about the communication, he told just go to Lahunipada (one block of Sundergarh dist.-70km from Rourkela) by daily bus, then another 30km you can reach there by Jeep (Local) to direct Khandadhara. So I pleased to know about this also kept in mind to visit whenever there will be an opportunity.

One day I planned to visit as there was holiday at college. Also I was suffocated with regular class attending, practical, ragging(to us) & practice at room. I was trying to get rid of these. Before that I enquired at Rourkela bus stand about Lahunipada bus & pleased to know that buses run frequently so don’t have to worry about.

So one day I prepared at 9:30 am and moved to Rourkela Bus-Stand, I asked a bus conductor about Khandadhar, he told from Lahunipada you can easily reach there. But current bus was not having any vacant seat, so rejected that and waited for another bus, got the seat but that started at 11:30. I sat at window seat so became happy that I could able to watch the natural beauty while travelling period. the bus was passing through SH-23, Bonai-forest area so few Ghats also we were passing, as that was summer time I could see the smoke from the jungle due to fire. That hurt me as such beautiful place is getting ruined by fire. No govt. patrolling there to control fire, also that area is vulnerable to Maoist(I think everyone can understand the word). But I was enjoying the scenery of green forest and ghat ride. Though more greenery you can observe at monsoon or late monsoon. That passed areas like Chandiposh (Ghat), Champajharan, Deodgara,Darjeeng & Rajamunda. The bus was full with Adivashi’s(Tribal people), still I could able to understand their language as they were adding little bit hindi while talking. The worst case was the smell of “Handia” (A local wine made up of malt extract of rotten rice prepared by these adivashi’s) very unpleasant as many of them were drunk. Still I was trying to manage. Finally that reached at Lahunipada at 2.00pm that took diversion from SH-23 at Rajamunda to left. So I quickly got down there.

Failure starts here–>:

After that I enquired about Khandadhara to a local person, he replied that one bus will come now and get into that and that will take you to khandadhara. I came to know that there is weekly market(Hat) going on (Every sunday & Thursday). As curiosity I moved quickly to observe the tribal market at completely new place. Few new Items I seen there: Dried small prawn, Mahul, Chana along with herb, white round substances (used for making Handia-I don’t know what exactly material is that), wild water flies(delicious for tribal curry-I hate this smell)..etc.

Then I turned into the bus stop, after waiting around half an hour got a bus moving to Fuljhari, Talbahali but Khandadhara not mentioned there. I also not bothered to ask any body whether that will take me to Khandadhara or not at which point I made the mistake. So jumped into that bus but that was extremely crowded still I managed to place my foot there , few of them climbed to the roof to get sufficient space. The condition was very worst as that was hot summer, crowded bus and intermittent Handia smell making me suffocated. Still I could manage to stay there as I can adapt each situation. At 3 pm that started having lot of stops through SH-10A. After few time that entered into a jungle having a diversion to left from SH-10A. SO now completely the jungle area started, I hoped for the scenic Khandadhara to have a glance. These areas are totally tribal which will remember you about ancient age of India, the small cottage, their life style, very thin locality are the evident for that concept. Still in some angle you cam observer the modern touch at these tribal area like: They are using mobile phone, Few are having motor-bike & their dress style.

Any way after long deep jungle travel we reached at the place from which Khandadhara little bit visible, I asked about Khandadhara to conductor, he told this is the stop to get there. So quickly I got down there. That was 5:30 pm. Then I saw few school student standing there having trunk & baggage to shift to other school where their exam center is allocated(10th student final exam). That made me happy as they are trying to be educated and appreciated the state govt. regarding this.

Then I asked one school boy regarding the waterfall & next bus to Lahunipada, what he answered that put thunder over me as waterfall is around 10 km from there and bus to Lahunipada is next day morning. Oh my God!, what to do as walking 10 km at the evening time is not safer at all and there is no bus now to get Lahunipada. Suddenly I disappointed as what to do now. But I never loss my patience and confidence at such situation. So planned what to do, totally cancelled the Waterfall visit though it was visible far from there. But what you see far at hill area that distance is more than seems. So thought to get any local running vehicle to get lift up to Lahunipada. I asked a tribal women about this she answered me :”Illali jaikare” means this way goes. I didn’t dothe 2nd mistake by waiting there to any vehicle at evening time rather I started walking reverse. Around 2km I walked still no vehicle I found, the darkness was approaching also, little bit I worried, then planned to walk up to the Sh-10A, from where I can get help of any vehicle as on highway you can find vehicle. But challenging task was how to get there as around 12 km remaining out of which I passed only 2 km. Also there was no other way so just walked. There is risk also as tribal people may suspect me as any police personnel or something else, if that is the case then they may attack me, also vulnerability to wild animals like Bear, snake etc. Still I was trying to hav brave in mind and continuously walking. After another couple of kilometers walking, I heard sound of dumper and looked back, one Dumper was approaching me, I suddenly show my hand for lift, the truck driver was kind enough and gave lift to me. So now I took a breath of assurance as now there is no problem. The truck was moving directly to Lahunipada. Safely reached at Lahunipada and got a bus from there to Rourkela. By this way the failed journey ended.

But my mind was not in satisfaction mood as I failed that tour, so again planned to move there another day. At that time I was not having any bike or cycle so how to get there that was a challenging task for me.

APR-08-2009: That success story

At Rourkela, there are lot of places to see but visiting these by auto.vehicle is quite expensive as well as the there is not own freedom. SO to achieve this I owned a cycle. Choosing cycle as the mode of transportation having many benefit like:

1. Eco-Friendly (No emission of harmful gas to the nature) so obviously you can help to save the great environment.

2.cost effective as no fuel is required to run so you can save money.

3.Great exercise

4. Full freedom as where you want can go easily.

5. Availability-as you own it whenever you want you can go. Oh! sorry I am getting away from the topic. Let’s go to the topic.

One plan came to my mind that I can go there by cycle, but its hard to cover a distance of 200 km(to and fro). So I thought its possible to carry the cycle by bus up to Lahunipada and from there I can have a ride to Khandadhara 30 km. That plan I took. So just searching for opportunity, the day came on APR-8-2009, I started from room at 7 am. Packed all the essentials in my bag like: Water bottle, Knife, FIrst AId-kit, some dry food etc. You may have curiosity that why I packed knife?, yes as I was moving to jungle there is chance of attack by wild animal so to survive from them fight with them trickily where knife may be helpful.

I got the bus at 7:30, the helper helped my to move the cycle to the roof of the bus and fixed there. Now the journey started, facing same situation while travelling. Finally at 9 am reached at Lahunipada. Had breakfast there with delicious Idli & Samosa. Without making any delay I started my ride at 9:15. My cycle was ready to run on the completely different road from home town & to have the wild experience. So started the ride on SH-10A toward mighty Khandadhara. Kept strong desire that in any circumstance I will reach there what may it cost. That was also summer but sky was little cloudy so making the riding easy. Road condition was very well so please to ride on the road. I never tried to ask anybody to reach there as I knew the route-obviously how can I forget the failed tour. Without taking rest I was continuing the riding. After around 40 minutes, I reached at the turning where SH-10 & Khandadhara route meets. So took the left from where the wild journey started. Lot of curiosity, enthusiasm in mind as what I will see there. Just moving forward by enjoying observing the tribal culture, lifestyle & forest. Horizon was covered by hills and jungles also covered by mild fog. Somewhere you will find house in count of 5-6, persons guiding the cows, goats for grazing, women collecting Mahula (Purple colored flower use to make tribal wine), children’s having fun at muddy water of ditches/ponds. Just enjoying these. After 2/3 km riding found a shop where Airtel, BSNl & Reliance recharge vouchers available, currently I was having Vodafone sim, for backup purpose I planned to recharge my Airtel sim as I can avail Airtel service in the jungle. But he refused as vouchers finished. Ok no problem again started the journey. After strenuous cycle riding I reached at the place where I ended my journey due to pondering expected problems. But now I am having the backup plan so no problem and continued further. But last time the waterfall was visible from there but today not visible, may be due fog its not visible. The area was green than other due to cultivation by local people (Litchi,Mango, Paddy, Banana etc.) as the water of Khandadhara they using for irrigation purpose. Little canal also there from where they are irrigating the cultivation. After few meters of riding I reached at the check post where one sign board was there written amount of toll has to be paid while entering into the Waterfall. But no body was there to collect the toll. So just moved further finally reached at the base of the hill from where I had to climb around 200mtr height (walking distance 1.5 Km). At the base there is a office of Talbahali Grampanchayat, small market complex without opening. I could hear the sound of Khandadhara fall which was making me excited. No need to worry as I completed my ride of 30 km within 1hr 50 min. So success is just 1.5 km way which I will achieve easily. Two bus also I found there means few troops came there for having the fun. Also I notices one group of villagers who were preparing food for lunch, may they have some party or meeting(I don’t know whether they are Maoist or not). Then I asked them to keep my cycle until I returns from the waterfall, they agreed. Ok, now started walking few young man also joined with me. The rocks of the hill is red, the red hematite ore which is great raw material for Iron Industry, that’s why Posco is trying to dig the hill and take the ore but which will seriously ruin the beauty of waterfall, so thanks to local protest till now the could conserve the waterfall. Up to 200 mtr steps were made after that stiff climbing but not such hard for me. The gorgeous sound of waterfall , few monkeys playing by hanging on the creepers, sound of wild animals, sweet sound of birds making this place heavenly. I was enjoying the climbing ascend toward the serene waterfall. Really the experience was awesome. There was a Hanuman statue at middle and Radhakrishna statue, may be they are here to guide us to perfect direction. Now the waterfall visible, the white flow was visible now. So became happy that I am just at destination point, Yeah! its true now I am at the base of the marvelous Khandadhara to enjoy her beauty. Few young man already making fun there, later came to know that they came from Bhubaneswar. I stood at a place where I could analyze the whole waterfall.

The height was around 200 ft and again 200 ft its travelling after fall to the base of the hill. The fall justifying its name Khandadhara as Khanda means sword dhara means line so the water falling from the top like sword (thin line) is coming down. But after falling at certain height again dividing into two portion and joining at the base. After falling the water is spraying and making the area foggy. Really very cool environment at the summer. The combination of hill, green forest, sound of fall & surrounding really mesmerizing. That’s why I always like the waterfalls for their serene & sublime activity. Just enjoyed the fabulous breathtaking scenery for long time. Now time to return back. So just climbed down the descend it took just 25 min to get down. Again 30 km I have ride. Just had the dry foods, water and started the returning journey. By saying the tribal people good bye I returned at 1:30 Pm. After 3 break I reached at Lahunipada at 3 pm. I was too much happy as completed the failed mission. With full gratitude I returned to Rourkela by Bus and reached at 5 pm. So this way I accomplished my trekking to Khandadhara. Really memorable. In this case I must say Thanks to my cycle. I was fully tired so early night I slept.

Information:

How To get there: How to reach Khandadhara waterfall

Distance Info:

As this place is having proximity to Rourkela city so no problem to reach there.

Total Distance:100 Kms, Rourkela to Lahunipada=70 Kms, Lahunipada to Khandadhara=30 Kms

By road:

You can reach Lahunipada by bus service from Rourkela any time as the frequency of bus service is 20/30 min. But main challenge is how to reach Khandadhara from there. Its little bit difficult, if you are going in a group then I recommend to hire a jeep/Auto from there as there is no public transport running. If you are going single, then I am sorry to say that no such transport avail to reach there other than hiring. The cost of hiring in auto is around INR 500-600.

By Rail:

Nearest Railway Station is Rourkela.

By Air: Nearest Airport is Rourkela (Airplane doesnot move there regularily, so next airport is Bhubaneswar (325 Kmsfrom Rourkela)

Accommodation:

There is no accommodation till now at Khandadhara or Lahunipada, so try to visit and return on same day, at Rourkela there are many affordable Lodges there.

Best Time to visit: Though throughout the year you can visit there but best time is September to Jun, on summer you can have more fun & enjoyment with chilled water of Khandadhara.

Near by places: If you plan to stay at Rourkela, the you may have opportunity to visit many nice places to please your mind at the Steel city:

Vaisno devi(3kms) Shrine at the top of hill-Walkable distance from station or bus stand-3 Kms, By auto you can get down at Saw mill stop and start walking (You can clearly see from station)
Hanuman Vatika(8 Kms) here you will find the giant shaped statue of lord Hanuman, may be largest shape in odisha, auto facility available on sharing basis.
I G Park-Indira Gandhi Park(5 Kms):here you can enjoy by wondering in the park and can see many animals, garden, can enjoy the toy train. It is 5 km from Rourkela station and can be reached by sharing Auto (Rs 10)
Deer park & green park(10 Kms): You can see hundreds of deer in the park, near to which you will see green park. 10 Kms from Rourkela, Just get a city bus (Sampark) going to Chend and get down at deer park (Rs 10).
Bhanja Bhawan (7 Kms): This place is made for the memorial of Upendra Bhanja (Odiya Poet emperor), where you can find different art, culture exhibition.
Vedvyas(16kms) : Vedvyas is the place where the river Brahmani borns, where Sister river Sankh & Koel meets and River Brahmani starts. So you can enjoy that place, also that place is famous for shrine of Lord Shiva & many more god & goddesses. Also Sage Vedvyas was meditating there for which the name is so. To reach Vedvyas you have to hire an auto or you can reach at the Brahmani bridge by bus running toward Kansbahal/Birmitrapur and start walking (bus distance 14 Kms +walking distance 2 Kms=16 Kms). Cost Rs10.
Deodhara(41 Kms) & Darjeeng(45 Kms): Deodhara is Famous Picnic place on the bed of Brahmani river bank, best time to visit is winter as during rainy season the water level goes up and muddy water you can see. Darjeeng is another Picnic place on Brahmani river bank. About this place I will post separately for you reference.
Birmitrapur(50 Kms): This place is famous for Shrine of Mata Rani sati, Good designed temple as well as garden you will see there.
Mandira Dam(30 Kms): This is another beautiful dam situated at Kansbahal, You will find a Temple Named Mandira so the Dam is named so. You will happy to know that direct bus goes to here from Rourkela (30 kms). But the bus will drop you at a place from where you have to walk around 3.5 Km to reach the dam. But the area is protected & maintained by Rourkela Steel Plant so they may stop you at the gate, request politely, if you are lucky enough then you may be allowed. Otherwise you have to make a pass from Rourkela steel plant office before visiting this place.
Kansbahal Dam(36 Kms) & Pitamahal dam(28 Kms): Another two beautiful dam and you will be happy to know that no pass is required to visit both places. But If you have bike/cycle/Privet vehicle then you can have the enjoyment as no public communication is there. These places are suitable for picnic.
While travelling in the neat and clean city you will enjoy the different monuments at Chawk(Circles) made by Rourkela Steel Plant. So enjoy the beauty of the Steel city Rourkela.

Cuisine:

At Khandadhara, you can buy Litchi at summer also seasonal fruits you can avail. For this you have to ask the owner directly as no market you will find there

Oh! I forgot to mention the cuisine at Rourkela. You can have delicious Chinese dishes (Manchurian, Chowmin) & bakery products at Rourkela. Don’t forget to buy banana, as this is only place where you can avail big big sweet & tasty banana throughout the year.

Shopping: Though there is no market at Khandadhara, but at Lahunipada & Rourkela you can shop lot of art & craft items. At Rourkela few occasional fare arranged where you can buy many west Odisha Art & craft items. Also tribal craft, fine art you can shop.

Festivals:

Durga puja, Mahashivratri, Tribal Karama Fest.

The photo Section