Monsoon melody: Odisha’s hidden hill retreats; draw tourists with waterfalls, foggy peaks & forest escapes | Bhubaneswar News – Times of India
The thought of wading through flooded streets can put off many from travelling during monsoon. But for some, rainy season is exactly when they plan their trips to explore the state’s hidden gems. TOI goes on an expedition to explore such spots and the facilities they offer.As soon as monsoon arrives in Odisha, Koraput transforms into a breathtaking scenery of misty peaks, dense rain-washed forests and cascading waterfalls, offering travellers a soul-soothing alternative to the state’s popular coastal attractions. “Koraput gives me everything I want from a monsoon escape — the hills, the greenery and peace,” Rahul Sen, a solo traveler from Mumbai, said.
Duduma Waterfalls in Koraput
“The rain here doesn’t hinder your journey, rather it enhances every bit of it,” Jannet Troost, a tourist from the Netherlands who recently explored the region, said. “I’ve travelled across continents, but the monsoon beauty of Koraput is just magical. It’s peaceful, serene and stunningly green,” she added.Just like Koraput, quite a few areas in Odisha are seeing a steady rise of travellers who are choosing to explore tourist spots during monsoon. And the facilities being provided by such spots are encouraging tourists to travel during off-season. Like the hill station of Tensa in Bonai forest division (in Sundargarh district). Once a mining settlement, Tensa is now drawing nature lovers with its lush green forests and panoramic vistas.
Siribeda in Koraput
Monsoon showers between June and July transform the area into a fog-laced dreamscape. Zero Point, the region’s highest spot, is often covered in fog after every shower, covering the landscape in a white blanket. “What makes Tensa truly special is its monsoon charm,” Parinaya Prakash Rout, the manager of the Tensa Nature Camp, said.The nature camp features 10 air-conditioned cottages equipped with modern amenities. Visitors can climb the watchtower for a panoramic view of the forest, stroll through the butterfly and botanical gardens, or venture out on trekking routes that lead to waterfalls and nearby iron ore mines. “This year, we’ve seen a significant surge in visitors from Kolkata and Jharkhand who come to experience our climate and scenery,” Rout added.The interest in monsoon tourism is also encouraging more spots to come up with facilities which add to the joy of exploring during rains. “We have proposed a nature camp in the area and are creating more attraction points and safety measures for visitors,” Dhanraj H D, divisional forest officer of Keonjhar that boasts of Kanjipani Ghati, said. Located along a 20-km serpentine stretch of National Highway-49, the high-altitude pass sits at an elevation of 610m and offers a hill station-like ambience as clouds drift across the mountain road, mist clings to tree canopies and small seasonal waterfalls tumble down the slopes during rains.
Gundicha Ghagi Waterfall in Keonjhar
“We had a three-day family trip to Keonjhar recently and were mesmerized upon seeing the beauty of the place during the rainy season,” Shiela, a homemaker from Bhubaneswar, said.Nature speaks a language of its own during monsoon and nowhere is this more evident than at Sarafgarh in Sundargarh district. The serene Sarafgarh Nature Camp, positioned along the vast blue waterbody, a dam and reservoir in Lephripada forest range, presents a perfect retreat just 40km from Sundargarh town. The site features comfortable air-conditioned tent camps and cottages, complemented by recreational facilities and boating options. The destination transforms during monsoon with its enhanced natural beauty, allowing nature lovers to soak in the pristine environment.Even the Khandadhar Waterfall in Sundargarh district which transforms into a spectacular sight as the sword-shaped cascade becomes more dramatic and powerful. The waterfall, India’s 12th highest, plunges from a height of 244m, creating a thunderous roar as the rain-swollen waters crash onto the rocks below. Mist rises from the base of the falls, creating a mystical atmosphere. The rains also awaken numerous seasonal streams in the vicinity, adding to the overall grandeur of the landscape. The dense forest canopy, glistening with raindrops, provides a perfect backdrop to this natural wonder. Located in Bonai forest division, this eco-tourism haven offers accommodations in tent cottages, cottages and eco cottages.
