Other States - Orissa   

Gundichaghagi waterfall beckons tourists

Shyamhari Chakra

KEONJHARGARH (Orissa): Those who have thronged the highly popular tourists destinations of Sanaghagara and Khandadhar waterfalls near this tribal district headquarter town to escape the hot summer this year, has anyone told you about Gundichaghagi waterfall?

Barely 12 kilometres far from Ghatagaon town of this district, the abode of goddess Tarini and the second most popular place of pilgrimage after Puri in Orissa, the non-descript but scenic those who wish to be blessed by solitude while relaxing in the lap of nature.

Located on the Musal rivulet, a tributary of Bairatani river, Gundichaghagi has remained as a picnickers' paradise for the local people so far. But, for its easy access to the National Highway 215 and timely initiatives being undertaken by the local communities, the place is set to emerge as one of the most favoured destinations for tourists keen in virgin nature and culture.

Exciting experience

Tucked amidst vast patches of lush green Sal forests, your most exciting experience could be sitting in a meditative mood in the summer and winter on one of the huge rocks dotted on the serpentine riverbed here and watching the wild flowers tossing their heads against the gentle breeze while a variety of lovely birds fluttering all around and the water flows to the melody of a forest stream.

The scene however changes with the onset of the monsoon when the river flows in spate and the rocks disappear.

A smoky belt of water vapour engulfs the entire spot when one can experience the romance with the rains in a forest here.

Since time immemorial, tribals have been congregating at Gundichaghagi for their annual ritualistic fair in December.

And for the past one and half decades, the popular Makara and Panchuka fairs are being celebrated with zest here - an ideal occasion to observe tribal way of celebrating life and culture.

The latest addition to list of fairs and festivals has been the four-year-old Gundichaghagi folk festivalhosted by the Gundichaghagi Development Society.

The decade-old society has been instrumental in bringing in a harmony between the ecological conservation and tourism promotion of the place. "We formed the society to involve the local people in conservation and development of the place as a popular tourists' spot.

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