Keonjhar is a popular tourist destination in Orissa, India. It offers plenty of places to visit that will leave you with lasting memories.
From ancient temples and waterfalls to national parks and tribal culture, Keonjhar has something for everyone. So whether you’re looking for traditional Indian culture or everyday activities like hang gliding and whitewater rafting, this area has it all!
Places to Visit in Keonjhar
1. Kushaleswar Temple
The Lord Kusheleswar Mahadev shrine, built in 900 AD, makes the Kushaleswar Temple in Deogaon holy. The temple on the river Kusei is an excellent place for pilgrims.
People have a lot of fun during Jagar Mela and Shravan Purnima. This temple has confirmed the story of the Koshal empire in western Odisha.
The temple is a one-of-a-kind treasure chest full of religious sculptures made by carving. Artists show how Jainism, Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Saivism, and Saktism are practiced through their excellent craftsmanship.
Even though it is a Saiva temple, a Mukti Mandap with pictures of Vaishnavite incarnations has been put there. This location is only 15 kilometers from Anandapur.
2. Kanjipani Ghati
Kanjipani Ghati is a beautiful place with a great view and beautiful mountains. The trail of Kanjipani Ghati is 20 km long and runs along NH-49.
It gives people who love nature a unique experience above the 610-meter-high ghat. The place has a lot of different kinds of plants and animals.
In the winter, the temperature drops to 0 °C, and when it rains, clouds touch the valley, which makes tourists happy. This area has a lot of different plants and animals, as well as large wildlife reserves.
Driving smoothly along a winding road with a view of the plateaus and tribal huts in the valley is a beautiful sight. It is only 30 kilometers from the town of Keonjhar.
3. Keshri Kunda – Places To Visit In Keonjhar
People bathe in Keshari Kunda’s two pools in the Baitarni River and worship Lord Siva on its side. Picnickers and people on vacation will find the scenery to be attractive.
During Makara Sankranti, brave people go into one hole in the river bed and come out of another hole to prove that they are right. This place is only 50 km from the town of Keonjhar.
4. Murga Mahadev Temple
The Murga Mahadev Temple is a popular tourist spot in the district. It is a beautiful building at the base of the Thakurani Hills.
A beautiful waterfall is fed by a beautiful spring in the Thakurani Hills, surrounded by a lush green forest. The waterfall flows near a temple, where people can take a holy bath.
During Makar Sankranti and Shivaratri, many people come to this place. This place is only 70 kilometers from the town of Keonjhar.
5. Gonasika Temple – Places To Visit In Keonjhar
Pilgrims visit the Gonasika Temple’s lush slopes and multicolored hills. Brahma built the Baitarni River shrine of Brahmeswar Shiva.
Here, the river Baitarni, which flows year after year, starts in two of a cow’s nostrils. Tourists find it strange that the river soon goes underground and comes back up to be collected in Brahma Kunda, which is why it is called Guptaganga.
King Laxmi Narayan Bhanja built the shrine to Lord Shiva between 1654 and 1688 AD. The beautiful place has a lot of strange plants and animals and is a rare place to study how the Juang tribe lives. The site is 30 km away from the town of Keonjhar.
6. Hadagarh Reservoir
On the river Salandi in the Anandapur Sub-division of Keonjhar district, the Hadagada Reservoir has been built. The dam holds much water for the area to use for irrigation.
High mountain ranges and a beautiful natural setting make the reservoir a sight for nature lovers. In addition, it’s an excellent place for picnics and vacations all year.
The reservoir and stream are beautiful, and many places to picnic. People come here all year long. This location is only 35 km from Anandapur.
7. Handibhanga Waterfall
A rich jungle and a mountain range encircle the Handibhanaga cascade. The close refuge has many species and flora.
With a height of 200 feet, the Handibhanaga waterfall stuns visitors with its beautiful scenery. People visit the area for picnics and weekend trips because of its beauty. This place is only 45 kilometers from the town of Keonjhar.
8. Gundichaghagi Waterfall – Places To Visit In Keonjhar
The Gundichaghagi waterfall is in a beautiful natural setting with a thick, green forest. A booming, smoky cascading flow on the Musala River falls 50 feet below the water’s surface.
The waterfall looks like a garland made of silver. This picnic spot is a true paradise for people who love the outdoors and gives visitors memories they will never forget. Ghatagaon is only 12 km from this waterfall.
9. Sitabinji Fresco Painting and Rock Inscription
The holy Sita River and vast mountain ranges encircle the Sitabinji Fresco Artwork and Rock Inscriptions. A rural yard has a temple-like stone.
It stands about 150 feet tall and is the area’s main attraction. Maa Sita Thakurani is the goddess of the pitha.
She and her two sons, Laba and Kusha, have been worshiping under a vast stone temple structure for as long as anyone can remember. The famous ancient fresco painting of Lord Rama and Ravana fighting on a rock shelter called Ravan Chahaya looks like a half-opened umbrella.
Near the site are several inscriptions on rocks that modern historians have yet to decipher. In addition, bricks and other old things found at the site show that a great civilization once thrived there.
The most recent pieces of history confirm that India’s golden age was during the time of the Guptas. ASI is taking care of this site to keep and preserve it safe. This place is only 25 kilometers from the town of Keonjhar.
10. Bhimkund – Places To Visit In Keonjhar
The Bhimakunda Waterfall in Keonjhar has a beautiful natural setting surrounded by a lush green forest. The majestic Baitarani River has two of the most beautiful and scary waterfalls.
They are called Sanakunda and Badakunda. The waterfall’s huge steep chasm and fast-moving stream make the air smoky and provide a great experience.
Also, the place is most interesting to tourists because of the vast, roaring sound of the waterfall. From a religious point of view, this waterfall is seen as the holiest place.
Many people from the area come here for the annual Makar Sankranti festival. The myth says that the Pandavas stayed here during their religious journey.
11. Maa Tarini Pitha Ghatagaon
Ghatagaon Maa Tarini Pitha is a famous pilgrimage center in Odisha. Maa Tarini Temple was built in modern times, and the god’s rough appearance proves that it comes from a pure place.
The story says that Maa Tarini is kind and merciful to her followers. The wildlife that lives in the nearby forest reserves adds to the beauty of the Maa Tarini Pitha.
Tribal priests still worship the goddess, and people still bring her coconuts as gifts. During Chaitra Purnima, people in the area celebrate Maha Bisuba Sankranti with a lot of pomp and show.
Thousands of people from inside and outside of the state come here every day of the year to honor Mother Goddess. Maa Tarini Pitha is only 45 km from the town of Keonjhar.
12. Khandadhar Waterfall – Places To Visit In Keonjhar
Khandadhar waterfall is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the whole state, not just in the Keonjhar district. This holy river’s Khandadhar Spring water falls straight down to the ground from about 500 feet.
This waterfall is called Khandadhar because the water falls straight down. A spring’s clear waterfalls on an uneven stone floor create a roaring sound and make the surrounding area smokey.
Its mountainous scenery attracts tourists from around the globe. In addition, this area’s wild habitat attracts many flora and animals. Keonjhar is 50 km away.
13. Badaghagara Waterfall
The spectacular Badaghagra waterfall is right next to the town of Keonjhar. A lush, green forest surrounds it.
Tourists, picnickers, and weekenders love the 100-foot cascade in a thick forest. In addition, the Kingdom-era Badaghagra pond on the Machakandana river supplies Keonjhar with water.
The area has a lot of strange plants and animals and is a rare place to study tribal life. This place is only 10 kilometers from the town of Keonjhar.
14. Sanaghagara Waterfall
The Sana Ghagara Waterfall is in the Keonjhar district, about 8 kilometers from Keonjhar town on National Highway No. 6, which goes to Sambalpur. The area is 488 ha in size.
Sana Ghagara cascade, with its year-round stream, enhances this forest’s natural beauty and attracts many tourists.
It is about 1950 feet above mean sea level and has a fantastic summer and a cold winter compared to other places. About 1500 mm of rain falls annually, with temperatures ranging from 14.7°C to 41.1°C.
The relative humidity ranges from 41% to 93%, and this area usually has no frost. The site is very hilly, with hills, pediments, and a narrow valley shaped like a “V.”
The rocks are dolerite, and the hills and pediments are very steep. Through Machhakandana Nala, water from the area flows into the river Baitarani.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Keonjhar is a beautiful place to visit in Odisha. It is home to many stunning waterfalls, ancient temples, and other attractions that will keep you entertained during your visit.
From visiting the spectacular Badaghagara Falls to trekking through the wilderness of Simlipal National Park, there are plenty of exciting activities to explore in Keonjhar. So whether you’re interested in discovering its natural beauty or exploring its rich cultural heritage, this region has something for everyone.
Nayana is passionate about discovering the most magnificent places to visit in India! She also loves to uncover the most incredible sights and capture her experiences in her writing through TouristPanda.com.