Trip to Khandadhar

I have been a vivid traveler by spirit. I enjoy each and every moment. I wish others to see the world as I do. Love nature.

you thought of Orissa as a home to beautiful beaches, awesome temples and exotic wildlife sanctuaries, do not forget to add waterfalls to the list.

Amidst thick jungles, Khandadhar is a glittering waterfall created by a perennial rivulet called Korapani Nala within a few kms. of its origin. 244 meters in height it is said to be the highest waterfall in Orissa. 19kms. from Bonaigarh, it is approachable by a fair-weather road but the last two kms. is negotiable, only on foot.

However, the strain gained in the journey is soon forgotten by the unthinkable scenic beauty the waterfall provides around.

Located in the tribal hinterland of Talbahali gram panchayat in the Bonai sub-division of Sundargarh district, mining is being attributed as the reason behind degradation of the waterfall.

The Khandadhar waterfall originates from one of the hills under the Malangtoli hill range. While a large stream from the hilltop forms the waterfall, the same hill works as a sink to generate nearly two dozen rivulets which flow as water channels in various directions.

The magnificent view of the cascading waters also makes for a good picnic spot and the entire area is a treasure trove of rare medicinal plants. The place is 110km from the steel township of Rourkela.

Almost all the districts of the state have one or more falls, but some are associated with popular destinations like protected forests, wildlife sanctuaries and temples because, in most cases, tourists are not interested to see just waterfalls, feel officials of the tourism department.

But the recent rise in the interest of people in getting into eco-tourism sites, there could be a chance to get serious travelers to do some trekking around waterfalls.


Synopsis…
There was talk in the office and at home for the picnic from almost a month ago.

Overloaded with work for OWSSB, the DPR presentation was on the go. All were giving their best to meet the timeline set by our team leader Mr. Rick Moore.

Dipti and Suchi were kind of upset with the workload and were just negotiating how to finish things faster, and told me about the issue, giving birth to the idea that we must go out for a picnic this year, unlike last year.

Few days gone under pressure, but the buzz was clearly audible through both the offices (BBSR and CTC)

15th October, a saturday, we had to listen everybody’s’ ideas on a picnic. I was in favor of a 2 day trip…

Prasant quoted for a place near Balasore, Chinmay and Abhay are for a same day trip. Manas was abiding to Prasant. Dipti and Suchi had no idea where to go. But I knew, they are just ready for the change.

I said Harishankar, Nrusinghnath near balangir, all were ok. i realized the local police in Balangir does not pitch for this spot, because of the disturbance by the local people in the name of Maoists. Then Khandadhar, (I had visited Khandadhar 11 years ago with my friends, stayed in a tent in the jungle near the water fall, had fun,) was chosen over other places. Prasant was also favoring Khandadhar to Balangir.

Then we discussed about transportation, 10 Pax were ready by then, Bus would be a bigger option and any other vehicle would be smaller. I knew that elderly people would not be eager for a place like Khandadhar as it takes a whole night travel one-way. Though I informed everybody about the picnic, it was my sixth sense who said the no. will be 15 at max.

For Balangir spots, we eventually decided to go by train, this would reduce the cost by 25% and people can at least sleep in the night. But as we chose over Khandadhar, there was no other way than the luxury bus travel.

I paid the advance first to encourage others to pay and freezze numbers. My wife was to join us, she had already taken leave for the coming Saturday. Chinmay’s wife and little daughter (Saina) also joined us.

Somehow the place was freezed. Decided a fee of INR1500/pax. Welcomed by everybody, though the buzz was saying “high”

Only 4 days left, we had to deliver some more documents. 7th Was the dateline. 8th Nov onwards all started thinking seriously on the plan.

Surendra (Guest House Cook) was called up to help decide the menu, as we were to cook there near the waterfall.

Menu : Breakfast : Puri and Alu matar curry

Lunch : Zeera Rice, Dal Fry, Desi Murga masala, Dahi Baingan, Mushroom Matar, Papad, Chilly Gobi, Salad

In advance we collected a sum of INR16000/- The bus was negotiated at INR14000/- balance collected later. On Thursday afternoon, Dipti, Manas, bibhuti, Suchi shopped the grocery items. Things were in place, almost ready to start for the much awaiting trip to Khandadhar. Mr. Abhay Rath did not join us though he had committed to move along. Mr. Mohanty and others have different commitments. So, altogether 15pax are ready by the afternoon. The girls were let off so as to get ready by 2100hrs on 11.11.11. and assemble at the office in Bhubaneswar.

Participants ; Mr. P. C. Das, Mr Chinmay Tripathy, Mrs Dipika Tripathy, Ms. Saina Tripathy, Mr. Swagat Satpathy, Mrs Biswabandya Satpathy, Mr. Prasanta panda, Mr. manas Das, Mr. Bibhuti parida, Mr. Grandhi Srivatsh, Mr. Krishna Ji, Mr. Aditya Bharti, Ms. Dipti Biswal, Ms. Suchi Sasmal, Ms. Smruti Rana, Ms. Priyadarsi Sahoo

Friday 7:10 pm: Rushed back home to pack my bag for the trip and be ready to board the bus at 9:00pm from Acharya Vihar

Friday 9:00 pm: Had packed my bags and left from home to the office along with my wife, Chinmay and family.

Friday 9:30 pm: played badminton for 20 mins before boarding the bus.

Friday 10:00 pm: all are ready to start. all picnic stuffs were loaded to the bus, baloons were tied up overhead.

Friday 10:30 pm: The driver (Manu) and helper (babu) were all set.The bus started.

Friday 11:30 pm: Everyone had settled down on their seats. I chose the seat right before the rear tyres. Strategically an important point as the bumps/potholes will ensure that we don’t sleep and we ensure that others don’t sleep. Stopped at Linkroad, Cuttack to pick the 4 staffs from our cuttack office, wished all the best everybody and started again.

Saturday Around 00:00am: We had tea, stopped at a dhaba for dinner (near khuntuni) Some had sutta, some had Cold Drinks.

The bus started and music was on. And the fun started. I made sure everybody dances to the music including the eldest (Mr. P C Das and the Youngest (Saina).

Saturday 2:00 am: Some slept and just woke up at every stop to answer the call of nature.

Saturaday 4:00am: Palalahada , met a shyar near the testall, was on the high notes..enjoyed every minute being there in Palalahada

Saturday 5:30 am: It was really cold here. Barakot, a beaful small hill station, people are still in their dreamland. prasant and me are sitting with the driver to cheer him up. We could see the navy blue sky and we had a glimpse of the sun rising in the Far East and playing hide and seek through the thin forest.

3 rooms were kept reserved for wash and change, fully utilised, dropped the idea for cooking breakfast on the sight. Chinmay, Prasant and me went to buy the Desi Murga.. at 06:30, impossible for some.

We had witnessed a Murga fighting at the shop, was interesting.

We were ready for going to Khandadhar which was around 2hrs journey from Barakot. We chose the state highway road. (60Kms further)

Saturday 08:00 am: Had many rounds of tea and breakfast and started at around 8:30am Saturday. With another 120 minutes to kill on the yet another stretch of bumpy road.

We reached the spot at around 10:30 and the view of the waterfall from far was awesome. The weather was pleasant. The stream was a few steps away, the bed was rocky. the water….cool..literally.

Few of us went off to capture the flora, fauna. We decided to trek to the base of the waterfall, after we finish cooking. Started cooking, set up the cooking team lead by Chinmay. Others were helping.

Aditya, Srivatsh, Krishna Ji were lost seeing the spring, started taking deeps from then itself. Lots of fun filling moments at the spot and cooking was about to be completed in an hour or so. We have had 3 rounds of tea.

Saturday 2:00 pm: Cooking completed, gathered all to move for the base of the waterfall. Started in a minute. Some steps and then a real trek…

Reached the Khandadhar base around 3:00 pm everybody was completely exhausted, everybody was advised to follow the lead and were helped to balance on the way. Gathering all our strength we managed to reach the spot. Like the girls, my wife was tired enough not to return back, somehow after witnessing the nature’s wonder, she re-gained strength.

The scenic beauty of Khandadhar cannot be described by mere words. It was awesome. And a Kodak Moment. At once Chinmay lost his camera, but lucky enough to find it back in working condition.

It was time to return and we had to be careful for the slope. We reached the food base at the right time the rest were just getting served. The menu was set as described earlier. It was delicious.

It was getting dark; we washed the utensils in the cold stream water. Since it was already touching 6pm we packed stuff fast. Our return journey started at around 6:30pm. We were so much exhausted that some of us just chose sleeping over a bumpy ride.

Saturday 6:30 pm: Chinmay suung few good notes from old movies, We were kind of recharged. Then we started Antakshari, it’s a common form of entertainment, it was happening and collective.Lots if songs were sung, it was accompanied with dance too.

Saturday 9:00 pm: Stopped near a barrage to straight ourselves. And some tea on the way.

Saturday 11:00 pm: It was around 11pm that we stopped near a road-side dhaba for dinner at Bhanarpal.

Some of us stood still beside the road and waited for the food under the dark clear sky, with the mining trucks whizzing past on the highway.

Sunday 12:00 am: We are ready to start for home…The driver finally asked us to make a move. We had had alot of fun. At around 3:30am Sunday we got off at Cuttack Office for a morning tea. After a cup of good tea, we resumed up to Bhubaneswar.

Sunday 4:30 am: reached back office, Bhubaneswar, unloaded all the picnic stuff from the bus. had some more tea nearby. Girls were dropped off at their places, we proceeded to home.

The entire trip had been truly fun-filled…pure hungama.

I am thankful to all who participated.