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 Khandadhar, Orissa |
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Khandadhar—Orissa’s highest waterfall—is on every picnicker’s must-visit list and with good reason too. We revisit this mining goldmine to discover nature’s bounty, hitherto untouched
My grandfather must have had told me a million tiger tales when I was a kid. I believed all tigers lived around us! I would listen to him with awe and gaze at the fall that glitters from the blue mountain range of Mankadnacha, almost 10 km away. When monsoon breaks, the hills turn indigo and the 244 m Khandadhar glistens pristine white. From a distance, it resembles the edge of a sword (khanda in Oriya is ‘sword’ and dhar is ‘edge’) and hence the name.
THE IRON LADY
Situated in Bonai, 70 km from Rourkela, the tribal-dominated area has an uncanny relationship with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This is the place that gave Indira’s memorial Shakti Sthal in Delhi the required look the architects wanted to achieve as the main stone has been excavated from the hills of Khandadhar.
PERFECT PICNIC
November heralds a happy time here—picnic time. Khandadhar is suddenly abuzz with smoke trails and music. We hopped on to an SUV, as we heard that the road was bumpy due to construction work. We trekked for at least 2 km following the sound of the gurgling waterfall, getting all sweaty. But as we reached the fall, the cool breeze made us extremely comfortable.
RUSTIC TRAIL
The charm is infectious. The huge reddish grey stones (after all, it’s the haven of iron) are as colossal as ever. The mountains are misty. Half-nude village kids still push cycle tyres along dusty roads. Curvaceous tribal women still carry mahua in shiny containers as well as ultra hot chillis to sell in the local haat. And the litchis and mangoes that grow in the orchards are luscious as ever. Mom had packed heavenly Oriya food for lunch and sitting and having it near the fall was an experience to be cherished forever.
FDI BE DAMNED
But certain things have changed. Ever since the iron-rich Bonai became an FDI target, there is a growing concern among the locals. They fear that the dense forest will vanish and the fall will die gradually once mining starts. Maybe this was the last time I saw Khandadhar in all its glory. If dynamites come calling to Khandadhar, may be the next time I go there, I will come back with a barren heart. And I don’t want that to happen ever. Not even in the name of industrial growth and progress.
FACT FILE
The nearest railway station is Rourkela, about 70 km away. From Bhubaneshwar, it is about 350 km and can be reached by taxi. There is no eatery nearby except for basic tea/snack shacks. The nearest town is about 15 km away and food is available there. But the best option is to plan an elaborate picnic and spend the entire day there.
— TEXT & PHOTOS BY SUJATA DEHURY
Source ~ Times Of India |
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Category : City
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