When I here the word Koraput, it reminds me of bliss, peace and natural beauty. Time stood still and my heart melted. This place is heaven on earth. Surrounded by Stunning Waterfalls, Spectacular mountains , Magnificent Temples, Iconic Coffee Plantation, this place draws people’s attention. For me it is Love at First Sight. Go through the video beneath to bless your eyes.
Let’s Know Where Koraput is Situated
Koraput is a city in the state of Odisha near the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states. The district is located in the Eastern Ghats and is lies at 17.4 degree to 20.7 degree North latitude and 81.24 degree to 84.2 degree east longitude. The District is bounded by Rayagada in the east, Bastar District of Chhatisgarh in the west and Malkangiri District in the south. This place experiences minimum 12.0 Celsius and maximum 38.0 Celsius temperature. The District experiences mainly three seasons: summer, winter and rainy.
Ways To Reach Koraput
By Air
- Nearest airport is at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 206.8 kms from Koraput.
- Operates domestic flights to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Pune.
- Domestic airlines that connect Visakhapatnam to other cities in the country are Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and JetKonnect.
- International flight services to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. The international flight services are handled by SilkAir, Air India, Malindo Air and AirAsia.
- Travelers can reach Visakhapatnam Airport from the Sagar Nagar bus stop that is located 18.5 km away from the airport.
- The airport is fully air-conditioned and also has child care centers, special lounges, snack bars, parking bays to accommodate over 300 cars and 200 two wheelers, currency exchange offices and medical rooms.
By Rail
The nearest railheads are Visakhapatnam (202 kms) and Vizianagaram (150 kms). Koraput is connected to Vishakapatnam by a day train and Bhubaneswar by a night train.
By Road
Road vehicles can travel up a heavily forested winding road called Ghat with many sharp hair-pin bends. The Ghats are very dangerous yet gives you breathtaking scenarios. National highway number 26(43) passes through the town which connects it with Raipur and Visakhapatnam. Popular Routes to Koraput are Vijayanagaram, Bhubaneswar, Raipur(Chhattisgarh), Cuttack, Tagarapuvalasa.
Now you have reached here, let’s explore beautiful and interesting places to visit in Koraput that will blow your mind and bliss our soul.
Interesting Places To Visit in Koraput
- Rani Duduma Waterfall
- Kolab Reservoir
- Jagannath Temple
- Shri Ramakrishna Ashram
- Gupteswar Limestone Caves
- Deomali-Odisha’s highest peak
- Gudahandi Hills
1.Rani Duduma Waterfall
Dumduma Waterfalls is one of the highest waterfalls in India which is around 92 km from Koraput Town and about 177 km from Visakhapatnam and 557 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. It falls from a height of 157.5 meters and formed by the Machkund river in Odisha & Andhra Pradesh states of India. Machkund Hydro Electric Power Project located at ‘Onukudelli’ is supported by this waterfalls.
2.Kolab Reservoir
Situated at 20kms from Koraput, Kolab Dam is highly appreciated for it’s natural beauty. Kolab Reservoir generating Hydro Electric Power stands at an altitude of about 3000 ft. above sea level on river Kolab. Excellent place for weekend picnic and boating.
3.Jagannath Temple
This temple is the replica of Lord Jagannath Temple of Puri and situated at the top of a hill. Also known as Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple. It was built around the 12th century in typical ancient Indian architectural style by a tribal group called the Sabaras who dwelt in Koraput, Orissa. It preaches tolerance and peace and follow the practice of no hatred towards any religion, cast or creed. You can visit the temple by climbing steps or you can take your vehicle up to the parking area close to the temple. Devotees can sit on the dinning floor and have Prasad (rice, dalma and curry)and Sweet Kher.
4.Sri Ramakrishna Ashram
Centrally located in Koraput, this Ashram has a well-equipped clinic with all the modern equipment. They provide a separate waiting and consultation areas which allow enough space for patients to wait conveniently at the clinic. It also provides excellent medical services.
5.Gupteswar Limestone Caves
This beautiful place is situated at 75km from Koraput town and 55km from Jeypore city. Gupteshwar caves are naturally formed limestone caves. It have the Holy Shivalinga inside the cave that gives a spiritual feeling. You can enjoy the beauty of hills, dense forest and river too.
6.Deomali-Odisha’s highest peak
Deomali hills is around 60 kms from Koraput. This majestic hill is heaven on earth. This place is surrounded by breathtaking deep green forest and valleys. It is the highest peak in Orissa and the tallest in the whole of the Eastern Ghats with an elevation of about 1,672 m.
7.Gudahandi Hills
It is located in the Ampani sanctuary of Kalahandi district of Odisha which is close to Koraput. The word Gudahandi is derived from two Odia words, guda meaning raw sugar and handi meaning a clay pot. The appearance of the hills resembles sugar pots that used be used in Odisha. Pre-historic pictographs, drawings and inscriptions are crafted on the stone walls of the Gudahandi caves. You will enjoy a mesmerizing view here.
Not only these places but this place has lot more to offer. Tribal people holds significance in this region due to their strong cultural bonding. Let’s explore them.
Do You Know About The Tribal Museum in Koraput
The Tribal Museum was founded in 1992, holds great significance because of its authentic tribal culture. The museum is now looked after by the Council of Analytic Tribal Studies. It is situated behind the Jagannath temple in Koraput and has a collection of images and objects of tribal culture and traditions. Different types of sculptures, objects, jewelry, images, weapons & tools, fishing and agricultural implements are found here. There is also a library inside the museum. Government museum is another museum in Koraput situated in the town hall. It houses antiques and handicraft things and objects related to Jain period. The museum also provides a 3-D topographical model of the region where you can identify the hills, valleys, forests, dams and reservoirs, and the location of the different tribes and villages of the region.
There is a tribal Sacred Groove at the entrance which signifies the importance of conserving forests. There is a tradition of dedicating a patch of forest to the local tribe deity where no one can kill plants or living being. These sacred sites are maintained through traditional methods of community-based conservation.
Organic Coffee Plantation in Koraput
The Coffee Plantation farm is 3kms from Koraput town. Originally the plantation was started by King of Koraput Rajbahadur Rama Chandra Deo in the 1930s. Odisha Government has put efforts from 1960’s and is now successful in creating a brand for it. Currently it is known as Arabica Premium Roasted Filter Coffee Now, it is a joint venture between the Coffee Board of India and the Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Limited (TDCCOL).
Here, different varieties of coffee are grown organically. After beans are plucked they are sent to some other place for final processing after drying them up. Along with coffee they also have black pepper vines.
If you are planning for a vacation far from the noisy city, must visit this place for peace of mind. The calmness and spirituality of this place will be imprinted in your heart forever. Pack your bag and plan a tour to this place where you can have some cool air, fresh water, adventurous sports.
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Tags: Tourism
