Travel Bytes: Cradle In The Lap Of Nature At Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: Endowed with lush green vegetation, different fauna and rich cultural heritage, a rich mineral base and home to the Similipal Biosphere, Mayurbhanj has earned the distinction of being TIME magazine’s one of ‘50 extraordinary destinations to explore’ in its list of the ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2023’.

Indeed, its verdant landscape and rich cultural heritage give Mayurbhanj a pride of place on Odisha’s tourism map. Add to this the nature camps, the flora and fauna – the place is an adventurer’s delight, who can be spoilt for choice. With so much to experience, your itinerary can actually fall short once you step into the place

Become one with nature at Similipal

Similipal Tiger Reserve is among the nine Tiger Reserves of India declared in the year 1973. It is the second-largest biosphere reserve in Asia. It is also listed under the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves in 2009.

Ecotourists can make a night halt in five nature camps of Similipal located within close proximity of 20 to 30 km from each other – Barehipani, Jamuani, Kumari, Gurguria & Ramtirtha. Birding, trekking, sports, photography, waterfalls, farms, cultural tours, star gazing, campfire etc. are some of the activities you can indulge in.

Day safari

Besides, there are day safaris too. Visitors can hire a vehicle from Jashipur or Baripada (Pithabata) to visit the nature camps or the Barehipani, Joranda and Uski waterfalls.

Flora and fauna

Visitors can feast their eyes on 94 species of orchids (many of them are endemic and endangered) and 72 are Himalayan species and experience encounters with rare species of endangered, threatened and vulnerable plants and animals. Among them are spotted deer, sambar, elephants, hornbill, chowsingha, bison, porcupine, pangolin, wild boar, barking deer, jungle cat, mouse deer, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, ruddy mongoose, mugger crocodile and rufus-tailed hare. Similipal is famous for tigers and elephants. It is the only Tiger Reserve in the country to boast of Melanistic Tigers. It alone is the home of 75% tigers and 25% elephants in Odisha.

Special note

Notably, Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj reopened in November with strict instructions to restrict the number of daily vehicles to only 60 in order to safeguard its sprawling delicate ecosystem

Chhau

This April, Mayurbhanj Chhau, a captivating dance festival on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list will take place on a much larger scale following a pandemic hiatus. The Chhau performances, a mix of classical and martial art forms, are scheduled to be held at The Belgadia Palace, steeped in the rich cultural history of the royal family. Guests staying at the 11-bedroom old-world property can also participate in experiential retreats and visit the area’s indigenous handicraft communities (many of which are composed of all women) that focus on intricate handloom, sabai grass weaving, and the dying art of dokra (metal casting).

BELGADIA PALACE

Built in the 1800s in the Victorian architectural style with elements of Georgian decor, it was envisioned as a property for visiting foreign dignitaries, and guests of the royal family of Mayurbhanj. When the princely state was merged with the Union of India, the property was titled palace, so as to pay homage to the royal family that moved into it post-independence as their primary residence.

Tucked away in Baripada, the palace is a beautiful piece of Kalinga history that redefines the idea of a hotel, and is 4-5 hours from the state capital.

History

The Kings of Mayurbhanj, the Bhanja dynasty, were a pioneering force in the upliftment of Odisha under British rule. In fact, it was one of the most progressive districts in the whole nation during British rule. The Bhanja kings established the first medical college of the state in Cuttack. They donated huge sums of money and land for the establishment of higher educational institutions like Ravenshaw College. They were also responsible for making endeavours and finally persuading the Britishers for a railway route to Odisha.

Maharajkumari Mrinalika & Akshita M Bhanj Deo are the 48th generation of the Bhanja dynasty. They opened up the doors to their home, Belgadia Palace, to build sustainable tourism with social impact at its core in the tribal-dominated region. Both sisters have been featured in numerous publications such as Yourstory, South China Morning Post, Insider, Conde Nast Traveller and Vogue.

Bookings

You can make your bookings for the entry pass, camps and safari online on

https://www.similipal.org/book-online.php

How to Reach

Air

The nearest international airport from Baripada is Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata, roughly 195 km from Baripada. The other nearest airport to Baripada is Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, 207 km from Baripada.

Rail

The city of Baripada is well connected to many places like Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Jamshedpur and Cuttack.

Road

Baripada is 60 km from Balasore, 103 km from Kharagpur, 163 km from Jamshedpur, 231 km from Cuttack, 255 km from Bhubaneswar and 368 km from Rourkela. It is also connected with other cities such as Sambalpur, Puri, Bolangir, Bhadrak, Jhargram, Angul, Ranchi and Kolkata via Odisha State Road Transport Corporation and some private travel services.

Best time to visit

Throughout the year