Hill Stations in Odisha – Adventure is Worthwhile
Odisha is popular for its scenic beaches and incredible temples. But there is lot more to the state than that. Being situated bordering the Bay of Bengal; Hill Stations in Odisha has carved a place of its own in the tourism map of India.
The uneven Eastern Ghats cut through the state, sprinkling it with a few hill stations that offer an experience different from the other tourist spots. The hills are the assets of this state as they have been successful in holding up the century old traditions and cultures. Mentioned below with no particular order these are two best hill stations in Odisha to plan your summer escape.
Daringbadi: An ideal summer resort of the state which is also known as ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ because of its astonishing beauty. This is the only place in the state located in Kandhamal district, where winter season has beautiful snowfall. Tourists can go for adventurous trekking to the nearby hills to enjoy the wild unspoilt environment. The place is ornamented with coffee gardens, pine forests and gorgeous valleys. The exact beauty of the entire place can be enjoyed by reaching the top of this hill station. The nearby places which are worth visiting are the beautiful waterfalls of Doluri River, Putudi Waterfalls, Belghar Sanctuary, and Samaleswari Temple along with black pepper and turmeric gardens.
Dhenkanal: Dhenkanal is one more hill station known for a number of Hindu temples. The most popular temple here is the Kapilash temple built in the customary Kalinga style architecture is a remarkable one where the visitors need to climb 1352 stairs to reach the temple. Thousands of pilgrims assemble here from various parts of the state for the Maha Shivratri festival. In the festival, pilgrims are found here walking up the hill barefoot, carrying water from the nearby water body to pour on top of the Shivling at the Kapilash temple. There is a PWD inspection cottage and a few dharamshalas which offers comfortable stay for the travellers.
Due to its unique combination of beautiful locations, exotic cultures and friendly people, Odisha is considered as one of the most tourist-friendly state in India.