KANDHAMAL DISTRICT (GO TOP) (GO BACK) : The district of Kandhamal is bestowed with the beauty of nature. It has wild life, scenic beauty, healthy climate, and serpentine ghat roads for the tourists who need to relax and unwind. It has attractions, like panoramic coffee gardens, pine jungles,Ghat roads, hills and water falls, virigin forest and typical tribal village life. Almost 66% of the land area of the district is covered with dense forest and towering mountains which provide shelter to the inhabitants like Kondhas, classified under the ancient Gondid race of proto Austroloid group, rich in green meadows at the attitude of 2000 ft to 3000 ft, the terraced vallyes thronged with these colorful tribals in their natural heritage, dancing and sporting has its own appeal. Kandhamal is also famous for handicrafts such as Dokra, Terra-Cotta, Cane and Bamboo works.
The region is proud of its rich cultural heritage. Mauryan Emperor Ashoka mentioned in Jaugada (Ganjam) edict about the people of this hill tract as Atavikas who practised their own religion. The ghat tract of Kandhamal "Kalinga" was known to the travellers of Medieval history. The tract was used for the transportation of salt to the central India. Again the route running through Daringibadi was known in history as Great Military road discovered by Britishers who happened to come over Daringibadi for pleasure trips to enjoy the natural beauty and cool climate during summer.
GENERAL INFORMATION (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
Climate : Sub tropical hot and dry in summer. Dry and cold in winter.
Maximum Temperature : 45.5 Degree Centigrade
Minimum Temperature : 2.0 Degree Centigrade
Language Spoken : KUI (Tribal Language ), Oriya,Hindi and English
Clothing : Light cotton in summer and heavy woolen in winter.
Best Season : September to May.
Air : Nearest Air Port is at Bhubaneswar 211 KMs.
Rail : Nearest Rail Head is at Berhampur on S.E. Railway 165 KMs from Phulbani.
Road : Phulbani is connected with Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and other important places of the state by regular public bus service.
Internal Transport : Cycle-Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw, Taxis and Jeeps are available on hire basis.
ACCOMMODATION (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
| Sl.No | Name | Reservation Authority | Telephone |
| 1 | Circuit House , Phulbani | Addl.District Magistrate,Phulbani, | 06842 -253604 |
| 2 | Inspection Bunglow (P.W.D.),Phulbani. | Executive Engineer(R&B), Phulbani | 06842 - 253212 |
| 3 | P.W.D. Rest Shed | Executive Engineer(R&B), Phulbani | 06842 - 253212 |
| 4 | Minor Irrigation Rest Shed,Phulbani | Executive Engineer (M.I.Div.)Phulbani | 06842 - 253634 |
| 5 | Forest Rest House, Phulbani | D.F.O.,(Territorial), Phulbani | 06842 - 253617 |
| 6 | Pilla Salki Irrigation I. B., Phulbani | S.D.O. Pilla Salki Div.,Phulbani | 06842 - 253781 |
| 5 | District Tourist Centre,Phulbani. | Tourist Officer,Phulbani | 06842 -253748 |
| Govt. Accommodation In Other Places | |||
| 6 | Inspection Bunglow(P.W.D.), Daringbadi. | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846 - 243242 |
| 7 | Forest Rest House,Belghar. | Divisional Forest Offcer,Balliguda | 06846 -243249(Off.) 243239 (Res.) |
| 8 | Inspection Bunglow(P.W.D.), Balliguda. | Executive Engineer (R&B),Balliguda. | 06846 - 243242 |
| 9 | Revenue I. B., Khajuripada | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 10 | Revenue I. B., Gochapada | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 11 | Revenue I. B., Bisipada | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 12 | Revenue I. B., Gumagarh | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 13 | Revenue I. B., Katringia | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 14 | Revenue I. B., Phiringia | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 15 | Revenue I. B., Balliguda | Sub Collector, Balliguda | 06846- 243229 |
| 16 | Revenue I. B., K.Nuagaon | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 17 | Revenue I. B., Kotagarh | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 18 | Revenue I. B., Tumudibandh | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 19 | Revenue I. B., Belgarh | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 20 | Revenue I. B., Sarangarh | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 21 | Revenue I. B., Kurtamgarh | Tahasildar, Balliguda | 06846- 243222 |
| 22 | Revenue I. B., Daringbadi | Tahasildar, Daringbadi | 06849- 245316 |
| 23 | Revenue I. B., Bamanigaon | Tahasildar, Daringbadi | 06849- 245316 |
| 24 | 'A' class I. B., G.Udayagiri | Tahasildar, G.Udauagiri | 06847- 260028 |
| 25 | 'A' class I. B., Tikabali | Tahasildar, G.Udayagiri | 06847- 260028 |
| 26 | Revenue Rest Shed, Balandapada | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 27 | Revenue Rest Shed, Nuapadar | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 28 | Revenue Rest Shed, Katringia | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 29 | Revenue Rest Shed, Bisipada | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 30 | Revenue Rest Shed, Balaskumpa | Tahasildar, Phulbani | 06842- 253647 |
| 31 | Revenue Rest Shed, Raikia | Tahasildar, G.Udayagiri | 06847- 260028 |
| 32 | Revenue Rest Shed, Chakapad | Tahasildar, G.Udayagiri | 06847- 260028 |
| 33 | Forest Rest House, Belghar | D.F.O. (Territorial) Balliguda | 06846- 243249 |
| 34 | Forest Shed Balliguda | D.F.O. (Territorial) Balliguda | 06846- 243249 |
| 35 | Forest Shed, G.Udayagiri | D.F.O. (Territorial), Phulbani | 06842- 253617 |
| 36 | P.W.D. I. B.,Khajuripada | Executive Engineer (R&B), Phulbani | 06842- 253212 |
| 37 | P.W.D. I. B.,Kalinga | Executive Engineer (R&B), Phulbani | 06842- 253212 |
| 38 | P.W.D. I. B.,Balliguda | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| 39 | P.W.D. I. B., G.Udayagiri | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| 40 | P.W.D. I. B.,Daringbadi | Executive Engineer (R&B),Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| 41 | P.W.D. I. B.,Tumudibandh | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| 42 | P.W.D. I. B., Kotagarh | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| 43 | P.W.D. Rest Shed, Balliguda | Executive Engineer (R&B), Balliguda | 06846- 243242 |
| Private Accommodation. | |||
| 44 | Hotel Rajkamal,Phulbani | Manager | 06842 - 253467/68 |
| 45 | Hotel Hill View,Phulbani | Manager | 06842 - 253552 |
| 46 | Laxmi Lodge,Phulbani | Manager | 06842 - 253502 |
| 47 | Venketswara Lodge, Phulbani | Manager | 06842 - 253874 |
| 48 | Guru Lodge , Phulbani | Manager | 06842 - 253835 |
| 49 | Hotel Santosh Bhawan, Balliguda | Manager | 06846 - 243409 |
| 50 | Patakhanda Lodge | Manager | 06846-243355 |
MEDICAL FACILITIES (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
Government Hospital : Phulbani, Baliguda.
Public Health Centre : Daringbadi, G. Udayagiri.
ATTRACTIONS (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
Phulbani :
The district head quarters is a place to relax in and marvel at the natural beauty. It is sorrounded by hills. The Pillasalunki river flows on its three side and the town is just on the grove of sal trees. One can enjoy l view of the town from Bhetkhol and Brahamani-Devi hill top, which present an ambience of hill towns of lower Himalayas. Other attractions of the town are its weekly Hata, Jaganath and Narayani Temple. A morning walk on the main road and visit to the river side in the afternoon is a wonderful experience.
Putudi Water Fall :
Putudi is a place of natural beauty where river Salunki falls from the height of 60ft. forming an enchanting ambience. The roaring sound of the fall with dense forest all around creates a thrilling sensation. It is 15 kms from Phulbani town.
Balaskumpa :
The beautiful place in the lap of nature is famous for the Goddess 'BARALA DEVI' who is believed to be the saviour of the world. The people of this area visit the Goddess frequently on many occasions particularly on Dashahara. Dashahara Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show.. Pillasalunki Dam site which is an ideal and charming place for picnic and sight seing is only 3 kms from this spot. This spot is a good place to relax and unwind. Balaskumpa is about 15 kms from Phulbani and linked with good motorable road.
Chakapad :
The abode of Lord Birupakshya, on the bank of river Burtunga, commands a panoramic view of nature. This place is famous as an important centre of Saivism. Lord Siva is worshipped here as Birupakshya, Anandeswara and Jageswara with great veneration and reverence in three different magnificent temples. The striking features of this place is that the trees around it and siva linga inside, lean towards south. The festivals like Sivaratri,Sitalsasthi and Rasha Purnima . are celebrated here . Chakapad is a village having regular bus communication with Phulbani via Tikabali. . It is about 55 km from Phulbani.
Daringbadi :
Daringbadi, a vast area at the height of about 3000ft above sea level is an ideal summer resort which is popularly named as 'Kashmir of Orissa'. The place is gifted with natural bounties such as pine jungles, coffee gardens and beautiful valleys. . It is the only place in Orissa which experiences snow fall during Winter. The journey from the plains to the hills of Daringbadi is an experience in itself . This pretty hill station is 100 kms from Phulbani and 50 kms from Balliguda.The resting places are P.W.D. Inspection Bunglow and a Revenue I.B. A Tourist Bunglow is also under construction.
Belghar:
Gifted with ample scenic beauty, Belghar presents a panoramic view of lush and rolling hills. It is inhabited by Kutia Kondha tribe, who follow the age old tradition of food gathering and hut dwelling. They are very friendly and hospitable. More to be seen and encountered is the wild life especially elephants. . Belghar, a hamlet situated about 2555ft above the sea level is very much suitable for adventurous trekking to the nearby hills. Nearby Kotagarh sanctury is popularly with tourist who wish to enjoy the wild unspoilt environment. . Belghar is 165kms from Phulbani and 70 kms from Balliguda. It is. connected with good motorable road. Thee is a forest rest house and a tourist bungalow is coming up. This area is also famous for cane works.
Katramala
A place of natural beauty with a waterfall and pond where one can play with fibres amidst dense forest. It is an ideal place for picnic. The spot is 35 kms from Phulbani
Pakadadarah
This is a waterfall, with a height of 30ms near Sudrukumpa on Panisal- Baghiapada forest road . The spot is 18kms from Phulbani and 3 kms from Sudrukumpa .
Kalinga
The palce is famous for its towering zig-zag Ghat road with scenic beauty. The 11 kms long Ghat road starting from Kalinga is a picturesque and charming place. The nearby Silviculture Forest Reaserch Station is an added attraction. It is an ideal picnic spot on the Phulbani- Berhampur road & 50kms from Phulbani. A PWD I.B. is available for accomodation .
Ludu Water Fall
This enchanting waterfall is situated at Jakesi, near Subarnagiri G.P.in Kotogarh Block. It is linked with a motorable road to kotagarh.It is 165kms from Phulbani and an ideal place for picnic & trekking.
FAIRS AND PLACE S OF FESTIVALS (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
| Sl. No. | Name Of Festivals | Place | Period |
| 1 | Maghapurnima Yatra | Keredi, Kainjhar. | February |
| 2 | Dolajatra | Phulbani, Khajuripada, Barikumpa, Linepada, Chakapad. | March |
| 3 | Thakurani Jatra(Narayani Jatra) | Phulbani | April,May(Alternative Year) |
| 4 | Car Festivals | Phulbani,Khajuripada, balliguda, G.Udayagiri, Phiringia. | June, July |
| 5 | Dashahara | Balaskumpa,Baliguda,Phulbani,G.Udayagiri, Raikia. | October |
| 6 | Kalipuja | Nuapadar, Phiringia. | November |
| 7 | Rama Navami | Bisipada | April |
| 8 | Meru (Danda Jatra) | Various Places Of the District. | April |
HANDICRAFTS & TRIBAL ARTS (GO TOP) (GO BACK)
Wearing centre at shainipadar(Phulbani town).
Terra cotta and Bamboo Handicrafts at Sudrukumpa .
Terra cotta Handicrafts at Ratang.
Cane works at Tumudibandha .
Dokra at Barakhama (Balliguda Block) & Tudubali, (Tikabali Block).
Stone made Ornament(Necklace) & Utensil at Pusangia (Balliguda Block).
Diamond Pattern Bed Sheet at Gadabisha (G.Udayagiri Block).
Applique Works at G.Udayagiri.