Koilighughar in Jharsuguda

Me and Mothi aka Anna were suposed to go to Pradhanpat Waterfalls in Deogarh District. But due to last moment change in Mothi's plan we ended up in going to IB Thermal , a place in district of Jahrsuguda. I was browsing through the official website of Jharsuguda district which had a mention of this place called Koilighughar which is famous for a waterfall. Distance that we both covered in last two days was approximately 410 kms..daunting task for a Hero Honda CD 100.

On the Rourkela-Jharsuguda Highway....Mothi( Future Elephant.. ;-) and a Jumbo

After staying at IB Thermal and visiting places like Lakhanpur Mines and Reservoir waters of Hirakud Dam we left for a place called Gobindpur on Jharsuguda-Raigarh Highway. Its approximately 20 odd kms from Belpahar.From Gobindpur Chowk you have to take a right turn to reach Koilighugar Waterfall. After Driving through thick forest of Sal and Mahua for around 6 kms you reach this less heard waterfall of Orissa called as Koilighughar. While driving through the forest ,I was just wondering about my bikes condition.It was good that I had changed the engine oil just 2 days back.

Drive through the Jungle road to Koilighughar

There were hardly any tourist at the place. We could see the Ahiraj rivulet which after originating from the forests near Hemagiri in Sundergarh District flows through a deep gorge near the Temple and cascades down to form a spectacular waterfall before joining the famous Mahanadi river. All around you can see thick green forests.

Ahiraj Rivulet flowing through a gorge near Koilighughar Temple

Waterfall near the Temple

Near the temple there is an Ashram where some babas live. Previously a famous baba by the name of Saham Swami used to do his meditation in the nearby caves . Later on a temple was constructed there which still has that cave. We met a Swamiji and started talking with him. He belonged to a place called Neelamadhaba near Nayagarh and told us that this forset his full of snakes and animals. During monsoons the rivulet creates a fierce face of itself and cuts through the gorge with full speed. If you are lucky then offer some rice and you will see big fishes coming to the surface to eat them.

Temple of Koilighugar

Swamiji offering rice to some Swans...lucky enough to photograph this...

Picture of the Rivulet Ahiraj from the top of Waterfall

Its said that your wishes gets fulfilled sooner or later...since we both were feeling hungry, from no where Swamiji offered us a meal that he had prepared for himself and other babas. Other babajis had gone to a nearby village on an invitation feast since that day was the occasion of Nuakhai, the famous festival of Western Orissa. Just wait I am not finished..we were offered Kheer,Sag made out of Roots of Bamboo & Moong Dal.The Sag in local language is called Baunsa Karidi..so tasty.

Fortunate enough to get to eat all these

Time for us to leave as we were supposed to drive around 200 kms and it was already 4 'o clock in the evening. Took the blessings of Swamiji and set off for Rourkela. Reached Rourkela at 9'o clock in the night. Had a good night sleep only to wake up at 10 in the morning next day....By the way...who said that Jahrsuguda does not have a Tourist place???? Come down to see Koilighughar..

Darjing...on Rourkela-Rajamunda Highway

10:00 am-no plans of moving out on a boring Sunday...
10:45 am- on the way to Rajamunda...about 85 kms from Kansbahal
First plan was to just have a bike ride to Rajamunda,a road junction about 45 kms from Rourkela. Two roads bifurcate from Rajamunda-one towards Barkot and other towards Tensa Mines. When I was a kid,we used to stop at Rajamunda for lunch or dinner on the way to Jajpur Road.Around 5-6 dhabas used to be there at Rajamunda and couple of petrol pumps. Keeping same thing in mind ,me and Mothi set off towards Rajamunda for having some mutton curry at a Highway Dhaba.

Road is not that good but was better than our expectation. Riding through thick forests, our first stoppage was a Road side Railway Station..Champajharan. This is a small station on the Rourkela-Barsuan Railway line. Only one passenger train runs on this route and that too mostly filled with forest wood.This area is also affected by Naxal Movement. So liitle bit skeptical when we entered the station. But once you stand on the platform,one can see beautiful green hills all around and one or two Red coloured Goods wagons...quite contrasting and eye catching.Track is mainly for Iron Ore carrying Goods Trains which start from Barsuan Mines under Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

Champajharan Station on Rourkela Barsuan Line

Nearby Champajharan Station is one small temple of Bhole Baba where all busses and trucks stop and offer some dakhshina before moving ahead.

Temple of Bhole Baba

The whole road is sorrounded by Lush Green hills and Streams. Its absolutely a pleasure to drive on this road as you can see the stram flowing nearby. But these streams generally dry up in summers.

Land slide due to Rains

Another Tributary of River Brahmani

Darjing

Finally, we reached Darjing. I had heard of this place but never knew that it was so close to the road. Accidentally I saw the wide river bed from a distance and in a minute we were on the banks of river Brahmani at Darjing. Such a beautiful place where you will see a lot of rocks inside the river. River is quite wide and was in full flow due to Monsoons.
After having our Lunch of Mutton Curry at Rajamunda,we returned towards Rourkela.But let me tell you that the food was far far below my expctations and is not of typical Dhaba standard.

While cominga back we halted at this superb place. So quiet and serene. Only a small Mountain stream and lush green forest.
But the ride would have been incomplete without a glass of Handia- a local drink made out of Rice Starch.I had a half glass since I was tasting it for the first time.It actually tastes good . Just for confirming the alcholic effect of the drink,I asked one of the local lads-his answer with a smile" Sir,have it and you won't come to know that you have fallen into a ditch while riding".

A glass of Handia costs only 1.5 rupees.