The scenic place where river Brahmani originates has been drawing tourists from various parts of the country and abroad
Keonjhar: Gonasika, the place where river Brahmani originates, is one of the prominent tourist spots of Keonjhar district. The scenic place has been drawing tourists from various parts of the country and abroad. But sadly, not enough has been done for its development.
Particularly, in the month of Shravan, the place teems with a huge crowd of devotees, who collect holy water from the river’s origin and make a beeline for different Shaivite shrines in the state.
Kanwariyas trek up through hilly routes to the place and carry water down up to Brahmeswar Shiva temple. However, they find it tough to walk the hilly path whose development has not been given due consideration till date.
The rough and tough route is a major challenge for the devotees as well as tourists. Many devotees complained that the main inconvenience is the absence of a proper road to Gonasika. Now, heavy rains have made the condition of the road worse. Landslides make the route impassable.
Monday, a large number of devotes thronged Gonasika. Trekking the stony ground, they managed to come down to the Shiva shrine amid a devotional atmosphere.
The place has its mention in some mythologies. Devotees and tourists usually take the National Highway-49. After travelling 20 km, they take the route to Bayapandadhar village and from there Gonasika is 15 km.
“The route is sloppy and full of mud and stones. There are chances of mishaps when descending from the top. The administration has always neglected the route,” lamented Anil, a devotee.
Most of the time, uprooted trees fall on the route, blocking it completely. A bridge is under construction on the route while the diversion road is muddy and slippery, another visitor said.
PNN
