Bargaon: Locals of Bargaon block in Sundargarh district were overjoyed after the state tourism department included Mahavir Parvat, a picturesque hill surrounded by dense forests, on the list of tourist destinations.
Though the department had made an official declaration to this effect last year, some staffers visited the area Wednesday and put up a plaque declaring it as a prominent tourist destination of the state. The department, however, added another name – Chhatri Hill – along with Mahavir Hill on the plaque. While the reason for the new addition was not immediately known, the government would provide grants for the development of the area, sources said.
The spot assumes significance as it is said to be the home of Madri Kalo, a charismatic tribal village headman of Bhuyan community who spearheaded the first tribal uprising in the state of erstwhile Gangpur in 1897 against the British. Sundargarh district was reportedly formed with the merger of Bonai and Gangpur.
Besides, legend has it that Ved Vyas, writer of the Mahabharata, climbed the Mahavir hill. The calmness and serenity of the area used to attract many sages who used to meditate inside the caves of the hill, residents of the foothill regions said.
Some prominent caves in the area include – Podha Guhal, Saptafeni and Baaz. There are also some waterfalls in the area such as Kia Jharan, Kankara Jharan and Ghurlighat Jharan. Podha Guhal cave is the biggest among them while the waterfall dries up after the rainy season.
Though wild animals like tigers, sambar, Indian gaur, eagles, vultures have disappeared from the hill, one can still find barking deer, bears, boars and porcupines in the area.
Once in a year, local villagers recite Bhagabat for a whole day.
The villagers, however, are worried over the fact that the timber mafia has set sights on the flora and fauna of the hill. They demanded proper vigilance by the government to check smuggling of valuable logs from the region. PNN
