post news network, Bhubaneswar, April 17: Atri hot water spring, situated around 45 kms from the state capital is turning out to be a place of attraction for families and children, who want to spend quality time on the outskirts of the city amid tranquility. Situated in the neighbouring Khurda district, the natural sulphur hot water spring and areas surrounding it have become the favoured destination where many tourists spend their weekend away from home.
Many devotees throng the site during Makar Sankranti, the time when the Makar festival is celebrated, in January every year. A temple dedicated to lord Shiva, popularly known as Hatkeshwar temple, is in close proximity. It also adds up to the popularity of the place. Many devotees descend on the site to take a holy dip in the hot spring after worshiping at the temple.
“The best part of the site is the prevailing tranquility. Unlike in other tourist spots, you will never find a crowd here. I often take my kids to this site to spend a quality evening there. Children enjoy playing in the garden areas adjacent to the hot spring, whereas we love to sit near the site and enjoy the ambience there,” said Saswat Sahoo, a city-based banker.
Many also believe that several skin ailments get cured when a person takes a bath in the hot water spring situated in the complex. “I have heard from some people that the water here has some medicinal values. Many people say many skin diseases get cured when a person takes a bath in this natural water source. Although I don’t have any skin problem, yet I believe taking a bath may help improve my health. I love to visit this site during weekend, holidays or whenever I get leisure time,” said Pradeep Swain, a chemist who runs a medicine shop in Khurda.
Tourism department, meanwhile, has also made some arrangements to make sure the visitors get to spend a good time on the site. “A small accommodation is there for the visitors. It’s close to the site. Many people often flock to the site to take a bath in the hot spring as many believe it has some medicinal value. Also, many people after paying tribute at the Hatkeshwar temple visit the site. A nominal charge of Rs 5/day is being levied on the visitors,” said Sujata Behera, tourist officer, Khurda.
The hot spring site is on the Khurda-Nayagarh National Highway, around 15 kms from Khurda. Many tourists also prefer to visit the Karadagadia artisans’ village, situated around 3 kms from the site to know firsthand how the artisans live. Around 10 kms from the spring is a famous shrine, Kaipadar, which is also a major attraction while you travel along the route.
