PRAGATI PRAVA, OP
Steeped in religious and historical significance, Mahendragiri is not just a scenic getaway but also a treasure trove of biodiversity, hosting rare and threatened species of flora and fauna
At 5,000 feet – 1,501 metres – above sea level, Mahendragiri is regarded as the Southern Amarnath of Orissa. With its meandering roads amid dense green forests, Mahendragiri is famous for its natural beauty, fresh air and pleasant weather throughout the year. It is dotted with structures of historical and mythological importance. The Mahendra Mountain has been a centre of attraction for botanists, zoologists, trekkers, photographers and holidaymakers. Apart from its spectacular sunrise and sunset, the hill is a treasure trove of biodiversity.
Situated in the middle of the Eastern Ghats in the Paralakhemundi subdivision of Gajapati district, the hill is roughly 175 km from Berhampur. Just 26 km from the sea the place is swept by sweet sea breeze. The Mahendratanaya river flows down the mountain in the east. The hill is foremost of the seven ‘kulagiris’ (main mountains) of India, with the rest being Malaya, Sahyadri, Parijatra, Shuktiman, Vindhya and Malyavaan. Apart from its association with the mythological tales emanating from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the serene hill finds mention in the works of Kalidas, Sarala Das and Radhanath Ray.
According to Bhagirathi Mohapatra, a scholar with interests in Indian mythology, “Mahendragiri is the place where Parashurama, a ‘chiranjeevi’ (one who lives for eternity), practised penance for a long time. Temples built by the Pandavas are also seen on the mountains. A huge number of devotees throng the place during Shivaratri – Lord Shiva being the guru or preceptor of Parashuram – testifying to the fact that it was once a centre of Shaivite culture. Sarala Das, author of the Oriya Mahabharata, attributes the establishment of the ‘Gokarnesvara Sivalinga’ to the Pandava brothers who visited Mahendragiri during their ‘ajnatabasa’ (period of exile) in the epic era.”
The archaeological structures received the status of protected monuments under the Antiquate Monument Archaeological Remains and Sites Act 1958 thereby preserving the sacredness of the place. The three temples on top of the mountain are named after the Pandavas and their mother Kunti.
Kunti temple
The 30-ft high structure is situated at one end of the flat top of the mountain. Like the traditional temples of Orissa, it demonstrates the ‘rekha’ style of architecture. The auxiliary deities, Ganesha, Kartikeya and Pravati, reside in the temple. The nine planets (‘nabagrahas’) are along the lintel on top of the door. Two inscriptions, believed to be placed in the 12th century, are on the right of the entrance door and on the left of the temple. Some sculptures and dressed stone slabs lie scattered around the temple which has been plastered with lime after thorough repair.
Yudhisthira temple
On the other side of the flattop mountain, the Yudhisthira temple seems to rise abruptly from the ground. It represents the ‘triratha’ style of Kalinga architecture and the outer walls are devoid of sculptural decoration. However, the four ‘chaitya’ arches surround the temple and the lintel on the door top contains an inscription of king Rajendra Chola.
Bhima temple
Made of five huge square blocks of stones, this temple has a low and squat tower, square sanctum, squat sikhara and flat roof. The doorway is narrow and the walls do not have niches. This temple too is devoid of sculptural decorations. Known as Gokarnesvara temple, it is believed to have been built just after the Gupta period.
There are three huts, uncut stone structures, arranged in groups.
Serene surroundings
The sparkling waters of the Mahendratanaya, the blue sea at a distance and the majestic mountain ranges draw worshippers of natural beauty to Mahendragiri. Surrounded on three sides by hills and a thick blanket of wild trees, Mahendragiri has extensive forests hosting peacocks, flying squirrels, elephants, spotted deer and even leopards and mynahs. If you are keen to embark on an adventure trail, move up the hills and take a panoramic look at the surroundings. Granite hills to the north-west and south succeed one another like waves and snow-white clouds floating from one peak to the other produce an ethereal environment.
Sparkling streams
Mahendragiri is where two important rivers of south Orissa and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh emerge. The principal drainage systems are the Bahuda river emanating from Singaraju peak and Ghodahada river, an important tributary of the Rushikulya. The latter originates from Ramgiri of the Dhoba Dhobani hill ranges and joins Rushikulya at Hinjilikatu. Sananadi, a tributary of the Vamsadhara, starts from R Udayagiri and joins Vamsadhara at Gunpur. Similarly, Mahendratanaya west, a principal tributary of the Vamsadhara, cuts across Mahendra Parvata and joins Vamsadhara at Paralakhemundi. The other Mahendratanaya stream starts from Mahendragiri peak and flows via Mandasa and Baruva before finally joining the sea towards the east.
Vibrant ecosystem
A place of great archaeological importance, Mahendragiri is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The hill complex located in a high altitude satisfies several microclimatic conditions; The mountain ecosystem not only enthralls tourists but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance and controlling the climatic pattern of entire south Orissa and Srikakulum district of Andhra Pradesh, pointed out Prasad K Dash, a botanist with the Orissa Biodiversity Board.
The hill complex is the only ecosystem in the state where remnants of dry evergreen shoal forests still manage to survive. It is treated as the critical habitat of the Saura, a particularly vulnerable tribal group which protects the place, added Dash.
Research conducted by the Orissa Biodiversity Board maintains that the hill complex hosts over 1200 species of plants that include 3 species of gymnosperms, 1137 species of angiosperms and 60 species of pteridophytes. The plant diversity of the hills is found to be 35 per cent of the flora of the state. The characteristics of the plants found in hills are much similar to species found in the foothills of the Himalayas, South India, Western Ghats, North-East and some species of Burma and Java. The occurrence of some of the site specific species like Octoblepharum albeidum, Polytrichum commune and lichens like Dirinaria consimilis, Leptogium austroamericanum and Pertusaria leucosorodes which are generally found 1200 metres above sea level, Dash pointed out.
The hills are also home to a slew of endemic and threatened plants. Dimeria mahendragirensis, Tripogon mahendragiriensis, Themeda odishae and Strobilanthes jeyporensis are endemic to the hills. Of the 40 species of orchids that are reportedly found here, 4 species – Eria lasiopetala, Gastrochilus acaulis, Habenaria crassifolia and Chaeirostylis parvifolia – are only found in the Mahendragiri hills. Lasianthus truncatus, Stemona tuberosa, Nothopegia heyneana, Rauvolfia serpentina, Balanophora polyandra, Gnetum ula and Gnetum montanum are some of the threatened plant species occurring in plenty, maintained Dash.
In Orissa, out of the 41 species of threatened medicinal plants identified by the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions in Bangalore, 20 are reported to occur in the hill complex. The root and bark of several medicinal plants like Litsea glutinosa, Neolitsea cassia, Achronychia pedunculata, Celtis tetrandra, Aphanamixis polystachya, Xanthoxylum armatum, Rubia cordifolia, Curculigo orchioides and Pittosporum wightii are extracted by local physicians and herbal practitioners for drug discoveries. Over 50 per cent of the 17 species of carnivorous/insectivorous plants found in the state occur here, the most common being Drosera indica, Drosera burmanii and Utricularia striatula, Dash added.
Conservation cry
The entire ecosystem is under threat due to anthropogenic activities such as unsustainable extraction of wild medicinal plants, frequent shifting cultivation and land use changes. In view of the unexplored/less explored diversity of life forms in the hill complex the need of the hour is to protect the landscape. An awareness programme involving the villagers, tribal healers, herbal practitioners, local forest guards and NGOs could strengthen the ongoing conservation efforts. Political will is essential for the long-term conservation of the hill complex. Further research and documentation of the untouched areas of the hill complex is needed to map and monitor the biodiversity in total, suggested Dash.
Where to stay
Although there is no accommodation facility for tourists, the ashram on the hilltop provides a great experience in the lap of nature. Nearby accommodation facilities are at Jeranga, where tourists can put up at an inspection bungalow of the Works Department, and a circuit house, inspection bungalow and hotels in Paralakhemundi.
Poor communication and accommodation facilities come in the way of most tourists keen to visit the place, said Binayak Das, a nature lover and green activist, who visits Mahendragiri often during vacations. “The state tourism department should address these shortcomings and develop the place into a hill station to attract tourists. Simultaneously, steps should be taken to preserve the biodiversity of the place,” he added.
How to reach
Situated around 135 km from the Ganjam district headquarters of Chhatrapur, Mahendragiri can be reached from Berhampur via three routes:
- The first route is up to Paralakhemundi, 115 km from Berhampur, via Ichhapur –
- PalasaThe second route is from Berhampur to Paralakhemundi via Digapahandi, R Udayagiri and Rayagada which runs over a distance of 173 km
- The third route is 126 km from Berhampur via Ichhapur-Jarada-Kaipur and Paralakhemundi
