Keonjhar: The mineral-rich district of Keonjhar is endowed with many beautiful postcard-picture sites and breathtaking waterfalls with great tourism potential.
This picturesque spots attract tourists and picnickers throughout the year. One of them is Mahadev Mundia, a hill situated a kilometre away from Champajhara village under Banspal block of the district.
With beautiful cataracts, the lush green hill is a spectacular point waiting to be explored by tourists and picknickers. As winter is a season of picnics and tours, the waterfall is thronged by visitors.
However, locals feel a little care by the administration would make it a prominent tourist spot in the district. The hill has all the natural beauty that is required to make it a tourist spot. Only a little work by the administration would make it a distinctive spot, making it one of the most beautiful spots in the district.
Set amid hilly terrain, the waterfall offers a magnificent view to visitors. Even as the hill is filled with waterfalls falling for a height of several metres and many valuable trees, it is unknown to outsiders. Despite having all the potential to woo tourists with two waterfalls adding to the enchanting beauty of the hill, the place still remains to be explored by tourists.
Also there is a Shiva Linga on the hill. As there is a ‘Shiva Linga’ is atop the hill, it has been named Mahadev Mundia and the hill is also referred to as ‘Nimai Jhara’. It is believed that a saint named Nimai had set up a hermitage in the hill caves.
“There is no proper road connectivity to the hill. Many people throng the temple up the hill during Makar Sankranti. If the concerned administration takes measures to develop the site, it would attract more tourists,” a villager said.
Another villager, Pranibandhu Pradhan alleged, “Many people are unaware about the waterfalls here. Lack of road communication is to be blamed.”
When contacted, Keonjhar district tourism officer Ramesh Chandra Nayak said the tourism department has written to the state government urging measures to develop the site to attract tourists.
PNN
