3 Main Natural Destinations:

• Hadahadi Waterfall
• Sacred Sal Tree
• Barehipani Waterfall

Hadahadi Waterfall:

Hidden natural beauty of Similipal National Park, situated about 1.5 km from Jamuani Nature Camp, in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.

Sacred Sal Tree:

Age: around 340 years
It is termed as heritage & sacred by the people of Similipal National Park.

Sal Tree:

scientific name: Shorea robusta

Cultural Aspect:
According to Hindu tradition, this tree is sacred. It is associated with Lord Vishnu. The name Sal came from the word Shala, which means rampart in Sanskrit. Some Hindus worship Sarna Burhi, who is depicted as the Goddess of Sal tree groves and she is strongly associated with water and plant life.
According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha died at the age of 80, in a grove between two Sal trees.

Uses:

• Strong durable & decay resistant wood is used in railway sleepers, construction, shipbuilding & furniture.
• Sal Butter, extracted from seeds, is an edible oil, which is used in cooking & lighting.
• Resin is used in rituals, like making incense. It is also used in treating oily skin, itching & rashes.
• Pastes from the leaves are used to treat skin problems.
• It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating coughs, headaches, piles, fractures & ear problems.
• The leaves are often used in making disposable plates and bowls.

Goat:

scientific name: Capra aegagrus hircus
Generally domesticated four-legged mammal.
food habit: Herbivores (though sometimes they may opportunistically eat small animals or animal-based scraps whenever they find)

They are Ruminants with four-chambered stomach (Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum & Abomasum), which allow them to ferment and digest tough plant matter through a process called Rumination, which involves regurgitating and rechewing. 

Uses:

• Good source of meat, milk & dairy products.
• Some breeds, like Angora and Cashmere goat, provides high quality fibers, which are used in making clothes & rugs.
• Goat skins are used in making leather goods, like gloves & shoes.

Barehipani Falls:

India‘s second highest waterfall
Odisha‘s highest waterfall
height: 399 meters (1,309 ft)

Two-tiered waterfall located in Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India. It is on Budhabalanga River.

Another waterfalls (Joranda Falls) is roughly around 0.4 km (20 km  drive from Barehipani Chowk through Ghati routes). Sometimes, Joranda Falls & Barehipani Falls are referred as natural companions in Similipal National Park.

Budhabalanga River:

Budhabalanga means Old Balanga. It rises in the Similipal Hills and flows through different villages, cities & districts:

• Karanjiapal village of Bangriposi, in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India
• Jhankapahadi village of Bangriposi, in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India
• Baripada city Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India
• Balasore (Baleswar) district of Odisha, India

The river finally flows into Bay of Bengal. Some tributaries of Budhabalanga River are:

• Palapala
• Sunei
• Kalo
• Sanjo
• Deo
• Gangahari
• Katra Nala
• Chipat

Simul Tree:

scientific name: Bombax ceiba
Also known as Semal Tree or Silk-Cotton Tree. Similipal is named after this tree.
The kapok fiber (fluffy & cotton-like fibers) of Simul are used for stuffing  pillows, quilts, sofas and other such things.
Medically, the roots & bark are used for treating diarrhea, dysentery & constipation. The flowers & their extracts help in treating cough, asthma & bronchitis. The bark & gum are used for healing wonds. The gum is used for Pulmonary Tuberculosis treatment.
Garasia tribe (of Rajasthan, India) consider this tree as sacred.

Barehipani Nature Camp:

A resort under Odisha Eco Tourism, which is under Odisha Government Tourism.

Tribes:

The tribes, who dwell in and around Similipal, are Khadia, Mankidia, Lodha, Ho, Kolha, Santal, Bhumija & Munda, out of which,  Khadia, Mankidia & Lodha are recorded as PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups).

Lodha:

They belong to a larger Munda ethnic group, who generally speak Mundari language. History says that, the British government termed them as the Criminal Tribe under the Criminal Tribes Act, which later got repealed.

Mankidia:

This semi-nomadic Austroasiatic tribe is a section of Birhor tribe. This tribe traditionally depend on forest for their livelihood through hunting, food-gathering & rope-making.

Kolha:

This indigenous tribe of approximately 6,25,009 people were historically hunters & gatherers. Now, they are primarily agriculturists, who are mainly involved in paddy cultivation.

Santal (Santhal):

The third largest tribe of India with rich cultural traditions, which include distinctive music, dance & festivals. They speak the Santhali language, which is a Munda branch of Austroasiatic language. In 1925, Pandit Raghunath Murmu developed the Ol Chiki script (30 letters) for the Santhali language.

Birsa Munda:

He is an icon of Munda tribe, who was born on 15th November, 1875, at Ulihatu village, in Ranchi district of Bengal Presidency (now in Khunti district of Jharkhand, India). He is remembered as the rebellion, who raised a movement against the British oppression. His movement is referred as the key event of Indian freedom strugle. He was arrested and died in jail on 9th June, 1900.

Tribal Dance:

• Pinkali, Bahabana & Kathi dances are generally performed by the Kolha tribe. They are typically performed to the rhythm of traditional musical instruments, like drums and flutes.
• Changu Dance is a folk dance, which is generally performed by women, following the rhythm of changu (a rural tambourine, which is played by men). This dance is associated with Bhuiyan, Bathudi, Khadia, Juang, Mechi & Kondha tribes.

Early morning, we started our road trip from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, by a 4 wheeler.

Rupnarayan River:

The river originates as Dhaleshwari River, in Chota Nagpur Plateau (northeast of Purulia, West Bengal, India). It flows southeast, passing Bankura (a city in West Bengal, India), where it is known as Dwarakeshwar River. This Dwarakeshwar River joins with Shilabati River, near Ghatal (a town in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India), where it is known as Rupnarayan River. Finally, the river discharges into Hooghly River.
History says that, Tamralipti Port (ancient port of Gupta Dynasty) was located at present day Tamluk (a town in West Bengal, India), on the banks of Rupnarayan River.

GUPTA DYNASTY: early 4th century AD – late 6th century AD

NH16:

It is a national highway, which starts from Dankuni, West Bengal, India to Nallur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is also known as Grand Northern Trunk Road. It runs through the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana & Tamil Nadu.
Nallur is a town in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dankuni is a city in Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. It is near Kolkata, West Bengal, India. So, NH16 is sometimes called Kolkata-Chennai Highway.
Previously, NH16 was known as NH5.

Haldia:

It is an industrial port city of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is situated at the mouth of Hooghly River. It is said to be the center of petrochemical business and the major trade port of Kolkata, West Bengal, Inida.
History says that, Haldia was the only Indian city to have a Japantown (Japanese communities in cities & towns outside Japan).

Ghatal:

It is a town in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India.
History says that, before early British rule, Ghatal was famous for the manufacture of cotton goods, tussar silk, bell metal utensils and other such products. Even, there was a Dutch factory. During the early British period, Ghatal was a part of Jahanabad (later Arambagh), in Hooghly district.
1869 – Formation of Ghatal municipality
1872 – Ghatal moved into Medinipur district
1876 – Formation of Ghatal subdivision
2002 – Ghatal moved into Paschim Medinipur district (when Medinipur was divided into Purba [East] Medinipur & Paschim [West] Medinipur)

Kharagpur:

It is the major industrial city in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is located to the west of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is famous for the oldest & biggest IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) institute (IIT Kharagpur).
History says that, Kharagpur was named after Kharga Malla [841 AD – 862 AD] (12th ruler of Mallabhum dynasty), who conquered it.

MALLABHUM DYNASTY: around 694 AD – 1983 AD

Jhargram:

It is a city in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is a popular tourist destination, containing many ancient temples, dense forests & royal palaces.

Sambalpur:

It is said to be the fifth largest city of Odisha, India, located on the banks of River Mahanadi. The river originates in Sihawa Hills of Chhattisgarh, India. It flows through Chhattisgarh & Odisha, crossing cities like Raipur, Sambalpur & Cuttack, before flowing into Bay of Bengal. River Mahanadi is famous for Hirakud Dam (built accross River Mahanadi), which was the first major multipurpose river valley project after India‘s independence.

Nagpur:

It is the Orange City of Maharashtra, India. It is the major trade center of distinct & high-quality oranges, which are grown in the region and brought to Nagpur for export to different cities, states & countries. So, it is called Orange City.

Baharagora:

It is a town in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, India. It provides an entry point to Jharkhand from 2 states – West Bengal, India (12 km) & Odisha, India (7 km).

Mayurbhanj:

It is a district of Odisha, India. It is famous for Similipal National Park or Similipal Tiger Reserve.

Bisoi:

It is a village in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.

Similipal:

1956 – Officially designated as a Tiger Reserve
1973 – Included under Project Tiger program
1979 – Declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the Odisha Government
1980 – Declared as a National Park
1994 – Declared as a Biosphere Reserve by India Government
2009 – Added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Khairi:

An orphaned tigress cub, who was found abandoned near Khairi River by Saroj Raj Choudhury, who was the first Forest Conservator under the government of Odisha. She lived in his house and raised by him & his wife (Nihar), from 1974 to 1981, depicting a unique, affectionate & trusting bond between animals & humans. Khairi died in 1982.