Tourists' Spots of Mayurbhanj

About 40 Kms.from Karanjia, near Booring village in Thakurmunda P.S. is the sacred pool  BHIMKUND" in the river Vaitarani. The legend reveals that Bhima, the second Pandava used to take his bath in this   pool when the Pandavas were passing their incognito life in Birat Nagar,  said  to be the present Kaptipada. Here river Vaitarani flows through a gorge in steps forming   a series of picturesque rapids until it settles  down in the pool called "BHIMKUND". It is encircled by precipitous stone wall. During Makar Festival in the month of January thousands of people gather here to take their  holy dip. The place can also be  approached from Dhenkikote (20 Kms.) on S.H. No 11 connecting Keonjhar and Panikoili. The place is ideal for picnickers. 

Only 40 Kms. from Baripada is the time honoured shrine of Kakharua Baidyanath (Temple of Lord Shiva) Being surrounded 3   sides by the Water channels of "Kundi" [Water channel] and the Gangahar river,  it is a sacred place of repute. The temple itself is a fine specimen  of Orissa's architecture. This place aglows on the occasion of Shivaratri festival and thousands   of  devotees gather here on auspicious days. Tradition ascribes that a King of Somavansi dynasty  was attacked with leucoderma, his whole body being depigmented with white patches like water melon (Kakharu) was subsequently cured by the grace  of  the deity. Some Oriya inscriptions of Mayurbhanj Royal Family are seen on the temple walls. About one kilometre west of the temple are the remains of an ancient fort and 8 Kms east the ruins of Kuradiha Gada.

Haripur, previously known as Hariharpur, was founded by Maharaja Harihar Bhanj in the year 1400 A.D. and remained as the capital of Bhanja Dynasty before its shifting   to Baripada. Baidyanath Bhaanj, another ruler   of the dynasty built here a magnificent brick   temple in honour of his tutelary God Rasika-raya. Though in dilapidated condition, now the edifice has earned the distinction of being   unique among the brick temples of Orissa.   The vast ruins here afford ample and interesting materials for antiquarian research. A little north to the courtyard of Rasikaraya temple  lies the ruins of Ranihanspur (the inner   apartment of queen) and to the east once stood the Durbal Hall, studded with sculptured   stone colums and arches of intricate designs,   the remains of which have been recently    unearthed. Closeby stands the brick-built rectangular temple of Radhamohan. The temple of Jagannath also stands nearby which is built in Goudiya style of architecture during the region of Harihar Bhanj. The deities have since been shifted to the neighbouring village  Pratappur and are now worshipped there.

About 30 Kms. from Baripada is Lulung, noted for its scenic beauty. Being surrounded on three sides by hills of Similipal range, it is an ideal place for rest, relaxation and adventure. Group picnickers find the place useful for spending their leisure time. The tourists may also fine charm in purchasing stone utensil of the place.

About 50 Kms.from Baripada is Devagram, otherwise called Deogan. The river Sono flows   close to the village. Ruins of old temples on the bank of the river speak volumes in mute voice.  A change in the course of the river might have caused a great damage to these temples. The images of Ganesh and Parvati with Shiva Lingam and the eight-armed  Chamunda on a heap of stone are found here. The sculptural   beauty of the Gaddess and the pedestalaround reveal excellent workmanship. Fragments of   stone supposed to be parts of the ruins of Chamunda temple are still lying in the river bed. The place is ideal for picnic.

SAMIBRUKSHA

3 Kms to the south of Podadiha is seen the peak of a hillock known among the people as Samibruksha. The hillock is about 500ft. high. On the western side there are five caves, which look like five rooms from a distance. Tradition narrates that the five Pandavas hid their arms in these five caves before proceeding to the court of the king Virata. Thousands of pilgrims take their sacred bath in the nearby stream on Baruni day which falls in the month of Chaitra. Makar Sankranti which falls in mid-January is the most important festival of the place.

Simla

25 Kms. from Baripada on the left bank of the river Burhabalanga, Simla is famous for housing the shrine of Simileswar Siva. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the shrine everyday. The picturesque scenery of the place attracts group picnickers. A big fair is held on Sivaratri day which continues for a week.

The excavated prehistoric site of Kuchai 8 kms north of Baripada is known for yielding neolithic possessions of man. Pottery found with neolithic implements speak of occurence of a microlithic industry of the late Stone Age in Mayurbhanj district. Kuchai is on the way from Baripada to Similipal.

Located at a distance of 17 Kms. from Baripada on way to similipal. Kuliana is rich with palaeolithic artifices.