Daringbari- Kashmir of Odisha
The desire to travel to Kashmir is the dream of every Indian but the trip is expensive and requires at least a week, which is not possible for all tourists. So if you want to experience Kashmir (somewhat!), you can plan a short trip to this small hill station in Odisha. Daringbadi hill station is an offbeat place in India that is little known to the tourist, so if you like to visit some offbeat destinations in India and have a closer look at the virgin beauty of the place, you should plan a trip to Daringbari in this vacation. Daringbadi is the only hill station in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, which is also called 'Kashmir' of Orissa or Eastern India.
If you are a nature lover then you are bound to like Daringbadi. There is a mild cold all year round, but the temperature drops below 2 degrees Celsius in winter. Daringbadi, situated at an altitude of 4000 feet above sea level, is covered with a green sheet from head to toe. In the rainy season, the colour of this green cover becomes darker and the glittering blue sky enhances the beauty of Daringbadi many times.
Rudra Palash and pine grow in the dense forest on both sides of the road, there are various spice gardens, including pepper and coffee. However, the most interesting place in Daringbari is Hill View Park, located just one km away. From here you can enjoy the whole valley including the village.
The small village is surrounded by numerous waterfalls, the Duluri River flows down the hill, and nearby are Daringbari Falls, Putudi Falls, and Lovers Falls. In this "wrapped-in green" village, you can see different species of birds. Not far from here is the Belghar forest, where you can see a variety of animals, including tusked elephants.
Next to it is the village of Kirikuti, where the Emu rearing centre has been established. If you want to tour the mountains in a short time, you will not find a more beautiful place than this.
Tip for the like-minded foodies☺: When you visit Daringbari, don't forget to taste the fresh "Paneer tikka" there.
How to get there:
Distance from Bhubaneswar-248 KM
By train from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar, you can get a car from the station. The nearest station to Daringbari is Berhampur, the distance from there is 120 km. You can also go from Berhampur, Gopalpur or Taptapani.
Stay:
Hotels and eco-resorts are available in and around Daringbadi which offers good accommodation and food. You may also check the official site of Odisha Tourism (odishatourism.gov.in) for online booking.
Pic Courtesy - Google
Suggested Reading:
Offbeat Place Near Darjeeling- Sittong