Rayagada Travel Guide

Exploring Rayagada: A Travel Guide to India's Tribal Heartland

Rayagada is a town located in the state of Odisha, India. It is known for its rich tribal culture, natural beauty, and as a major center for the production of handicrafts, particularly the bell metal and brass items. The town is situated in the midst of scenic hills and valleys and has a rich cultural heritage to explore.

One of the main attractions in Rayagada is the Padmapur Temple, which is an ancient and sacred temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The temple is located on a hilltop and offers visitors a chance to connect with nature and spirituality. Visitors can take a hike to the temple to see the beautiful views and learn about the history and culture of the temple.

Another popular attraction in Rayagada is the Kolnara Temple, which is an ancient temple and is famous for its intricate stone carvings. The temple is located on the banks of the Nagavali river and is dedicated to Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.

Rayagada is also home to several other beautiful temples and religious sites, such as the Khaliapali Temple, the Tatipudi Reservoir, and the Kalyansinghpur Temple. Visitors can also take a stroll through the nearby villages, and observe the tribal lifestyle, and experience the local culture.

Rayagada is well connected by road, and it is around 600km from Bhubaneswar, the nearest major city. Visitors should also note that the best time to visit Rayagada is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant.

In summary, Rayagada is a town that offers visitors a chance to explore the rich tribal culture and natural beauty of the region. The town is surrounded by scenic hills and valleys, beautiful temples, and offers plenty of things to do and see for those interested in the local culture and history. Rayagada is definitely worth a visit for anyone looking for a peaceful getaway and to explore the heartland of tribal India.

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Best Places To Visit In Rayagada

From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Rayagada.

Chatikona Falls

Chatikona is a small tribal village situated about 40 km north of Rayagada. It is surrounded by Niyamgiri hills and offers immaculate scenic beauty to the tourists with lush green foliage and a splendid waterfall. The Chatikona Falls attracts throngs of tourists and picnickers, and the Shiva temple near it attracts pilgrims from all over Odisha, especially during the Shivaratri period, when it can get very crowded. Although it is an all-weather destination.

Hanging Bridge in Chekaguda

Hanging Bridge, Chekaguda The hanging bridge at Chekaguda village in Rayagada is the second of its kind in Orissa. Constructed in 2012, the 151-metre-long suspended bridge has brought about 20,000 tribal villagers living in nine panchayats located on the outskirts of the city closer to the central city, by bridging the two banks of the Nagavali river. The Nagavali River has since become a tourist destination, and the bridge has become a tourist attraction, as families come to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the river, the mountains surrounding the valley, and the relative serenity.

Laxminarayan Temple

The Laxminarayan Temple was built by IMFA, Indian Metals, and Ferro Alloys Limited near their factory in Therubali. It was built around 2004 as a place of worship for Vishnu and Lakshmi, but also houses idols of Jagannath, Hanuman, Balabhadra, and Shiva. Tourists come from all over the state and also from adjoining states, especially for the Shivratri festival. A few kilometers further towards Paikapara, more than one lakh Shivalingas can be seen in the Paikapara temple. Both these temples are also crowded during the Jagannath Rath Yatra season in the sultry month of July.

Maa Majhighariani Temple

An incarnation of Goddess Durga, Majighariani is acknowledged as the predominant, most important deity in the region. The name is derived from the location of the Temple of Shakti in the middle of the palace of the fourteenth-century Silvanshi king Vishwanatha Deva and translates to seated in the central chamber. The temple attracts devotees from all over the state and country, especially from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The festival of Chaitra Parva, which falls in April, is the most important time of the year for worshipers of Shiva and Majhighariani, at which time the temple is most crowded. Durga Puja and Shivratri also see a huge influx of pilgrims.

Hatipathar

Situated at a distance of 3 km from Rayagada, this picnic spot is visited a lot by tourists. It is so named because the Nagavali River flows through a deep-cut valley, and the two boulders atop these springs look like elephants sitting on a hill. Surrounded by dense forests, as is the case anywhere in Odisha, these waterfalls are the perfect picnic spots for tea time with family and friends.