Simlipal National Park

Simlipal National Park is one of India's most popular national park. The sanctuary is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Simlipal derived its name from the silk cotton tree, Simul. The National Park is open for visitors from 1st November to 15th June. Simlipal is enriched with dense forests, green meadows, mind blowing waterfalls and awe inspiring rivers. There are two stunning waterfalls in this forest - Jaranda and Barheipani which attract nature lovers. You can get permits for entering the forest from the Assistant Conservator of Forest, Simlipal National Park, Dist. Mayurbhanj, Joshipur -757002. Tel: 06792-252593. Extra charges are levied for car and camera. The park remains open from 6 am to 2 pm.

Simlipal National Park

How to Reach

You can reach Balasore by train and from there you can get bus to get to Baripada or Jashipur. Simlipal National Park has two main gateways - Baripada on the East and Jashipur on the West. Buses are also running from Kolkata to Jashipur. Distance from Kolkata to Simlipal is 191 km.


Accommodation

Toshali Jungle Lodge. Tel: 9937003223.
Panthanivas Baripada. Tariff - Rs. 1300.
Several other accommodation facilities including forest rest house and tourist cottages are available.
For booking contact: Deputy Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada. Tel: 06792-259126.

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Maithon

Maithon is the largest water reservoir of the Damodar Valley Corporation. The dam is located at the confluence of the Damodar and Barakar rivers in the border of West Bengal and Jharkhand. The place is surrounded by hills, forests and small islets. One needs to take permission to see the Maithon Hydroelectric Power Project.

Maithon Dam

Sightseeing and Activities

A colossal water body known popularly as the Maithan Lake was created as a result of the dam constructed by the Damodar Valley Corporation. Maithon lies at the confluence of Damodar and Barakor River. You can enjoy boating in the placid waters of the lake or just sit on the bank and savour the endless beauty of the place. There is a deer park and a bird sanctuary. During winter many migratory birds are seen in this sanctuary.

You can also visit Ma Kalyaneswari Temple which is situated in Hangla Pahar, 2.5 km from the dam. This temple is around 500 years old. The surrounding villages of Maithon are also beautiful. Panchet Dam is located 14 km from here and is worth seeing. You can also visit Garpanchkot by car.

Best Time to Visit

The beauty and charm of Maithon is best enjoyed during the months of August to January.

How to Reach

Trains are available from Howrah to reach Kumardubi or Asansol. From Howrah, it takes approximately 4 hours to reach Kumardubi and 3 hours to reach Asansol. Maithon is 6 km from Kumardubi. Auto rickshaws are plying in this route. If you disembark at Asansol then you will get bus to reach Maithon. It takes about half an hour to reach Maithon, 24 km from Asansol.



Accommodation

WBTDC Maithon Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2250. Tel: 0341-2523894, 9732100840.
DVC Majumder Nivas. Tariff - Rs. 1200-1500. Tel: 033-23550683.
Hotel Maithon. Tariff - Rs. 600-1200. Tel: 0341-2521405.
Hotel Shantinivas. Tariff - Rs. 700-1950. Tel: 9007486005.
Asha Resorts. Tariff - Rs. 500-1000. Tel: 0341-2100568.

Nearby Places

Garpanchkot

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Places Near Kolkata

Bakkhali

Bakkhali is a popular tourist spot. It is located at a distance of 130 km from Kolkata. The high rolling waves, pine forests, red crabs all make Bakkhali an ideal spot for weekend tour. You can see Crocodile Project and Deer park. Some of the other sightseeings near Bakkhali are Henry's Island, Jambu Dwip, Sagar Island and Fraserganj. The town of Fraserganj is named after Andrew Fraser who in the 1900s tried to build the area into a resort but he couldn’t do that as the waves frequently washed the constructions.

Bakkhali Beach

How to Reach

You can board Namkhana local from Sealdah and reach Namkhana. It takes about 3 hours to reach Namkhana from Sealdah. At Namkhana you have to cross a river and then you can get bus or trekker to reach Bakkhali, 25 km from there.



Accommodation

Bakkhali Tourist Lodge. Tariff: Rs. 1900. Tel: 9732510150.
Hotel Dolphin. Tariff: Rs. 900-3500. Tel: 9830340357.
Hotel Deepak. Tariff: Rs. 900-2200. Tel: 033-24640081, 24633203.
Hotel Amarabati. Tariff: Rs. 1200-4000. Tel: 9732619340.
Hotel Dibney. Tariff: Rs. 1300-2000. Tel: 9836252676.
Hotel Inodoy. Tariff: Rs. 1300-2500. Tel: 9073960995, 9831799994.

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Bakreshwar

Bakreshwar is a Shaktipith. It is said that the eye brows of Sati had fallen in this place. Many people come here to bath in the hotsprings. There are a total of 10 hotsprings here. The temperatures of these hotsprings are in the range of 63 to 80 degree Celsius. The hottest of these springs is Agnikund (temperature around 80 degree Celsius).

Hot Spring at Bakreshwar

How to Reach

Bakreshwar is located 200 km from Kolkata. You can reach there by road directly. Or you can reach Bolpur by train and then from Jamboni bus stand you can get bus which will take you to Bakreshwar. Bakreshwar bound buses leave Jamboni bus stand every half an hour from 5:10 am to 03:10 pm. You can also board the Mayurakshi Fast Passenger and reach Dubrajpur. From there you can get bus or car and reach Bakreshwar.


Accommodation

Bakreshwar Youth Hostel. Tariff - Rs. 250-800. Tel: 033-22480626.
Hotel Bakreshwar Inn. Tariff - 1000-1200. Tel: 9933150016.
Hotel Madhabi Aloy. Tariff - Rs. 1000-2500. Tel: 03462-274264.
Bakreshwar Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 500-1200. Tel: 03462-274212.

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Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary

Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is located in the districts of Angul, Nayagarh and Boudh in the state of Odisha. The sanctuary is spread over a vast area of about 750 sq km. The river Mahanadi before falling into the Bay of Bengal passes through the hills of Odisha forming a 22 km long magnificent gorge where the sanctuary is situated. The area was declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in the year 2007, comprising of two sanctuaries - Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary. You can see elephants, deers, nilgai, tigers, leopards, sloth bear, wild dogs and a number of birds at Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. Apart from these the sanctuary also has reptiles like mugger crocodile, snakes and fresh water turtle. There is a waterfalls named Bhimgara Falls located inside the sanctuary. There are also watch towers to see the wildlife of the forest. Best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to May.

How to Reach

The best way to visit Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is to reach the sanctuary by OTDC operated buses from Athagarh. Otherwise you can reach Cuttack from Howrah by train. You can reach Angul from Cuttack by bus. Distance from Cuttack to Angul is 61 km. Tikarpada is located 58 km from Angul. Hired cars are available from Angul to reach Satkosia. The forest is about 30 km from Tikarpada.


Accommodation

Tikarpada Nature Camp. Tariff - Rs. 1700 for two persons including food and stay.
For booking of forest bungalows or nature camp contact: Eco Tourism Cell, Satkosia Wildlife Division, Hakimpara, Angul, Odisha-759143. Tel: 8763102681.
You can also stay in hotels at Angul.
Hotel Shanti. Tel: 06764-230686.
Hotel Sandhya. Tel: 06764-231357.

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Jairambati

Jairambati is situated about 6 km from Kamarpukur. Sri Sri Sarada Devi, the wife of Sri Ramkrishna was born in this village. A temple of Sarada Maa has been established here. When entering through the main gate, on the right side of the temple you can see the mother's ancestral house. An idol of Sarada Devi is there inside the temple. On the opposite side of temple you can see Punnipukur and the temple of Sundarnarayan and Shitalamata.

Jairambati

How to Reach

CSTC buses are running from Esplanade, Kolkata to Jairambati. You can also reach Jairambati from Arambagh and Bishnupur by bus, minibus or rickshaw.


Accomodation

Sarada Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 350-450. Tel: 03244-244263.
Nilachal Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 400-600. Tel: 03244-244268.

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Rambha

Rambha is the best weekend destination for those who like calm and serene places. It is situated at a distance of 28 km from Barkul. Also there is boating facility in Chilika Lake to experience the natural beauty of Rambha. This is an ideal place for nature lovers to spend their weekend. Apart from the lake you can see the Narayani Mata Mandir. This temple is situated on Bhallori hill. There is a waterfalls beside the temple which adds to the scenery of this place. You can also go to Nirmaljhara, a temple of Vishnu located 11 km from Rambha. Another attraction is the Banpur Bhagawati Mandir. The sculptures and carvings of this temple is worth seeing.

Rambha

How to Reach

You can reach Berhampur by any train going to Chennai from Howrah. From Berhampur you can reach Rambha.


Accommodation

OTDC Panthanivas. Tariff - Rs. 800-2900. Tel: 06810-278346.

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