Odisha: Belghar Sanctuary, the Smiling Queen of Nature in Kandhamal

Come winter, footfalls into wild destinations almost double. Rejoicing the grandeur of nature in wonder spots, such as Belghar in Kandhamal district in Odisha, is a different luxury for the visitors.

We started our journey from Baliguda to Belghar after breakfast and after about 15 minutes of driving the challenge for the man at the wheel was noticeable.

The vehicle was put on four by four as the tracks, etched on the bosom of the hill almost kissing the sky, would not allow us to move up.

The ghat section roads with so many sharp bends reflected the enormity of the risk.

A slight skid from the meandering tracks could send one’s vehicle plunging into precipitous depths below.

Roaring up the Hills

The Belghar Sanctuary is located in Kandhamal district, about 158 km away from the city of Phulbani in Odisha. The sanctuary covers a huge area of 16,174,46 acres.  

The heights were unforgiving and inherent risks were making the trip nothing less than an arduous. Anyhow, the vehicle was just roaring up.

The area is situated at an altitude of 2,255 feet above the sea level.

A Treasure Trove

The sanctuary is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, of which, wild elephants are probably the flagship species among others.

It boasts a wide collection of medicinal and commercial plant species, of which, some considered useful shed their leaves during spring.   

The trees in the sanctuary can rise to great heights. The thick forest is home to a number of rare and endangered species of animals. Besides wild elephants, many other smaller mammal species, such as deer, are also found. The sanctuary is home to several bird species, as well.

Our climbdown began after an hour before we reached Belghar, couched in the lap of a valley made of an alliance of several mountains.

The sight from the foothills was spellbinding. Down below was a nature camp with small tents dotting the area, where tourists enjoy a memorable winter break.

Nearby, there were a few flowing dales gurgling through the foot-hills, originating from a plethora of aquifers welling out of the mountain.   

And at one end stood, like a sentinel, a British era wooden bungalow with grandeur, built with geometrical precision. After an arduous journey, the sight of such shelter was a real solace.

The sun was by then setting, spreading golden rays through the foliage, creating a surreal ambience.

From faraway forests, we could hear the trumpeting of wild elephants that were scary and resonating.

Soon, the night became tranquil, and one could hear the whispers of silence through the pitch-dark blanket of spirituality. We retired for the day and sleep took us into its grip soon.

A Dreamer’s Paradise

The morning was dreamlike, as the temperature had dropped at night and dew was kissing the bungalow’s window panes.

It was hard to resist the urge to get out from our beds and embrace nature, as the sight was fit to entice a painter to capture the brilliance on canvas.

An aimless walk through the sanctuary with all its majesty and dignity was our way of welcoming another day, and another year, trotting in through the approaching winter.     

The writer is a freelancer based in Odisha.