Mahendragiri Hills
The Luring Hill of Odisha looks large and impressive in the Gajapati District of the Rayagoda region, where the healing medicinal aroma freshens up instantly once we step onto the rocky and lush green hill at an elevation of 1501 meters. Forefront of biodiversity, the hills sit among the Eastern Ghats and are an abode to above 600 flowering plants and medicinal herbs, while the region’s fauna is mostly of unique species of reptiles and amphibians noted as Herpetofauna in research studies.
First greeted as a biodiversity hotspot area by the Forest and Environment Department of the government, the place was officially addressed as a biosphere reserve in 2014 by the expert group of the ministry. Speared on 4715.32 square kilometres, this tremendous builder of nature is related to the Hindu Epic Ramayana as Mahendra Parvata (Parvata means mountain), and it was also one of the six groups of a mountain family, famously called Kula Parvata by scholars and pandits.
Interesting Facts about Mahendragiri Hills:
Esteemed as the second greatest peak of Odisha, there is also a faith that Lord Parashurama, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, still exists on the hilltop and lives eternally engaged in doing his meditation. According to Hinduism, he is supposed to appear with Lord Vishnu in his 10th incarnation as Kalki at the end of the running Kali Yuga in the form of courage, aggression, warfare, and patience with serenity. Temples made by Pandavas are also seen in the hill complex, while the region celebrates Lord Shiva, whose ardent devotee Parasuram is famous for the hill.
River Vamsadhara originates from the Kalahandi district of Odisha and joins with the Mahendratanaya River in the Gajapati district, which is close to Mahendragiri Hills, and then the river merges with the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh’s famous village named Baruva.
A plethora of floral wealth with bryophytes and pteridophytes, lichens a lovely food and habitat for birds and rodents can be found in a hefty heap, and some more macro-fungi are rich in angiosperm families with a few gymnosperms. Untie all the mystical knots and tie yourself to the mythical warmth of the so-called natural heaven in Gajapati district, Odisha. Are you waiting for what? Plan your trip to Mahendragiri Hills and pack up your bags right now!
Activities to do in Mahendragiri Hills:
Sightseeing from the sky-scraping mountain to enjoy the virgin nature.
Places to visit in Mahendragiri Hills:
Bhima temple peak, Arjun temple, and Jagannath temple peak. Temples for Lord Shiva and Parasuram, Kunti Devi (mother of Pandavas), and Yudhistir (first among Pandavas). Botanical zones of flowering medicinal plants.
Best time to visit:
From October to February, the location will be ideal with cool and pleasant winds.
How to reach Mahendragiri Hills in nearby ways:
By Air : Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, is the nearest airport to Mahendragiri. From the airport, you can hire a cab or taxi to reach Mahendragiri Hills.
By Train :Sompeta Railway station, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, is the nearest to Mahendragiri Hills at 85km. The distance between Bhubaneswar railway station and Mahendragiri Hills is 150 km. Sompeta is the nearest, and trains are available every two hours from Bhubaneswar to Sompeta.
By Road :Public and private transportation is available from or to major cities around Odisha and also outside the state, while roads are well-connected to ease travel.