Satkosia is a Tiger Reserve in Odisha that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The reserve is located at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats. Satkosia Gorge is a long gorge created by the Mahanadi River. Its terrain is mostly hilly with moderate to steep slopes and narrow valleys. It is tropical evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests, and moist peninsular sal forests.
The tourists can witness leopards, tigers, elephants, spotted deer, sloth bears, chousingha, and many species of birds and reptiles. It is the meeting point of two bio-geographic regions of India. There are a lot of amazing tourist spots where the tourists can do some amazing things and make their trip a memorable one.
Things to Do In Satkosia
Following are some very amazing and topmost things that visitors can do in Satkosia that can make their trips completely enjoyable and memorable –
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Wildlife Safari:
Satkosia Gorge is located along the border between Angul and Boudh districts in Odisha. It extends for a length of 22 km from Sunakhanla village in Boudh to Badmul village downstream. It is a patchwork of rivers, and tropical evergreen forests at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats. The tourists here can observe a number of flora and fauna of different species. Watching these animals, birds, and plants in the lap of nature is one of the most amazing things to do.
The notable plants include Asan, Dhaura, Simili, Indian Thorny Bamboo, and Calcutta Bamboo. The notable animal species are the red-crowned roof turtle, Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, tiger, and black-bellied tern. Satkosia Gorge was established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary. It owes its name to the narrow stretch of River Mahanadi. Winter season is the best time to visit Satkosia Gorge when the weather is pleasant and cool in Odisha. The tourists here can have the pleasure of camping, adventure sports, and trekking here.
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Gharial Crocodiles Preserve Education:
Tikarpada is a very famous place known for numerous lovely creatures covered up for the spectators. The asylum is acclaimed for the Gharial Crocodile reproducing. The asylum lying amid thick fronts of woodland has the windy Mahandai confusing with the Eastern Ghat and the framing of a 22 km long relentless Gorge named Satkosia. The Gharial Crocodile is an endangered species and the studies suggest that it’s on the verge of extinction. Tikarpada has become instrumental in recovering those from the blurring populace.
The great thing to do here is to know about those animals under the project to protect them and to observe and study their habitats from a very safe distance. In this sanctuary, one can also witness the protected tigers and spotted deer.
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Picnic at Waterfalls:
Deojhar Waterfall is one of the most liked waterfalls of Satkosia. Deojhar Waterfall and Park is located in the Hindol Badama forest range near Talapunji village about 23 km from Narasinghpur. It is a hidden gem where tourists can be enlightened by the natural beauty surrounded by dense forests and rocky landscapes. These features make it the perfect place for picnics with families or group visits.
Though the fall is relatively small compared to other falls in Odisha, it is full of scenic views with a tranquil setting. The tourists can do things like photography, adventure, and trekking too. Deojhar waterfall is popular among locals as they can have a trip here and enjoy the natural beauty and serene atmosphere. The area around the waterfall also supports diverse flora and fauna, offering an excellent opportunity for nature lovers and students. The waterfall is most beautiful during winter or after the monsoon season when the water flow is high.
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Nature Camping:
Nature Camps at Satkosia are very famous because of their eco-friendly designs. People who want to be stress-free from the competitive nature of life can come here for nature camping. The nature camping at Satkosia is designed to suit the surroundings like tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary. Tourists, at nature camps, get preferred accommodation based on their budget and need of the hour.
Satkosia Tiger Reserve hosts some attractive tourism destinations with night stays or multiple points within the sanctuary, each showcasing a unique characteristic of this beautiful heaven. Tikarpada Nature Camps are located on the bank of the fascinating gorge and give you an experience beyond imagination. The types of nature camps are Tarava, Chhotkei Nature Camp, Baghamunda Nature Camp, and Baliput, each having its own specialty. While nature camping, the tourists get the best opportunity to witness numerous bird species, some of them migratory.
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Tiger Safari:
Satkosia Tiger Reserve is a special place where tourists can see the tigers and their habitats in a safe way. Watching tigers is always a thrilling experience. Forests surrounding the Satkosia Gorge of Mahanadi River flow through the gorge with a rich diversity of habitats and mosaic of landscapes having a great floral and faunal composition. The tourists can also enjoy the fauna of Sal trees of moist peninsular low-level and tropical moist forests.
This place is ideal for Botany students as they can find more than 98 shrubs, 126 trees, 561 climbers, and 125 herb species in the tiger reserve. The faunal diversity lets the tourists witness some wild animals like elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambar, tigers, barking deer, and many more. Freshwater crocodile and gharial are two endangered species, whose natural habitat is the Satkosia gorge.
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Visit to Tourist Spot Kuanria Dam:
Touring a dam is always an exciting thing. We get to know about how the water flow can be controlled, reserved, and used for power generation. The dams have controlled reservoirs and the water level management is also a point to study. Kuanria Dam, located near Odasar village and just 7 km from Daspalla town is one place that can be visited. A dam, 50 km from the major city Nayagarh is a beautiful dam flanked by blue hillocks and a 1.5 km long dam over River Kuanria. The tourists can also see the deer park, spread across 6 acres by the river basin which is another attraction.
The park is home to about 150 numbers of spotted deer, barking deer, and sambar. Those who love bird watching can also do this amazing activity as a large number of migratory birds flock to this reservoir during winter. The tranquil beauty of the hills, forests, rivers, and deer park draws tourists to this place every year in winter. This place is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Odisha.
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Devotional Tour:
Satkosia holds a lot of temples that several pilgrims visit every year. The peak season for such devotional tours is between October to March, the reason for this is the weather is calm and cool, and most important religious events like Ratha Yatra fall within this period. Bhattarika Temple, popularly known as Maa Bhattarika Shakti Peeth Temple at Badamba is one place in Satkosia that should not be missed out during devotional tours. The temple is located on the bank of the Mahanadi River at Sasanga village.
It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Maa Bhattarika worshipped as a manifestation of shakti. As per the puranic tradition, Parashurama, facing sure defeat at the hands of Saharsrajuna, prayed to Durga who appeared on this spot to impart her divine power to his help. The festival Pana Sanskriti is celebrated here in April, Akshaya Tritiya in May, and Dussehra in October.
1.Where is Satkosia located?
Satkosia is located in Odisha, India. The place is located near the major city of Bhubaneswar and tourists can also reach there from Vizag.
2. What is Satkosia Tiger Reserve famous for?
Satkosia Tiger Reserve is famous for its meeting point of the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Peninsula which contributes to its biodiversity.
3. What things can be done at Satkosia?
A lot of activities can be done at Satkosia like Jungle safari, bird-watching, trekking, photography, nature camping, and knowing about the tribal culture and traditions.
4. Which animals one sees at Satkosia Tiger Reserve?
At Satkosia Tiger Reserve, one can see leopards, tigers, sloth bears, spotted deer, barking deer, elephants, and others.
5. Is Satkosia well-connected to major cities in Odisha?
Yes, Satkosia is well-connected to other cities in Odisha as well and one can travel from Vizag too. To reach Satkosia, one can travel by road, by train, or by air.
