When you are driving to the Athamallik area, you can feel that the air is changing. There are no more busy coal mines around. A road goes through the jasmine forests that are several years old. After that, there is a part of the earth that breathes steam. This is Deulajhari which is a very small place but has a very big mystery. It is about 90 kilometers from the main town of Deulajhari Angul. In the middle of this green forest there are some very old sulphur springs. This is not just a natural water hole; it is a hot spring in Odisha, which remains warm throughout the years. The water here is hot even when the winter wind is very cold. The people here say that the earth is preparing food for the gods.
The Miracle of Thirty, Six Springs
The story of Deulajhari is a story of immense faith and healing. There are 36 springs altogether. Out of these, 18 are cold, and 18 are boiling hot. How does this happen? Scientists cite underground rocks, but the heart knows that the signs don’t speak. It is considered internally that these springs are the sweat of the earth. Since this is the most famous hot spring in Odisha, people come here from all over the state. They have faith that the water of the springs can heal skin diseases and pain in the bones. I saw, once, an old man putting his feet in the “Agni Kunda.” He didn’t flinch. He just smiled. He said that the water doesn’t burn you if your heart is clean. It is a scary idea, but it is something that will make you see the water in a different way.
The geography here is really weird. The hot water runs into a stream close by which basically makes the whole forest look as if it is covered in a soft, white blanket of mist. A Deulajhari temple dedicated to Lord Sidheswar Baba sits just beside the water. It is an unpretentious stone building. The feeling culturally is extremely subdued. People talking loudly is something you won’t find. They move slowly from one spring to the other, like the “Patal Ganga” and the “Surya Kunda.” They first put the water on their fingertips and then on their foreheads. This is a very respectful way of greeting. The people here don’t just consider this a place where tourists come but rather a living hospital where the drugs are the gifts of nature.
The best time to visit Deulajhari for the most enjoyable experience is winter. From November to February, the contrast of the cold air with the warm steam makes a quite picturesque scene. Make sure to bring sandals that are very easy to take off. You will enter and exit several small temple areas. Also, if you wish to dip your hands or feet, bring with you a small towel. What do I suggest? Early morning is the best time, as the mist is the thickest then. It feels like you are in a dream when you walk through the forest at that time. Don’t hurry. Just sit next to the Deulajhari hot spring for some time and enjoy the warmth. It is such a simple thing, yet it makes you feel spiritually one with the roots of the world.
