As you approach the forest’s outer edge, all the noise from nearby towns becomes a memory. The air drops in temperature and is filled with a fresh earthy scent. This is home to the Aapkhol Waterfall, composed of a clear, crisp pool below the falls that some people refer to as the “small jungle lake.” Located near Bargarh and just off the edge of the village, Aapkhol collects water from the heavy rains that run off the nearby steep cliffs. The pool remains calm for most of the year. The pool has been described as deep and dark. Local people text about the presence of the spirit of the mountain god who awaits his time to return. When I first visited this pool in late September, my feet ached from the long walk to reach its edge. At the same time, the coolness of the pool felt heavenly upon my skin. This is an obvious very humble pool that has an effect on nature where there are no limits imposed by humans. Nature simply exists, and is always there for you to discover.
The Aapkhol Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in the Bargarh region of India, but it is not as largest waterfall near Bargarh as some of the other waterfalls nearby. It has a special sound because of its location between two mountains and its flowing water creating music. There are a lot of rocks in this area of Bargarh that have been smoothed down by water flowing over them for many years. The Bargarh waterfall is rugged and not well maintained. It is possible to enjoy the scenery while sitting next to the waterfall and watching the sunlight shine on the spray from the waterfall. Visiting the Aapkhol waterfall and being in Bargarh Odisha will provide you with fresh air. The trees surrounding the waterfall provide shade and privacy, making it an enjoyable place to relax.
This area is one of the growing Bargarh tourist places. Tourists are encouraged by the environment and climate to go through and enjoy the beauty and wonders of Baggarh Away. The feeling of the locals is that of serenity and there is no noise when they approach the waterfalls. They understand how important the surrounding woods are to the ecosystem and have developed a tradition of not making any noise near the waterfalls, as they know that the wildlife uses the areas around the falls for food, shelter and nesting. During my last visit to Bagarh, I came across a group of young men cleaning up the debris they had left after having their lunch in the area, and they did not appear to need to be told to do so by others. They respected the land they had eaten on. This was a wonderful experience to witness. The people of Bagarh view the woods as their home and not just a place where they can come and play, and that gives you a good feeling and makes you want to walk around the area quietly too.
The route between Bargarh and Bhatli is straightforward on the map. The drive from Bargarh to Bhatli to enter the forest will take you less than an hour. I advise that you start the trip early. You will need to bring some solid hiking boots because the ground may be rough and uneven; in addition, you should also bring an adequate supply of water and a small backpack to carry out any waste created by yourself while visiting the forest. If you are not sure where the path leads, I recommend that you do not explore deep into wooded areas by yourself. Find a suitable spot to sit on one of many natural benches formed by the rocks around the pool of water and just breathe. The only thing the forest expects from you is your peaceful presence.
