Koraput, in Odisha, has become popular for its diversity of culture and nature. It is also famous for its religious places like a lot of temples. This blend of nature and culture draws many tourists, national and international, to this place. It is not only a place worth visiting for its natural beauty but it reflects the traditional India brightly and proudly. It is known for being the heartland of the tribal community in the state.
Koraput is the third largest district in Odisha by geographical area. It is located in the Eastern Ghat and is mostly covered by dense forests and rugged mountains. The Kolab and Indravati rivers and their tributaries are the main drainage system. The district is the home of many tribal communities like Paraja, Gadaba, and Kandha. Koraput is famous for its various places that are popular as some of the most scenic picnic spots or tourist destinations.View Koraput on Google Maps
Top 10 Tourist Places in Koraput:
Below is a list of the top 10 tourist places that are best to be explored by visitors in Koraput –
1. Jagannath Temple, Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput
The beautiful Jagannath Temple is situated just one km from the district headquarters of Koraput. This is one of the most popular Jagannath Temples in Odisha called Sabara Srikhetra. It was constructed in 1972. All the rituals of the temple are carried out by pandit. The Ratha Yatra is linked to the “Saura” tribal who worship Lord Jagannath as their main deity. Sabara Srikhetra is one of the popular pilgrimages in Koraput district. The Chhera Pahanra is performed by a tribal villager, who is crowned as king for the day who performed the rituals and then the chariot is drawn towards Gundicha temple by devotes.
The Sabar Srikhetra Temple was built to spread the word about Jagannath’s consciousness the temple signifies oneness and does not distinguish between humans based on caste, creed, or religion and is open to every human being. It promotes tolerance and love for other religions as Lord Jagannath is a symbol of unity and humanitarianism rather than Sectarianism.
2. Maliguda Tunnel Bridge:
Maliguda Tunnel Bridge is located on the top hill of Maliguda village and is about 35 km from Jeypore and 50 km from Koraput town. It is India’s fourth-highest bridge gauge railway tunnel and stands at the top of the hill. The Maliguda Tunnel was constructed in collaboration with Japan. Trains snaking over the curves and entering the tunnel blowing the smoke give one of its kind of magnificent sight. A gorgeous waterfall flows under the tunnel, adding unbelievable beauty to the view.
The tunnel is a part of the Koraput-Kirandul railway line that runs through the Eastern Ghats, a mountainous range in this region. The tunnels have a depth of 60 meters, sharp curvatures of five degrees, and steep gradients. The surrounding tunnel is full of hills, waterfalls, and forests making it a picturesque landscape of Eastern Ghats and drawing a lot of tourists to this place. The Maliguda Tunnel Bridge is a marvel for engineering students.
3. Tribal Museum, Pujariput:
The Tribal Museum is located behind Sabar Srikhetra Jagannath Temple, Koraput. As Koraput is a tribal majority district, the effort is taken to promote the things like daily use of materials, culture, and traditions of these people. The museum is famous for holding collections of mines, musical instruments, costumes hand-woven clothes, etc. The efforts to educate tourists about the culture and heritage of these tribals are taken continuously. The students of art and culture can learn a lot from these beautiful things made locally.
This is the right place to give one, knowledge about tribals and their tools, and their living lifestyle. The Koraput Tribal Museum conducts various educational programs and workshops focused on tribal culture, history, and traditional crafts, aiming to promote and preserve the rich heritage of Odisha’s tribal communities.
4. Jalaput Dam:
The Jalaput Dam is located in Jalaput village near the Odisha-Andhra border and is around 77 km from Koraput town. Jalaput Reservoir is a tributary of the Godavari River, which is built on the Makkunda River and is a hydroelectric dam. The reservoir serves as the upper pond and the existing Balimela Dam serves as the tail pond for installing pumped-storage hydroelectricity units. The dam and the MHES are the joint projects of Odisha state and Andhra Pradesh. A lot of tourists visit here for a dam view during the winter season.it is one of the most popular tourist destinations and picnic spot in Koraput district.
Jalaput Dam is a captivating tourist attraction, known for its scenic beauty and serene environment. The vast reservoir surrounded by lush green hills makes this place a picturesque landscape, perfect for photographers and nature lovers. Duduma Falls, located nearby, is a magnificent waterfall on the Machkund River, only adding the natural charm to this area. The dam’s surroundings make it a perfect picnic spot for families and group tours. Birdwatchers will be delighted as the area around the reservoir attracts various bird species.
5. Nandapur Batrisa Singhasan:
Nandapur is located 30 km from Sunabeda and the old capital of King Jeypore. Nandapur is a unique place in Koraput district. This old capital of Jeypore was Estate ruled by the Suryavansi Kings. The Batrisa Singhasan gives rise to nostalgic memories of the golden period of King Suryavansis. Nandapur represents the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The Batrish Singhasan 32 steps to the throne, linked with the fabled throne of King Vikramaditya of Ujjain has been a major reason why tourists are drawn here. The throne has 32 steps leading to the Singhasan where the king is said to have delivered judgments, A 1.8-meter Ganesh Idol at the Ganesh Temple, and the Sarbaeswar shrine of Odishan style is a center of attraction.
The place is famous for medicinal herbs and sandal trees. The ruins of the historic mud wall that once surrounded this little township stand as a mute witness of glorious times in the past. The surrounding areas offer the tapestry of Odisha’s rich natural beauty, tribal culture, and history.
6. Sunabeda:
Sunabeda is located 18 km away from Koraput town. It is a typical tribal village surrounded by forests and hills. Sunabeda is a HAL base for manufacturing MIG fighter planes and Sukhoi aircraft used by the Indian Air Force. A deer park is situated inside the township along with the Biju Patnaik Museum of HAL situated adjacent to NH reflecting the history and achievements of the Navaratna public sector unit.
Sunabeda has a very old Jagannath Temple. Rath Yatra, Viswakarma Puja, and Dussehra are the main festivals of this place. Damanjodi also has stadiums, Tarini Temple, Mangala Temple, Gayatri Temple, Maa Santoshi Temple, Sai Temple, Shiva Temple, and Baba Biswanath worshipped in the place. Though it is mostly a religious place, a lot of tourists are attracted here due to its diverse geographical features.
This place is ideally equal for both tech-savvy and devotees since it is a great blend of science and culture. It is a calm place to enjoy nature and observe local wildlife in a well-maintained environment. A hilly region around Sunabeda offers scenic views, making it a wonderful destination for nature walks, photography, and relaxation. Sunabeda’s mix of industrial heritage, religious sites, and natural beauty makes it one of the most visited tourist spots in Koraput district.
7. Rani Duduma Waterfalls:
Rani Duduma Waterfall is located on the top of Nandapur Hill near Nandapur village, 26 km from Semiliguda and 45 km away from Koraput town. This is the most-opted picnic spot in the winter season by tourists. In winter, the waterfall is at its best, surrounded by dense forests, the environment is very calm attracting thousands of tourists here. Rani Duduma Waterfalls is the top tourist attraction and the best place in Koraput district.
The waterfall produces clean and cool water, which makes it sensational to bathe in. A beautiful park is also there to visit near the waterfall.
Rani Duduma Waterfalls is at about 60-70 feet in height making the cascade of water more scenic. Rani Duduma’s name indicates the “Queen’s Waterfall” and is said to have cultural and historical importance in the local tribal communities. The scenic sight of this wonderful waterfall makes photographers fall in love with it. Its panoramic beauty and surrounding landscape views are perfect for photography. To reach the waterfall, a short trek is required, adding a spice to trek lovers. The parking facility is made available for the tourist’s vehicles with nominal parking fees.
8. Ram Temple, Hanuman Statue, Dumuriput:
Dumuriput, 12 km from Koraput town and 7 km from Sunabeda is known for the Ram and Hanuman temple. Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman are worshipped in this temple. The famous Sri Ram Mandir is one of the main temples at this place. The place is also well-known for a huge Hanuman idol at the premises, the second-biggest Hanuman in the kneeling position in Odisha. The statue is one of more main attractions of the Koraput district.
This religious place celebrates the Ram Navami festival in temples that attract thousands of pilgrims and visitors to see this panoramic picturesque temple. This religious and important temple of Ram and Hanuman is the perfect place as a tourist destination for both nature lovers and devotees. The location of the village allows visitors to explore more spots around like hill stations, waterfalls, and tribal villages, getting to know more about the rich traditions of the region.
9. Jagannath Sagar Lake, Jeypore:
Jagannath Sagar Lake is located 22 km from Koraput and is a 255-year lake spread across 67 hectares of land. The lake was once used to fulfill the water needs of Jeypore and now has a beautiful amusement park on its west bank with an open pandal and boating bay with stone packing on the slope. With the amalgamated view of the mountain range, blue waters, and temples in the backdrop, the lake brings peace and solace to the viewer, especially nature lovers. They can connect themselves emotionally with this peace with their inner peace.
The jagannath Sagar Lake is the biggest man-made lake of Odisha and it dates back to over 300 years in Koraput. The amusement park and gardens are developed on both sides of the lake by the Odisha Tourist Department. These parks and gardens are perfect spots for picnics and strolls with beautiful landscapes. Jagannath Sagar Lake has boating facilities that tourists can avail and enjoy the pleasure of the beautiful lake. The surrounding area has temples and cultural landmarks that show the heritage of Odisha and add spiritual dimensions.
10. Palmetum & Patadevi Danger Ecotourist Park:
Palmetum Park is located on the hill of Patadevi Danger, 2 km away from Koraput town. This park consists of different types of fruits and flower trees. The top of Palmetum Park offers a magnificent view of Koraput city, the hills, and the coffee garden. This beautiful park has a fruit garden, Palmetum, Bambusetum, Pine Park, Spicy Orchard, and a flower garden.
The top of the park has a huge stone statue of Maa Patadevi. This park offers the most desirable peace after spending some time at. The park administration charges a nominal entry fee per person which is easily affordable for poor people too. The major attractions of the park are cement birds, animal sculptures, and wooden-looking benches. Palmetum Ecotourist Forest Park offers the best opportunity for photographers and is one of the most sought places for evening strolls.
The above 10 tourist places are the top most in the Koraput and tourists from all over the world want to visit because of their charm and calmness during peak winter season. Promoting the local tribal talent and encouraging them to get acknowledgment from the people is just with the principles of humanitarianism and to enhance their earnings.
1. Which is the best time to visit Koraput?
Koraput gives the vibes of calmness and spirituality at its best during the winter season. Winter, hence, is the best time to visit Koraput.
2. Is Koraput well-connected to major cities in Odisha?
Yes, Koraput is very well-connected to other main cities. Tourists can reach here by road, train, or air. It is one of the famous districts in Odisha for its culture and tribes.
3. What does the Koraput district have as natural beauty?
Koraput is rich in natural beauty in the form of rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and dense forests. The tourists visit here mainly to enjoy nature and offer prayers at different temples.
4. What is the famous food of Koraput?
Mandia Tampa is a famous dish of Koraput. It is a finger millet porridge made with grounded ragi and broken rice.
5. Are there any trekking opportunities in Koraput?
Yes, Koraput is a trekking paradise. The Deomali hills offer excellent trekking routes with varying difficulty levels. Local guides are available to assist you on your trekking adventure, ensuring your safety and providing insights into the region’s biodiversity.
