If you keep driving inside the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, you will notice how the trees seem to form a thick green curtain around you. This is the place where the Mahanadi River breaks through the hills. However, there is another secret tucked in the hills nearby. This is the Bhim Dhara region. If you want to locate Bhim Dhara, you have to find the water body on the edge of the forest. It is a natural pool delicately beaten into the rocky jungle floor. Why this place?
The locals tell that way back in time, when the Pandava brothers were hiding in the forest, the strong Bhima made a deep hole because of which water came out for his brothers. That is why the location is also called Bhimkund Angul. Some people on the inside believe that the water here will never dry up as it is constantly replenished by the heart of the earth.
The Bhim Dhara waterfall is a sight that compels you to stop and listen. It is a beautiful waterfall in Angul which falls from a height into a deep, rocky pool. The terrain here is very rugged. Huge rocks are lying scattered like toy marbles abandoned by a giant. When the water strikes the rocks, it produces a white mist that has the scent of wet moss and old stone. I recall a visit on a quiet Monday in November. The noise from the falling water was so overpowering it completely drowned my thoughts. It is quite a scary feeling to stand so near to such power. You get the spray on your face and realize that this Angul waterfall has been chanting the same song for thousands of years.
There is a strong sense of awe towards nature in this part of the forest. The indigenous people and rangers here hardly ever speak. They simply use a slight nod or a few hand movements to indicate the way. They behave as if they are strangers in the home of a tiger. This is a place where you should not bring loud music or plastic bags. It is a place where you step very lightly. To reach here, you have to think about the Angul to Tikarpada route that is approximately 60 kilometers. The road is twisting and can be very uneven. However, as you approach Bhimkund from Angul, the atmosphere becomes more refreshing. Perhaps, you will spot a giant squirrel running through the treetops or hear the far, off sound of an elephant trumpet.
If you really want to experience the waterfall in Angul at its fullest, visit the place right after the monsoons in October or November. Since the way may be slippery, put on a pair of shoes that have a very good grip. What I would do is to have a stick with me to support my walking on the rough stone paths. Always stick to the marked byways because the jungle is very dense and you can easily get lost. Don’t venture alone; get a local guide who is familiar with the forest and its moods. Spend at least an hour sitting by the water. Don’t take too many pictures. Just let the tranquility of the forest pass through you.
