Daringbadi

Etymology

Daringbadi which at first seems a peculiar name for a hill station is nothing short of natural beauty. During the colonial rule, a British officer named Daring Saheb was in charge of this place and soon it started to be known after his name with the addition of Badi meaning village. More than half of the population of Daringbadi comprises of tribal and indigenous people who have been living in this place for a very long time. They have rich heritage with unique dance, music and cuisine.

Places to See

Even though the Hill station encompasses a small space, there are plenty of attractions to visit in and around Daringbadi if you want to add a little adventure to your trip. Almost 71% of this place is covered with forests, so a trek in these forests is a must to relish the gifts of nature.

Belghar Sanctuary

Belghar Sanctuary which is at a distance of mere 50 km from Daringbadi is a habitat for myriad flora and flora including some of the rare and endangered species. The long tusked wild elephants are the charm of this place which can easily be spotted roaming around freely. There are also amazing wooden bungalows from the British Era which are a must visit.

Kotagarh Sanctuary

Another sanctuary to visit is Kotagarh Sanctuary which is situated in Baliguda. It is around 50 km away from Daringbadi but you will be able to spot a lot of animals like tigers, animals, spotted deer, gaur, sambar, peafowl and reptiles.

Hill Park View

If you wish to take in the beauty of this place all at once, Hill park view is the place where you can get a bird eyes view of the whole Daringbadi and even some of its neighboring places. Plus, witnessing sunrise and sunset from this place will surely be a treat to your eyes and soul. There are more than 200 churches in and around Daringbadi. Make sure to visit some of them and if you are there on Sunday, attend the prayer in the morning with the local people.

Local Market or ‘Hatt”

If you are a shopaholic or want to buy some souvenirs to take back home, make sure to take a trip to the Local Market or ‘Haat’ which is set up every Sunday from 10 am to 3pm from where you can buy the local and tribal items. You can even buy fresh coffee, turmeric and black pepper which are cultivated in Daringbadi itself.

Turmeric Gardens, Coffee and Black Pepper Plantations

Not to stop at that, you can also explore turmeric gardens, coffee and black pepper plantations which are maintained by the Forest Department of Daringbadi. You can even have a picnic in these plantations. But you need to take permission from the Forest Department before proceeding to explore these plantations. There is also an herbal garden through which you can take a walk and learn about various herbal medicinal plants.

Waterfalls and Rivers

Daringbadi also has waterfalls in abundance. Daringbadi Waterfall, Badangia Waterfall, Putudi Waterfall, Ludu Waterfall to name a few. Putudi Waterfall is one of the famous waterfalls in Odisha and is located in the forests adjacent to Daringbadi. To visit Putudi Waterfall you need the help of a guide because it is hidden in the less explored part of the forest. All of these waterfalls are open not only for visits but you can also have a legit picnic in its surrounding. Imagine yourself having food in this serene atmosphere surrounded by trees with the soft sound of water gushing in the background. You can even visit the two famous rivers in Odisha. Rushikulya River which stems from the slopes of hills located in Daringbadi and is surrounded by pristine natural beauty. Doluri River is also located near Daringbadi which is an ideal picnic spot.Daringbadi has all the qualities of an ideal hill station; beautiful natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, sprouting waterfalls and rivers, coffee and pepper plantations to get lost in. It is a perfect place to visit and rejuvenate your body and soul. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book your tickets and plunge in to have a relaxing as well as an adventurous vacation.