The Kandhamal district of Odisha is rich in natural beauty which is unparalleled and cannot be described in words. From the sky-scrapping mountains to the serene forest and the breathtakingly beautiful Rivers, this district has it all and features some of the top sightseeing options for visitors.
The district houses Daringbadi, the Kashmir of Odisha. Yet, besides natural beauty, Kandhamal has also got a place in the books of mythology. A number of legends are found associated with this place. The Rushikulya River originated from this district. As per researchers, Rushimala hill is the place from where originates the Rushikulya River. Kalinga TV Digital reached here at ground zero. A report.
Rushikulya River
The Rushikulya River covers the entire catchment area in the districts of Kandhamal and Ganjam in Odisha. The Rushikulya originates from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’. It meets the Bay of Bengal at Puruna Bandha in Ganjam. Its tributaries are the Baghua, the Dhanei and the Badanadi etc. It has no delta as such at its mouth.
In the Ganjam district, this River flows through Surada, Dharakote, Asika, Pitala, Purusottampur, Taratarini, Pratappur, Alladigam, Brahmapur, Ganjam and the Chhatrapur block. The river is 165 km long with a total catchment area of 7700 km.
Place of origin of Rushikulya
The place of origin of the Rushikulya River, where Kalinga TV Digital team visited, is 200 km away from the district headquarters of Kandhamal, i.e. Phulbani. This place is at a distance of 45 km from Daringbadi.
How to Go
On the way to Bramhani village take a left turn at the Meramaha Chowk and after 30 km reach Tamangi village. From here, Rushimala Hill begins.
Natural beauty on the way to the hill
The ghat road begins from Tamangi village. While travelling on this road sky scrapping and picturesque hills can be witnessed on both sides of the road. Besides, the aerial view of Tribal hamlets from atop the hills is a treat for the eyes.
In the summer the heat of forest fire can be felt here. And during winter the fog covered tall mountain peaks and the sight of sunrays’ beams falling on the ground coming from in between the tall trees of the dense forest creates a mesmerising environment.
That apart, water drops falling from tall teak trees, natural fountains, herbal plants and the chirping of birds heightens the beauty of this place. And in the evening the scene of the birds returning to their nest is enthralling. The feel here is like heaven. Rushimala Hill is amid all these gifts of nature from where originates the Rushikulya River.
Rushikulya in Mythology
It is said that from the very early days of creation, this place has been known by the name Bindusara Tirtha (pilgrimage site), the oldest of all the tirthas. Besides, the Rushimala Hill is known as the Mahabaruni Tirtha Kshetra.
Lord Shiva is being worshipped here in the shape of Shivalinga. There are many caves here. Pilgrims visit here across the year. Especially during the famous Baruni Mela in the month of Chaitra, this place witnesses a large number of footfalls. At that time many people from the neighbouring districts of Gajapati, Rayagada, Ganjam, Koraput, Nayagarh, Khordha and Puri visit here to take a holy bath. During the Varunei mela, worship, Asta prahari, pitru Shraddha, tonsuring of the head etc. go on here.
Legend
As per the Hindu mythological book Vishnu Puran, Lord Vishnu created Lord Bramha about 96 thousand crore years ago. Later, Bramha prayed to Vishnu to create a horizon and the process began.
Out of the ear wax of Lord Vishnu, two demons named Madhu and Kaitav took birth. They passed time playing in the deep water of the ocean. As they grew up many queries came up to their mind like, what is the base of the water that is giving them so much joy, who created all this water, who is our creator etc. And they decided to get the answers to all these queries.
The two demons heard a message from the ‘Sunyabani’ and accordingly started tough meditation. They chanted mantra. After a long time, they could please the Goddess and got the blessings of ‘Swechha mrutyu’ (death at will) from her.
After getting the blessings the demons became fearless and proud. They started fighting. And even the demons did not hesitate to even fight with Lord Vishnu, their creator.
During a recess of this Great War, Lord Vishnu said to the two demons that he has become pleased to fight with them and offered them wishes. However, out of pride, the two demons replied that they don’t want any wish, rather Lord should pray to them if he has any wish.
With this, Lord Vishnu asked them that their death should be in the hands of Lord Vishnu. And the fool demons granted that wish. The result was within no time they were killed by Lord Vishnu.
Following their slain, their huge bodies remained lying in the sea and out of their ‘meda’ (fat) of their body ‘medini’ (earth) came into existence. The length of this medini is 4000 ‘kosha’ which means 8000 miles.
After the creation of the Medini, 9 Bramharshis took birth from the body of Lord Bramha. They are – Pulaha, Pulastya, Kartu, Atri, Angira, Basistha, Marichi, Atharbana and Bhrugu. These sages are also called prajap
atigana.
Back then there was only ocean and hence to get sweet water these Rishis prayed to Lord Varuna, the water God. They wanted to perform a yagnya, to invite Varun Dev to put in their request.
Accordingly, they performed the yagnya. Pleased by their worship, Lord Varuna Dev surfaced and asked them to put their wish. They prayed to provide sweet water because the salty water of the ocean was not of any use. God granted their prayer and on the 13th day in the dark fortnight of the Chaitra month, sweet water oozed out of the yagnya place. This is called Varuni Yagnya as per the name of Lord Varuna. This yagnya has been claimed as the first-ever yagnya in Martya.
The yagnyakunda started to get filled with water drops when automatically a natural Shivalinga surfaced there. And hence, the water moved upwards and then downwards to become a River. This process is called Kulya. As per the Rishis and the process ‘Kulya’, the River that came into being was named as Rushikulya. And since then on the above-mentioned day of the year, the Varunei Yagnya gets organised here to commemorate the maiden yagnya of the universe.
Besides the above episode, this place has also been described to have been associated to other mythological times. During their hermitage, Lord Shree Ram, Laxman and Goddess Seeta had stayed here for a small stint. The Seetakunda is evidence of this.
Also, it is said that in the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna visited here at the age of 10 along with his family.
Even, the Pandavas had spent some time here.
In the Kali-yuga, when it comes to ancient Odisha history, it is said that many Puri Kings had visited this place for festivals. Gajapati Kapilendra Dev, Purusottama Dev, Pratap Rudra De, Badakhemundi king Anangabhima Dev, Adikanda Dev and Nalini Kanta Dev had come here at different times and showed their devotion to God.
Although this is an ancient glorious place, so far it is little known. As of now, Odisha Govt through the local administration has initiated the road work to this place so that devotees can visit here without much hassle. The administrative officers have assured that in the coming days, all other facilities and arrangements will be made for the devotees.
The locals have demanded to develop Rushimaala Hill as a prominent tourist destination.
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