Nabarangpur — Travel Guide
Nabarangpur, a historic tribal heritage center, home to traditional lacquer craft artisans, sacred Shakti shrine of Maa Bhandargharani, and reservoir gateway along the Indravati and Turi rivers in the Eastern Ghats, is an active travel destination in the southern highlands of Odisha.
Located along National Highway 26 at an elevation of 582 meters in the Dandakaranya plateau, it sits 40 km north of railway town Jeypore, 65 km northwest of district junction Koraput, 85 km northeast of airport city Jagdalpur, and 260 km south of state capital Raipur.
Morning mountain breezes down the sal and teak forests carry the aroma of freshly cooked Mandia Jau bubbling in earthenware pots, spicy Machha Besara with mustard and garlic, sautéed bamboo shoots (Kardi Bhaja), roasted Poda Pitha, and sweet brewing ginger tea.
Forested Eastern Ghat hills, ancient stone inscriptions, wide river reservoirs, and lively weekly tribal haats frame this culturally rich southern district.
Nabarangpur is famous for the presiding deity Maa Bhandargharani Temple, ancient 5th century rock inscriptions of the Nala Dynasty at Podagarh Hill Fort, the vast Khatiguda Indravati Dam reservoir, the historic 1942 Quit India martyrs memorial at Papadahandi, and world renowned hand painted lacquer crafts.
It's a practical stop if you want to discover authentic indigenous handicrafts, explore early medieval hill fort ruins, view scenic forest waterfalls, and taste wholesome Odia tribal food along the Odisha Chhattisgarh highway route.
The surrounding Nabarangpur and Dandakaranya region holds centuries of history shaped by the ancient Nala kings, Ganga rulers, Jeypore kings, and brave tribal freedom fighters who fought British colonial rule. From the stone caves of Podagarh to the quiet ghats of Papadahandi on the Turi River, you'll discover rewarding stops throughout the area.
Local life centers around agriculture, forest produce collection, and lacquer toy making. You can offer morning prayers at Maa Bhandargharani Temple, explore tribal weekly markets in rural villages, and eat traditional meals of finger millet porridge with curd, country fish curry, and sweet Chhena Poda.
Neighboring destinations like Koraput, Jeypore, and Malkangiri offer coffee plantations, Gupteswar cave temples, and Duduma waterfall cascades. Adding Nabarangpur to your itinerary works well for eco tourists, culture lovers, and road trippers exploring the Eastern Ghats.
You can hike up Podagarh hill at dawn and watch the sunset over Khatiguda Dam by dusk. The journey is worth every minute. Nabarangpur provides an authentic, peaceful, and culturally rich Odisha travel experience.
Planning your trip around the colorful Chaitra Parba festival, the annual Maha Shivaratri at Papadahandi, or winter sightseeing will give you the best experience across Odisha. Here is the seasonal breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (October to March): The best travel window. Daytime temperatures stay between 14°C and 28°C with crisp mountain breezes and clear blue skies, ideal for exploring Podagarh hill fort, visiting waterfalls, and shopping for lacquer crafts.
• Monsoon Season (July to September): Heavy rainfall turns the Eastern Ghats hills green and fills Khatiguda Dam to full capacity.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm with daytime temperatures reaching 39°C. Morning visits work best.
Major Annual Cultural & Tribal Celebrations
• Chaitra Parba & Maa Bhandargharani Jatra: Grand tribal spring festival celebrated with traditional Desia folk dances, animal mask rituals, and community feasts.
• Maha Shivaratri (Papadahandi & Kelia): Massive annual pilgrimage fair drawing thousands of devotees for all night Shiva prayers along the Turi River.
• Ratha Jatra & Gundicha Yatra: Celebrated in Nabarangpur with thousands pulling the sacred wooden chariot of Lord Jagannath through main street.
• Mondei Festival (District Cultural Utsav): Annual winter festival showcasing indigenous tribal music, Dokra casting, lacquer art, and Odia folk heritage.
What Nabarangpur is Famous For
• Lacquer Craft (Lakkha): Traditional hand painted boxes, bangles, and toys.
• Maa Bhandargharani Temple: Sacred guardian Shakti shrine.
• Podagarh Hill Fort: Ancient 5th century capital of the Nala Dynasty.
Reaching Nabarangpur in Odisha is simple because National Highway 26, State Highway 39, and regional railway junctions connect directly to Jeypore, Koraput, Jagdalpur, and Raipur. Here is your transit guide:
By Air
• Jeypore Airport (PYB): Located 42 km south of Nabarangpur (approx 1 hour drive via NH 26).
• Jagdalpur Airport (JGB): Located 85 km southwest in Chhattisgarh.
• Swami Vivekananda Airport (RPR), Raipur: Located 260 km north (approx 5.5 hours drive via NH 26 / NH 30).
• Airport Transfers: Private rental taxis and state transport buses connect Jeypore, Jagdalpur, and Raipur airports directly to Nabarangpur.
By Train
• Nearest Railway Stations: Jeypore Railway Station (Station Code: JYP) is 40 km south and Koraput Junction (Code: KRPU) is 65 km southeast on the East Coast Railway network.
• Nearby Major Hub: Jagdalpur Station (Code: JDB) is 85 km southwest.
• Connecting Trains: Hirakhand Express, Samaleswari Express, and Visakhapatnam Kirandul Express link Jeypore and Koraput directly to Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, and Visakhapatnam.
By Road
• National Highway 26: Major highway linking Borigumma, Nabarangpur, Bhawanipatna, and Raipur.
• State Highway 39: Connects Nabarangpur west to Papadahandi, Umerkote, and Raighar.
• Bus Services: Odisha State Road Transport (OSRTC) and private deluxe coaches run regular express buses between Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, and Nabarangpur daily.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws & Town Jeeps: Shared auto rickshaws and private rental jeeps operate continuously between Nabarangpur bus stand, Khatiguda Dam, and Papadahandi.
• Rental Taxis: Local cabs provide convenient full day excursions covering Podagarh Fort, Khatiguda Dam, Chandandhara Waterfalls, and Maa Bhandargharani Temple.
Exploring local tribal craft emporiums and tasting authentic Southern Odisha culinary specialties is an enjoyable part of visiting Odisha. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Lacquer Toys, Terracotta & Millets)
• Nabarangpur Traditional Lacquerware (Lakkha): Beautifully decorated wooden boxes, jewelry caskets, bangles, and toy animals coated with natural insect lacquer.
• Dokra Lost Wax Bell Metal Figurines: Tribal brass figurines depicting musicians, dancers, horses, and forest deities cast by local metal artisans.
• Handcrafted Terracotta Pottery: Burnished red clay cookware, decorative pots, and storage urns.
• Organic Finger Millet (Mandia) & Minor Forest Produce: Nutrient rich ragi flour, wild raw forest honey, and dried mahua flowers.
• Handwoven Kotpad Tribal Cotton Textiles: Vegetable dyed natural cotton sarees and shawls woven with traditional tribal motifs.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Nutritious Mandia Jau: Traditional finger millet porridge cooked with buttermilk and roasted cumin, eaten as a cooling summer staple.
• Spicy Machha Besara: Fresh Indravati river fish cooked in aromatic mustard and garlic gravy, garnished with green chilies.
• Kardi Bhaja (Bamboo Shoot Fry): Tender seasonal bamboo shoots sautéed with mustard seeds, green chilies, and local herbs.
• Traditional Poda Pitha: Slow baked rice and black gram cake flavored with cardamom, grated coconut, and jaggery.
• Sweet Chhena Poda: Caramelized fresh cottage cheese cake baked to a golden crust with sugar and cardamom.
Must-Visit Places in Nabarangpur
Nabarangpur and the surrounding Eastern Ghats forest valleys offer sacred Shakti temples, 5th century medieval hill forts, scenic river reservoirs, and cascading forest waterfalls. Here are the top attractions to visit during your stay.
1. Maa Bhandargharani Temple (Presiding Shakti Peetha)
The historic spiritual shrine in central Nabarangpur dedicated to the guardian goddess of the region, drawing thousands of devotees during Chaitra Parba and Dussehra.
Visiting Hours: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located in central Nabarangpur town.
2. Historic Podagarh (Podagada) Hill Fort & Inscriptions
The ancient capital of the 5th century Nala Dynasty tucked into forested hills, featuring rock inscriptions of King Skandavarman, ancient caves, and Bhairav temple ruins.
Visiting Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free entry
Route Note: Located 52 km northwest near Umerkote.
3. Khatiguda Indravati Dam & Hydroelectric Reservoir
A massive masonry and earthfill dam constructed across the Indravati River, surrounded by forested hills and offering scenic picnic areas.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free viewpoint access
Route Note: Located 20 km east in Khatiguda.
4. Papadahandi Shiva Temple & Sahid Smruti Stamba
An ancient Shaiva shrine on the Turi Riverbanks and a historic martyrs memorial commemorating 19 freedom fighters who fell during the 1942 Quit India movement.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located 12 km north in Papadahandi.
5. Chandandhara Cascading Forest Waterfall
A scenic waterfall tumbling over natural granite rock formations in the Jharigaon block, featuring a naturally formed stone Shivalinga.
Visiting Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free public access
Route Note: Located 45 km north in Jharigaon.
6. Hirli Dhangri Hilltop Eco Park & Watchtower
A landscaped hilltop recreational park on the town outskirts offering a panoramic watchtower, children play areas, and views over the Turi river valley.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily
Entry Fee: Nominal entry ticket
Route Note: Located 3 km from Nabarangpur town.
7. Ancient Jagannath Temple of Nabarangpur
An 18th century temple complex built by local rulers, celebrated for its annual Gundicha Yatra, massive wooden chariot car festival, and daily mahaprasad.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located in old town Nabarangpur.
8. Kelia Shiva Temple & Natural Spring Waterfall
An ancient forest shrine situated beside a perennial natural mountain stream, surrounded by dense sal trees and sacred rock caverns.
Visiting Hours: Daylight hours
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located 28 km from Nabarangpur.
9. Nabarangpur Lacquer Craft (Lakkha) Workshops
Artisan cottage centers where skilled women craft natural lacquer decorated wooden boxes, bamboo containers, bangles, and animal figurines.
Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free craft studio entry
Route Note: Located in artisan lanes of Nabarangpur.
10. Bhairaghumar Waterfall & Forest Stream
A quiet forest waterfall tucked into the Eastern Ghats hills, popular among local travelers for peaceful nature walks and weekend outings.
Visiting Hours: Daylight hours
Entry Fee: Free public access
Route Note: Located in Chandahandi block.
11. Indravati Forest Reserve & Wildlife Eco Trails
Deciduous forest corridors hosting spotted deer, wild boars, peacocks, flying squirrels, and diverse medicinal tree species.
Visiting Hours: Daylight hours
Entry Fee: Free forest trails
Route Note: Located along Indravati river basin.
12. Nabarangpur Weekly Tribal Haat & Produce Mandi
A lively open air bazaar where indigenous tribal farmers trade organic millets, wild honey, fresh mahua flowers, and handcrafted terracotta pottery.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (weekly market days)
Entry Fee: Free market access
Route Note: Located at Haat Ground, Nabarangpur.
Nabarangpur Photo Gallery & Attractions
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