Daringbadi: A Paradise In Tribal Hinterland

Daringbadi: A Paradise In Tribal Hinterland

Daringbadi is a gift of nature to Odisha. This pristine hill station is located in Kandhamal district. The quaint little village has earned the sobriquet of ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ because it is the only place in the State where snowfall is recorded in winters. 

The place is named after a British officer Daring who was posted there and ‘badi’ means home or village in the local dialect. This beautiful paradise is situated at a height of 3000 metres above sea level. Daringbadi is surrounded by beautiful valleys and plateaus that are dotted with coffee gardens, black pepper and turmeric plantations. It is famous for its extremely superior quality of organic turmeric which has earned a GI tag. 

The majority of the population here are tribals who rely on agriculture to eke out a living. Here, you can get a glimpse of the lives of the tribes of Kutia Kondh and Dongria Kondh that dominate the Daringbadi-Belghar belt. These people have lived here for thousands of years and still follow many of their traditional practices in everyday life. They are traditionally hunter-gatherers who practice slash and burn agriculture. The Kondhs have their own language which is known as Kui or Kuvi and have been identified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribes.

Where To Stay?

One can book a stay at Daringbadi Nature Camp which has ten cottages that provide all the basic modern facilities for a comfortable stay in the lap of nature. These cottages are located on a hilltop surrounded by lush green pine forests. The Nature Camp has employed the people of Kutia Kondh tribe as part of the Eco-tour initiative of the Government of Odisha. 

Since the establishment of the nature camp, the number of tourists has increased from 540 (night stays at the camp) in 2017-18 to 2280 in 2019-20. This has resulted in the rise in revenue from Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 58 lakhs in the same period. Many private resorts and hotels have also come up in the last few years since there has been a significant inflow of tourists.

Places Of Attraction

Some of the must-visit places nearby are the emu farm at Dadadada where you can enjoy the beauty of this majestic bird, the Dadadada Lover’s Point where you can get a glimpse of the beauty of mountainous streams gushing through giant black prehistoric rocks and the Mudubandha Waterfall which is a delightful place devoid of large crowds. A visit to the nearby Nature Park, which is developed by Baliguda Forest Division, is an unmissable experience. It has a Butterfly Park, a Medicinal Plant Garden and beautiful displays of Kutia Kondh lifestyle. It also has an elephant awareness corner and a 3D theatre. 

One can trek along the banks of Rushikulya river and enjoy the bliss of nature besides taking a morning or afternoon hike in the nearby coffee plantations. While you are here, do not miss out on the Belghar Nature Camp and Wildlife Sanctuary famous for its long tusked elephants. 

Food To Try

Rice being the staple food in the region, one must try some of the rice-based delicacies like chaula (rice in Odia) bara, chaula pampada and chaula khiri. Also, the mutton available in this region tastes and smells out of this world, simply because the goats here are not farmed. They are raised on natural vegetation. 

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Daringbadi is between November and March. This beautiful hill station of Odisha is a treat to the senses for nature, tribal and cultural tourists. 

Things To Do

There are a number of activities that one can participate here which include birding, guided treks and jungle safaris. 

How To Reach?

Daringbadi is located 252 km away from Bhubaneswar. The nearest railway station is at Berhampur which is 140 km away and the nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar. From here, one can take a cab to reach Daringbadi.

While visiting this picturesque hill station, one can take multiple routes from Berhampur to enjoy the vistas. The wide winding roads devoid of traffic are breathtaking. One can reach Daringbadi from Berhampur via Sorada (NH 59) which is 120 km or via Bhanjanagar-G Udayagiri (NH 117) which is almost 180 km. One can also reach the hill station via Mohana-Bramhanidam route which is 145 km.