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Home , Bhuban, Dhenkanal, Dhenkanal district, Kamakhyanagar, Saptasajya

Orissa Review * April-May - 2009

Fresh Light on the Tourism Development of District

Prof. Nityananda Mishra

Introduction Tourism Background of Tourism at the district, state, national and Tourism development of Dhenkanal may international levels has acquired greater be discussed in its geographical and historical significance now-a-days because it (a) promotes contexts. economic growth (b) earns foreign exchange Geographical Background (c) promotes trade and commerce (d) caters to the sports and adventure interests (e) provides The District of Dhenkanal, situated in the entertainment and (f) highlights the cultural glory central part of Orissa provides a link corridor and social excellence. between coastal Orissa and western Orissa. The district shares common borders with in Concept of Tourism the south, in the east, in the west The concept of tourism changes from time and Keonjhar in the north. It is connected by road to time. It embraces traditional items, such as (NH-42) with Cuttack and and by (a) cultural tourism relating to temples, shrines, rail (East coast) with Cuttack, Bhubanewar and heritage sites, royal palace and architectural Sambalpur. The District is unique for its land and marvels and (b) eco-tourism relating to sea beach, climate, flora and fauna, ethnic varieties, eco- river mouth, hill stations, landscapes, gardens, systems, scenic beauty of lush green and sylvan waterfalls. Modern tourism has many faces such forest, hills and mountains and rivers and springs. as (a) entertainment tourism, (b) sports and It is famous for its igneous and metamorphic rocks adventure tourism, (c) science tourism (science of the and for its Gandawana centres, Planetorium, natural history parks), deposits such as sandstone, boulder beds and red (d) knowledge tourism (relating to museum, clay. archive, library and IT park), (e) health tourism Historical Background (relating to sanatorium, super specialist hospitals, nature cure centres and meditation resorts), Dhenkanal District has rich tradition and (f) trade and business tourism (relating to craft history from Paleolithic times. It saw the evolution mela, trade fair, handicraft exhibition), (g) patriotic of modern state craft out of the tribe-clan- tourism and (h) conservation tourism (relating to administration of the non Aryan people and the national parks, animal sanctuary and bio-diversity rules of the royal dynasties and princely rulers. It parks). witnessed powerful resistance movement (1780)

53 Orissa Review * April-May - 2009 against the Marathas and peoples movement Joranda - It needs (a) Panthanivas (b) A research (Praja Mandala Movement, 1938-1948) against centre on (c) A small museum. the despotic rule in order to secure freedom and (B) Identification of Potential Tourist representative government. Tides of religious movements (Saivism, Saktism and Vaisnavism) Complexes : swept through this land, leaving behind a number An attempt has been made in this paper to of temples, architectural and cultural beauties and identify some of the potential tourist destination famous religious shrines. The district gave to the of the district. They are discussed below : world of religions and philosophy an indigenous religious reform movement called Mahima 1. - Chhadesh Tourist Complex. Dharma which preached fundamental human It may comprise (a) Saptasajya group of values. temples (b) Eco-system (c) Its natural sites In short, the history and culture of the district (d) Tala Matha (e) Sadei Berini craft village represent finer aspects of life such as song and (f) Chasa Pada Paschimeswar Temple group dance, music and drama, art and craft, (g) Kumbheswar Temple of Deopada (h) Brass architecture and sculpture as well as education and bell metal work of village Aukhama (i) and literature, both at the classical and folk levels. Navami Fair at Saptasajya. Some new facilities Action Plan for Tourism Development such as a bio-diversity park, a small zoo, a horticulture and flori-culture resource centre and The tourist wealth and tourist infrastructure a Pantha Nivas may be added to upgrade this inherited from the pre-independence times has beautiful tourist complex. been considered to be good by scholars. The pace of tourism development during post independence 2. Dhenkanal Town tourist complex. era has been viewed as tardy and slow. In order It may include all the temples in and around to make good of the hosts an integrated action Dhenkanal town, royal palace, IIMS, Regional plan envisaging in it a vision document is the Science Centre, Sports Complex, District demand of the time. The vision document has to Museum and Bhagirathi Sagar. New provisions make a simultaneous drive in three directions as such as a swimming pool, a lawn tennis court, an discussed below. Institute of Tourism and Heritage Management (A) Upgradation of the Existing Tourist and an Academy of Martial Art (Paika Dance) Destination may be added to the complex. The existing tourist destinations of the 3. Nadhara tourist complex district are (a) Kualo in sub- division (b) Kapilas and (c) Joronda - both in It may include the famous shrine of Sadar sub-division. These destinations need Ramachandi, Harihara Statue, Hadagada Old fort upgradation by adding new and innovative tourists area, Bhim Nagari old fort area, the nearby gorge interests such as : Kualo - This destination needs of , the Saanda village group of (a) Pantha Nivas (b) A small museum (c) A park temples on the other side of the river Brahmani Kapilash - It needs (a) Light and sound systems and Jivan Khol a nice picnic spot. A children (b) Rope way (c) A trekking institute (d) A bio- entertainment park of the type of diversity park (e) A herbal garden. Nicco Park may be added to this complex.

54 Orissa Review * April-May - 2009

4. Nagana - Annakotiswar Tourist complex Soil conservation Department - It has to develop scenic spots like Shyamali and Haladiabahal. It may comprise Annakotiswar temple (Latadeipur), Naganatheswar temple (Nagana), Forest Department - It has to develop beautiful Daudeswar ruined temple, Karmul old fort area, forest sports such as Biradia and others. Ahswakhola and Ganesh Khola. Department of Culture - It has to provide support 5. Ladagada - Hindol Tourist Complex to Paika dance, Laudi dance and tribal folk dances. It may comprise temples and shrines in and Horticulture Department - It has to develop plant around Hindol town, Nandinia forest - hill range, and floriculture resource centres. nearby minor irrigation dam site and Karanda spring. A bio-diversity park and a bird sanctuary Endowment Department - It has to develop the may be developed in this complex. shrines of the major and minor deities. 6. - Ramial tourist complex The Panchyatiraj Department - The Grampanchyats have to develop the shrines of It may include temples in an around the village deities in rural areas upto tourist Bhuban, Nilakanthapur Baji Rout memorial, standard. Balada Jatra Festival of Bhuban and famous brass Conclusion : and bell metal works of Bhuban Village. The development of tourism has to take 7. Kamakhyanagar - Parjang Tourist place with the confluence of nature and culture complex and with the synergy of old world charms and It may include temples at Tentulisingha, new world glamours. Connectivity of roads, rail has to be developed upto national standard. A Sundarakhola mountain peak, Sinduramundi helipad may be developed near the headquarter water fall, Dandadhara medium irrigation town of Dhenkanal in order to promote tourist reservoir, Dadaraghata minor irrigation project traffic coming from outside the state. Package site, Ramiala project dam site and Saranga tours to different tourist destinations shall have to Anantasayi Bishnu statue. The Anantapur forest be promoted for internal tourists. The funding range may be developed as an animal sanctuary agencies such as state and central govts., shall for the protection of the elephants. have to take along with themselves private players Dandadhar reservoir may be developed as such as enterprising businessmen, generous public, benevolent trusts and NGOs in the process a bird sanctuary. The tribal art and the tribal folk of investments in the tourism sector of the district. dances of Kankadahad - Patharakata areas may Above all, the proactive roles of a constructive also figure prominently in this complex. public opinion (to place demands on tourism (C) Development of a Tourism Hinterland developments), a dynamic and responsive district administration as well as a strong political Apart from the upgradation of the existing leadership of the district must combine together tourist destination and identification of potential to work vigorously for the tourism development tourist complexes, a third front may be opened of the district. for the development of tourism. This front is to create a wider tourism hinterland at the grass root level. This may be developed with the support of Prof. Nityananda Mishra lives at Santichhaya, the sister departments as discussed below. Shyamacharanpur, Dhenkanal.

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