Well, the wedding season is around the corner again and this time, it is my friend getting hitched with his lady love. So, there I was, planning for the big day, months before. Not only a friend’s wedding brings a lot of new clothes and goodies, but it also brings the joy of going on a vacation, the much-needed break from the daily hustle and bustle. So, I and the rest of the other friends gathered and set off to make some noise in the much-awaited wedding, scheduled in Bhawanipatna – a small city and the district headquarter of the Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Odisha.

Luckily, we had a day off from the busy marriage schedule so we decided to explore. This idea was like a cherry on the cake, as I noticed a photograph of a waterfall named ‘Phurli Jharan’on the last page of the room service menu catalog, provided in each room where the ‘Baratis’ (a fun word used to describe the groom’s friends and family) were put up,  at Hotel Bhagirathi. We managed to hire a cab, comfortable enough to accommodate the big gang and left for the destination.

The journey was breathtakingly beautiful. The tall trees arched over the meandering road forming a canopy of leaves, the lofty grass on either side of the road formed an enclosure of the barren land beyond, the wind carried the fresh aroma of the jungle and the hamlets exhibited the simplicity of a new beginning. The place was scarcely inhabited by the people who were merely touched by the progress of time. The roads stretched into the horizon as far as the eyes could see, lying like a cobra with seductive curves, until we heard the sound of the water swishing over the rocks.  We took the turn and parked our vehicle.

A series of descending steps, built by the rocks and boulders, surrounded with picturesque landscape having thick, overgrown roots took us to the waterfall, magnificently pounding the tiered rocks. As the water was surging and plunging  on the stones shaded with the color of moss and lichen, it gradually formed a narrow path which merged into beautiful serenity-lake at the bottom.  The shallows of the lake were clear like a crystal enabling us to see the pebbled bottom and it became deeper toward the center. This place was not thronged by the crowd and hence had the perfect balance of tranquility and serenity. The chirping of birds, the trickling sound of the water coming all the way from the fall to merge with the lake, the chirrups of the crickets, the rustling of the bushes – everything existed in equal harmony making the place alive. The trees by the lake stooped down to get a glimpse of their beautiful reflection in the clear waters of the lake, which was magnified by steeping sun rays. Last but not the least, we saw a big idol of Lord Shiva in the mediating position as we made our way to the waterfall.

Visiting this winsome location was a sheer delight as we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. We became the living evidence of the charming sight of evergreen forests and the rainbows created by the sun rays falling on the disintegrated water particles. After having an extremely pleasant time in this sublime location, we departed with the departing rays of the sun. Deciding to come here instilled a refreshing feeling, much alike the feeling after a nice shower, following which we were all decked up in our best garments, with intensified invigoration to burn the dance floor on our friend’s wedding event.

Location Detail Summary:

• Name: Phurli Jharan
• Location: 15 km from Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi District.
• Height: 15 – 16 meter
• Nearest Railway Station: Kesinga. It is about 45 km from the main Kalahandi City.
• Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneshwar. It is about 418 km away.
• Roadways: Well connected by Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (O.S.R.T.C) and private buses. Taxi services are available from railway station and airport.
• Nearest National Park: Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary