Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Maa Varahi Temple of Chaurasi: Obscure and Beautiful

    March 6, 2022

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
    OdishaLifeStyle
    Subscribe Login
    • Home
    • Locations
      • Hidden Places
    • Culture
      1. Arts and Crafts
      2. Literature
      3. View All

      Pipili: Odisha’s Manual Of Applique Work

      February 8, 2022

      Terracotta and Odisha: Bonding Over Ages

      February 8, 2022

      Stone And Wood Carvings: A Tale Of Inseparable Beauty

      February 8, 2022

      Dhokra And Brassware: The Tribal Souvenirs Of Odisha

      February 8, 2022

      Mukteshwar Temple: Small and yet Significant

      February 8, 2022

      Odia Literature: From The Beginning to Now

      February 8, 2022

      Bande Utkala Janani: From Freedom Movement to State Anthem

      February 8, 2022

      Manoj Das : An Epitome of Odia Literature

      February 8, 2022

      Durga Puja : A Festival of Fervour

      February 9, 2022

      Utkal Divas: The Glorious Day for a United Odisha

      February 9, 2022

      Gotipua Dance: A Mirror to Ethos of Hindu Culture

      February 9, 2022

      Odissi : The Dance That Describes Odisha

      February 9, 2022
    • Events
      • Disaster
    • Editorial
      • Health
    • Food & Drink
    • Personalities
    • Stories
      • Modern History
    • Announcements
    OdishaLifeStyle
    Home»Hidden Places»Gonasika Hills: Origin of River Baitarani & a Nature Trove
    Hidden Places

    Gonasika Hills: Origin of River Baitarani & a Nature Trove

    Dinabandhu NayakBy Dinabandhu NayakFebruary 11, 2022Updated:February 11, 2022No Comments5 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Within a forest area about 30 kms from Keonjhar town of Odisha state lies a beautiful hill called Gonasika. The spectacular views of this area, being within a deep forest, is very stunning and attracts a lot of nature lovers.

    The word ‘Gonasika,’ in Hindi, Sanskrit and many other languages, means Nostril of Cow. The source of water is a rock, which is shaped like the nostrils of a Cow. This is the source of the mighty Baitarani River of Odisha, as per mythology and local belief. This point of the hill has no sign of any water flow or source coming from above. Clean and pure water comes out  from both nostrils of the stone, clearly visible as the upper mouth portion of a cow . This can be viewed to you as ‘Gomukh’ or the mouth of a Cow. In earlier times, it is said, water came from one nostril and sand from another. But, now  crystal clear water flows from here uninterruptedly.

    During the monsoon and winter seasons, the beauty of this place becomes more appealing. The river eventually goes underground, which is a mysterious thing to visitors, and re-emerges to be collected inside Brahma Kunda, for which it is known as Guptaganga.

    The Gonasika Temple is surrounded by picturesque green valleys, and it is renowned for its pilgrimage centre up rolling hills of different colours. The famous temple of Brahmeswar Mahadev was built by Creator Brahma himself on the side of the Baitarani River.

    King Laxmi Narayan Bhanja designed the shrine of Lord Shiva between 1654-1688 AD. For visitors, this place is completely secure, as a village called Gupta Ganga is located nearby. In and around this small temple, which is called the ‘Jata’ (bunch of old and uncombed hair) of Lord Shiva, large tree trunks are distributed.

    The Story of Gonasika: River Baitarani & Juangs

    In the good old days, a rishi stayed in Gonasika. He was also a bachelor. He overheard someone approaching him one day when he was sleeping. There was an Asur Tribe girl who had come in search of solitude. At first sight, both fell in love. They married in no time and gave birth to seven sons and seven daughters in the course of time. The question now was how to settle them. Gonasika hill was insufficient for their shelter and provided food for them. They wanted farmable fields. The couple prayed to the Almighty with no other choice.

    Dharam Devata showed up and commanded the rishi to kill the Kapila cow and spritz her blood to make the earth stable. The rishi brought Gonasika’s cow and killed her. Then he sprinkled the world with her blood. The earth thus became healthy, making it perfect for the children of Rishi. They were the first Juang people on earth.

    The first Juang family savoured the meat after the cow was killed and buried the head in the middle of the hill, but mysteriously water sprang from the cow’s nostrils and gave birth to the holy Baitarani River.

    Juang Tribe

    The wonderful place is rich in exotic biodiversity and a rare place for observing the life of tribal juang. The Juang is one of Odisha ‘s primitive tribal communities. The word “Juang” means “Sons of Man.” The Juang believe they are the first human beings on earth to be created. Their ancestors were born to a couple of Rusi (the saint and his wife) who lived in Rusi Tangar, a hill near Gonasika.

    Most of the villages in Hill Juang have uni-clan composition; the law is village exogamy. Each village in Juang is an autonomous socio-political unit run by a collection of traditional leaders and a village elders’ corporate body named bhalabhai or barabhai. The group of the village owns and maintains all the productive and useful natural resources that lie within its village boundaries, such as swiddens, woods, grazing land, and housing sites etc.

    They are medium in stature with a long head, a pronounced cheekbone and a large nose that are related to the native tribes in the Mon-Khmer region of Mainland South East area.Their language is Mundari belonging to Austro-Asiatic language group spoken in parts of Eastern India and Mainland Southeast Asia.

    Fauna around Gonasika Temple

    This fascinating landscape is enveloped by enigmatic forests of sal trees once overflowing with tigers and leopards. When you speak to the souls of this enchanting country, you hear countless elephant tales.

    How to Reach Gonasika Temple  

    1. By Air. Bhubaneswar, is the closest airport in the state connected to different parts of the country through regular flights. You can  take a bus straight to Gonasika from Bhubaneswar or you can take a train to Keonjhar and hire a cab to Gonasika.
    2. By Train. Kendujhar Railway Station is only 40 km away.
    3. By Road. The Hill is only 40 km away from Kendujhar.
    Bautarani Gonasika Hill Juang Keonjhar Odisha River Temple Tribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Previous ArticleChatar Jatra: The Festival of the Kalahandi Tribes
    Next Article Murga Mahadev Temple : A Combination of Beauty And Blessings
    Dinabandhu Nayak

    Related Posts

    Maa Varahi Temple of Chaurasi: Obscure and Beautiful

    March 6, 2022

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022

    Manabasa Gurubar: Odisha seeks for Sukh, Shanti and Aishwarya

    March 5, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Our Picks
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss

    Maa Varahi Temple of Chaurasi: Obscure and Beautiful

    By OdishaLifeStyleMarch 6, 20220

    In Chaurasi, Odisha, there is a temple called Varahi Deula which is an ancient Hindu…

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022

    Manabasa Gurubar: Odisha seeks for Sukh, Shanti and Aishwarya

    March 5, 2022

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

    About Us
    About Us

    Your source for the lifestyle news. This demo is crafted specifically to exhibit the use of the theme as a lifestyle site. Visit our main page for more demos.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: [email protected]
    Contact: +91-94399-xxxxx

    Our Picks
    New Comments
      Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
      • Home
      • Editorial
      • Stories
      • Culture
      © 2022 OdishaLifeStyle. Powered partner OdishaShop.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

      Sign In or Register

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below.

      Lost password?