Mahindragiri

 It is nature’s marvel, 5,000 feet high and situated in the middle of Eastern Ghats in Paralakhemundi sub-division of Gajapati district, about 175 kms from Berhampur and 26 kms from the sea. Also, the popular river Mahendratanaya flows down the mountain in the east through Mandasa and joins the ancient port Barua in the Bay of Bengal.

Mahendragiri is foremost among the seven Kulagiris or principal mountains of India whose glory is spoken of in awe and mentioned in the ancient literature, accounts and epigraphy. Great poets like Kalidas, Sarala Das and Radhanath Ray have mentioned its importance in their works.

A place of matchless beauty, it is surrounded on three sides by hills and thick growth of wild trees. The surrounding forests abound in peacocks, flying squirrels, elephants, spotted deer and even leopards and talking mynahs. The view of the surrounding area from the top of the hill is enchanting; the clear waters of the sacred Mahendratanaya and the blue sea at a distance add to its beauty. Trekking activities can be treasured here. It was once a major centre of Saivite culture. Sivaratri is the main festival here and attracts scores of people.

 There are three temples on the top of Mahendragiri Hills, which are named after the Pandava brothers and their mother Kunti.

Kunti Temple

30 feet high, it is at one end of the flat top of the mountain and in rekha style without any jagamohana or plinth. The temple has been plastered with lime after thorough repair. In the side niche are parsvadevatas like Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati AND the nabagrahas are in the lintel over the doorjambs. Also, two inscriptions of 12th century A.D exist, one to the right of the entrance door and the other on the left side of the temple. Some sculptures and dressed stone slabs lie scattered around the temple.

Yudhisthira Temple

It rises abruptly from the ground level in triratha style and is on the other side of the flat top of the mountain. The outer walls are devoid of any sculptural decoration except for four Chaitya arches. There is no parsvadevata and the lintel of the door contains an inscription of the Chola king Rajendra Chola.

Bhima temple

It is assumed by scholar to have been built just after the Gupta period, and is possibly the earliest of these temples. It is made of five huge square-sized blocks of stones and has low and squat tower, square sanctum, squat sikhara and flat roof. The doorway is narrow and the

How to Reach

Mahendragiri is approachable from Brahmapur by three routes. The first route, the route currently in use, is up to Paralakhemundi, 115 km. from Brahmapur via Ichhapur – Palasa. The second route is from Brahmapur to Paralakhemundi via Digapanandi-R.Udayagiri and Rayagada, which runs over a distance of 173 km. The third route is 126 km from Brahmapur via Ichhapur-Jarada-Kaipur and Paralakhemundi.

To go to Mahendragiri one has to go to Paralakhemundi, which is about 120 km. from Brahmapur via Palasa (Andhra Pradesh). From Paralakhemundi one can travel by bus for 46 km. i.e. up to Kainpur, 14 km. from Mahendragiri and then to Burkhat pass (5 kms) by jeep and finally proceed to the Mahendragiri hill (10 kms) on foot. Now the communication facilities have improved and one can go up to the foothill by jeep.

First route is up to Paralakhemundi, 115 km. from Berhampur via Ichhapur – Palasa.

Second route is from Berhampur to Paralakhemundi via Digapanandi-R.Udayagiri and Rayagada, which runs over a distance of 173 km.

Third route is 126 km from Berhampur via Ichhapur-Jarada-Kaipur and Paralakhemundi

The best way to reach this place is to go to Paralakhemundi, which is about 120 kms from Berhampur via Palasa (Andhra Pradesh). From Paralakhemundi one can travel by bus for 46 kms. i.e. up to Kainpur (14 km. from Mahendragiri) and then to Burkhat pass (5 kms) by jeep. After which one has to proceed to the Mahendragiri hill (10 kms) on foot or jeep.