Odisha Tribal Tour 2014

A short brief Description about the program This TRIBAL TOUR Concept is completely difference in comparing to Other Adventure programs even trekking, cycling, river rafting, hiking, traveling etc. We the www.steptrekkers.org  for the first time maiden our trek program in Odisha as “Coastal trek cum Heritage tour” on last Feb-2014, After its grand success again we planned for this “Odisha tribal tour-2014”during Just post monsoon of 2014.This Concept of tour has its Own Charm. The Narration of tribal Beauties Never be End, The Major portion of the tribal habitat is on Hilly and Forest Areas, Where about 65% of the land in Odisha covered with forests and about 64 tribes were founded in Odisha itself Out of which 437 tribes of India. Above all the tribal villages are generally found in Areas away from the alluvial plains which are close to the river Area's. All these tribal Area's were found in between 1750 ft to 4800 ft above from the sea level. Most of the villages are monoethnic in composition, and smaller in size. Some Villages are often riot planned at all. Most of the villages fairs, Haat area's were strictly prohibited for photography. As this tour follows with a series of sloppy Green valleys, Parallel High hill landscapes, Dazzling streams, fountains, waterfalls, Tribal Music’s, Green Carpet of Paddy fields, Dams, Lakes, Hydro-electricity power projects, Hanging Bridge, temples, Old Palaces, Industrial Urbanisation flavours with tribal spirit had defused the participants Whose were finally taken another Oath as “Manoj Sir, Once More such a tour Again with some different route with Other tribal Spirit in Odisha”. Yes, My Dear’s I think You may be Know or Unknown, But Its true, That As per 2011 Census in India about 437 tribes were living out of which about 62 [sixty two] tribes were living in Odisha Itself. And Our this tour was covering Only Three Southern Districts of Odisha where we founds about 10 to 12 tribes like, Saura, Santhali, [at rayagada locality on 1st day], Desia kondh [At Dukumu on 2nd day], Dongria kondh[at chatikona on 3rd day], paraja,Bhuyian & khaira [at Kenduli, Boiraguda, pulukona on 5th day] Bonda tribes [at Onukudelli], Gadaba  & paraja tribes at Muruja and Litiput regions of Lamtaput Area on 4th day of the Tribal tour. The Above tribal Area’s were founds with different communities, We came across whenever we passed through 6 days tribal tour program??? The below chart n Schedule will Clarify and Gives a Sound Idea to Any Body for a proper prospective way to another “Tribal tour” in Some route on another days itself.
DATE’S & DAY	WHAT’S COVERED/ Places we visited	The  Detail Activities
14/09/2014 [Sunday] Day of reporting	Reporting Day at Government Youth Hostel, Gopalpur on Sea.[18 km off from Brahmapur Rlyway station Light house, Sea Beach, Narayanpur Jetty Centre/back-water point, Shift to Brahmapur railway station by 8.00pm FOR Boarding on HIRAKHAND EXPRESS [mountain train] up to Rayagada [Over night journey]	As today is the reporting day for all 6 participants whose were coming from the different destinations of India. Well in Advance and Accordingly fixed report destination, Saurabh [from Hyd] reported 1st on 1.00PM, Theafter Mr D.K. Nigam with his wife reported at 2.00PM & Mr Devendra Naik with Pradyumna reported at 4.00pm. Only Participant Mr Santosh Shirke Had joined with Us at night On Berhampur Railway Station by 8.00Pm. After Getting all together, Dinned for a sound meal n finally caught our train to Rayagada.
15/09/2014 [Monday] 1st day LOCAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR at RAYAGADA	RAYAGADA Acclimatization/ Orientation/ Briefing about tribals. Local sightseeing tour Places covered: Maa Majhighariani temple, Jhulla bridge[chekkiguda Hanging bridge], Jaganath temple, Sankeshwari[picnic spot/ riversite] Barijholla [tribal village], Jk Nagar[paper Mill Area], CHATIKONA Waterfall, Shiva temple, IMFA [Theruvalli] Lakshmi Narayana temple], Paikpada [tribal village], KOTESWAR [Ancient 1300 A.D] Temple etc. Around 230 Km travels by Hired BOLERO Max Cab. Well behaved Driver cum Owner Mr Venketesh [Nani 09437720111/09041914352]	Get in Rayagada Railway station By 05.30AM, Shift to Hotel Raj[just 150mtr away] and fresh up with Breakfast by 8.00AM. Moved for Local sightseeing tour till 1.30PM. Places covered like Maa Majhighariani temple, Jaganath temple, Sankeswari wayside picnic spot, Barijholla [tribal] village famous for sugarcane and cotton production[5km away from rayagada township], chekkaguda tribal village with Hanging bridge. On 2nd half ViSIT TO Chatikona Waterfall & Shiva temple via JK Nagar[BILT paper MILL], After Lunch Covered again IMFA [Indian metal &Ferro Alloys] Theruvalli Lakxminarayan temple, Then Moved to Paikapada Village for Visit KOTESWAR shiva temple, Where about 99,999,999 Shiva lingam’s found in a pond. Due to An Ancient temple of 1300A.D, Its on Maintaining condition and another new temple is Under construction near that same premises. Finally By 7.00PM returned to Hotel Raj at RAYAGADA. 8.30PM Briefing about next day’s tour program. Dinner at Hotel Puspak[9.00PM], Light off by 10.30PM After a cool discussion about Day over program Schedule at ROOM NO 106[Which was sanctioned to Saurabh and Santosh] All members were assembled for the Discussion.
16/09/2014 [Tuesday] 2nd day Covered DUKUMU TRIBAL’S Weekly fair	Rayagada to DUKUMU Via Bissamcuttack [Sub-Division] While return Overlook JK.Nagar & LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE[IMFA]. Again Review Chekkiguda tribal village and CHEKKIGUDA SUSPENSION Bridge Area within a lazy rainfall photography near Hatipathar Location of River NAGAVALI. Evening: Local market area visit as apart in Own Vision for acclimatized with Rayagada township.	As this is the day for 1st tribal photography on a specified TRIBAL FAIR, Where almost 40 to 50 tribal villages Desia kondh and Dongria kondh tribal’s Guys Coming for shopping, selling even Meeting with their nearer One’s. So to capture there every moments of tribal activities, we’re reached there by 9.00AM Just before time of the opening the HAAT. But Due to resection/Bane of tribal photography Almost we harassed. But in any means we captured lots of photography on there like “CHUPPA RUSTTAM”. After about 3hour of  We returned Back to Rayagada by 2.00PM via Theruballi [Lakshminarayana temple] As on our 1st day of the local sightseeing tour, we’re missed to In for this temple, So again attempt to it for Over view of inner beauties of the temple. Its really worth to visit, Entry free, Photography inner Area strictly prohibited. Outdoor photography Allowed. Temple closed from 12.30 to 5.00PM.  Again ON 3.00PM Visited to suspension Bridge Area via chekkaguda tribal village for Home returner’s Activity photography. Returned Back via Market Area. Get in to the Hotel after Dinner. Again assembled at same room no 106, for day over discussion plus Next day’s briefing on schedule. Night off as per As usual routine after many past experiences sharing N discussion by 10.30PM.
17/09/2014 [Wednesday] 3rd day Covered CHATIKONA Tribal’s weekly Fair at NIYAMGIRI Hill slopes In Rayagada District	Places covered Rayagada Daily tribal market Bissamcuttack Semi-Urban market Area [Overlook from CAB] while proceed to CHATIKONA WeeklyHAAT, .Lakhmi Narayana temple at IMFA Complex. 2nd half LAKSHMIPUR Eco tourism watch tower, GUMMA GHAT Area, KAKRIGUMMA, GAUDAGUDA, Chandoori Sai Guest House, Kumartuli [gaudaguda], DUMRIPUT Hill, Kutturi Hill, Damanjodi [NALCO] Area,  MAA Kanta Baunsuni Open Air temple in Bamboo forest, SUNABEDA [HAL] Area, Sitting Hanuman at DUMRI Hill top Finally Koraput [Sabari shreekhetra] at ATITHI BHAWAN for Night Stay.	After Early Getting Up, Visited to Local tribal Market for photography, then after move towards CHATIKONA Tribal [weekly] Haat Area, to meert with tribal peoples of Niyamgiri Hill Area’s. But Due to “Tribal photography Strictly prohibited”, Very fast we moved there by 11AM. As we’d checked out from Our RESIDING Hotel Raj On Early Morning, So Being QUIT from RAYAGADA Township so faster for Us, as we’re strictly followed the timing factor. Before Lunch we reached at Watch tower, after few minutes of photography again proceed towards LAKHMIPUR for a LUNCH After lunch by 2PM, Again proceed to Mr Leon’s CHANDOORI SAI Guest House” At Gaudaguda, An authentic resort in 100% TRIBAL FLAVOR. Then after visit to KUMARTULI [pottery village] at same Gaudaguda Village specialization for terracotta clay works. After A Desi Chilli Chiken Snacks Break, moves towards DUMRIPUT & KUTURI Hill region just galloping as snake & ladder show with East-coast Mountain train line. Finally we reached by Evening at MAA Kanta Baunsuni Bamboo forest at Damanjodi colonial Area’s. At 6 PM reached at Sitting Hanuman temple on DUMRI HILL and finally reached at KORAPUT by 7.00PM As per rescheduling Night stay against JEYPORE. After Entering room, Had a fresh with Warm Water Bath, A short Briefing about further program before DINNER AT Same ATITHI BHAWAN Dining Hall. After Dinner by 8.30PM, All members were Assembled at Hill top JAGANNATH TEMPLE, For a closer Darshan of Lord SABARI [Tribal] Jagannath and His different AVATAAR’s.  Meeting fixed to leave Hotel by At Best 7.00AM FOR Next Destination [JEYPORE/  ONUKUDELLI].
18/09/2014 [Thursday] 4th Day Covered ONUKUDELLI  Tribals fair & Litiput, Muruja  tribal village In KORAPUT District.	JEYPORE LAMTAPUT,ONUKUDELLI[weekly tribal] HAAT, DUDUMA POWER HOUSE [PROJECT] DUDUMA WATERFALL, EKTAGUDA[Onion Pokoda point], [0KM]R After skipped the Bridge Again visit to Cover’s some tribal village as surplus Hour. [3 PM to 6 PM] BAPUNIGUDA [2KM] school left SUKRIGUDA [3KM] Hill Right LITIPUT [4KM] famous for paraja tribe extremely RIGHT Up-hill. MALIGUDA [5KM] Left then Right Up. and finally to MURUJA [6.5KM] last village of IRDP [Integrated rural development program] famous for GADABA TRIBE And their folk dances & Music.	The DAY OF SUCCESSIVE TRIP of WHOLE TRIBAL Area’s After early short out with a Media coverage photographic session, All were moved for Hotel MADHUMATI at JEYPORE City for leaves Our Back Packs with Extra Luggage’s by 8.30AM. After a standing Breakfast+ tea n coffee Break, Moved towards Onukudelli [68 km from Jeyore] Via LAMTAPUT Block. Covered there about 2 hr with BONDA Tribes tribal photography plus Lunch at Ismail cha-cha’s Restaurant [12.30AM], Moved towards DUDUMA POWER House, Where Hydro electricity is producing by Using with MACHHKUND river’s Water. [for the first time of life all the participants were got the chance for entering A power tunnel House where Daily 212KVA] Electricity produced on every day with Using of 6 Turbines, where Another 4 turbines were on standby. After covered this Again our Max CAB Started to Climb Same 12 Band Route, Up to DUDUMA Waterfall [far away seen]. By 3PM All were reached at EKTAGUDA TRIBAL HUB. The place where this regions Last shopping area found. After an Onion Pokoda and Tea party moved to covered again Last 5 Villages of Adopting IRDP Schemes. Where Paraja, Muruja, Garaba and Sauntia tribe’s peoples were lived. Returned to Hotel By 7.00PM, After Having A cool Discussion on Day Over Fruitful tour, All were Ready FOR VELIDCTAORY Ceremony well in Advance with Awarded STEP’s participation Certificate. Finally All were joined at HOTEL MADHUKUNJ on PALACE Street for “BADDAKHANNA”.
ODISHA TRIBAL TOUR- 2014 PARTICIPANT’S GROUP PHOTO
Taken at  ATITHI BHAWAN, On 18/09/2014  Sabari Shreekhetra, Koraput, L to R:  Santosh Shirke [Mumbai], Devendra Naik [Mumbai] , Pradyumna Lenka[Nimapada,  Odisha], Manojkumar sahu [Chatrapur,Odisha], Saurabh Chatterji [Hydrabad/ AP], Mr Dinesh Kumar Nigam & Mrs Uma Nigam [Gorakhpur. UP]
19/09/2014 [Friday] 5th DAY Covered KENDULI Tribal’s Weekly Fair At KENDULI Near SIMILIGUDA [On DEOMALI Hill Slope] In koraput District.	MOVED FROM JEYPORE to RAYAGADA VIA KOLAB DAM SIITE, KORAPUT SEMILIGUDA and KUNDULI TRIBAL HAAT. Extra Hour’s visit to some villages like BOIRAGUDA SONIAGUDA LUNCH AT LAKSHMIPUR [2.30 PM] Again Covers Two Villages On SH-4 WAYSIDE PULUKONA RAPUKONA [Both villages on the way to Rayagada by SH-28  at GUMMA GHAT Region] Reached at Rayagada Rly station by 6 PM, Group Break with sweet memories at same place[RAYAGADA RAILWAY STATION].		LAST DAY OF THE TRIP After getting up On early Morning [By followed fixing routine work] all were knotted their baggage n luggage’s on Utility Max CAB. Proceed towards Quitted up Destination KOLAB DAM [Water reservoir] But failed there to visit due to new Entry formalities routine as we entered there by Morning 8.20AM. Where as the DAM Entrance gate opening from 10AM TO 5 PM. With entry fees Rs 10/- for Indian. Anyway Very fast we moved there after taking some photographs plus Tea/coffee from Wayside [KOLAB] Tea shop. There After we rushed to Koraput, where we taken our BREAKFAST plus Purchase Railway tickets for Out Bound Own Destination from Rayagada Railway Station itself. After Ticketing move towards [10AM TO 11.30AM] KUNDULI TRIBAL HAAT Site near Semiliguda. This Weekly Haat also Claiming as the BIGGEST TRIBAL HAAT of this Area. It’s Just 21 km Away far from Odisha’s Highest Peak DEOMALI. Due to smoky weather plus sinking rain we moved here fast towards Other two Local tribal villages [ BOIRAGUDA & SONIAGUDA] Of DUMRIPUT Region, These Whole region is so calling as ‘’CHERAPUNJI” of ODISHA. After done some TRIBAL Village life photography moved to LAKSHMIPUR Region by 2 PM. We’d taken Our Meals with Multi choice MENU, As followed by the Last’s Days Special Menu Schedule. Again after another Hour’s of Journey we’d reached at PULUKONA Tribal Village on SH-27 Roadside, But due to heavy raining we’re skipped that village and moved towards Rayagada route on SH-28. Again we Visited Another Village RAPUKONA on 5.30PM [The last tribal village of this Trip], It’s Just 21km off from RAYAGADA TOWN on SH-28. Finally we’re Reached at RAYAGADA Railway station by 6.30PM. As Mr and Mrs Nigam both accommodated at Railway retiring room, Saurabh, myself [Manoj], pradyumna, Devendra and Santosh All were Started Our return Journey By HIRAKHANDA EXPRESS towards prospective destination with a lots of Sweet memories.
WEB Links for program picture’s in Details during Visiting to different Haat’s and villages on Six day tour program. 1)  Official Album at STEP’S Social media website:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.793387720725424&type=1 2) LINKS FOR access different Albums https://www.facebook.com/manojsahuctp/photos_albums 3)  Album links for “while Travel from rayagad to koraput https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201735893919178.1835690862&type=3 4) Curtain closed Scene, Final program Valedictory Ceremony  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201703756235756.1073741945.1835690862&type=3 5) Program Highlight picture’s https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201689208072061.1073741941.1835690862&type=3