Nilagiri turns tourist hotspot as winter sets in

Balasore: Every year, with the onset of winter, Nilagiri area of the district turns into a perfect destination for thousands of tourists.

Panchalingeswara temple which is situated on the hilltop of the Eastern Ghats in the area becomes flooded with tourists from all around the state. The famous shrine is a beautiful place for darshan of the Lord Shiva. Surrounded by serene natural landscapes, the place offers tourists great experience of sightseeing and picnic.

Moreover, a stream running down the hill is another attraction where tourists enjoy bathing and also offer prayers to the deity.

Through the Nilagiri state highways, tourists can take the narrow road that leads straight into the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary which is an integral part of tourism in northern Odisha.

Filled with wide range of flora and fauna, sanctuary provides an experience of a lifetime to tourists who come here to enjoy the natural paradise.

Besides, Panchalingeswar temple, the Jagannath temple and Guhuribal dam situated nearby also catch the attention of the tourists.

Special arrangements for boating and bird watching have been made in the Guhuribal dam while provisions for lodging have also been made by the forest department for facilitating night stay.

A visit to this place gives us a wonderful feeling. The rich combination of flora and fauna of this area is like no other," said Prasanna Chakraborty, a tourist from West Bengal.

"This place boasts of natural beauty and is surrounded with a number of tourist destinations. Tourists generally love to stay here for 2-3 days, "said tourist guide Manoranjan Das.