TAPTAPANI, GANJAM – 50 KMS. FROM BERHAMPUR

• Weekend Tour

Rolling green hills, jungles washed by rains and clouds tucked within the distant hills – that’s Taptapani located amidst the forests of Ganjam District of Orissa, just 50 kms from Berhampur. Taptapani is mainly known for its natural hot sulphur springs whose water is considered to have medicinal properties and is capable of curing aches, pains and skin ailments like eczema and scabies. Taptapani is surrounded by beautiful hills of the Eastern Ghats, which is inhabited by the ancient tribes of Orissa. There is also a majestic Buddhist Monastery, a deer park and a Shiva Temple nearby. It is a great weekend destination near Kolkata, which can be visited with another great beach destination of Orissa – Gopalpur on Sea.

Places to see in Taptapani: In Taptapani, you can visit the Deer Park maintained by the Forest Department located nearby and visit temples like Sri Nilakantheswar Temple, and Kandimata Mandir. There are numerous small waterfalls, nameless rivulets, lakes and tribal villages all around. The other interesting place to visit is the Tibetan settlement and monastery.

However, most tourists visit this place to take a dip into the sulphur rich Hot Springs, which rejuvenates them with a renewed life-force. You can take long walks along the forest trails and highlands of Taptapani or just sit back in your hotel’s terrace and enjoy the views of the distant hills and greenery.

Nearby Attractions of Taptapaani: Gopalpur on Sea – the famous beach destination with an equally famous light house is around 70 kms from Taptapaani. The majestic Buddhist monastery at the Tibetan settlements of Jeerang and Chandragiri is around 35 kms from Taptapani. Few other locations to visit in day trips from Taptapani is Khasada Waterfall, around 40 kms away and Harbhangi Dam and Reservoir around 45 kms away. Most tourists, tend to stay back a night at Taptapani while travelling to Daringbadi – the Kashmir of Odisha.

Things to do in Taptapani: You can take a long nature-walk along the picturesque landscape of the surrounding areas of Taptapani. A visit to the villages of tribal communities such as Kutia Kondh, Bonda, Dingara Kondh and Mali tribes can be interesting as you can also learn about the lifestyles of these tribal people. But the most popular thing to do is to take a dip at the hot spring of Taptapani.

How to reach Taptapani: From Kolkata, you can avail a train to Berhampur, the nearest rail station to Taptapani. From there, you can avail the option of taxis. Since Taptapani is situated on the State Highway connecting Berhampur with Western Orissa, you can also avail the option of buses plying on the State Highway.

Best time to visit Taptapani: Taptapani is an all season destination and you can visit this place all round the year. However, to enjoy the dip in the hot water spring and to visit the nearby places, the most preferred time to visit Taptapani is during the monsoons and winter.

Lodging and dining facilities in Taptapani: There is a clean and comfy private lodge very near to the hot spring at Taptapani with a fabulous view of the surrounding mountains from the roof. Modern amenities like attached western bathrooms, Televisions and Inverters for Power Backup has been made available here. There are 05 non AC and 02 AC Double Bed rooms in this lodge. Food is served in the Dining Hall. Essentially Indian home cooked hot and fresh food is served to the guests.