Orissa Govt. includes two more tourist spots for Ganjam on World Tourism day

On the occasion of World Tourism day two more tourist spots named Gopakuda Island under Keshpur panchayat of Chilika and the Kashi Biswanath temple of Kamalapur village under Digapahaandi tahasil are being added into the district tourism map of Ganjam. It has been decided by the administration to make these two attractive tourist points.

Although the pre-survey reports of the above mentioned places are already submitted by the District Tourism Officer the District Collector has directed him to prepare the full-fledged report and to submit it within a stipulated time period.

With the addition of these spots now there will be 24 tourist spots in Ganjam. Earlier it was 22 in which the sea beach of Gopalpur, Chilka lake & bird sanctuary, beach of Aryapalli, manuscripts of Ashoka at Jaugargh, scenic beauty of Nirmalajhara, Religious place famous Tara Tarini pitha, Narayani, hot spring Taptapani, silk city Berhampur, Biranchi Narayan pitha at Buguda, Girisola at Orissa-Andhra boarder, kulada Byaghra devi, beach of Humma Kantiagargh, historical place Athagargh patna, Sidha Bhairavi temple, Mahuri Kalua, Patisonapur, Potagargh with British memorials,Ghodahada dam of Ujaleswara, religious place Sankulei Pitha, scenic spot of Humuri Tampra and Nijabankeswari temple under Digapahandi block have been included.

It is noteworthy, that the newly added Gopakuda is an Island in Chilika Lake where lord Shiva has been worshipped and popularly known as Gupteswara. The place also consists a Hawa Mahal (palace) as earlier it was the kingdom of Khalikote. Chilika Mahostav, Maha Sivaratri are the major festivals that has been widely celebrated here. Similarly rich in Mythological beliefs Kashi Biswanath temple of kamalapur at Digapahandi is popular as Suranga Saivapitha. Surrounded by the hills the temple is situated on 200 feet above from the surface. Two lingas symbols of Lord Shiva have been worshipped here inside a cave.