Unique place of natural beauty & religious significance, but suited best only for physically-fit people. Below are the relevant details for those who are planning to visit -- Basic information, CONs and PROs.
About Patali Srikhetra: It's a famous religious site near Binika (Subarnapur district), comprising a Jagannath temple near base of a forested hill range, a cave complex 1 km uphill through forest, and a small shop-cum-temple complex at base of the hill. Folklore suggest that the three main statues of Puri Jagannath temple were shifted and hidden here for many years in medieval times when Puri was attacked by Mughal etc. forces, and hence this place has immense religious significance in Odisha.
CONs:
Only for physically-fit: Only major CON of this place is that you can experience and enjoy it well only if you are physically fit. The Jagannath temple can be reached only by stairs (almost 7-8 storeys high), and the cave complex is again an extra almost 1 km of steep 75 degrees climb through rocky hill path. Very old and high-BP type people won't be able to reach the Jagannath temple and have to simply wait at base of hill near shops (there's a dangerous but good-condition tarred road to the Jagannath temple, hence vehicles are prohibited due to a very high-risk turning; some vehicles don't listen and go, but don't take risk). The climb from Jagannath temple to cave complex is extremely tiring even if you are physically fit; and physically-weak, obese or old people won't be able to climb it. And here is advice to those who climb 1) Climb with shoes only as it's very uneven, slippery and rocky road, slippers/chappals will break and road is full of torn footwear, 2) Carry water surely 3) Avoid climbing if it's cloudy and likely to rain as the path turns into a mini slippery waterfall if it rains suddenly, rocks slip, there's nowhere to hide and there is lightening risk. 5 of my group members got caught in heavy rain, even one's chappal broke and had to walk down bare-footed in rain, 4) Don't climb if you have other places to visit same day as it will take you almost 2 hours and you will be totally tired.
Littering: Due to high need to carry water bottles during climb as well as high chance of footwear being damaged, the road to cave complex is littered in many places with torn footwear and empty water bottles. Luckily rag-pickers as well as temple staff were collecting them all to sell and hence it doesn't pile up.
PROs:
Nature: If you love hills, panoramic view from hills, green forests and trekking, this is the right place for you. As you keep climbing uphill, the view gets better and better. Once you reach the hilltop near cave complex, on the other side you will see a complete hill range with dense forests only (this other side you will see the rice fields, some forests, lakes etc. The view from that hilltop is too good and panoramic. Also, even road leading to Patali Srikhetra is also mostly through green forests on both sides.
Adventure: It's a trekker's fantasy. The road to the cave complex is through steep path full of rocks (big and small), and small forest trees and shrubs on both sides (ropes are tied on both sides to help climb). It's very risky, tiring, but very memorable experience.
Other places nearby: The Metakani Gudi temple is 16 km from here and that too is a very nice place worthy of visit (clean temple complex inside forest greenery). You can travel along the beautiful and green Sonepur-Sambalpur road to Huma leaning temple too.
Religious significance: Even if you are not religious, you will appreciate the history of this place, how the devout Sevayats of Puri saved their faith and their idols against invaders. As you climb the hill along the difficult path, you will remember how much effort it would have taken to save those idols by...
Read more
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
