Virender Singh
Situated along the banks of the Palpala river, stippled with pebbles and known for its kitchen stoneware, the Lulung village is ensconced by the sal and simul forests of Similipal National Park.
Sprawling across 2,750 square kilometres, Similipal derives its name from the red silk cotton (simul) trees that are swarming with a cornucopia of orchids, parakeets and hornbills.
The naturally created pond is the ideal way to beat the jungle heat and if you care to clamber up the narrow, roughly hewn stone steps up to the temple, you can experience a vertigo-inducing panorama of the deciduous forests.
Bursting at the seams with devotees during Mahashivratri, the Baidyanath temple is steeped in gratitude and myth making and is also rumoured to grant wishes of those who pray before the household deity, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Once the capital of Bhanja rulers, Khiching city is a distinctive heritage site for Odisha abundant in old fort ruins, more temples, and Buddhist stupas.