A Trip to Dabarkhola

Dabarkhola, a least heard name us one of the hidden treasures of Odisha. Dabarkhola Waterfall located in the Badamba forest range is one the best example of nature's art. The two waterfalls, one big and another small are the hidden beauties in the Hindol Badamba Forest range. 

I visited this place this recent Sunday and I must say it was an amazing experience travelling with friends. The forest belt is nothing but the greeneries surrounding the roads and the mountains. Far away from the busy city lives, this is place has notable roads that are never seen before. This 12 hours journey with some of my closest friends is nothing less than a rollercoaster ride. 

These waterfalls are hidden inside the forests, where you have to first travel certain kilometre off-roading and then just trek through the forest for around 2-3 kilometres. The amazing sceneries and the peaceful green environment are worth all the pain. There was no network at all nor even many passers-by, seemed like a road that is less travelled. 

We witnessed so many things in just 12 hours that it's really hard to sum it up all in just a single blog. We were 9 friends travelling together on our bikes and the destination is 90-100kms away from Bhubaneswar. It indeed was a tough challenge for those who rode the bikes. We witnessed minor accidents with our friends and vehicle breakdowns, but what had us clutched was the willpower to reach the destination. Every single second inside the forest was nothing less than a near to death feeling. Where we almost gave up, where a few of the friends got panic attacks while trecking and others got themselves injured. 

Pushing everyone we reached our destination which is way more beautiful than it can be explained through any words or photographs. But how does it feel to be enjoying near a bear cave? How does it feel crossing the path with a signal not to enter because of elephants? The moment we reached and saw the first glimpse was the moment when we all jumped into the water. The scorching heat sucked all of us to the worse and that feeling of jumping into the water with all clothes on was nothing less than relief.

But in the end, it's not the destination but the journey that matters. It would have never been possible without the strength and determination of these people, who overcame their fear and kept themselves up throughout. Love you guys!! 

~Swetaleena Mishra