Bada Sahi Water Reservoir
: This local reservoir, nestled close to the Daringbadi town, serves as a vital water source and a tranquil retreat for both locals and travelers. Its setting is characterized by a modest, earthen bund that contains the clear, cool mountain water, reflecting the surrounding trees and the deep blue s ky. Often overlooked by mainstream tourist itineraries, the Bada Sahi Water Reservoir offers a genuine glimpse into the unhurried life of the Kandhamal region. Its banks are lined with native shrubs and grasses, creating a simple yet beautiful foreground to the calm waters. The cool breeze here provides a welcome respite, particularly during the late mornings and afternoons. The simplicity of the structure speaks volumes of its utility over grandeur, yet its natural setting lends it a quiet, aesthetic appeal. It is a spot where you can hear the sounds of village life blend softly with the rustling of leaves, far from the clamor of major attractions. The reservoir is a testament to the essential role of water bodies in sustaining the ecosystem and the communities in this hilly terrain. It’s an ideal location for those seeking solitude and a quiet moment of reflection, distinct from the more crowded viewpoints. The catchment area is relatively pristine, thanks to the stewardship of the local Bada Sahi community, ensuring the water remains clear and inviting, making it a picturesque spot for quiet contemplation. The overall atmosphere is one of serene, pastoral beauty that defines the lesser-explored parts of Daringbadi.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 hour (For quiet contemplation and walk)Place Type:
Water Body, Picnic SpotEntry Fees:
No Official Entry Fees (Free Access): As a community resource and an informal natural spot, the Bada Sahi Water Reservoir has no official entry fees or ticketing system maintained by the tourism department. This provides completely free access to all visitors.No Official Entry Fees (Free Access): As a community resource and an informal natural spot, the Bada Sahi Water Reservoir has no official entry fees or ticketing system maintained by the tourism department. This provides completely free access to all visitors.
Parking and Local Contribution: While parking is generally free along the local village road, visitors are advised to park thoughtfully and respectfully. A small, voluntary donation to a nearby temple or a local community group can be a thoughtful gesture to show support for the area's upkeep. However, this is entirely optional and there is no mandatory charge. The key financial aspect of visiting this spot is that it remains a zero-cost attraction, emphasizing its natural and local community status. The absence of fees ensures accessibility for everyone, maintaining its authenticity as a local hidden gem.Timing:
Regular Timings (All Day Access): This spot is a natural, open area and can technically be visited 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, for safety and best visibility, the recommended visiting hours are from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Sunrise to Sunset).
Read MoreRegular Timings (All Day Access): This spot is a natural, open area and can technically be visited 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, for safety and best visibility, the recommended visiting hours are from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Sunrise to Sunset).
Ideal Visit Time (Early Morning and Sunset): The most ideal visit time is during the early morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) for calm water, fresh air, and photographic opportunities, or at sunset (4:30 PM - 6:00 PM) to witness the colorful reflection of the setting sun on the water. It is not advised to visit after dark due to poor lighting and security.Special Events:
Local Harvest Festival Water Rituals: While not a commercial tourist event, the reservoir is sometimes the focal point for certain local rituals during the major harvest festivals (Nuakhai, Pua Jiumntia) or the local Chhait Parab festival. These events involve a small proce...Local Harvest Festival Water Rituals: While not a commercial tourist event, the reservoir is sometimes the focal point for certain local rituals during the major harvest festivals (Nuakhai, Pua Jiumntia) or the local Chhait Parab festival. These events involve a small procession and the offering of prayers and flowers to the water body, symbolizing gratitude for the life-sustaining water. These are brief, deeply cultural events where local tribal communities give thanks.
Community Fishing Days: Occasionally, the local community may organize a community fishing day after the monsoon, where a net is cast for a shared catch. This is a rare, spontaneous event that showcases community bonding and traditional practices.Best Photo Spots:
The Morning Mist Reflection: The best time for photography is just after sunrise when the water is mirror-smooth and a delicate mist hangs over the surface, creating stunning, ethereal reflections of the nearby trees and hills.
Earthen Bund Pano...The Morning Mist Reflection: The best time for photography is just after sunrise when the water is mirror-smooth and a delicate mist hangs over the surface, creating stunning, ethereal reflections of the nearby trees and hills.
Earthen Bund Panorama: The highest point of the earthen bund offers a panoramic, slightly elevated view of the entire water body and the adjacent small village, framing the simplicity of rural life against the tranquil water.
The Edge-of-Water Close-up: Capture detailed close-up shots of the rocky edges and submerged pebbles, highlighting the clarity of the water and the tiny ecosystems thriving near the banks. Use a polarizing filter to enhance reflections.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Nature Walks and Relaxation: Engage in a leisurely walk along the periphery of the earthen bund, feeling the cool mountain air and admiring the reflections on the water. This provides approximately 1-2 KMS of easy, flat terrain for exercise.
Photography and Reflection: Utilize the calm surface for stunning reflection photography of the surrounding hills, particularly at dawn and dusk. Carry a journal for quiet writing and contemplation by the water's edge, allowing the tranquility of the spot to inspire you.
Picnicking: Pack a simple, locally sourced picnic lunch to enjoy on the grassy banks (ensure to carry all waste back). The environment is ideal for a peaceful family or couple's outing away from the main tourist crowds.
Local Interaction: Engage in brief, ...Nature Walks and Relaxation: Engage in a leisurely walk along the periphery of the earthen bund, feeling the cool mountain air and admiring the reflections on the water. This provides approximately 1-2 KMS of easy, flat terrain for exercise.
Photography and Reflection: Utilize the calm surface for stunning reflection photography of the surrounding hills, particularly at dawn and dusk. Carry a journal for quiet writing and contemplation by the water's edge, allowing the tranquility of the spot to inspire you.
Picnicking: Pack a simple, locally sourced picnic lunch to enjoy on the grassy banks (ensure to carry all waste back). The environment is ideal for a peaceful family or couple's outing away from the main tourist crowds.
Local Interaction: Engage in brief, respectful conversation with the local Bada Sahi villagers who visit the area for water or to graze cattle, learning about their life in Kandhamal.
Bird Watching: Bring binoculars to spot the various waterfowl, kingfishers, and other local bird species that frequent the water's edge and the surrounding trees, making it an informal birding spot.
Star Gazing: On a clear night, the low light pollution around the reservoir can make it a spectacular, though distant, spot for star gazing.
Meditation: The quiet atmosphere makes it perfect for outdoor yoga or meditation, focusing on the peaceful sounds of nature.
Information
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Why Famous:
Local Utility and Unspoiled Nature: The reservoir is famous primarily among the local population for its crucial role in irrigation and as a serene, easily accessible water source. This utility makes it a focal point of the local Bada Sahi community life. It gains a unique...Local Utility and Unspoiled Nature: The reservoir is famous primarily among the local population for its crucial role in irrigation and as a serene, easily accessible water source. This utility makes it a focal point of the local Bada Sahi community life. It gains a unique fame among selective tourists for its unspoiled, tranquil environment, which contrasts sharply with the often crowded main tourist spots of Daringbadi. The lack of commercial development near the banks maintains its pristine condition, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and landscape photographers. The reflection of the hills on the water's surface, particularly during sunrise or sunset, is a natural phenomenon that draws those seeking quiet beauty. The sheer simplicity of the landscape, unmarred by large tourist infrastructure, is its primary fame. -
Architecture:
Utility-Focused Design: The architecture of the reservoir is predominantly utilitarian, focusing on functionality to hold and manage water flow for the nearby community and agricultural needs. It features a simple, curved earthen dam or bund, typically reinforced with local...Utility-Focused Design: The architecture of the reservoir is predominantly utilitarian, focusing on functionality to hold and manage water flow for the nearby community and agricultural needs. It features a simple, curved earthen dam or bund, typically reinforced with local stone and packed earth to withstand water pressure.
Bund and Spillway Dimensions: The dam structure is generally modest, with an estimated height of about 10-15 meters and a crest length of approximately 150-200 meters. A key feature is the Spillway, a reinforced concrete channel designed to safely release excess water during the monsoon season. The spillway is functional and unadorned, ensuring the stability of the entire structure. Its simplicity is a hallmark of local engineering, prioritizing robustness and integration with the natural topography rather than elaborate design. The structure blends almost seamlessly into the surrounding natural contours, utilizing the valley's shape for maximum water retention. The simple sluice gate mechanism for controlled release is a crucial component, showcasing basic yet effective hydraulic engineering. The absence of complex ornamentation underscores its primary purpose as a community resource. -
How To Reach:
By Air (Nearest Airport): The nearest major airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI), approximately 250 KMS away. From the airport, one must hire a pre-paid taxi or take a bus to Berhampur and then another cab/bus to Daringbadi. The total journey ti...By Air (Nearest Airport): The nearest major airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI), approximately 250 KMS away. From the airport, one must hire a pre-paid taxi or take a bus to Berhampur and then another cab/bus to Daringbadi. The total journey time can be 6-8 hours.
By Train (Nearest Railhead): The nearest major railway station is Berhampur Railway Station (BAM), which is well-connected to major Indian cities and is approximately 120 KMS from Daringbadi. From the station, the best option is to hire a private taxi or take a state transport bus to Daringbadi town (3-4 hours journey).
By Road (Bus/Car): Daringbadi is accessible by road via NH-59. Regular state transport (OSRTC) and private buses run from major cities like Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Phulbani. A private taxi from Berhampur is the most comfortable option. Once in Daringbadi town, the reservoir is a short drive or an easy walk.
By Local Transport (Auto/Walk): From the main Daringbadi Bus Stand, the reservoir is easily reachable by a short auto-rickshaw ride or a pleasant, approximately 30-minute walk along the local road, as it is only about 2 KMS from the center. -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Different Types of Seasons (Winter & Post-Monsoon): The Winter season (October to March) is the absolute best time for clear skies, crisp air, and low mist, especially in the early mornings, which is perfect for photography. The Post-Monsoon period (September-October) is al...Different Types of Seasons (Winter & Post-Monsoon): The Winter season (October to March) is the absolute best time for clear skies, crisp air, and low mist, especially in the early mornings, which is perfect for photography. The Post-Monsoon period (September-October) is also highly recommended when the reservoir is at its fullest, and the surrounding greenery is most vibrant. Different Parts of the Day (Sunrise Contemplation): The Early Morning (Sunrise) is the most rewarding time for bird watching and experiencing true serenity, as the light is soft and the water calm. Late afternoon is pleasant for a leisurely walk, but mid-day can be sunny and less appealing. -
Near Tourist Places:
Hill View Park (4 KMS), Nature Park (4 KMS), Coffee Plantation Garden (6 KMS), Pine Forest (8 KMS), Duluri Waterfall (8 KMS), Silent Valley/Sunset Point (5 KMS), Midubandha Waterfall (18 KMS), Lovers Point, Dadubada (16 KMS), Emu Farm Sanctuary (18 KMS), Mandasaru Valley (40 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety (Footwear and Water): Wear comfortable, closed walking shoes as the banks can be uneven and slightly muddy, especially after rain. Carry your own water bottle as there are no official water vendors.
Packing (Photography Gear):Health & Safety (Footwear and Water): Wear comfortable, closed walking shoes as the banks can be uneven and slightly muddy, especially after rain. Carry your own water bottle as there are no official water vendors.
Packing (Photography Gear): Pack a wide-angle lens and a tripod for capturing stunning reflection shots, especially at the golden hour. A simple picnic blanket is useful for relaxing on the banks.
Accommodation (Daringbadi Stay): Plan to stay in a hotel, resort, or homestay in the main Daringbadi town, such as the OTDC Nature Camp or a private resort, as there is no lodging near the reservoir itself.
Other Different Topics (Respect Local Life): Always be respectful of the local villagers and their daily use of the reservoir. Avoid littering and keep noise to an absolute minimum to preserve the area's tranquility.
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