Baripada Tourism And Travel Guide

Baripada is a culturally and religiously important town situated in the Mayurbhanj district of northern Orissa. With a substantial tribal population that still resides in the town, Baripada is a significant part of Orissa’s heritage and features a number of local attractions that contribute to the ever-growing tourism in the region. Baripada is a versatile region with great tourism, numerous temples, excursion spots and vibrant festivals that feature as the city’s highlights. Head down to this amazing town which serves as a base point to all the fantastic adjoining tourist spots, with the following travel guide to help you plan out your trip.

By Air:

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar are the two closest and most accessible airports from Baripada. At 230 km from Kolkata and 254 km away from Bhubaneswar, both airports are almost equidistant from Baripada, which is accessible through buses and taxis available outside either airport.

By Rail:

The Baripada Railway Station is a relatively small junction that connects only to cities nearby, like Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Travellers from distant regions have the option to catch a train to one of the major railheads around the city and then change trains to reach Baripada Railway Station.

By Road: 

Situated 30 km from the starting point of National Highway 5, Baripada is well connected to a number of major cities nearby. The Orissa Road Transport Corporation operates regular buses between Baripada and all important destinations around the city, with private buses and taxis also available for a more convenient journey. 

Winter (October - February):

The best time to travel to Baripada is during the winters. The weather remains cool but does not get uncomfortably chilly, and the overall climate is pleasant all season long making it the perfect time to go around the city and explore its local attractions.

Summer (March - September):

Summers in Baripada can get immensely hot and it is not advisable to travel to this city during this season. The monsoon rains arrive sometime in the month of July, and while the amount of rain received in Baripada remains around moderate levels, the weather gets considerably humid. It is advisable to limit all visits to Baripada during the winters.

Visit Simlipal National Park:

Simlipal National Park is around 100 km from Baripada and one of the main reason tourists visit the town. With evergreen forests, grasslands and hundreds of tropical bird and animal species, the park is every nature lover’s dream come true. Its main highlight is the population of tigers and elephants, along with beautiful picnic spots and splendid waterfalls that draw people from far and wide.

Visit Tourist Spots Nearby:

While Baripada has a lot to explore within the town itself, there are numerous spots located just outside the city that draw a substantial crowd of tourists visiting Baripada. Places like Devkund, Khiching, Manatri and Haripur all hold religious significance and have Hindu temples that are worthy of a visit irrespective of your religious background.

Shopping:

Baripada is famous for the Bangripori tussar silk fabric that will prove to be the best buys in the city. The local markets here like the Bhanjpur Market, Station Bazaar and Ananda Market are great places to buy local handicraft items as well.

Eat Local Delicacies:

A famous snack made from puffed grains of rice known as Mudhi is Baripada’s favorite food item, with all shops selling different variants of the snack. It can be eaten as it is or combined with various ingredients to make other scrumptious snack items. There are also a number of restaurants that cater to a variety of taste buds; Hotel Ambika is considered one of the best eateries in town and serves a number of different cuisines.

Baripada is a town that celebrates numerous festivals with a lot of fervour and grandeur. The famous Rath Yatra is the city’s most renowned celebration, second only to the one celebrated in Puri, which is why Baripada is also known as Dwitiya Srikhetra (Second Puri). Unlike Rath Yatra celebrated anywhere else, the one in Baripada is unique with its practices and rituals – the devotees who pull the chariot are primarily women, who carry the shrine of Maa Subhadra all across town.

The second most famous festival here is the Jagadhatri Mela in Bhanjpur. It is held in reverence of Maa Jagadhatri and is celebrated for 10 – 15 days. Bali Jatra and Durga Puja are also celebrated in a grandiose manner in Baripada.