Pandava Bakhara: The mythological hill of Odisha
Situated approximately 31 kilometres from Cuttack and 38 kilometres from Bhubaneswar, this historic rock shelter has attracted tourists, historians and nature enthusiasts as well.
Hidden within the peaceful creases of the Chandaka forest is Pandava Bakhara, an ageless cave rich in myth and history. Situated approximately 31 kilometres from Cuttack and 38 kilometres from Bhubaneswar, this historic rock shelter has attracted tourists, historians and nature enthusiasts as well. Its beauty apart, it is the stories that it carries silently across centuries.
Legend has it that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata had once taken refuge here while in exile for so many years. It is said Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva and Yudhisthira dwelled in these caves, leaving a legacy that resonated through ages. The origin of Pandava Bakhara was thus born out of these narratives, finding a place in Odisha’s cultural heritage.
The drive to the caves is as memorable as the experience. The hill where they lie is some 500 feet high, and to ascend from the ground level is almost a kilometre through a precipitous, rocky route. It is a journey that tries one’s endurance but compensates with panoramic views of the Mahanadi River, forest cover and boulder-studded outcrops. The air gets cooler and the quiet more profound the higher one goes, until the caves appear out of the hillside like venerable sentinels.
A team of researchers, a while back, found evidence of human settlement here going back 3500 to 4000 years. Stone Age and Copper Age artefacts were found, indicating that these hills had been a shelter for mankind much before the era of recorded history. In the Pandava Bakhara hill complex are a number of caves with interesting names such as Dabarkhola, Tiger Cave, Chanchlani Cave, Kalia Taila Cave, Narahari Cave and Anahat Cave. Each one carries its own silent tale, its own intrinsic artistry wrought by time.
At the foot of the hill lies a small lake, a peaceful piece of water said to have supported human existence in the past. The marriage of archaeological significance and natural beauty makes this place an unforgettable gem. Climbers enjoy the trek, historians marvel at the artifacts and spiritual seekers enjoy the solitude.
The closest points of access are Banki Bus Stand, Cuttack Railway Station and Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, so it is a convenient but unspoiled retreat. Pandava Bakhara is not just a travel destination but a living example of Odisha’s wealth of mythology, history and nature’s subtle beauty, a spot where the murmurs of yesteryears still echo in the breeze.
