Daringbadi – The hidden hill station of Odisha which you must see at least once in your life. Which has not been explored much even today.
📍 Location: Kandhamal District, Odisha | Elevation: 3,000 ft above sea level
Discover Daringbadi, The Hidden Kashmir of Odisha, a hill station in Odisha state where there are miles of pine and dense forests, waterfalls, tribal culture and peaceful place. You must plan for such an off-beats place once in your life!
🌄 Introduction – The Peaceful and Hidden Kashmir of Odisha.
Whenever we talk about hill stations in India, everyone thinks of places like Manali, Mussoorie or Munnar. But imagine if I tell you that there is a hidden and unexplored place in Odisha?
Daringbadi—which people fondly call “Kashmir of Odisha”—is a hill station where the crowd is very less, compared to hill stations like Manali, the crowd here is negligible, but there is a lot more peace.
👉 If you are planning your next off-beat and unexplored destination, then do read this: off-beat hill stations in India.
What makes Daringbadi special?
Daringbadi is not a checklist place at all, it is an experience. Coming here, the heart gets a different level of peace which cannot be expressed in words at all. Here. Highlights of Daringbadi:
❄️ Cold winds: Daringbadi is the only place in Odisha where the temperature in winters is very comfortable close to zero. Sometimes you can even see frost here.
🌲 Pine forests: The pine forests of Odisha are found only here. There is something else in walking amidst nature.
☕ Coffee and Pepper Farms: Organic farming is done here and tribal harvesting will give you a different level of flavor.
🛖 Tribal Culture: Kandha tribe is the real pride of this place. Their way of living and rituals are very unique and different.
📸 Top Tourist Spots of Daringbadi
Here is a must-visit list for things to do in Daringbadi:
1. Hill View Point
Watching the sunrise here in the morning is a magical experience.
2. Coffee Garden & Pepper Farms
Take a guided plantation tour and understand how the local people there are making their livelihood. Support agro-tourism.
3. Midubanda Waterfalls
The Midubanda waterfall is in full flow during the rainy season and gives a cinematic view.
4. Lover’s Point
This viewpoint is a perfect spot for couples. Instagram-worthy photos are guaranteed!
5. Belghar Sanctuary
A perfect combo of wildlife and tribal life. You will get to see elephants, leopards and tribal culture here.
🧕 Culture & Community – The real identity of Daringbadi
Daringbadi is not just a place, it connects people.
Kandha tribe is the real heart of this place. Sitting with them for an evening campfire, eating local food, and listening to their stories will become a lifetime memory.
🎭 Read this guide for Tribal tourism: tribal tourism in Odisha
🍲 What to eat in Daringbadi?
Mandia Peja – A hot soup of millet, one of the specialty foods of tribals.
Pakhala Bhata – Mixed with fermented rice and curd, a very desi and comfort food.
Dry Fish Curry – A delicious and tasty tribal dish cooked with local spices.
Chhena Poda – An iconic dessert of Odisha, made from baked chhena.
🗓️ When to go to Daringbadi?
Season Highlights
Winter (Oct–Feb) Foggy jungle, cold winds and enjoyment of frost
Monsoon (Jul–Sep) Waterfalls are in full flow, nature is in its best form during this time
Avoid Summer (Mar–May) It is hot and extremely dry, it is not travel-friendly at all
🚗 How to reach Daringbadi?
By Air: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar – approx 250 km.
By Train: Nearest Station – Berhampur Railway Station – approx 120 km.
By Road: Direct road from NH-59. Beautiful drive guaranteed.
🏨 Where to Stay?
OTDC Panthanivas Daringbadi – Government-run, basic but comfortable.
Eco Cottages & Tribal Homestays – A mixture of culture and comfort.
Luxury Tents & Forest Stays – The real feel of staying in the midst of nature.
🛌 See curated list of eco-resorts in Odisha’s hill stations.
💡 Travel Tips
Make sure to keep warm clothes – even in summer.
Make hotel bookings well in advance during peak season so that you don’t face much trouble going there.
Respect tribal people – make sure to take permission before clicking photos.
Keep cash – ATMs are less available there.
Try to travel slowly—plan for at least 2-3 days, if you don’t like traveling in a group.
🧳 FAQs About Daringbadi
Q: Is Daringbadi safe for people who travel alone?
Yes absolutely. It is one of the safe rural places in India.
Q: Is Daringbadi a good place for remote work?
Yes, but sometimes the network becomes a little weak. So better treat it as a digital detox trip.
Q: What should I take while packing?
Warm clothes, power bank, offline map, and an open mind. 😄
📌 Lastly, one thing
Daringbadi is for those people who want life more than likes, connection more than photos, and believe in culture more than crowd.
So get ready to discover a place that creates a place not just on Google Maps but also in the heart.
