Daringbadi (ଦାରିଙ୍ଗବାଡ଼ି) is a hill station in Kandhamal district, Odisha, at about 915 m (3,000 ft) above sea level. Often called the "Kashmir of Odisha", Daringbadi is known for cool winters in which night temperatures can drop close to freezing, along with pine forests, coffee gardens, waterfalls and the turmeric fields of the Kandhamal hills.
Why visit Daringbadi?
Most of Odisha is warm for much of the year, which makes Daringbadi's chilly mornings and misty valleys a draw for families from Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur and beyond. Odisha Tourism notes that winter temperatures occasionally approach freezing. Local tradition says the place is named after a British-era officer known as "Daring Saheb", with badi meaning a settlement. The surrounding district is largely forested and is home to Kondh communities; Odisha Tourism's material mentions a Kutia Kondh display in the town's Hill View Park.
Top things to see and do in Daringbadi
- Coffee gardens: Odisha Tourism lists the Daringbadi coffee garden about 3 km from the town, with plantations of coffee and spices.
- Pine forest: a short walk among planted pines, popular for photographs and picnics.
- Hill View Park: a park with viewpoints, a butterfly garden and a medicinal plant garden.
- Waterfalls: Midhubandha (also spelled Midubanda) waterfall is the best known; Odisha Tourism lists it about 40 km away and mentions Putudi waterfall in the area too. Flow is strongest after the monsoon.
- Doluri river and Lovers' Point: riverside and valley viewpoints included in Odisha Tourism's local sightseeing.
- Emu farm: a small farm about 12 km from town on the Baliguda road, according to Odisha Tourism.
- Mandasaru valley: a forested gorge about 35 km from Daringbadi, listed by Odisha Tourism among nearby attractions.
When is the best time to visit Daringbadi?
Odisha Tourism recommends October to February. December and January are the coldest months; Odisha Tourism's brochure notes that the seasonal Daringbadi eco-retreat (a tented camp) runs in winter, from December to March. March to May is pleasant compared with the plains but warmer, and the monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rain, green slopes and full waterfalls, but also slippery ghat roads. See best time to visit Odisha for how the hills compare with the coast.
How to reach Daringbadi
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Air | Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar |
| Rail | Brahmapur (Berhampur) railway station is the usual railhead. Sources differ on the road distance from Brahmapur: about 119 km in one commonly cited figure and about 150 km (a four-hour drive) in Odisha Tourism's package itinerary, reflecting different routes |
| Road | Daringbadi is reached by ghat roads; buses run from Bhubaneswar and Brahmapur, but a hired vehicle gives more flexibility for sightseeing |
The last stretch climbs through forest, so avoid driving after dark if you are unfamiliar with hill roads. For state-wide connections see how to reach Odisha.
Local food and produce
Daringbadi is not a restaurant town; most visitors eat at their hotel or homestay. The region is better known for what it grows. Kandhamal Haladi, the district's turmeric, holds Geographical Indication status, registered in 2019 to 2020, and the area also produces ginger, spices and coffee. Simple Odia meals of rice, dalma and local vegetables are the norm. Buying turmeric or coffee directly from local outlets is a good way to support growers; see GI tags of Odisha for more on Kandhamal Haladi.
Etiquette and practical tips
- Pack warm clothes for December and January; mornings and nights are cold.
- Respect village privacy. Ask before photographing people or homes in Kondh villages.
- Keep the forest clean. Do not leave plastic at picnic spots, waterfalls or the pine forest.
- Plan fuel and cash before leaving Brahmapur or Phulbani, as services thin out in the hills.
- Mobile coverage can be patchy on the ghat roads and at waterfalls.
Nearby places
- Phulbani: the district headquarters of Kandhamal.
- Belghar: a forested area with a nature camp, mentioned alongside Daringbadi by Odisha Tourism.
- Jirang (Chandragiri): the Padmasambhava Mahavihara monastery in neighbouring Gajapati district, listed by Odisha Tourism about 110 km from Daringbadi.
- Gopalpur-on-Sea: combine hills and coast via Brahmapur with our Gopalpur guide.
Learn more about the district on the Kandhamal district page.
Plan your visit
One to two nights is enough for Daringbadi's main sights, and the town pairs well with Gopalpur, Taptapani or southern Chilika for a longer southern Odisha loop. To get a custom itinerary for your dates, send a request at /travel/plan.