Minajhola, Gudari

While this pilgrim and tourist spot is a little further away from rayagada town, it falls under the same district administration. Minajhola is a beautiful confluence of nature and religion. It houses a Shiva temple; at the meeting of 3 state rivers: Vamsadhara, Chauladhua, and Phalaphalia, where the idol is in the form of a fish called Minaketan, hence the name. It is a major pilgrim spot, given that Shivratri here is celebrated with much gusto. Due to its natural beauty, Manijhola attracts a lot of tourists also, to see the confluence of rivers, bathe in them, and picnic along the shore. Manijhola is 134 kms north-east of Rayagada, situated in the gudari town of Rayagada district. While getting there is not as hassle-free as any other destination, the state transport authority provides for buses from Rayagada up to Gudari and the rest 25 km from Gudari to Minajhola can be travelled by jeep or hired taxi. The road is not very friendly and isn’t all-weather. The nearest railway station is in Rayagada. There is no entry fee to visit this pilgrim and tourist spot.