Easy hike, with great views of the Khalikot Range of the Eastern Ghats of India.
Starting Point: Maa Maninaga Lower Temple, Raj-Ranapur, Odisha
Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mABwzh3bBxXSUsTv6
We started at from Bhubaneswar at 4 AM. The distance to starting point is 80KM from Bhubaneswar. There is enough parking area in front of the temple.
Hike: It a well-maintained concrete trail. One way distance in 4.26KM. The total hike is around 9 KM. We started at 6 AM and reached the top around 8:30 AM with good number of stops.
The height of the Maninaga Mountain is 413m [1302 ft]. Early in the morning it is a fun walk. The elevation gain is around 1177 ft. If you carry a good bag pack with additional weight, say around 10KG, it is a great workout for the weekend.
The view from the top is 360 degrees. Every direction has its own charm.
The sunset and sunrise from the top are worth all the effort to walk all the way up.
The temple on the top is known from its history as a place for human sacrifice. The views from the temple of the plain land below are quite interesting.
The visit to the nearby Khallikote Forest after the hike, is a different world all together. A valley of tribal villages, surrounded by mountains and deep jungle of the Khallikote range of the Easter Ghats.
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