Gandahati waterfall on the Mahendratanaya river near Mohana

Eco tourism

Sightseeing

The wellness centre sits at the foot of the Eastern Ghats, in one of Odisha's least-travelled districts. Sacred hills, forest waterfalls, royal heritage and a living tribal culture are all within a morning's drive.

The setting

Gajapati & the Eastern Ghats

Gajapati district rises from the coastal plain into hills of sal and semi-evergreen forest along the Odisha–Andhra border. Paralakhemundi, the old seat of the Gajapati kings, is its gateway. Every trip below is arranged with a guide and can be built around your wellness schedule.

Sacred peak of the Eastern Ghats

Mahendragiri Hills

The second-highest peak in Odisha, wrapped in myth and mist. A pilgrimage hill of ancient stone temples, cool forest and long views over Gajapati.

35 km · 1 hr 15 min

Falls in a deer sanctuary

Gandahati Waterfall

The Mahendratanaya river drops through forest near Mohana, inside a small deer park. A short, easy trail leads to the pools — a favourite half-day trip.

38 km · 1 hr 20 min

Indo-Saracenic royal seat

Gajapati Palace, Paralakhemundi

The palace of the Gajapati kings in the heart of Paralakhemundi town — a landmark of early-20th-century Indo-Saracenic architecture, a short drive from the campus.

5 km · 15 min

Sulphur spring in the forest

Taptapani Hot Spring

A natural hot sulphur spring on the forested Ghat road, with a temple, a small deer park and a state guest house. Long associated with skin ailments and rest.

58 km · 1 hr 30 min

Saura idital wall painting from the Gajapati hills

Living art of the Eastern Ghats

Saura Tribal Villages

Villages of the Saura (Sora) people in the hills around Gajapati, known for 'idital' wall paintings, terraced cultivation and a distinct musical tradition.

45 km · 1 hr 30 min

The river off Mahendragiri

Mahendratanaya River

The river that rises on Mahendragiri and runs past Paralakhemundi. Broad sandy stretches, quiet ghats and good light in the early morning and late evening.

10 km · 20 min

Plan a trip

Our team arranges transport, guides and permits so a day out sits lightly around your treatments.

Ask reception On-campus experiences

Location photographs: Mahendragiri Hills — Subhamsahoo2008, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vsvlss, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Gandahati Waterfall — Dream is ToExplore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Soumyajyoti1997, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Gajapati Palace, Paralakhemundi — Santosh Kumar Panda, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chinmaya1973, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Taptapani Hot Spring — Krupasindhu Muduli, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Saura Tribal Villages — Hpsatapathy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Mahendratanaya River — Narendra Modi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chinmaya1973, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.