Bhimkund

Bhimkund is a Natural water tank and a holy place in Odisha and is located in Mayurbhanj District . It is a beautiful natural water reservoir on the River Baitarani. It is located exactly on the boundary line between the districts Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, at a distance of about 100 km from Keonjhar. This reservoir is two storeyed which resulted into the formation of two waterfalls one above another. The water of this kund is magnificently blue. The kund (tank) is believed to have measureless depth. Locals say, water level of Bhimkund soar about 30 meters when a tsunami hit in 2004.

About 40 km from Karanjia, near Booring village in Thakurmunda P.S. is the sacred pool Bhimkund in the river Vaitarani. The legend reveals that Bhima, the second Pandava used to take his bath in this pool when the Pandavas were passing their incognito life in Birat Nagar, said to be the present Kaptipada. Here river Vaitarani flows through a gorge in steps forming a series of picturesque rapids until it settles down in the pool called "Bhimkund". It is encircled by precipitous stone wall. During Makar Festival in the month of January thousands of people gather here to take their holy dip. The place can also be approached from Dhenkikote (20 km) on S.H. No 11 connecting Keonjhar and Panikoili. The place is ideal for picnickers.

Great Hindu epic Mahabharata links Bhimkund with Pandavas. Tired and weary under the hot scorching sun, Draupadi fainted of thirst. Bhim, the strongest of the five brothers, hit the ground with his gada (a kind of club with a round head, made of metal) and lo and behold, water surged out and the pool came into being.

The kund lies in an underground cave and is about 30m from the mouth. To the left of the entrance is a small Shivalinga (the phallic representation of Lord Shiva) But what’s truly astounding here is that the roof of the cave has a small opening just above the kund as this is the spot Bhim is said to have hit with his gada. The depth of this pool is believed to be measureless.

The pool is a lovely indigo blue which contrasts well with the red stone walls. There are some caves around it but no one has been adventurous enough to find out where they lead. There is something mysterious and exciting about this place, so much so that one almost tends to believe the pool’s epic origin.

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Wikipedia