Neglect hinders Boudh's rise as tourist hub

Named after Lord Buddha, the historically significant Boudh district remains neglected as a tourist destination despite possessing abundant natural beauty, ancient heritage, and deep-rooted cultural traditions.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Though small in size, Boudh is richly endowed with scenic landscapes and ecological diversity, making it an ideal destination for eco-tourism. The district boasts of ancient temples, historical relics, and sites of religious importance that could attract both tourists and researchers. However, due to continued neglect and lack of promotion, Boudh remains absent from mainstream tourism circuits.

Among the five protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India in western Odisha, two notable ones are located in Boudh - the intricately carved Gandharadi Temple built in the 8th century by the Bhanja kings, and the Rameswar Temple constructed in the 9th century by the Somavamsi dynasty, in Boudh town. These sites offer immense scope for heritage tourism and archaeological exploration.