Western Odisha’s First Memorial on Veer Surendra Sai Comes up near Debrigarh Sanctuary

Sambalpur: Hiakud Wildlife Division is coming up with Western Odisha’s first Memorial on Veer Surendra Sai at the outskirt of Debrigarh Sanctuary near Barabakhara.

Barabakhara cave is a popular pilgrimage site and picnic destination in Western Odisha. Thousands of picknikars, trekkers and travelers from nearby districts and different parts of Chhatisgarh visit this place round the year with family and friends.

Barabakhara cave inside Debrigarh Sanctuary is situated in high elevation with 12 caves and huge waterfall. More than 100 villages sorrounding Barabakhra of Debrigarh Sanctuary ( of Ambabhona region at Bargarh District ) have protected and conserved Debrigarh Sanctuary because of their devotion towards Surendra Sai and his sacrifices in fight against Britishers. Debrigarh Sanctuary historically has played important role in Western Odisha’s revolution against British invasion during 1830’s to 1860’s under the leadership of Veer Surendra Sai.

Chain of hill forts made-up of stone and mud were constructed by him at the top of Debrigarh hills, along the principal roads connecting Sambalpur with Raipur, Ranchi and Cuttack. The forts were constructed in and around Debrigarh Sanctuary and its contiguous Barapahada hill range which stretches from Western Odisha along Hirakud Reservoir upto Singhoda of Chhattisgarh.

The “Veer Surendra Sai Memorial” under construction depicts pictorial representation of major incidents and narrates the war story sequence wise through series of sculptures. A group of local sculpture artists are working on it under supervision of Hirakud Wildlife Division. Near the memorial one restaurant and construction of picnic spots with all picnic amenities is under progress. A jungle trail has been develop in ethnic style for the pilgrims and visitors visiting Barabakhara. The Barabakhara pilgrimage site has been develop artistically for Puja of Maa Samalei and Saptarishi who are worshiped their since ages/more than 500 years.

The maintenance and management of the memorial. Restaurant, Picnic spot, pilgrimage site and jungle trail will be done by the local Eco-Development Committee who are followers of Veer Surendra Sai. The revenue generated from these amenities will be utilized for management and maintenance of infrastructures.