Bhubaneswar, Feb. 2: Just about 20km from the city, the historic Barunei hills are now in focus of the tourism department, which is trying to push up footfalls there following the setting up of a tourist interpretation centre.

Barunei’s proximity to Khurda fort (Khoradha gada in Odia) and several other places of tourist interest has made it a go-to destination for tourists, especially those on a sight-seeing day trip.

Khurda tourist officer Sujata Patnaik said the new job of the interpretation centre is to inform the incoming tourists on the importance of the various places such as the temple on top of the Barunei hills, Khurda fort, two historic temples near it, the hot spring at Atri and the Sufi shrine at Kaipadar.

Built at a cost of nearly Rs 1 crore, the centre will also have a small crafts bazaar. This will operated by Khurda Municipality.

“We have constructed the interpretation centre. The crafts bazaar and platforms for the picnickers will be of great help in the near future,’’ Patnaik said.

Tourism director M.R. Patnaik said: “We are going to develop all the nearby places around Bhubaneswar as major day-trip destinations eying the growing population of the city. People will be able to visit these places in their own cars and come back in the evening.”

If you take the NH-5 from Bhubaneswar, Barinei is just a 30-minute drive away. The site welcomes you with its beautiful peak and the teak plantations nearby. The most interesting part here is that the country cakes made at the temple are steamed in cups made of jackfruit leaves.

The hill is associated with the rich history of the freedom struggle of the state and especially Khurda, which had the rare distinction of being the last independent fort in India. The fort, which was at the helm of Odishan politics, remained the major fort in the area from 1568AD to 1803AD. The British were not able to take the total control of the fort till 1817, local historians say.

A tourist, Master Apollo from Nayagarh, who has come to Barunei at least six times, said: “During their days of battle against the British, the local kings used to address their soldiers from top of laterite platforms. Such platforms are still there. Khurda was famous for its warrior community or ‘paikas’ as they were brave fighters.”

Legend has it that king Ramachandra Dev had established the temple on the hill for the goddess. However, following a series of renovations, the temple has got its distinct look today and people from all corners of the state visit it.

A perennial stream called Swarna Ganga flows down from the hilltop. As the water comes from the top of the hill that has a various medicinal plants, the water has many medicinal qualities and the pond where the water gets stored has become a favourite spot for the tourists to take bath.

In summer and winter, one can trek up the hill. But, this is dangerous between June and October because a lot of vegetation grows during the rains and trekkers could encounter snakes. Local residents claim that the Pandavas had stayed in the caves on this hill.

Barunei has a lot to offer tourists in the form of trekking, religious and historic spots. The hot spring Atri, Sufi shrine Kaipadadar, Khurda fort, Nikunja Bihari and Radhakanta Deb temples are all situated close by.