Papanga hill. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, April 18: A hilltop, which had once given shelter to the heroes of freedom struggle against the British government, is now all set to depict its historical significance through the celebrations of Papanga Pahad Lok Mahotsab.

The festival is being organised at the Papanga hill in Bheden block of Bargarh district, 40 kilometres from here. The three-day festival will start from tomorrow.

“Freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, along with his supporters, had launched their warfare against the Britishers from the top of this hill. A war, known as the “Papanga Yuddha”, took place between the Britishers and Veer Surendra Sai here in 1853,” said Snehangini Chhuria, organiser of the festival and a member of the Western Orissa Development Council.

“There are two deities — Budharaja and Khetrapal — on the hilltop. They are worshiped a day after the Chaitra purnima every year. On this occasion, we organise this festival,” she said.

“Twenty cultural organisations will stage their performances during this festival. Eminent persons of the locality, who have excelled in different fields, will be felicitated. We have decided to felicitate playwright Debendra Biswal, Sanchar artist Visakha Rana, Sushil Meher who performs the role of Kansa during Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, Sanchar artist Chintamali Dash, and playwrights Hemachandra Dash and Prafulla Mahakur. Actor Siddhhant Mohapatra and information and public relations minister Prafulla Samal will attend the event on the inaugural day,” she added.

“The tourism department has identified this place as a tourist spot. We hope this festival will attract tourists from all over the country. The central government has sanctioned Rs 34 lakh for the development of the place. There is a pond at the hilltop, where we have plans to construct three check dams to preserve water. There is also a proposal to build a tourist bungalow at the top of the hill,” she said.