BLOG 22 | Ride #3 – Puri to Barunei Hills & Khordha Fort - A Ride of Belief & Betrayal
Ride #3 – Puri to Barunei Hills & Khordha Fort - A Ride of Belief & Betrayal
Hey folks, I’m back with another ride story. This time, it’s about a journey that blends roads, ruins, belief, and betrayal — my ride from Puri to Maa Barunei, nestled in the Barunei Hills, and the nearby Khordha Fort (or what remains of it).
Located on the outskirts of Khordha district, this destination sits roughly 60.3 km from Puri town. More than just a riding spot, this land is steeped in history — particularly stories tied to the British invasion of Odisha and the spiritual force believed to protect the Khordha kingdom.
Why Barunei Hills Always Called Me
Since childhood, I had heard stories from my father and elders about the Tantrik powers associated with Maa Barunei. The place is believed to be a Shakti Peetha, and it is said that Goddess Barunei herself protected the Khordha kingdom from invaders.
These tales stayed with me — stories of faith, sacrifice, and supernatural resistance. Over the years, my curiosity only grew stronger. I wanted to visit this stalwart land, to feel the soil that once stood between Odisha and the British Empire.
The Legend of Faith and Warfare
The story I grew up hearing goes something like this.
When the British knocked on the doors of Odisha, Khordha stood as the final fortress. After numerous failed attempts, the British eventually found hidden paths through the dense and furious forests of the Barunei Hills to reach Khordha Fort.
Militarily, the British infantry was far superior to the Odia cavalry. But Odisha possessed a weapon forged not in steel — unshakable faith. A belief in gods and goddesses so strong that it became the spine of resistance.
During the rising threat of war, the King of Khordha consulted his ministers. Among them was a minister who was a profound Tantrik, believed to have mastered rituals that could invoke divine power. He confidently told the King:
“Give me the charge, My King, and the Britishers will be wiped out even before the war begins.”
Impressed by his conviction, the King granted him full authority.
The Midnight Ritual at Barunei Hills
At midnight, atop the Barunei Hills near Maa Barunei’s shrine, the ritual began. It is believed that the Goddess, pleased by the devotion and intensity of the Tantra, granted supernatural power to the Odia soldiers.
Before sunrise, something unimaginable happened.
British soldiers began falling ill. Their camps turned into scenes of chaos, struck by an untreatable disease. During battles, soldiers were reportedly killed by an unknown force — a presence that could be felt, but never seen.
This continued for days. Panic spread across the British camp. The General, alarmed by the steady collapse of his once-formidable army, ordered spies to uncover the truth behind this unseen enemy.
The Weakness That Changed History
As legends often say — every power comes with a weakness.
The Mantri, despite his immense spiritual strength, had one fatal flaw — his attachment to a prostitute. Through espionage, the British reached her and tempted her with unimaginable wealth — gold and silver enough to last a lifetime.
Blinded by greed, she agreed to betray her own land.
One night, during an intimate moment, she casually asked the Mantri if the Tantra ritual could ever be broken. Intoxicated and careless, he revealed the secret:
“Yes. If sacrilegious cow’s blood is poured into the ritual fire, the Tantra will collapse.”
That confession sealed Khordha’s fate.
The woman passed the secret to the British. The ritual was sabotaged. The supernatural protection vanished. Soon after, the British stormed Khordha Fort.
The Mantri was captured and brutally dismembered.
Betrayal Meets Its End
After the fall of Khordha, the woman went to the British court to claim her reward. What followed is the final, grim lesson of the tale.
The British reportedly responded:
“A woman who betrays her own people cannot be trusted as an ally.”
With a single swing of the sword, she was executed.
A story not just of war — but of belief and betrayal.
The Ride to the Hills
Carrying this story in my heart and mind, I finally set out on my ride.
I chose the Jatni Road, and the journey took me around 1 hour 30 minutes. The roads aren’t entirely motorable, but the surroundings slowly shift from urban chaos to quiet greenery.
The Maa Barunei Temple area offers excellent scope for hiking. For trekkers and explorers, this place is a hidden gem. The hilltop presents a magnificent panoramic view, and standing there, it felt obvious why Khordha was chosen as a fort — the hills themselves offer natural protection.
Khordha Fort: What Remains
From the temple, a narrow passage connects Barunei Hills to Khordha Fort.
Reaching the site was heartbreaking.
Almost nothing remains — only base floorings and scattered stones of what was once a historic stronghold. While the government has taken some steps to preserve the area, the efforts feel insufficient for a place of such importance.
A local person shared another painful truth — many of the massive stones from this fort were later used by the British to construct Jatni Railway Station.
History dismantled to build convenience.
Riding Back With Heavy Thoughts
After spending time there — observing, taking notes, and silently absorbing the atmosphere — I headed back.
Much has changed. But the soil still feels alive.
It carries cruelty and divinity together.
This ride wasn’t just about distance covered or roads explored. It was about standing at the crossroads of faith, power, greed, and loss.
A land that once resisted an empire.
A story of belief and betrayal — that tells no man’s tale lightly.
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