Leopard Spotted at Atei Jungle Safari: Everything to Know Before Visiting Ghatgaon

The Atei Jungle Safari in Ghatgaon, Keonjhar—launched on 2 January 2025 by the Keonjhar Forest Department—is rapidly emerging as an exciting eco-tourism destination that blends spirituality, wildlife, and natural beauty. Located near the revered Maa Tarini Temple, where the Goddess is believed to have stayed after the King of Kendujhar accidentally broke a divine condition during her journey from Puri, the safari stretches across the 16,000-hectare Atei Tiger Reserve, part of the tiger corridor connected to the Similipal Tiger Reserve. The 40 km safari offers visitors deep immersion in untouched forests, and on 15 January 2025, several tourists had an unforgettable experience when, while returning from Dargudsila to Ghatgaon, they spotted a leopard near Jhula Pola, a local forest spot inside the reserve—an exhilarating sighting that filled them with joy and reinforced the area’s thriving wildlife presence. Safari bookings are done offline only at the counter located on the Maa Tarini Temple premises, with booking hours from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM; safari timings run daily from 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM, lasting approximately 3 hours. Visitors can choose between Non-A/C safari vehicles for ₹200 and A/C vehicles for ₹250, making the experience both accessible and engaging. Enriched with mythological significance, scenic forest landscapes, and thrilling wildlife encounters, the Atei Jungle Safari has quickly become a must-visit destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and spiritually inclined travelers exploring Odisha.