About the Place & what to see:

Located 60 km from Padmapur in Bargarh district, this is an important place for the people of Jharbandh. The 13 feet high cave, is also of much interest to palaeontologists as it consists of pre-historic rock paintings and other things of obvious interest to a researcher.

In the past it provided natural rock shelter for the primitive man. Later many freedom fighters took shelter in this cave when evading arrest or detention from marauding British soldiers. Today, this historical cave at Similikhol stands isolated, even from the government records. But,even though neglected, it remains in people’s hearts as a cave which played an active part in the great struggle for Independence. Historians and even the average curiosity monger often throng the cave which has history written large on its smoked walls.

During Dussehra, the cave has many visitors. Some of them even from Madhya Pradesh. A festival is observed at the nearby Durga Temple, located on the hill besides the cave.People also perform mansika at the temple of Bana Durga, believing that this way their dreams can materialise. Locals have demanded that the government take steps to protect and develop the cave.