Gandhamardan Hill

Treasure trove of medicinal plants comprising 1055 floral species including 849 angiosperms, 56 pteridophytes, 40 bryophytes, 45 lichens , 2 angiosperms and 63 macrofungi. The Faunal diversity of 500 species includes 43 mammals, 161 birds, 16 amphibians, 118 butterflies, 27 dragonflies7 damselflies and 83 spiders Two endemic species, a plant , Ficus conccina var. dasycarpa and a spider, Peucetia harishankarensis are endemic to this hill. Two historical monuments , Nrusinghhanath and Harishankar temples located in the Northern and Southern slopes respectively in the foothills have immense cultural significance. These are two major pilgrimage sites of Odisha . Moreover, famous traveller, Hiusen Tsang described this hill shrine as a Buddhist Heritage Site, "Parimalagiri". The site has its socio-economic, ecological and biological significance and long history of human association