The Secret Canyon of Odisha – Meet Kanakund!
The Secret Canyon of Odisha – Meet Kanakund!
Tucked away in the northwestern wilderness of Odisha, the district of Sundergarh hides a geological treasure that could easily make Indiana Jones drop his whip in awe — a natural canyon, quietly minding its business while carving through rocks older than your great-great-great (add 100 more greats) grandparents.
Yes, Sundergarh has a canyon, and no, it’s not a Bollywood set. It’s very real, very old, and very impressive — if you’re into rocks that whisper stories from billions of years ago.
What Is the Sundergarh Canyon?
The canyon in Sundergarh, also known as Kanakund is a narrow, steep-sided valley sculpted over millions of years by the persistent action of a river most notably a tributary of the Ib River, which itself is a major tributary of the Mahanadi River. The gorge winds its way through Precambrian rock formations, forming sharp cliffs and terraced slopes that offer a visual spectacle for nature lovers and geologists alike.
🪨 How Was the Canyon Formed?
This majestic canyon wasn’t born overnight. No earthquakes, no volcanoes, no dinosaurs with shovels. Just one humble river, a tributary of the Ib River, slowly gnawing away at hard rocks for millions of years like a geologist with eternal patience.
The rocks here are part of the Sundergarh Group, dating back over 1.5 to 2 billion years that’s older than multicellular life. But don’t confuse the age of the rocks with the age of the canyon. The canyon itself is a relatively young whippersnapper in geologic terms likely formed in the Cenozoic Era, roughly within the last 65 million years.
The process was simple but dramatic:
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The land said, “I think I’ll rise” (thanks to tectonic uplift).
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The river replied, “I’ll just dig a little deeper then.”
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Fast forward a few million years — voilà, canyon.
The rocks at Kanakund are primarily composed of carbonate minerals like limestone (CaCO₃) or dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂]. When river water flow through these rocks, the dissolved CO₂—reacts with these carbonates, it triggers dissolution, releasing calcium ions (Ca²⁺) into the water through the reaction:
CaCO₃ + H₂O + CO₂ → Ca²⁺ + 2HCO₃⁻
Over time, this karstification process sculpts the rock into striking features such as:
Undercut cliffs (where water erodes the base),
Potholes (cylindrical cavities formed by swirling water),
Honeycomb textures (differential erosion patterns),
Solution channels (subsurface tunnels that may collapse into gorges).
The Course of the Canyon
The canyon follows a winding path primarily aligned with the natural course of the river. It begins near the Bonai region in southern Sundergarh and progresses northeastward, eventually merging with the Ib River system. The canyon's trajectory is controlled by structural weaknesses in the rock such as joints and faults guiding the river's course over time.
Key locations where the canyon is prominently visible include:
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Koira-Bonai belt: Known for its rugged terrain and deep-cut valleys.
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Adjacent mining zones: Where erosion is naturally enhanced, though sometimes impacted by human activity.
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River terraces and waterfalls: Scenic features punctuating the canyon's path, such as at Khandadhar Falls (though technically on a different stream, it showcases similar geomorphic processes).
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| Fig: Course of The River |
Beyond its scenic value, the Sundergarh Canyon offers a rare look into India’s Precambrian past. The exposed rock layers tell a story of ancient marine environments, tectonic movements, and climatic shifts. Fossil evidence in associated sedimentary beds points to biological activity dating back hundreds of millions of years.
For geologists, the canyon is a natural cross-section through time. For travelers, it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Final Thoughts
Though not as widely known as the Grand Canyon or the Chambal ravines, the Sundergarh Canyon stands as a quiet testament to the power of nature and the vastness of Earth’s history. It reminds us that every river, no matter how modest, has the potential to carve greatness through persistence and time.
If you ever find yourself in Odisha, make sure to explore this natural marvel where geology, history, and beauty converge.
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