MAYURBHANJ

MAYURBHANJ

About the district

                              Mayurbhanj  a 10,418 sq km land was an important kingdom of Odisha even after independence. This kingdom got merged with Odisha and got recognition of a district on 1^st January 1949. In terms of area it is the largest district of Odisha. For better administration the district has divided into four sub-divisions. Mayurbhanj is also covered with a cultivable land of 4,47,214 hectares.  The district is well known for it’s high growth of paddy. The district has a reserve of mineral resources. Baripada is the head quarter of the district.

Geography:-

Loacted between 850 40/ to 870 11/ East longitude and 210 16/ to 220 34/ North latitude. The geography of Mayurbhanj can be divided into three natural divisions. The first one being the hilly terrains that cover the centre of the district running across most of the region.Mostly consisting the Simlipal mountains,the hill divides the district into the rest two separate geographical regions ,Western and Eastern. The Eastern part is made up of fertile slopes that stretch from the foot hills to the sea. The Western part is mainly made up of plain lands with gentle slopes and rocky hills. The temperature of the region is moderate with summer temperature crossing 38°C while the winter temperature hovers around 8°C.

 

Demographics:-

         As per the 2011 census, Mayurbhanj district has a population of 2,513,895. So It is ranked as 171^st in India(out of total 640 districts).Population density- 241 inhabitants per squar Km. Mayurbhanj has a sex ratio of 1005 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 63.98%.

Tourism:-

Simillipal : The Elephants, dense forest, rugged hilly terrain majestically roaming wild animal and unfathomable magnetic power of to attract the tourists to its lap combinedly make Similipal 'The Tourists' Paradise. Truly speaking, any sensitive nature loving tourist, who happen to come here once is so mesmerised by the roar of the Tiger, swaying gait of the elephant, chirping of various tropical birds, shining of tender foliages of luxuriously grown sal trees and other tropical forest trees and rustling of perennial streams, that, they unwillingly make a retreat to the world full of din and bustle. Apart from that Similipal is the richest watershed in Odisha, giving rise to many perennial rivers-The Budhabalanga, The khadkei, The West Deo, The East Deo, The Salandi and the Sanjo are the major ones. Gorgeous BAREHIPANI (400mt) and JORANDA (150mt) waterfalls do give every visitors a mute call to come there over and over again. At night when one is cozily settled in the rest house it is exciting as well as chilling to hear alarm calls-shrill notes of CHEETAL, belling of SAMBAR or barking of MUNTJAC, generally indicating the presence of large predator-the LEOPARD or TIGER in the vicinity. During the day, sight of conspicuous foot prints of big cats and ELEPHANTS make the imagination run wild. During May-June, a large number of ORCHIDS bloom, exotically coloured and strangely shaped. They nestle on the trunks and branches of the tree for support in moist region. Generally 4 to 5 varieties bloom at a time for few days, while others patiently wait for their turn. Foot-long chains of 'FOX-TAIL orchid consisting of several hundred tiny translucent mauve coloured flowers are most conspicious. A visit to The RAMTIRTHA CROCODILE REARING CENTRE near JASHIPUR is an exposure of different kind. It provides insight into the intricacy of nature and the man's effort to restore the balance in nature. In totality Similipal is among some of the best creations of the God.

List of mammals, birds and rreptiles-

Mammals:-

Tiger, Leopard, Bison, Elephant, Spotted Deer, Bear, Ratel, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Otter, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Chowsingha, Ruddy Mongoose, Pangolin, Giant squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Hanuman, Langur, Rh. Macaque.

Birds:-

Pea Fowl, Red jungle Fowl, Hornbill, Hill Myna, Grey wagtail, Alexandrine Parakeet, Serpent Eagle.

Reptile:-

Python, king Cobra, Cobra, Viper, Banded Krait, Monitor lizard, Forest Calotes, Chameleon, Mugger Crocodile, Black Turtle, Tent Turtle.

Biodiversity:-

Similipal is very rich in biodiversity with 7% of Indian species of flowering plants and 8% of orchids of India. Till date 1076 species of plants out of which   92 species of orchids have been identified in Similipal.

Information about the sanctuary:-

Area in Sq. Km.: 
845 (core)
1905 (Buffer)
Total: 2750
Latitude: 20deg17'-22deg34'N
Longitude: 85deg40'-87deg10'E
Rainfall: 2000mm
Temp: Max.42degCelcious (May-June)
Min: -3degC (Dec-Jan.)
Highest Point: Khairburu (1165.6mt)
Conservation History
Declared Sanctuary: December 1979
Proposed National Park: August 1980 and June 1986
Made tiger reserve: 1973
Ramtirtha Crocodile Rearing Centre: 1979
Research
--Monitoring of population of major animals.
--Monitoring of rehabilitated crocodiles.
--Salt-lick maintenance
--Habitat improvement
--Tourism pattern study
--Pattern of habitat utilisation by Giant Squirrel.

How to reach:-

From             Jashipur         Pithabata 
                                                          
Bhubaneswar    252               290 
Calcutta            290               270 
Balasore           160                 80 
Jamshedpur      113               175 

Season of visit:-

The Sanctuary remains open to visitors tentatively from 1st November to 15th June. 

Entry permit to be issued from:-

Office of Asst. Conservator of Forest,
National Park, NH-6, Jashipur
and 
Office of Range Officer, Pithabata 
range, Pithabata Check gate Pithabata.

 

Khitching : It is the temple of Goddess Chamunda which is situated at a distance of 150 kms from Baripada. This temple is famous for its fineworks on the stone walls of the temple. Monolitheic pillars of Chaulakunj, exacaved size of Biratgarh and the museum are the visiting places. The name Khiching is a corruption of Khijjinga or Khijjinga-kota, the capital of the early Bhaja rulers. The ruins of this ancient magnificent town extend far beyond the limits of the present village from the bank of the Khairabandhan river in the north to that of the Kantakhair river in the south. Due to its geographical situation and political role, it experienced varied cultural influences and contacts. Such influences and contacts guided the course of development of the art of Khiching. Despite the influences, the art of Khiching lived with vitality for centuries and expressed the aesthetic experience and religious sensibilities with an individuality of its own.

Mantri : It is situated at a distance of 36 kms from Baripada and Known all over the state for the temple of  " Kikatua Vaidyanath ".

Baripada : It is the Headquarter of the Mayurbhanj District. Ruins of ancient forts and  Jagannath temple are the tourists attractions of  Baripada.

Banthia Jagannath Temple : This temple is situated at Baripada. It was built by the king Sri Srinath Bhanjdeo during 1863 to 1867. Lord Jagannath is worshipped here.

Kichakeswari Temple : This temple is situated at Bahalda which is 16km away from Baripada. Bahalda was the capital of Mayurbhanj kingdom in fourteenth century. Goddess Kichakeswari is worshipped here.

Cuisine:-

                  As far as cuisine is concerned, the popular snack of Mayurbhanj, the mudhi-mansa (puffed rice combined with mutton in gravy), ‘Dal Khechudi’ and ‘Ram Ruchuka’ will attract visitors. It is very delicious and attractive.

Culture:-

Chhau dance(folk dance of mayurbhanj):-

Chhau dance is a genre of Indian tribal martial dance which is popular in the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal. There are three subgenres of the dance, based on its places of origin and development, Seraikella Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau and Purulia Chhau. Elements of folk, tribal, martial, traditional art are classical part of the Mayurbhanj Chhau.

It is believed by some modern scholars that the word Chhau is derived from Sanskrit Chāya (shadow, image or mask), but according to Sitakant Mahapatra, it is derived from Chhauni (military camp).

Types of chhau:-

The Seraikella Chhau developed in Seraikela, the present day administrative headquarters of the Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, the Purulia Chau in Purulia district of West Bengal and the Mayurbhanj Chhau in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The most prominent difference among the three subgenres is regarding the use of masks. While, the Seraikela and Purulia subgenres of Chhau use masks, the Mayurbhanj Chhau uses none.

The Seraikella Chhau's technique and repertoire were developed by the erstwhile nobility of this region who were both its performers and choreographers. The Mayurbhanj Chhau is performed without masks and is technically similar to the Seraikella Chhau. The Purulia Chhau too uses masks and it exhibits the spontaneity of folk art. This is because unlike the Seraikella and Mayurbhanj Chhau, which enjoyed royal patronage, the Purulia Chhau was sustained and developed by the people themselves.

In 2010 the Chhau dance was inscribed in the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Measures to safeguard the dance:-

The Government of Odisha established a Government Chhau Dance Centre in 1960 in Seraikella and the Mayurbhanj Chhau Nritya Pratisthan at Baripada in 1962 since the abolition of princely states made it difficult for the local communities to sustain these traditions. These institutions engage in training involving local gurus, artists, patrons and representatives of Chhau institutions and sponsor performances. The Chaitra Parva festival, significant to the Chhau Dance, is also funded by the state government. It is the best form of mask dance. For safeguarding Chhau Dance the Sangeet Natak Akademi has taken up specific measures including grants to cultural institutions the establishment of a National Centre for Chhau Dance at Baripada, Odisha.

In Hindi film Barfi, several scenes of purulia chhau can be seen.

A great place for the nature lovers and tourists. Peaceful and Beautiful.