NAYAGARH

 

NAYAGARH

ABOUT THIS REGION

It is an administrative district of the Indian state Odisha. Before 1995 it was the part of Puri district. In 1995 Puri district got split into three distinct districts. Nayagarh was one among the three. The District is bordered by Cuttack District on the North, Kandhamal District on the West, Ganjam District on the South, and Khordha District on its East. Agriculture has been playing a major role in the economy.

HISTORY

From the history of Nayagarh District, it reveals that the District was founded by Suryamani of “Baghela dynasty” who had come to Puri on a pilgrimage from “Rewa” of Madhya Pradesh. On the way to Puri, Both Suryamani and his brother Chandramani took a rest at night at Gunanati. The area was full of tigers and at night a tiger attacked him. Both the brothers fought the tiger and killed it. The local people praised the brave brothers and elected Suryamani as their leader. He built his fort there and adopted Tiger Head as a state symbol. The ninth king of this dynasty “Bagel Singh” (1480–1510) shifted his capital to the District. Suryamani gradually built his fort at Gunanati and married a Mali girl. After the death of his first wife, he married a Kshatriya girl. From there, he then attacked Haripur and Ralaba. Raba was a very beautiful place. While sleeping a tiger attacked him at Ralaba he again fought and killed it. At that moment he saw a lady with an empty pot passed by to fetch water. surprisingly, she returned with a little boy. Immediately, Suryamani obstructed the way of that lady and wanted to know about the mystery. The lady told she was Bouri Thakurani (a local worshiped goddess) and the tiger that the king killed was the boy. She advised Suryamani to kill her and worship her as his deity. From that day Suryamani worshiped "Bauri Thakurani" at Ralaba and built his fort. Nayagrh District covers many historical temples. Dakhinkali Temple, Gopinath Temple, Nilamadhab Temple, Ladubaba Temple, Raghunath Temple, and Dutikeswar Temple are the famous temples of the District.

GEOGRAPHY

Nayagarh District covers a geographical area of 3890 sq km. The district has one sub-division named Nayagarh. There are 8 Tahasils, 8 Blocks, 9 Police stations, 179 Gps, and 1702 villages functioning in the District. The District experiences a tropical climate. The maximum temperature that this district experience is well above 40 deg C (during summers) and the minimum can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius (during winters). Summers generally lasts from March to June and winters, from October to February. Rainfall is generally heavy during the monsoons, which occur during the months of July and August. the southwest monsoon is primarily responsible for the rainfall in this District.

DEMOGRAPHY

As of the 2011 Indian census, Nayagarh had a population of 962,215 of which males and females were 502,194 and 460,021 respectively. There was a change of 11.30 percent in the population compared to the population as of 2001. A growth of 10.46% had recorded from 1991 to 2001. The steady growth of 10 to 11% over the last two decades can be seen. The average literacy rate of Nayagarh in 2011 was 79.17 compared to 70.52 in 2001. As far as the Sex Ratio is concerned, it stood at 916 per 1000 males compared to the 2001 census figure of 938. Nayagarh District population constituted 2.29 percent of the total Odisha population.

PLACES TO VISIT

 Ranapur : Situated at a distance of 30 km from Nayagarh, Ranapur is a picnic spot. The temple of Goddess Maninageswari on the picturesque Maninag hilltop attracts tourists.

1-      Dasaapalla, a place situated at a distance of 40 kilometers from Nayagarh is famous for its Mahabir temple. A grand ceremony of Rabana podi occurs during Dussehra.

2-      Sukarmal is famous for its scenic beauty which attracts local and outside visitors.

3-      Saranakula, This place is famous for ladubaba temple.

4-      Odogaon, Odogaon is famous for Lord Raghunath Jew. Many myths can be heard by the local inhabitants.

5-      Kantilo, Kantilo is famous for the Nilamadhaba temple and its scenic beauty. It is also famous for brass and bell-metal utensils. 25 Km from Nayagarh.

 

CULTURE

Folk dance and folk culture

A wide variety of folk dance and folk cultures can be seen some of these given below,

                                                            The important disciplines of fold dance are Ghanta-kalasa (Similisahi, Nayagarh), Danda Nrutya (Itamati), Dhena Koila (Similisahi), Khanjani (Balugaon), Singi Baza (Saspalla, Dhumpa (Khandapara), Ghuduki (Rana pur), Dholamahuri *(Lathipada), Paika Akhada (Lathipada, Olasa), Adibasi-Nrutya (Banigochha), Janu-Ghanta.

                                                                       Many festivals are observed throughout the year. Like Shivaratri at Saranakula, Rabanapodi at Dasaapalla, Sri ram Navami at Odogaon, Kantilo mela, and the cart festival. Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra come 2^nd after the Puri as far as height is concerned.

Cuisine

Chena Poda is a dessert discovered here, but now it is being consumed all over Odisha. This dessert is composed of cheese. A delicious dessert. The Best quality Chhena Poda is now available in Itamati and Machhipada. On the way to Odogaon, one can find fresh cucumbers sold by the vendors.

CONCLUSION

                   A GREAT PLACE BUT it needs the attention of visitors for exploration.