KENDUJHAR

About the District

map of Kendujhar

Keonjhar is also known as Kendujhar. Keonjhar is a place of scenic beauty with its numerous waterfalls, hills and vast rolling plains. The whole district of Keonjhar was a princely state before its merger with Orissa. The early history of the State is not adequately known. It was most probably a part of the old Khijjinga territory with headquarters at Khijjinga Kota, identified with modern Khiching. Maa Tarini is the foremost deity of the kendujhar people as well as the people of Odisha.

History

            Ruler Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja (1764-1792 AD) purchased two small areas of Tillo and jujhpada from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and added to the district. These parts got recognition by the East Indian Company in the sanad, which was granted to King Janardana Bhanja in 1804. After this merger, there was no terrestrial changes were made until the merger with the province Odisha. After the merger with Odisha for the ease of administration some part of Tillo and Jujhpada were added to Balasore and Cuttack respectively, while a number of villages of Balasore district were added to the Keonjhar District.

After the fully integration of Keonjhar district to Odisha on 1 January 1948, it emerged as a district of Odisha and is being named as Kendujhar.

A rock, which is of 38,000 million years old is present at Asanpat, and is spread over 100km². It is considered as the oldest rock of the world. 

Geography

          This district is spread over on an area of 8240 km². It is North-eastern part of the state Odisha. It lies at an altitude of 480 metres. Geographically Kendujhar can be divided in to two parts, upper and lower kendujhar. The lower part consists of valleys and low lands while upper part consists of mountainous areas spread throughout the district from north to south. Some of the highest peak of Odisha can be found in this region, like Gandhamardhana (3477ft.) mankadanacha (3639ft.) Gonasika (3219ft.) and Thakurani (3003ft.). Average elevation of the district is 500 metres above the sea level. Almost half of the area of the district is covered with dense woods. Forests over here is northern moist deciduous, which contains Sal, Asan, paisal types of trees.

The river Baitarani comes out from Gonasika hills and flows through touching the Singhbbhum district of Jharkhand, then it flows again to east of Kendujhar entering Anandpur sub-division and then to district of Bhadrak. In Odisha River Baitarani is believed to be the most sacred river that’s why it possesses great importance. 

The important minerals available in the district in huge quantities are Iron, manganese, chromites.

Climate: - Climate of the district can be characterised by hot summers, good amount of rainfall and cold winter. In summer the average temperature is 38 degree Celsius and in the winter temperature goes around 6 degrees Celsius.

Demography

                                According to the 2011 census, the district is populated with 18,01,733 people. Population growth rate over the decade is 15.35%. Population density of the district is 217/km². Sex ratio of the district is 988 females per 100 males. Literacy rate of the district is 68.24%, Men holds the majority in literacy rate.

85.95%of total population lives in rural kendujhar while the rest lives in urban area.

This district is divide into 3 sub-divisions and 10 tehsils, for the smooth operations in administration. Three sub divisions are Anandpur, champua, Kendujhar.

Economy

                This district is the vast reservoir of many important minerals; such as Iron, manganese etc. There are various opportunities and inspite of vast presence of minerals, this district is in the list of most backward regions of the country. Industries are growing but the economy is now there where it was many years ago.

Tourism

              Kendujhar is a green land of panoramic beauties. There are various categories which a tourist can enjoy like religious shrine, waterfalls, fresco painting and apart from that the exotic natural beauty which is just awesome. Some of the tourist places I’m gonna describe below.

Ghatagaon

 It is 50km from kendujhar on the NH 215 towards Cuttack. It is a sacred place. It is the shrine of goddesses Tarini.

Sitabinji 

It is situated on river sita. The spot has gained prominence as a place having ancient fresco paintings on a rock shelter called Ravana chaya which is like half opened umbrella. The painting depicts a royal procession. This place is 30 km from kendujhar.

Badaghagara 

It is a waterfall that is 200 ft high. It is 9km from Keonjhar on N.H 6 towards Sambalpur. Tourist visit sanaghagara and badaghagara simultaneously.

Sanaghagara

As I said above, It is yet another exciting waterfall. It is 100ft. high. The landscape beside the waterfall is simply fabulous.

Keonjhargarh 

It is famous for Sri Vishnu temple. Apart from that it is also famous for Sidha Jagannath and sidha kali.

Gonasika 

It is 45 km. from kendujhar. River Baitarani takes birth from here. Numerous natural beauties are the attraction point.

Khandadhara 

As I stated in the beginning; this district has numerous waterfall. Again Khandadhara is beautiful waterfall which is 500 ft. high.This is too a great picnic spot. The sparkling water just delights you. It is 60 km. from kendujhar town.

CONCLUSION 

Enjoyment is for sure.