Ganjam district General information
Ganjam district is a district in the Indian state of Orissa located on the border of Andhra Pradesh. Ganjam's total area is 8,070 km² (3,116 mi²). Its population is approximately 2,704,056.Ganjam is known for its beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, the most famous ones being Gopalpur (a famous tourist destination) and Dhavaleshwar. The most populous city in Ganjam, Berhampur, is famous for silver filigree and silk sarees woven with gold and silver threads.
The district headquarters is Chhatrapur. Ganjam is divided into three subdivisions Chhatrapur, Berhampur, and Bhanjanagar.
History
Undivided Ganjam district included present Gajapati district and also parts of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh before 1950. In 1950, Srikakulam district was organised by separating Srikakulam and Tekkali areas from Ganjam district and Palakonda area from Visakhapatnam district. In 1992, Paralakhemundi, Kasinagar and Ramagiri Udayagiri areas were separated from Ganjam district and organised as Gajapati district. At first, Gopalpur-on-Sea has been headquarter of Ganjam district and later it Chhatrapur was made as head quarter.
Physiography
Ganjam district is broadly divided into two divisions, the coastal plains area in the east and hill and table lands in the west. The eastern ghats run along the western side of the district. The plains lies between the eastern ghats and the Bay of Bengal. Since the hills are close to the sea, the rivers flowing from hills are not very long and are subject to sudden floods. The plains are narrow because of the absence of big rivers. The coastal plains in the east contain more fertile and irrigated lands. Towards the centre and south it is hilly with beautiful well watered valley. The south eastern portion is fertile. The extreme north east is occupied by a portion of the famous Chilika lake.
Natural Resources
Water
The Bay of Bengal touches the eastern frontier of Ganjam district and its coast extends over 60 Kms. It provides unique oppertunity for fishing and port facility at Gopalpur for international trade. The rivers like Rushikulya, Dhanei, Bahuda, Ghoda Hada are the prominent ones which govern the agriculture and power sectors of the district. The vast river basine of Rushikulya provides Grand potential for explotation of ground water. How ever the rivers only navigable during the rain season only. The Chilika lake which attracts international tourist known for its scenic beauty and a marvalous birds centuary is situated in the eastern part of district.
Soil
The district has allovial soil in its eastern part (coastal region) and laterite Soil in the west (hilly table land) with small patches of black cotton soil at the centre and in the north east close to Chilika.
Mineral resources
The chief economic minerals found in the district are abrasives and grinding materials, line stone (kankar), manganese, monazite, sand and talc. Garnetiferous granitic gnashes and charanokites are used for manufacture of grinding stones in the district white clay deposits are also found in different areas of the district.
Forest Resources
The forest of Ganjam district comes under the mix moist peninsular high and low level Sal forests, tropical moist and dry deciduous and tropical deciduous forest types. It provides a wide range of raw materials. It is also quite famous for wild life diversity.
Agriculture
The Ganjam District is known for its fertile soil and agricultural productivity. Agriculture is not only the tradition of Ganjam People but also it is way of life for them A variety of crops like paddy, Ground Nut, Sugar cane, Oil Seeds, Ragi, Mung, Biri etc. are grown in the district. Agricultural sector abserves more then 75% of the labour force.
Month
The district is characterised by an equable temperature all through the year, particularly in the coastal regions and by high humidities. The cold season from December to February is followed by hot season from March to May. The period from June to September marks the South West Monsoon and 70% of annual precipitation is received during this period. The normal rain fall of this district is 1444 mms. May is the hotest month. With the arrival of the monsoon by about the second week of june the day temperature decreases slightly while the night temperature continue as it was in the summer. Towards the end of September, after the withdrawal of south west monsoon, temperature decreases progressively. December is the coldest month. The relative humidity are high throughout the year specially in coastal areas. Winds are fairly strong particularly in coastal regions in summer and mansoon months.
Tourist Place
Aryapalli : Aryapalli lays before the tourists a port, a wide and soothing beach, a scene of fisherman village, a Rare Sand Mineral project in its vicinity and an unique atmosphere to the nature lovers.
ATHAGADAPATNA : The place Athagadapatna has witnessed many Historical incidents in the past. It is the birth place of famous Oriya poets Kabisurya Baladev Rath and Kabi Jadumani Mahapatra. According to legends, it is said that the king of Athagada had once given shelter to the Gajapati King of Puri and had kept the idol of Lord Jagannath in a secret place some where in his kingdom during the massive attack by Kalapahada. Lord Jagannath temple built in 16th century A.D. along with a cluster of temples amidst mountains with bush green valley, thick rolling forest with flower plants (Nageswar Flower Plant) and pristine beauty of the area largely await to the arrival of aesthetics that envisage to commune with them.
BALAKUMARI : When modern map gets peevish amid population explosion, among and strident sound, at the time a hill top, a secluded votive structure, native entourage have a definite prim in bringing out a psychological change, this man does not hesitate to take a granting steps, leaving behind all temporal trash. The temple of Balakumari, after an ascension of 1240 steps with all these necessary features provides unostentatious rejoinder. The temple reigned by Goddess Durga is frequented by people of many parts of Southern Orissa and near areas of Andhra Pradesh.
BERHAMPUR : Berhampur, other wisely known as Silk City is the third largest populated, commercial and academic city of Orissa. Being located on N.H- 5 and S.E Railways, it is an important Railway Station in between Kolkata & Chennai. It’s geographical advantage connects to all important places of India. Besides, it’s Silk products, Berhampur is famous for fine work on gold ornaments of southern design. Berhampur is also famous for delicious southern dishes. One can not visit the other tourist places of Ganjam and Gajapati districts without touching Berhampur. It is therefore gateway of Ganjam & Gajapati which is now a days getting momentum for its professional colleges and institutions of national repute. The other attractions are the famous Thakurani Temple, Jagannath Temple at Gosaninuagaon, Neela-kantheswar Temple etc. hold full of religious activities through out the year.
BHAIRABI (MANTRIDI) : The place is named after the presiding deity Goddess Bhairabee at remote village ‘ Mantridi’. Carved in crude fashion, the Icon (one legged Goddess with four hands) was explored by a ploughed and was enshrined as such in a newly adorned temple in the year 1937. According to legend, fisherman and sailors used to worship the deity for blessings before commencement of their journey.
BUGUDA : Post Gupta paintings, ever absorbing copper and wooden carvings of Biranchi Narayana Temple erected in 1790 AD by King Srikar Bhanja. This is a land mark in the history of mural paintings and carvings.
CHILIKA (RAMBHA) : Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
Containing a large variety of fish, the lake provides a livehood to thousands of fisherman. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake’s blue expanse in search of mackerel, prawn and crabs- the sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colourful best.
Encircled by hills all along its arched shape shores, Chilika lake’s colour changes with passing clouds and the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally dancing with a gentle breeze from across the Bay of Bengal.
GIRISOLA : It is the welcome point on Andhra-Orissa border identified as a wayside tourist complex on n.H.-5 which can offer best relaxation to a fatigued tourist on road. The place is best attractive for it’s solitariness away from hustle and bustle of city life, near to the splendid Pati Sonepur Sea Beach as well as the famous Bhairabee Temple.
GOPALPUR-ON-SEA : Melancholy and Salubrious Sea beach with blue waters and attractive back water bed in the form of cracks and sleepy lagoon covered with canopies of lush green foliage. The remnants of a vanishing British made port buildings speak the golden days of Southern Orissa from where ships were sadling to Rangoon.
HUMA KANTIAGADA : The scenic beauty of the place along with the beach can be compared to almost all important beaches of the world. The place is very close to the confluence of river Rushikulya, which is a very good scenic spot. There are a cluster of temple namely Kapileswar Temple, Langaleswar Temple etc.
JAUGADA : Purushotampur. The place is of great historical importance as one of the famous rock edicts of Ashok is located here.
Jaugada or Jatudurga (Lac fort) as it was known in classical times, is said to be associated with Mahabharta episode. Tradition ascribes that the fort of Jaugada was built by Duryodhana of Mahabharata fame. Its name jau or Lac is from a tradition that it was made of Lac and was therefore impregnable as no enemy could scale the walls as they were smooth and slippery.
Jaugada stands as the symbol of all the historical heritage connected with the Rushikulya Valley civilisation. From the bank of this river, silver coins of the pre Mauryan age have been discovered. The Ashokan inscription at Jaugada is incised on a rock face some 30 feet long and 15 feet high elevated about 12 feet on a mass of granitic gneiss. The fort of Jaugada was rectangular in shape, the opposite sides being 858 yards by 814 yards respectively. The earthen bank at places is 18 feet high and 148 1/2 feet across at the base and has two entrances on each side. The fort was surrounded by a wide and deep moat which was not continuous slips being left for ingress and egress. The walls and towers were made of earth whose remnants still exist in high shapeless mounds. Jaugada is a part of the Malati hill range. The inscription of this place is one of the two Kalinga edicts which are supplements to the series of fourteen rock edicts of Ashoka, the other being at Dhauli near Bhubaneswar in Puri district. These two Kalinga edicts laid down the principles on which the newly conquered province of Kalinga was to be governed. Long neglect and exposure the saline breeze and age have caused much damage to this precious monument, large strips have fallen off revealing blank places since Minchin, a British merchant, who first brought the inscription to the notice of the Europeans in 1858. To prevent it from further damage the Archeological Survey of India has treated the rock surface chemically and has declared it as a protected monument.
KULADA : Kulada is famous for Goddess Bagh Devi which is the presiding deity, Kulad is said to be birth place of great Oriya Poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. It is situated to the north west of Ganjam District with a ruin fort, river Mahanadi flowing in the east and dense forest in the west side of the ruined fort. Legend speaks that during 12th century a Bhanja ruler had joined hands with a tribal leader’ KULA’ to be eradicating the foreign invasion. Seeing the danger from the tribe he stained the tribal leader KULA and on the same place, constructed a fort which was later known as Kulad / Kulargad. The original temple is at the top of the hill known as Upper Bagh Devi with 210 steps. Upendra Bhanja spent his term in meditation at this place. As the steps are yet to be made and the route is very tough for climbing another temple of Goddess Bagh Devi has been constructed near the road where people in large number gather to worship. Kulad has many other temples also. The other important temples of Kulad are Temple of Lord Jagannath, Mausimaa temple, Ratneswar Mahadev temple etc.
MAHURIKALUA : Visitors usually negotiate the site while traveling on the road that connects Berhampur with Western Orissa. As and when the urban people of Ganjam are browned of an inclement atmosphere, generally, opt to visit Goddess Mahurikalua, Having a shapely visage, smeared with red Leo and decorated peacock tails. This picnic spot of unrivalled ambience of seclusion allures good number of tourists.
NARAYANI : The scenic splendor of Narayani on the lap of the celebrated Vallery Mountain is a famous place in the eastern ghats. It’sromantic setting with a perennial spring and green mango groves attracts a good number of visitors every day. The holy shrine of Goddess Narayani (Durga) with six hands is a great attraction for the devotees and picnicker’s.
NIRMALJHAR : The place named after Nirmaljhar (Pure Water) i.e. Sanctified by a perennial stream, let channelised to different ponds, Hallooed Shrine of Lord Vishnu. The place is embellished with sculptures, arbors, idols and other carryings of highest workmanship.
PANCHAMA : Panchama is a small village famous for the temple of Panchama Ganesh or Siddha Binayaka as it is locally known. Tradition says that the Gajapati King Purushottamadeva (15 century) on hid easy to his conquest of Kanchi recovered the image in the hallow of two trees of Vara and Aswastha and paid his homage to the image after its consecration. Since then the place is sanctified and has become an important centre of Ganapataya worship, preserving the great tradition of Panchadevata worship of Orissa.
PATI SONEPUR : On the Orissa- Andhra Pardesh border there is a Beach along the river Bahuda which divides the sea from the main land at Sonepur. Pati Sonepur is the name of the Beach at the other side which is famous for its virginity, colourful water and loneliness.
POTAGARH : Potagarh is a historical place which was built by Britishers in the 18th Century. Situated close to river Rusikulya, the fort is surrounded by a moat. The remnants of majestic fort houses and a buried tunnel specks, the melody of glorious past of Ganjam city, which was cursed by a dreadful epidemic plague in the year 1815 AD. The place attracts students, scholars and history lovers due to it’s best geographical location close to the confluence of location close to the confluence of river Rusikulya with Bay of Bengal, it’s often opted as a picnic spot too.
TAPTAPANI : It is famous for a perennial hot spring of Medicinal Sulfuric Water which is located on the State Highways that connects Berhampur with Western Orissa. Being surrounded by a cluster of hills and thick forests, the serenity of nature at Taptapani is added by wonderful sights of sun rise, sun set moon lit night, tribal dance and music, chirps of birds and sight of wild animals. The place as such attracts large numbers of tourists of all category. Poets, writers, scholars, picnickers, holiday makers and newly weds can best exploit the place through all seasons.
TARATARINI : Taratarini is a famous religious place in Southern Orissa where the twin sister Goddess i.e. Tara & Tarini adorn the sanctum situated on the top of a hillock girdled by the waddling holy river Rushikulya. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotes, picnickers and visitors through out the year. Special auspicious dates connected with the rites and titular of the twin goddess i.e. the four Tuesdays in the month of Chaitra and that of the all Sankranties in Hindu Calendar. Walking over 999 steps from the foot of the hill, to the hill top under shadows of green plantation is very much amusing and pleasure making.
UJJALESWAR : Situated at a distance of 19 kms from Digapahandi and 45 kms from Berhampur, near Ghodahada Dam. One would aptly cherish for visiting a monument with rare and quaint features. The shrine of Ujjaleswar has been developed from a cave temple, on a hillock which is approachable by steps. A huge stone shadowing the deity forms the back side of the temple, which has been also chiseled to steps for facilitating a circumambulating around the shrine. Before reaching the unctuous site, one would come across the pleasing surrounding of Ghodahada Dam, which has submerged a fort named Vijayanagar and its temple. The reservoir provides silence to a heard of elephants, crocodiles and pythons and sub-soil water for Horticulture farm of tube rose. However rollicking monkeys, deer park, a pond with lotus flowers, an age old Banyan tree testing one’s unfeigned devotion and unfurled natural back drop verdant the sanctity of Ujjeleswar. One can drive carefully a bike or a jeep up to the temple. In case of bus ride, visitors may have to walk ¾ kms.