Kendujhar district General information
The district of Keonjhar, lying between 21o1'N and 22o10'N latitude and 85o11' E to 86o22' E longitude presents a panorama of millennia, both from the geographical and anthropological point of view. Spread over an area of 8,240 Sq. Kms, it is as varied as the whole of Orissa with water-falls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions of nature in this district are unique in Orissa.
Keonjhar has the distinction of containing one of the oldest rocks of the world, approximately 38,000 million years old covering an area of 100 Sq. Kms at Asanpat. It has also the oldest stone inscription of Orissa paleogeologically belonging to the Gupta period. In Sitabinj, one finds the fresco paintings in the cave shelter of Ravana Chhaya dating back to 5th Century A.D.
Anthropologically, its two main tribes, namely the Juangs and the Bhuyans carry a distinct and primitive past. The Juang claims themselves to be the most ancient tribe of the world. In spite of their modern ways of living, many aboriginal practices are still prevalent among them.
The district of Keonjhar is highly rich in mineral resources and has vast deposits of Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ores. About 30 percent of its total area is covered with tracts of dense forests. But the district, in spite of its immense mineral and forest wealth, still remaining economically backward.
As a sequel to the integration of the feudatory states with Orissa on 1st January, 1948, the erstwhile princely state of Keonjhar emerged as one of its districts with its head-quarters at Keonjhargarh and since then it has been continuing as such.
History
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. It became a separate state with Jyoti Bhanja as its ruling chief sometime during the first half of the 12th century A.D. The then State of Keonjhar comprised only the northern half of the modern district for a long time prior to the installation of Jyoti Bhanja as King. During the latter part of the 15th century the southern half was occupied by King Govinda Bhanja under whose rule Keonjhar was extended from Singbhum in the north to Sukinda(a Zamindari in Cuttack district) in the South and from Mayurbhanj in the East to the borders of the States of Bonai, Pallahara and Anugul in the West. During the rule of Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja (1764-1792 A.D.) two small areas of Tillo and Jujhpada were purchased from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and were added to the State. These were recognised as parts of Keonjhar in the Sanad granted by the East India Company to Raja Janardan Bhanj in 1804. Since then there had been no territiorial changes of the State till its merger with the Province of Orissa. But after merger largely for the reasons of administrative expediency the areas of Tillo (7.51 sq.km) and Jujhpada (9.06sq.km.) were transferred to the districts of Baleshwar and Cuttack respectively, while a number of villages called Ambo group (14.84 sq.km.) of Balasore district were added to Keonjhar district.
Geography
Keonjhar is a land locked district with an area of 8240 Sq. Km. It is situated in the northern part of Orissa. It is surrounded by Singhbhum district of Jharkhand in the North, Jajpur in the South, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh in the West and Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East. It lies between 21o1'N and 22o10'N latitudes, between 35o11' and 86o22' longitude and at 480 meter altitude.
The National Highway-215 passing through Keonjhargarh approximately bi-sects the district into two similar natural regions. To the East of this Highway are the planes of Anandapur and a portion of Sadar Sub-division. To the West is a range of lofty hills which contains some of the highest peaks of Orissa namely Gandhamardan (3477 ft.), Mankadnacha (3639 ft.), Gonasika ( 3219 ft.) and Thakurani ( 3003 ft.). About half of the area of this district spreading about 4043 sq.kms. is covered by forests of Northern tropical moist deciduous type and contains Sal, Asan, Piasal, etc. The river Baitarani comes out of Gonasika Hills and flows to the north touching the border of Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It again flows East entering Anandapur Sub-division and the district of Bhadrak. The soil is mostly red throughout the district and in the South there is a small patch of black cotton soil. The important minerals available in huge quantity in the district are Iron-ore, Manganese and Chromites.
Topography
The district consists of a compact area and its extreme length from north to south is nearly 145 km. The average breadth from East to West is about 65 km. It is divided into two widely dissimilar tracts-the lower Kendujhar and the upper Kendujhar. The former is a region of valleys and low lands, while the latter includes mountainous highlands with a general slope from North to South. The highlands consisting of clusters of rugged crags afford a safe retreat to its inhabitants in troubled times. The mountaintops appear from the low lands to be sharply ridged or peaked, but in reality they have extensive tablelands on their summits, fit both for pasture and for tillage. The average elevation in its central part is about 500m. At places, isolated hills rise abruptly from the plains. But most of the areas have a general elevation of over 600m. which forms the watershed of some rivers. The Baitarani River takes its rise in the hilly North Western division. In between these two natural divisions passes the State Highway from Chainbasa to Jajpur Road through the headquarters, Kendujhargarh.
Climate
The climate of the district is characterised by an oppressively hot summer with high humidity. Summer generally commences in the month of March. Temperature begins to rise rapidly attaining the maximum in the month of May. During the Summer maximum temperature is 38.20 C. The weather becomes more pleasant with the advent of the monsoon in June and remains as such up to the end of October. The temperature in the month of December is lowest i.e. 11.70 C. Sometimes it even drops down to 70 C. The average annual rainfall is 1534.5 mms.
Population
RURAL POPULATION
According to the 2001 census, there were 2067 inhabited and uninhabited villages in Keonjhar district. The rural population is 11,70,152 (5,83,129 Males and 5,82,023 females) giving an average of 571 per inhabited villages.
URBAN POPULATION
Barbil, Joda, Keonjhar, Anandpur, Daitary, Champua and Bolani are the urban areas of the district. The proportion of urban population to the total population of the District is 14.27. Keonjhar was the only town in the district from 1941 to 1951. Barbil acquired urban status in 1961. Thus the census of 1961 recorded two towns in 1961.
Population Density
In 1961,the density of population of Keonjhar district was 90 persons per square km. as against state figure of 113 persons. In1971, it was 116 the state average of 141 persons per sq km. In 1981, it was 136 against the state average of 169. In 1991, it was 161 against the state average of 203 per sq. km. The density of population thus continued to be lower in the censuses of 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991 when compared with the state average.
Industry
Keonjhar is one of the premier mineral producing districts in Orissa. The district occupies a prominent place in the mineral map of the Country.
Iron ore formations occupy most part of the district which can be traced from the Bihar boarder in the north to the Jajpur boarder in the South.
Extensive deposits of Manganese ore are found in Thakurani and Joda East hills of Barbil.
Good deposits of Chromite, an important and strategic mineral are found in Boula area near village Nuasahi of Anandapur sub-division. There are also some other mineral deposits in the district such as Quartzite, Bauxite , Gold , Pyrophillite and Lime stone.
The two important mineral based industries in the district are the "Kalinga Iron Works" Barbil and the "Ferro-Manganese Plant",Joda.
THE KALINGA IRON WORKS, BARBIL
The Kalinga Iron Works was initially named as the Kalinga Industries in the private sector with technical collaboration of M/S. Fried Crupp of West Germany having one low shaft furnace with a capacity to produce 30000 M.T. of pig iron per annum. It was taken over by the Industrial Development Corporation of the Government of Orissa on 01st April 1963. It has since been named as “Kalinga Iron Works”.
Presently the Kalinga Iron Works produces 100000 M.T. of foundry grade pig iron by three low shaft furnaces. Besides, it has a power generating plant of its own which supplies power to the GRIDCO, Orissa to the extent of 2.3 M.W. This industry was running with a capital investment of Rs.1,011.27 lakh in 1985. At present 1,320 persons (both skilled and unskilled) are working in the unit.
Under the diversification programme Kalinga Iron Works is also giving to undertake the production of Ductite Iron Spun pipes in close collaboration with TOR-STEEL and MECON. Ductite Iron Spun pipes have a tremendous marketing potential in foreign countries.
Communication
Various measures have been taken to improve the condition of the existing roads and to construct new ones by different Government Departments and local bodies of the District. This has resulted in a rapid increase of the road mileage of the district. At present the length of the roads stands at about 2808 kms.
Fairs and Festivals
The people of the district observe a number of festivals all the year round.
Fairs / Festivals Period Place
Makar Sankranti January-February Murga Mahadev Barhatipura
Raja Sankranti May-June Sitabinj
Baruni Yatra February-March Gonasika
Sivaratri (Jagar Yatra) February Kosaleswar
Ratha Yatra July Keonjhar Old Town, Anandapur, Champua
Tourist Place
Temples
Lord Baladev Jew Temple
Lord Dadhibaman Jew Temple
Lord Dadhibaman Jew Temple
Lord Sidha Jagannath Temple
Sidha Kali Temple
Maa Tarini Temple
Bramheswar Mahesh Temple
Ghatakeswar Mahesh Temple
Nilakantheswar Mahesh Temple
Pateswar Mahesh Temple Suakati
Chandrasekhar Mahesh Temple
Balunkeswar Mahesh Temple
Kapileswar Temple
Other Places of Interest
Ghatagaon
45 kms. from Keonjhar on the National Highway No.215 towards Cuttack, the place is known throughout the state for the shrine of Goddess Tarini.
Sitabinj
Situated on the river Sita. The spot has gained prominence as a place having ancient fresco paintings on a rock shelter called Ravan Chhaya which is like a half opened umbrella. The painting depicts a royal procession. It is 30 kms. from Keonjhar (23 Kms. on the Jajpur-Keonjhar Road upto Katrabeda and 7 Kms from there).
Khandadhar
A famous waterfall of about 500 ft. high amidst lush green forest. It is 60 kms. from Keonjhar, ideal for picnic.
Badaghagara
9 kms. from Keonjhar on NH-6 towards Sambalpur, it is yet another small (200 ft. high) but exiting waterfall. It is one of the most popular picnic spots of Keonjhar district.
Sanghagara
6 Kms. from Keonjhar on NH-6 towards Sambalpur. It is a small (100 ft high) but beautiful waterfall, suitable for outing.
Gonasika
Surrounded by a series of villages of wooded hills of varying colours, the place is famous as a centre of pilgrimage for the temple of Brahmeswar Mahadev, established on the river Baitarani. In fact this is the place from where the river starts flowing. A little away from the point of origin, the river goes underground and hence called Guptaganga only to be seen jumping after a short distance over a stone projection looking like the nostril of cow. The scenic beauty of the place is simply charming. It is 33 kms. from Keonjhar (of this 8 kms. fair-weather).
Murga Mahadev
Situated near the Thakurani Hill in Champua Sub-division by the side of a perennial spring. It is famous for the temple of Murga Mahadev. It is 65 kms. from Keonjhar.
Keonjhargarh
Keonjhargarh, the District headquarters is famous for the Baladevjeu Temple. On its out-skirts are the shrines of Sidha Jagannath, Sidhakali and Chaubacha, Bajrangbali amidst picturesque settings.
Deogaon ( Kosaleswar )
On the river Kusei near Anandapur. The temple of Kusaleswar built in Circa 900 AD is a famous centre of pilgrimage. Once upon a time it was a flourishing seat of Buddhism. Even now a 5 feet high image of Abalokiteswar stands there as reminiscence of the Buddhism in the past. Another important monument of the place is the stone embankment on the river Kusei, which is the second of its kind in the state.