Koraput district General information
Koraput is a tribal dominated district of Orissa, India, and known for rich and diverse types of mineral deposits. It is located along the Eastern Ghats.
This district abounds in meadows, forests, waterfalls, terraced valleys and darting springs. This land of abundance is home to Orissa's vast tribal population. A real paradise for the nature-lover, Koraput offers an additional benefit to the visitor of first hand meeting with its ancient civilization.
In October, 1992, Koraput district was bifurcated, resulting in the creation of Malkangiri district.
History
The history of Koraput goes back as far as 3rd century BC. It originolly belonged to the valiant and dreaded atvika people who fought the Kalinga war to restore the empire's glory.The region successively came to be ruled by several dynasites:Satavahans,Ikshvakus,Nalas,Ganga kings and kings of Surya vansha.Finally becoming a district of Orissa state on 1st April 1936.
Geography
Latitude :17o 40’ - 20o 7’ North
Longitude:81o 24’ - 84o 2’ East
Altitude of Dist Hq.:2900 ft from the sea level
Geographical Area : 8379 Sq. Kms.
Koraput district was created on 1st.April, 1936.
The boundaries of the district are as follows :
East : Rayagada and Srikaklam(A.P) District.
West : Bastar District (M.P.).
North: Nowarangpur District
South: Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam District (A.P.)
Demography
Total Population : 11,77,954
Total Male Population : 589,438
Total Female Population : 588,516
Pecentage Of Literacy : 36.20%
Pecentage Of Male Literacy : 47.58%
Pecentage Of Male Literacy : 24.81%
Literates(Male) : 234,292
Literates(Female) : 122,129
Total Literates : 356,421
ST Population(Percentage) : 50.66%
SC Population(Percentage) : 13.41%
Arts and Crafts
Handicrafts of Koraput mirror the vivid imagination and skillful artistry of the indigenous people- the things that make Koraput handicrfts stand apart. The exquiste, vegetable-dyed scarves and saris spun by 'Mirgan' weavers are Koraput's signature handicrafts, nationally awarded and internationally renowned for their breathtaking beauty and rare artistry. Besides this , there are other handicrafts ranging from terracotta to metal work.
In this wonderful land of beauty and bounty and Art exhibition-cum-Artists camp on natural land scap and tribal way of life is quite befitting which will expose its wonders in canvas. Besides, Koraput region is rich with traditional Art, Craft and embroidery etc. In this context, the Art exhibition and Artist camp are organized.Participants : Artists and Craft persons from Koraput region and outside.Artists from neighbouring States. Orgainser : Staff of Art School, Jeypore. Associated Agencies : Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi and Kendriya Lalit Kala Akademi.
Likewise Koraput Region is also rich with traditional Art, Craft, like Paper making, mask making, lacquer art, bamboo craft, docra casting, terracotta, metal works, weaving, leaf art, paddy craft etc. To give the artists an exposure to the outer world and also a scope to exchange their ideas with the artists of other region, a Craft mela will be organized inviting eminent artists from Koraput region, other districts and from neighbouring States. This Craft Mela will be in a demonstrative form actively participated by the artists.
Since inception of PARAB in Koraput, exhibitions have been a part of the Main Festival with Gramshree Mela by CAPART being held in 1997 and Crafts Mela and Pallishree Mela held in 1998, and Rural Technology Fair and Crafts Mela in 2000. The main objectives of these exhibitions have been:
1 . To enable the rural producers to get direct exposure to the market and get feed back from the end users.
2 . To provide a chance to the general public to buy art and craft of different regions directly from the producers.
3 . To provide marketing channel for Swarojagaries assisted by various Government anti-poverty programmes.
Exhibitions conducted during all these years have been highly successful in achieving the above objectives. Rural Technology fair held during PARAB, 2000 has been instrumental in identification of few rural technologies relevant for our area and few technologies like Dal processing (CFIRI Mini Dal Mill) and leaf place making have already been adopted by Self Help Groups of the district.
Funds for conducting the exhibitions have been provided by Industries Department, CAPART and ORMAS and D.I.C. and D.S.M.S. have been instrumental in successful conduct of the exhibitions every year.
Fairs and Festivals
The weekly markets of Koraput offer a kaleidoscopic view of Various colorful tribal communities coming toghether. Tribals descend from their hilly abodes on the market to buy, sell, mingle and chat.
Every aspect of tribal life is charming and colourful. But the place of honour is occupied by tribal dance and music. The invigorating dances set to the beat of tapping music of traditional instruments are a way of life for the tribals. In all seasons and occasions, the people sing and dance in Koraput.
CHAITRA PARABA
Chaitra Paraba is also called Pangal, a word which comes from South India. It lasts for the whole month of Chaitra. All the tribes go gay. Men and boys go out into the forest for hunting. If they come back without anything, they cannot show their face to the women. Therefore no animal escapes the hunters. If they get nothing else they even kill a jackal. Women dance and sing whole day in the streets and in village commons. All motor vehicles are stopped several times on the road by streams of girls who dance and sing across the road. It is only when few paise are paid that the vehicles are allowed to move. Two paise used to be ample. With the rise in prices this levy may have risen to twenty-five paise. A car going to Koraput from the plains may be stopped a dozen times before reaching Koraput. To witness a tribal dance for a few paise is a very cheap entertainment.
BALI JATRA
This festival begins five days before the Bhadrapada full-moon and ends five days after it. The beginning of the festival is identified with the Nuakhia feast on which new rice is first eaten. Bali Jatra is an occasion of great rejoicing and men of all classes put on fancy dress and dance and sing. The festival takes its name from the ceremonial planting of various grains in wet sand brought from a nearby stream and placed in a structure called bali Ghara or sand house. But it is an occasion for many other celebrations. In Bissamcuttack tahsil a swing is set up with its seat studded with sharp nails, and on this a Bejju (witch doctor) is swung, goats, pigeons are sacrificed. The Bejju then walks upon burning charcoal. He spends most of the three night before this day in dancing wildly in a state of excitement, during which he prophesies both good and evil and pretends to grant boons to devotees.
Tourist Place
Savara Shrikhetra, Koraput
The District headquarters situated 2,900 ft. above sea level. Also known as "Sabar Shrikshetra", the modern Jagannath Temple has come up on a hilltop. The Tribal Museum behind the temple caters to and educates the tourists about the culture and heritage of the tribals.
Duduma Waterfall, Machkund
The majestic waterfall, also known as "Matsya Tirtha" falls from a height of 175 meters. A hydro - electric project with its winch developed amidst deep greenery is a place for pleasure. Three KMs away from Duduma waterfall, a small village of Ankadeli draws the attention of foreign tourists to its weekly markets on Thursdays where the most primitive tribe "the Bondas", come from the remote, inaccessible dense forest. Jolaput is known for its newly constructed dam reservoir. The lake formed by the dam is 68.2 Sq. Kms. It's a picnic spot, 77 Kms from Koraput.
Gupteswar Temple
Important cave shrine of Lord Shiva situated on a lime stone hill on the bank of river Kolab, surrounded by natural Scenery. The sacred "Lingam" called Gupteswar, literally meaning, "Hidden God", is also popularly known as "Gupta Kedar" in Chattisgarh. Shivaratri is the major festival which attracts a large umber of visitors.
Dumuriput
A village stands between Koraput and Sunabeda by the side of NH 43. The famous Sri Ram Temple situated in the locality is widely known for the highest kneeling Hanuman Statue in Orissa. Shree Ram Navami festival is popularly celebrated every year which attracts a large number of devotees.
Nandapur
The ancient capital of Jeypore estate, attracts a number of visitors to witness the Batrisa Sinhasan, an object of interest. The 1.8 meters image of Ganapati speaks of ancient heritage of the place. The shrines of Sarbeswar and its inscriptions point to the antiquities of the place.
Jain Statue
A roadside village between Semiliguda and Nandapur with remains of an old Jain monastery. The place invites the attention of the antiquarian for exploration.
Govt. Museum
A Govt. Museum with antiquities and craft works, mostly famous for Jain iconography. It is located in the town hall complex, close to the Govt. bus stand. Jain imaged are found at several places of the district.
Kolab
Kolab-At an altitude of about 3000 ft. above sea level on river Kolab, stands the majestic Kolab Reservoir generating Hydro Electric Power. The place is highly admired for its scenic beauty, attracting people for weekend picnic and boating.
Damanjodi
The town came to limelight with the coming up of NALCO, Asia's biggest Alumina Complex Nearby stands the highest peak of Orissa, Damanjodi an ideal place for trekking.
Maliguda
35 Kms eastwards of Jeypore, is a small village where on a hill top stands India's highest broad gauge Railway tunnel. The place is ideal for weekend picnic.
Jeypore
The city of victory and the palace of erstwhile Jeypore estate. The old fort is incircled by high masonary wall with an imposing gateway. A mile and a half wide great water tank, west of the town, known as Jagannath Sagar, is ideal for water sports. Jeypore, enveloped as the center of trade in Koraput district, is also famous for paper mask crafts. Tribal Museum:The Tribal Museum behind the temple caters to and educates the tourists about the culture and heritage of the tribals.