Mayurbhanj district General information
Mayurbhanj is a land- locked district with a total geographical area of 10,418 Sq.Km. and is situated in the Northern boundary of the state with district Head quarters at Baripada. The district lies between 21*16' and 22*34' North latitude and 85*40' and 87*11' East longitudes. The district is bounded in the North by Midnapore district of West Benagal, Singbhum district of Jharkhand in the South, Balasore district in the west and by Keonjhar district in the East.
Topography
The Central part of the District is covered by a group of hills known as the Similipal Range and the remaining portion is covered by undulating plains raising and falling in gentle slopes. Precisely the district may be divided into three distinct natural divisions. The Central hill ranges as dividing line running due north and south and dividing the plains of the district into two halves Eastern & Western. The Eastern Division, which slopes gently from the foot of the hills towards the sea is served by by a number of hill streams forming an ideal land for cultivation comprising Baripada and Kaptipada sub-divisions. The western division is mainly a plain rising and falling in gentle in gentle slopes studded with many rocky mounds and hills. The northern portion of this western Division is very fertile for extensive cultivation comprising Bamanghaty Sub-division and Southern portion is Panchpir Sub-division. The district is 559.31 mt. above the sea level.
Flora and fauna
Mayurbhanj enjoys the unique distinction of having a vast forest cover bristling with varied flora and fauna, stretches of lush green forest served with a network of perennial streams and its bracing climate contribute so much to make the district an ideal habitat for tropical birds and animals. In the eyes of tourists, the spot, which is bewitching and enthralling, is SIMILIPAL NATIONAL PARK the ideal habitat of animals like tiger, leopard, elephant, sambar, deer and birds. Added to it is the scenic beauty in extravaganza which keeps one amazed. A nature loving tourist can not but miss the majestic sal forests, cool, calm and expansive grassy lands, soaring peaks and the waterfalls of streaming pearls which make Similipal the " Dreamland of Nature".
Land
The District of Mayurbhanj has Geographical area of 10,418 Sq. Kms ( 10.40 lakh Hectare), which is 6.68% of the total geographical area of the State. Mayurbhanj being a land locked district and the central portion being covered by a group of hills, the percentage of plain lands is quite lower in comparison to other lands. As the area is mainly undulating except along the few rivers and as it comprises ridges, slopes and depressions the agricultural lands are mostly terraced to catch the surface drainage coming from the uplands. The forest area of the district is about 4.39 lakh Hectares and the net area sown is 405000 Hectare, as per 1998-99 available data.
Culture
In the back drop of Rofty Similipal Forest with gorgeous waterfalls, winding rivers, huge summits and lush green valleys, the district of Mayurbhanj unfolds a vast panorama of nature's beauty. Amid the surroundings evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as famous CHHAU DANCE. The fame of Mayurbhanj Chhau has crossed geographical limitations and has claimed world wide fans for its beauty, vigour and marvel of the art. Though Chhau is famous not only in India but World over the origin of word Chhau is yet in mystery. Chhau is believed to have found its origin from "Chhaya" the shadow. But the Chhau performers of Purulia use Mask while dancing and that mask is told as "Chhau". Perhaps Chhau Dance might have derived its name from that mask,the Chhau. Some chhau pundits opine the Chhau has got its name from "Chhaushree". Inarguably, the word chhau has been derived from the word 'CHHAUNI' the camp camped at the time of military operation. The folks say that chhau was performed to entertain the Oriya warriors inside the camp and has spread now knowing no boundaries.
Tourist Place
Khiching : The temple of Kichakeswari at Khiching, built entirely of chlorite slabs is unique of its kind in India. A plethora of other temples also dominate the place some of which are still in active worship. The small museum situated here boasts of highly important historical specimens of sculpture and art.
Deokund : Deokund, a beautiful scenic spot amidst green forests, has picturesque waterfall. The hill top temple of Goddess Ambika is a special attraction of the place.
Similipal : The Elephants, dense forest, rugged hilly terrain majestically roaming wild animal and unfathomable magnetic power of to attract the tourists to its lap combinedly make Similipal 'The Tourists' Paradise. Truly speaking, any sensitive nature loving tourist, who happen to come here once is so mesmerised by the roar of the Tiger, swaying gait of the elephant, chirping of various tropical birds, shining of tender foliages of luxuriously grown sal trees and other tropical forest trees and rustling of perennial streams, that, they unwillingly make a retreat to the world full of din and bustle. Apart from that Similipal is the richest watershed in Orissa, giving rise to many perennial rivers-The Budhabalanga, The khadkei, The West Deo, The East Deo, The Salandi and the Sanjo are the major ones. Gorgeous BAREHIPANI (400mt) and JORANDA (150mt) waterfalls do give every visitors a mute call to come there over and over again. At night when one is cozily settled in the rest house it is exciting as well as chilling to hear alarm calls-shrill notes of CHEETAL, belling of SAMBAR or barking of MUNTJAC, generally indicating the presence of large predator-the LEOPARD or TIGER in the vicinity. During the day, sight of conspicuous foot prints of big cats and ELEPHANTS make the imagination run wild. During May-June, a large number of ORCHIDS bloom, exotically coloured and strangely shaped. They nestle on the trunks and branches of the tree for support in moist region. Generally 4 to 5 varieties bloom at a time for few days, while others patiently wait for their turn. Foot-long chains of 'FOX-TAIL orchid consisting of several hundred tiny translucent mauve coloured flowers are most conspicious. A visit to The RAMTIRTHA CROCODILE REARING CENTRE near JASHIPUR is an exposure of different kind. It provides insight into the intricacy of nature and the man's effort to restore the balance in nature. In totality Similipal is among some of the best creations of the God.