Nayagarh district General information
Nayagarh is a district of Orissa, India created in 1995 when Puri District was split into three distinct districts. It is home to the Baisipali Wildlife Sanctuary.
The District is located towards the west or Puri District surrounded by Cuttack District in the North, Phulbani District in the West, Ganjam District in the South and Khurda District in the East. This district is situated in the hilly ranges in the West and its North Eastern parts has formed a small well cultivated fertile valleys intersected by small streams. The river Mahanadi flows in the Eastern boundary. The climate of the District carries a high temperature in hot months and cooler in winter. The headquarters of the district is located in the town of Nayagarh.
History
Birth history of Nayagarh in the thirteenth century is an important chapter in the political history of Orissa. Suryamani of Baghela dynasty came to Puri on a pilgrimage from "Rewa"of Madhya Pradesh and established his kingdom at Nayagarh. On the way to Puri, Both Suryamani and his brother Chandramani took rest at night at Gunanati. The area was full of tigers and at night a tiger attacked him. Both the brothers fought the tiger and killed it. The local people praised the brave brothers and elected Suramani as their leader. Suryamani gradually built his fort at Gunanati and married a mali girl. After the death of his first wife he again married a Kshyatriya girl. From there, he then attacked Haripur and Ralaba. Ralaba was a very beautiful place. While sleeping a tiger attacked him at Ralaba he again fought and killed it. At that moment he saw a lady with an empty pot passed by to fetch water. Astonishingly, she returned with a little boy. Immediately, Suryamani obstructed the way of that lady and wanted to know about the mystery. The lady told she was Bouri Thakurani (a local worshiped goddess) and the tiger that the king killed was the boy. She advised Suryamani to kill her and worship her as his deity. From that date Suryamani worshiped "Bauri Thakurani" at Ralaba and built his fort there and adopted Tiger Head as a state symbol.
Geography
The Nayagarh District is located towards the west of Puri district surrounded by Cuttack district in the North, Phulbani district in the West, Ganjam district in the South and Khurda district in the East. The District of Nayagarh lies between 190 54’ to 200 32' North latitude and 840 29' to 850 27' East longitude. This district is situated in the hilly ranges in the West and its North Eastern parts has formed a small well cultivated fertile valleys intersected by small streams. This district is in the higher altitude than the sea level and above flood level. The river Mahanadi flows in the Eastern boundary. The climate of the District carries a high temperature in hot months and cooler in winter.
River
Mahanadi
The Mahanadi enters this district at Kuturi of Badasilinga G.P. under Gania Block and takes an easterly course along Gania,Khandapara and Bhapur Blocks for about 55 Kms. The portion of its course from Boudh border to Baramul is known as Satakosia Gorge. The river here discharges a large volume of water in narrow channel flanked by high precipitous hills. During the flood, Mahanadi overflows its banks and floods the adjoining G.Ps. of Gania ,Khandapara and Bhapur Blocks.
BRUTANGA
River Brutanga a tributary of river Mahanadi rises from the hilly areas of Phulbani and Bhanjanagar and carries large volumes of water to the river Mahanadi. During high flood in river Mahadnadi the flood water of Brutanga River inundates the low lying areas of Gania Block being not discharged to river Mahanadi
KUSUMI
It rises from Panchabati in Bhanjanagar Sub-Division of Ganjam District and takes its winding course. It meets with Duanta and Dahuka near Khandapara borderk and flows through Khandapara Tahasil areda and merges into Mahanadi near Kantilo. The excess water discharges from Budhabudhiani project combined with water of Duant and Lunijhara also cause flood in Nayagarh Block area.
RIVER MALAGUNI:
This river emanates from the hills of Ranpur Tahasil and takes its winding course and merges in Chilika Lake passing through the areas of Khurda District.
OTHER RIVERS
Budhabudhiani ,Kuanria and Dahuka rivers where medium Irrigation projects have been constructed .
Tourist Place
SARANKUL : The Shrine of Lord Ladukeswar, known popularly as Ladu Baba is situated here, 100 kms from Bhubaneswar on the Nayagrah- Aska Road and 13 kms from Nayagarh town. The city is regarded as Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). This is another major Shaivite ShrineThere is always a crowd of people here waiting to see the Lord. People from all over Orissa come here to celebrate the major festival Mahasivaratri. So the place aglows on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
ODAGAON : Odagaon is known for the Temple of Lord Raghunathjeu. It is one of the famous Temples in Orissa dedicated to Lord Ramachandra. Ramanavami is the most important festival celebrated here. Odagaon is 26 kms away from Nayagrah (town). It is said that the renowned poet of Orissa Upendra Bhanja mediated here and attained perfection in the Rama Taraka Mantra. This temple was built around 1903. The ‘Kalas” of the Temple was can can see the Dutikeswar Temple and the Budha Budhiani Temple
dutikeswar : 35 kms from Nayagarh on the Nayagarh--Bahadajhola via odagaon road.There is a beautiful Siva Temple is there.This is also a very good scenic spot.
Kantilo : Standing elegantly on the banks of the Mahanadi, Kantilo is famous for the temple of Lord Nilamadhaba on top of the twin hills with a surrounding of green forests. Lord Nilamadhaba occupies a prominent position in the cult of Lord Jagannath. A permanent flow of holy water from the feet of Lord Nilamadhaba. Lord Siddheswar are the highlights of the place. Kantilo has the most popular picnic spots in Orissa and is 100 kms away from the capital and 33 kms from Nayagarh town.Maghasaptami celebrated here in grand scale.Brass snd bellmetal utensils are famous here.
Daspalla : Daspalla is situated 40 kms from Nayagrah, here we can find forests with incredibly lush flora and fauna. Daspalla is famous for its jungles, animals and trees. Here the Government has constructed a water project named Kuanria Dam. It is one of the most interesting Picnic Spots. A Deer Park close by kuanria is another attraction. Daspalla is famous for Mahabir Temple . The Lankapodi festival is observed here .
Ranapur : Situated at a distance of 28 kms from Nayagarh, Ranapur is a picnic spot. The temple of Goddess Maninageswari on the picturesque Maninag hill top attracts the tourists.
Asurkumari : 18 kms from Nayagarh towards Nayagarh-Ranpur via Darpanarayanpur- road. Beautiful water-fall with scenic beauty attracts tousrist.There is also a goddess temple there.It is beutiful picnic spot.
Barmul - This small village is prominent due to the mangnificent Mahandi gorge on the bank on which it is situated. From Sunakania hills up to Barmul, the course of the river is known as the “Satakosia Ganda (Gorge)’ having a water spread of about 22 km. Barmul, 110 km form Bhubaneswar is an ideal place for an outing. Satakosia Gorge is a biological refuge and is considered as an important biographical stepping stone in the link between forest species of Central Indian and South India. Satkosia has significant gentic and ecological important as is the wet portion of the Decan Zone. It is famous for its unique gorge eco-system and beautiful picnic spot.
Gania and Kuturi : These two places of Nayagarh district is famous for its natural beauty and the artistic excellence of Orissan art. These are lovely picnic spots under cool mango groves and other shady trees by the side of a hillock. Picturesquely carved out of the big mountains, these two places create an impression of a zoological park where animals move in their natural habitat. These relaxing spots surrounded by nature preserve varieties of indigenous plants, both decorative and medicinal.
Satokasia Gorge Sanctuary : Satokosia gorge, where the nature in its primitive wild disposition houses all the phenomena including flora and fauna is a rare place. For, it remains untouched by the lust of civilization.
If the wild animals including Sambar, barking deer and wild boar have made the sanctuary their home, leopards and Royal Bengal Tigers stalk the area in their inimitable style.
Up tin the forest near Barmul lies a cave where a 16-feet King Cobra leads a majestic life with his family. The site of the snake king slithering from a tree trunk and drinking from the gorge below where crystal clear water gushes through would send a chill down the spine of any adventurer.
The tranquility of the nature is broken at times by the sweet chirping of rare birds like Horn bills, Fishing Eagles, Crested Serpent Eagles, Racket-tailed Drango, Hill Hyenas (Sunakani an Rupakani) while one can see the rare flying squirrels, Malabar giant squirrels and reptiles like Star Tortoise, King Cobra, Rocket Python, Monitor Lizard, Gharial and Mugar Crocodile. Sitalpani is a spot atop a hill where ice cold water is available throughout the year. It also has sthe costliest timber species—Rosewood.
Satkosia can be approached from Chhamundia, a 30-Km drove form Gania in Nayagarh district and 120 Km form Bhubaneswar . At Badmul near Chhamundia, the Mahanadi Wildlife Division has constructed an observatory where one gets a panoramic view of the spectacular gorge and the Amazonian expense of the Mahanadi . Eight Km form Badmul lies Kuturi, where the Habitat development for natural breeding centre for animals is located.
Established by the division, the sanctuary has a water tank, salt lick and fodder style grass, Napier grass and orchard. full protection is provided to wild animals who visit the centre?
There are also tree-top manchans and a cottage for the tourists to view to movement wild animals at night. The part of the Sanctuary situated on the northern part of the Mahanadi , includes Mahanadi Reserve Forests (RF) of Nayagarh district and Nandagadu PRF of Boudh District.
Sitalpani is a spot on the top of the hill where ice cold water is available in all seasons.
The Baisipalli sanctuary : Rich in flora and fauna borders the Mahanadi river along the Satkosia gorge which also includes the Gharial Chrocodile Sanctuary. of Tikerpara. A stay in Tikerpara and cruise along the 25 km long gorge with beautiful forests on either side is a a memorable experience.
Species of fauna to be seen : Rare birds like Hornbills, Fishing eagles, Crested serpent eagles, Racket-tailed Drongo, rare flying squirrels, malabar gaint squirrels, reptiles like Star tortoise, King cobra, Rock python, Monitor lizard, Gharial and Mugar crocodile, tiger, leopard, striped hyena, wild dog or dhole, Indian wolf, sloth bear, sambar, chital, barking deer, mouse deer, chousingha, nilgai, wild pig, gaur, elephant, gharial, mugger, chameleon, terrapins ,poisonous and non-poisonous snakes .
One can almost touch the Boda fish and Car fish weighing upto 30 kg, during boat ride
Best time to visit September and March
Tarabalo : Situated at a distance of 75 km from Bhubaneswar . The hot sulphur springs of Tarabalo are spread over eight acres. The springs being situated amidst scenic beauty, attracts large number of visitors. Tarabalo is a wonderful place for picnics and outings.
UDAYAPUR LIBRARY : The Banchhanidhi Pathagara,Sri Aurobinda Sangrahalaya and the Jadumani Sahitya Sansada established by the late Dasarathi Pattnaik know as Dasia Aja in a non descript village Udayapur in culturally rich district of Nayagarh is a center for the pilgrimage for the lovers of literature and cultur.Scholars of repute across the world visited this institution
There are 50,0000 books in different languages and dictionaries in 30 languages. The magazine collection has a rich collection of 65000.
The museum has 42 sections, The Collection of rear sculptures minerals ,art, and craft, amours , coins, Postal stamps etc.