Baripada
Baripada is a city and a municipality in Mayurbhanj district in the state of Odisha, India. Located along the east bank of the Budhabalanga river, Baripada is the cultural centre of north Odisha.
In recent years, it has emerged as an educational hub with the opening of numerous professional colleges.
The city is the headquarters of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha's largest district by area. It houses the office of the District collector, the Superintendent of Police and the Court of the District and Sessions Judge.
Etymology
Baripada is an Odia word meaning "land of water", the word "bāri" meaning water in Odia. It refers to the large number of ponds, water bodies and Budhabalanga river that flows through the city.In another version, it is believed that the name probably derived from the Bauri or Bathudi tribe.
History
Baripada became the headquarters of the state at the end of the 18th century during Sumitra Devi's rule, succeeding its earlier status in Haripur. However, it was initially documented as Burpuddah by Major James Rennell of the East India Company in his renowned 1779 Atlas, well before it assumed the role of the state headquarters.The ruins of an old mud fort in the centre of the city have completely disappeared. A temple dedicated to Ambika Devi is the sole survivor. The chief shrine of the town is a Jagannath temple dating from 1575 AD. It is also the oldest structure in the area. A statue of the Buddhist deity Lokeshvara housed in one of its rooms is even older. However, Baripada developed into a town only under the rule of Maharaja Jadunatha Bhanja who died in 1863. His successors, especially Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo, added many other public infrastructure to the town. Baripada was linked to Rupsa in Balasore district through a narrow gauge line known as the Mayurbhanj State Railway in the first decade of the 20th century. This provided a major impetus to trade and commerce.
The city continued to grow after the merger of Mayurbhanj State with the Union of India in 1949. In contrast to the planned nature of the town centre, the newer areas have tended to adopt a sprawling nature.
Geography
Baripada is at. It has an average elevation of 36 metres. The city lies along the Budhabalanga River.Demographics
As of the 2011 census of India, Baripada had a population of 110,058 of which 57,008 were males and 53,050 were females and the urban agglomeration had a population of 116,874, with 60,535 males and 56,339 females. The municipality had a sex ratio of 931 females per 1,000 males and 9% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 89.31%; male literacy was 93.45% and female literacy was 84.88%.Population
The population of Baripada city has Odias, mainly Brahmins and Kshatriyas. The rest of the population includes Bengalis, Biharis, Marwaris, Punjabis and other north Indians. The nearby villages have a major number of tribal population including Santhals and Hos.Religions
According to the 2011 census, in Baripada town, Hindus comprised the majority at 109,732, followed by Muslims at 5,241, Christians at 650, Sikhs at 130, Buddhists at 14, Jains at 20, and unclassified sects at 805, while 257 did not state their religious affiliation.Languages
Politics
Current MLA from Baripada Assembly Constituency is Prakash Soren of BJP, who won the seat in State elections of 2019. Previous MLAs from this seat were- 2019: Prakash Soren
- 2014: Sananda Marndi
- 2009: Sananda Marndi
- 2004: Bimal Lochan Das
- 2000: Kishore Das
- 1995: Prasanna Kumar Das
- 1990: Chhatish Chandra Dhal
- 1985: Prasanna Kumar Das
- 1980: Prasanna Kumar Das
- 1977: Prasanna Kumar Das
- 1974: Pramod Chandra Bhanjadeo
- 1971: Pramod Chandra Bhanjadeo
- 1967: Santosh Kumar Sahu
- 1961: Santosh Kumar Sahu
- 1957: Harihar Mohanty and Samal Majhi
- 1951: Girish Chandra Ray and Surendra Singh
Economics
Baripada is home to many forest-based products such as timber, but due to heavy deforestation the sawmills were banned within a 25 km radius. Baripada is known for Sabai grass plantations, an African grass introduced to Baripada and was first planted in Hamilton Garden that grows on red volcanic soil and has strong fibres that are used for rope making known as Bubei. It has many cashew plantation fields. Khali and Duna making, from leaves of Sal tree leaves, is another business that local men engage in.It has many brick kilns on the banks of river Budhabalaga, which is the only perennial river flowing through the city. Timber remains one of the major sources of income for the local populace.
Culture
Baripada is popular for its art and culture. Many famous stars of Ollywood are from Baripada. Baripada is famous for the Chhau dance form, famous all over the world. The Chaitra Parva celebrated in mid-April recognises the local talents. Uttarsahi and Dakshinsahi are two main groups who perform in this festival with many other participants. Jhumar Song is popular in Baripada.Baripada is the second place, after Puri, where the tradition of Ratha Yatra began. Hence Baripada is called 'Dwitiya Srikhetra'. Baripada's Ratha Yatra is popular for its unique tradition of allowing only women to pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra.
Maa Ambika Temple is one of the chief temples and Maa Ambika is a highly revered deity in this region. It is in Badabazar, 1 km from Baripada bus stand.
File:Bhanjpur Jagadhatri Puja 2022.jpg|alt=Bhanjpur Jagadhatri Puja 2022|thumb|Replica of Rashtrapati Bhawan constructed for Jagadhatri Puja 2022 at Bhanjpur
Jagadhatri Mela at Bhanjpur is another big mela. It is the festival of Maa Jagadhatri, Goddess of the whole world. There is a 10–15 days mela known as mini Bali Jatra which takes place at Jagadhatri Mela grounds, near the Bhanjpur railway Station during October–November. It is celebrated on Gosthastami. The Durga Puja in Baripada is also very popular.
Tourist spots
Khiching
Khiching is an ancient village under Sukruli block. Khiching is located about 50 km east of Keonjhargarh city 24 km west of Karanjia. The major festival in Khiching is Sivarathri, which is celebrated over seven days. The major tourist attraction of Khiching is the Maa Kichakeswari Temple. The temple was constructed during the year 920 925. Goddess Kichakeshwari was the ishtadevata and kuladevi of Bhanj dynasty as well as the deity of the Mayurbhanj princely state. The temple suffered in the hand of vandals. King of Mayurbhanj, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanjdeo reconstructed the temple in the year 1934. Height of the temple is and total area is 1764 sq.ft. There is a museum constructed by Maharaja Purna Chandra Bhanjdeo in the year 1922.Debakunda
is a waterfall and tank. The Ambika temple is on the hilltop near the falls. Debakunda is at a distance of 60 km from Baripada and 85 km from Balasore.Similipal
is an elephant and tiger reserve 30 km from Baripada. It has an evergreen forest having varied flora and fauna, served with a network of perennial streams. This is a habitat for tropical birds and animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar, and deer. The landscape comprises Sal forests, grasslands, peaks and waterfalls.Similipal is the richest watershed in Odisha, 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. Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls are visitor attractions, and the Ramtirtha Crocodile Rearing Centre is located in nearby Jashipur.
Baldiha Dam
Government neglect has taken its toll on century-old Baldiha Dam in Shamakhunta block of Mayurbhanj district. Built on river Palpala over 205 km2 area, the irrigation project remains defunct for the last 20 years due to lack of renovation. The Project was undertaken during the rule of Maharaja Shri Ramchandra Bhanjdeo and the then State Engineer Jarnold Martin Loe had constructed the dam at Baldiha, from Baripada town.As of 2019, 10 to 15 acres of land are being irrigated during Rabi season with the water from the dam while there is no irrigation for Kharif crop. The water level of the dam has drastically come down due to huge deposition of soil and leakages. Even water from Palpala river has failed to recharge the dam during rainy season.
Bhimkund
There is a sacred pool near the river Vaitarani. As per legend Bhima, the second Pandava, took his bath in this pool when the Pandavas were passing their incognito life in Birat Nagar. The Vaitarani river flows through a gorge in steps and flows down to the Bhimkund pool. During the Makar festival during January, thousands of people gather here to take a holy dip.Manatri
It is best known for the shrine of 'Kakharua Baidyanath'. It is surrounded on three sides by water channels from the Gangahar River. The temple is based on the Odisha's temple architecture. During the Shivaratri festival thousands of devotees gather there. According to legend, the king of Somavanshi dynasty was affected by leucoderma and his whole body resembled with white patches like in a water melon. It is believed that he was cured by the grace of the deity. Some Odia inscriptions of Mayurbhanj royal family are seen on the temple walls.To the west of temple in about 1 km are the remains of an ancient fort and 8 km to the east are the ruins of Kuradiha Gada.