Bhadrak district
Bhadrak is an district of Odisha state in eastern India.
Origin of name
The district is named after goddess Bhadrakali.History
The district includes Rakta Tirtha Eram in Basudevpur, where about 30 people along with a woman named Pari Bewa were killed by the British police, DSP Kunjabihari Mohanty while fighting for independence. The legendary history of Bhadrak District dates back to the age of the Puranas when Odisha achieved thriving maritime and agrarian prosperity. As far as the history is concerned, king Mukunda Dev was the last sovereign indigenous ruler of Bhadrak. The Muslim population began to settle in the District around the year 1575 following the discomfiture of the Afghans under Usman at the hand of Raja Man Singh.During the Mughal period Bhadrak District survived as a Subha under the Nawabs of Bengal. When the majestic Mughals diminished from the political scenario of Bhadrak District. In course of time Bhadrak District has passed on to different hands and colonized by different dynasties till the British occupied the entire region of Odisha.
Since independence, the history of Bhadrak has been the history of multifarious progress in Education, Industry, Agriculture, Trade and commerce and with the birth of a new star it is leaping towards the twenty-first century with hope and promise.
There are many historical places and monuments to visit in the Bhadrak District. Palia is famous for Biranchi Narayan Temple. Sri Radha Madanmohan temple is one of the most visited temples of Bhadrak District. Aradi situated at a distance of 10 km from Chandabali is famous for the temple of Akhandalamani. Chandabali is the first port to be established in odisha.
On 1 April 1993, this district was carved out from the Balasore District and became a separate entity.
Administrative Division
It consists of 1370 villages which constitute 7 Blocks. There are 4 urban bodies. They are Bhadrak and Basudevpur municipality and Chandabali and Dhamnagar NAC.Geography
The district has an area of 2,505 km². Bhadrak town is situated at a distance of 125 km from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. Salandi River passes by this district. Baitarani flows by Chandabali town and falls into the Bay of Bengal at Dhamara.Economy
Agriculture is the main income of the district. But many people in the coastal area Dhamara of Chandabali Block to Padhuan of Basudevpur Block are depending upon the Fishing. Major fishing harbors are located at Dhamara, Kasia & Chudamani Some people in the Municipality area have sound small business.As per District's economy is concerned Bhadrak District has some big industries like FACOR, one of the largest manufacturers of quality Ferro Chrome in the country and a large number of small industries like AB Electricals, Abhigoura Rice Mill and Aloknath Ice Factory etc. Bhadrak District has a District Industries Centre, which in addition to the promotion of the different industries, performs other functions like implementation of different self employment programmes, undertaking of surveys for potential enterprises and recommending for quality certifications like EPM/ISO for products and enterprises etc.
Tourist places
- Bhadrak has a special identity for ERAM VILLAGE which is known as "2ND JALIANAWALABAGH". It is 07 km from Basudevpur. A memorial was built for the martyrs of Eram massacre.
- Akhandalmani Temple is on the bank of river Baitarani, the Akhandalamani Temple is the abode of Lord Shiva. The Patana Mangala in Chatrapada village is famous for Mangala temple with the biggest pond of Odisha. Chief interest of the place is its legendary history. As the history runs, king Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra started worshipping the God Akhandalamani some 350 years ago, when the black glazed granite stone was found underground and the king dreamt of the god. However the religious and historical significance with which the place is invested, constitute it to be a center of special interest in the tourism of Bhadrak. Moreover, the artistic carvings of the temple deserve special worth to the tourist. Surrounding the temple many fairs and festivals are organized, the chief among which is the Mahashivaratri. During this festival, tourists, including a vast chunk of pilgrims, flock into the core of the temple. On the month of Sravana, people from nationwide assemble here to pour the holy water on the Siva Linga and to offer their worship to Lord Shiva. The Akhandalamani Temple is the principal source of the profitable development of the tourism industry of Bhadrak.
- Dhamra Port is an ancient port on the banks of the river Baitarani, around 5 km from Kanika Palace. The highlights are the direction tower and some ancient structures.
- Jagannath Temple :- Nilok This is a sacred place of Hindus.
- The BIRANCHINARAYAN Temple is one of the most ancient temple of Odisha in PALIA village that have a distance of 13 km from Bhadrak in Bhadrak-Chandbali route. Every year between January – February a Three day Mela is observed around the temple. This the best time to visit the temple for Picnic or for Puja.
- Bhadrakali temple is one of the religious temple in the district from which the name "Bhadrak" is created.
- It is well known for its famous kalipuja in the bhadrak city.
Transport
Dhamra Airport is proposed to be built by the Dhamra Port Company Limited, 20 km from Dhamra Port
Also Chennai- Kolkata NH-16 is passing through Bhadrak city.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Bhadrak district has a population of 1,506,337, roughly equal to the nation of Gabon or the US state of Hawaii. This gives it a ranking of 332nd in India. The district has a population density of . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 12.95%. Bhadrak has a sex ratio of 981 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 83.25%.At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 90.56% of the population in the district spoke Odia, 6.61% Urdu, 1.46% Bengali and 0.47% Santali as their first language.
Culture
- Bhadrak is famous for Bhadrakali Temple, which is also now a great occasion over the district.
- Aradi, Chandabali, Dhamanagar, *
- Nalanga, a village in Gelpur Panchayat is famous for Lord Naleswar. The Naleswar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha. Nalanga is the birthplace of Lokakavi Jagannath Pani, the teacher of Baishnav Pani.
- Kharida Binayakpur is another village in Basudevpur constituency of this district is famous for Maa Ankudeswari Temple and its Moha vishuba Sankranti, Ravan Podi during Durga puja also famous in this village.
- Brahmangan, another village in Basudevpur constituency of this district is famous for its century-old Prasanna Khemeswar mahadeva temple and its melana jatra during holi. Durga puja & Jagar also famous in this village.
- Biggest Pond in Odisha and Famous Maa Patana Mangala Temple is about 38.0 km away from Bhadrak.
- Banta, Basantia, Basudebpur blocks & villages respectively in which village various melas are organised in various days of the year out of which Panchuka Purnima which is celebrating in a very great fun of people in which boat is sailed in the big pond of Basantia village in the memories of Oriya Sadhabas, who was going to make their business in the near islands like Java and Borneo, Indonesia for too many days.
- The Dash family is in the village of Nuagaon near to the historical place eram is largest members of family in the district. This family gave many eminent personalities to the motherland. Late Panu Dash is one of them who martyred in second jaliwala bag fight. Now his son sj. Chaitanya prashad Dash is doing all type of social activities. He has seven sons. All are equally sharing all type of great deeds with his father. Two of his sons served Indian army for long time. Also in this mela big Operas also comes here to show their shows.
- Pirahat, the place in tihidi block is historical and cultural area which is famous for durga puja, kali puja, and other festivals. Durga Puja of the village Barabatia completing 400 years shows the greatness of place. Many freedom fighters are also born in Pirahat. The Gandhi statue at Pirhat Kali Padia is the emblem of freedom fighters.
Notable personalities
- Kantakavi Laxmikanta Mohapatra, poet, writer, nationalistfrom Talapada, Tihidi
- Chandrakanta Nath, novelist, columnist and media icon from Sandhagada village.
- Inspector Prafula Mohapatra, well-known police inspector of British Time
- Chakradhar Behera, freedom fighter who has become immortal for leading the masses against tyranny of zamidar of Kanika.
- IAS Dr. Hrusikesh Panda Post Graduation in Chemistry, Diploma Pers. Mgt., MBA in Admn. Finance Economics, PhD in Philosophy English.
- IAS Madhu Sudan Padhi , Sainik School Bhubaneswar, Regional Engineering College, 1984.
- Mr Apurba Ranjan Ray, an eminent writer who has written more than 60 books, great speaker, founder of 'Bhadrak Pujyapuja Sansad', awardee of Sahitya Academy and more than 100 awards in his name for the contribution to the Odia culture. He is the regular speaker in Akashbani, Script writer of Dordarshan, Founder of many schools.
- Late Ganesha Chandra Tripathy. Leader of freedom fighter from earm village.
- Late Arjun charana Biswal, well-known freedom fighter from earm village.
- Late Panu Dash, an eminent activist from Nuagaon village, Dash Sahi, fought against British and had a vital role in Second Jaliwala Bag and got martyrdom.
Condition
Politics
Vidhan sabha constituencies
The following is the 5 Vidhan sabha constituencies of Bhadrak district and the elected members of that area| No. | Constituency | Reservation | Extent of the Assembly Constituency | Member of 15th Assembly | Party |
| 43 | Bhandaripokhari | - | Bhandaripokhari, Bonth | Prafulla Samal | BJD |
| 44 | Bhadrak | - | Bhadrak, Bhadrak | Sanjib Mallick | BJD |
| 45 | Basudevpur | - | Basudevpur, Basudevpur, Tihidi | Bishnubrata Routray | BJD |
| 46 | Dhamnagar | SC | Dhamnagar, Tihidi | Bishu Sethi | BJP |
| 47 | Chandabali | - | Chandabali, Tihidi | Byomkesh Ray | BJD |