Itamati


Itamati is a village located in Nayagarh district of Odisha, India. It is 6 km from Nayagarh Town. Itamati is known as the major business centre of Nayagarh.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Itamati has a population of 71640. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Itamati has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. The majority of the population belongs to Hindu religion, although there are some Muslim and Chiristians beliefs are staying here.

Business

Being the Business centre of Nayagarh, Itamati reserves a marketplace in the centre of the Village. The marketplace covers a large area starting from Park Lane to Itamati Panchayat. Durga Bazar, Laxmi Bazaar and Ganesh Bazaar are the oldest of all which holds some ancient shops. Being situated in National Highway one may find the tea and snacks shops opened for 24 hours in the Bus stand.

People

The Utkal Ghanta Kabi Jadumani Mahapatra was born at Itamati in the year 1783 and died in 1868. He was the principal poet during the rule of king Binayak Singh Mandhata. Bidyadhar Mohapatra of Mandhatapur was his Sanskrit grammar teacher. Kabi Jadumani wrote Raghab Bilasa and Prabandha Purnachandra. He is one of the best poets of Orissa. His creations could be compared with that of Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja.

Education

Itamati has one degree college, one junior college, three high schools and six upper primary schools. Some of the educational institutes are:
There are 2 colleges in Itamati: Itamati College of Education & Technology and Bansidhar Mahavidyalaya. It has also some private computer centers for learning and private hostels for students.

Gods and temples

Itamati has a large number of temples. Some important ones are:
The well known festivals in Itamati are "Panchu Dola" and "Dasha Dola". The festival continues for four days. There are large swings for children, famous opera parties hold shows during the nights. People of Itamati are very eager to view such Opera shows. Dash Dola comes 10 days after Dola Purnima, in Chaitra Masa of the Oriya calendar. Rath Yatra, Jhulan Yatra, Danda Yatra. Danda Yatra begins on an auspicious day before Mahabishuba Sankranti.The last day is known as Meru parva. People enjoy Danda Nacha during night of the frestival. Udanda, Ganesh Puja, Laxmi Puja, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Khudurukuni, Ramanavami, and Ram Charita Manas are the other famous festivals of Gods and are celebrated with great pump and show in Itamati. Also Itamati people celebrate the jayanti of Utkal Ghanta Jadumani Mahapatra every year on 8 January.

Divisions

Itamati is sub-divided into 21 wards and 20 Sahi's. Some of the Sahi are Ratnapur Patna, Sana Tangi Patana, Paika Sahi, Tanti Sahi, Pradhan Sahi, Nahara Sahi, Kansari Sahi, Teli Sahi, Khatia Sahi, Jagati Patna, Sana Harijan Sahi, Deula Sahi, Sundhi Sahi, Bada Harijan Sahi, Ek Dalia Sahi, Jagannath Sahi, Mohanty Sahi, Behera Sahi, Narayani Patna, Dengera Godi, Pratap Prasad. Of these, Ratnapur Patna is the largest among them containing 2 wards.

Water sources

Several tubewells are present in every sahi of Itamati. The road of several sahis are modified during "Pradhanamantri Gramya Sadaka Jojana" initiated by Atal Behari Bajpayee in India. Several ponds are also present in Itamati which serve the bathing purpose of Itamati people. One of the distributary of kUSUMI passes through Pandusara and Champatipur which are the nearby villages of Itamati and serves the water distribution purpose to some cultivated lands as canal systems are available to few cultivated lands.

Politics

Banshidhar Sahoo was the ex-MLA of Nayagarh.
Sonalika Manthan was elected as sarapancha of Itamati during the 2017 election.