Phulbani
—  town  —
Phulbani Location of Phulbani in Orissa and India
Coordinates	20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23Coordinates: 20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23
Country	India
State	Orissa
District(s)	Kandhamal
Population	33,887 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 485 metres (1,591 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 762 001 • Telephone • +06842 • Vehicle • OR-12

Phulbani (Oriya: ଫୁଲବାଣୀ) (proposed to be 'Bouddha Kandhamal') is a town and a Municipality in Kandhamal district in the Indian state of Orissa.^{[1] [2]}It is the administrative headquarters of Kandhamal district.

Geography[link]

Jagannath temple, Phulbani

Phulbani is located at 20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23.^[3] It has an average elevation of 485 metres (1591 feet).

It is located 211 km from Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa and 165 kms from Berhampur, the major city of South Orissa. Nearest railway station is Rairakhol around 100kms from here. The region around Phulbani has a variety of flora and fauna. It is a place surrounded by hills and has a lot of small and big waterfalls around it. Phulbani is surrounded by river Salunki.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[4] Baudh Kandhamal had a population of 33,887. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Baudh Kandhamal has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 68%. In Boudh Kandhamal, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Overview[link]

Phulbani from View Point

Phulbani once associated with its virgin forests and peaceful tribal people.

Major landmarks in Phulbani are Lord Jagannath Temple, Madikunda Chaka, Govt. College, FCI, Stadium, Govt. Hospital (Medical), Collecterate office and Gopabandhu field (Coronation ground) for hosting annual events. Phulbani also has a Barrack for Orissa Reserve Police near river salunki.

Economy[link]

Phulbani also has a Farm for research activities of Orissa Horticulture and research on silk moths. The farm host a varied collection of Guava Plants found rarely elsewhere. It is famous for the production of good quality turmeric.

River Pila Salunki is heart of this regions agriculture, but due to lack of water this region has never been a success with agriculture. Mostly the economy is centered around wild plants and herbs. Salunki river has been associated with lot of ghost stories, in tribal folks as it killed a lot of people and cattle in floods in the past. In the last major flood was in 1981. The dam a pilasalunki has been successful in arresting sudden gauss of rain water in rainy season. The dam at pilasalunki is also a great place for picnics.

Education[link]

AJO High School, Phulbani

The town has a Government college^[5] for intermediate, under graduate and post graduate studies. Some of the well known schools AJO High School (Estd.: 1904), ^[6]Govt. Girls High School, Police High School, Sri Satya Sai High School, Public School (English Medium), Kendriya Vidyalaya, Carmel English Medium School, Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandira and Sri Aurobindo Integral Education & Research Centre. Carmel school is founded by carmeliti sisters of Kerela. Phulbani's oldest school AJO (Alfred James Olenbatch) High school was a Jail for central Orissa region during the British rule and was converted to a school soon after India got independent.

4th Rabana Podi Celebration on 22 April 2012

Politics[link]

Phulbani is part of Kandhamal (Lok Sabha constituency).^[7]

Current MLA from Phulbani (SC) Assembly Constituency is Sri. Debendra Kanhar of BJD, who won the seat in State elections in 2009.^[8] Other previous MLAs from this seat were Mr. Padmanabha Behera, Bishnu Priya Behera who won this seat representing BJD in 2000, independent candidate Dasarathi Behera in 1995, Abhimanyu Behera of INC in 1985, Chandra Sekhar Behera of INC(I) in 1980 and Prahallad Behera of JNP in 1977.^[9]

References[link]

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Kandhamal (କନ୍ଧମାଳ)
—  district  —
Kandhamal (କନ୍ଧମାଳ) Location of Kandhamal (କନ୍ଧମାଳ) in Orissa and India
Coordinates	20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23Coordinates: 20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23
Country	India
State	Orissa
Headquarters	Phulbani
Collector	Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS
Member of Parliament	Rudra Madhab Ray, BJD
Parliamentary constituency	Kandhamal
Assembly constituency	3, 102- Balliguda (S.T.), 103- G. Udayagiri (S.T), 104- Phulbani (S.C.)
Population • Density	731,952[1] (2011[update]) • 91 /km2 (236 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	0.964 ♂/♀
Literacy • Male • Female	65.12%  • 78.41% • 52.46%
Official languages	Oriya, Hindi, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	8,021 square kilometres (3,097 sq mi) • 700 metres (2,300 ft)
Climate • Precipitation Temperature • Summer • Winter	Aw (Köppen) •      1,587 mm (62.5 in) •      40 °C (104 °F) •      5 °C (41 °F)
Codes • Pincode • 762 0xx • Vehicle • OR-12
Website	kandhamal.nic.in

Kandhamal (Oriya: କନ୍ଧମାଳ) is a district of the state of Orissa, India. The district headquarters of the district is Phulbani.

History[link]

The Kandhmal district was created on 1 April 1993 from the former Boudh-Kandhmal district as a result of district reorganization in the state of Orissa.

Communal unrest and insurgency[link]

On 25 December 2007, unrest broke out between Christians and Hindus and Kandha tribe and Pana caste people.

On 23 August 2008, Sri Lakshmananda Saraswati - a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad - was murdered by unidentified gunmen under mysterious circumstances. Maoist rebels were initially blamed by the police and some Hindu organisations suspected collusion of Christian missionaries amongst the Pana caste. This led to large scale riots between the indigenous Hindu Kandha tribe and the Christian minority amongst the Pana caste. The underlying causes are complex and cross political, religious and ethnic boundaries.^[2] Land encroachment perceived or otherwise being a particular source of tension between the communities. In April 2010, a special "fast track" court in Phulbani convicted 105 people.^[3] Ten people were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.^[4] Suspected Maoist rebels detonated a roadside land mine on 27 November 2010, blowing up an ambulance. A patient, a paramedic, and the vehicle's driver were killed.^[5]

Geography[link]

The district lies between 83.30° E to 84-48° E longitude and 19-34° N to 20-54° latitude. The district headquarter is Phulbani located in the central part of the district. The other popular locations are Baliguda, G. Udayagiri, Tikabali and Raikia.

The territory is rural, with scenic beauty such as waterfalls and springs, and also has a number of historical antiquities.

• Area 8,021 km².
• Altitude 300 to 1100 meter
• Rainfall 1,597 millimetres (62.9 in)
• Climate Minimum temperature (December) 1 °C (34 °F); maximum temperature (May) 35 °C (95 °F)

Demographics[link]

According to the 2011 census Kandhamal district has a population of 731,952,^[1] roughly equal to the nation of Guyana^[6] or the US state of Alaska.^[7] This gives it a ranking of 497th in India (out of a total of 640).^[1] The district has a population density of 91 inhabitants per square kilometre (240 /sq mi) .^[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.92 %.^[1] Kandhamal has a sex ratio of 1037 females for every 1000 males,^[1] and a literacy rate of 65.12 %.^[1]

Most inhabitants belong to the Kandha tribes.

• Language Oriya and Kui (tribal language of Khonds)

Culture[link]

Festivals[link]

The people of Kandhmal celebrate all the Hindu Oriya festivals. The Danda Nach is celebrated in the district mainly by tribals, especially Kondha and gond tribe. they observe this for thirteen days with sanctity. People go fasting for all the thirteen days who vowed for the particular boon or for grace. The festival starts from first April and closes on thirteenth day. The closing ceremony is called as "Meru". In the month of January Kondhs do Puja after harvesting in the villages as per their own convenience. This puja is called "Sisaa Laka". In the month of March they perform puja to get blessings from the village deity (Darni Penu) and "Saaru Penu" mountain deity to collect the mohua flower and green mangoes as well as the forest products. After offerings to the deity only they Collect the product as their food etc. In the month of April/may the offer the mohua flower in the form of cakes to village deity, this is called "Maranga Laka". On special occasions "Kedu Laka" is done depending on the requirement of the mother earth, which is decided by the village priest Locally called "Kuta Gatanju". After the sowing of the crops, to appease the mother earth puja is performed for good crop at the village deity by the priest calls "Jakera". This Puja is called "Bora Laka". This puja is done in the month of September/October. In the month of November/December new crop is collected and out of which Chuda and rice is prepared and made khiri which is offered to village deity and the villagers eat the new food. This same as the Nua Khai in the western part of Orissa.

Places of interest[link]

Balaskumpa is a village in this south-east of Kandhmal (Phulbani) Sub-Division situated 20-25’N and 84-21’ at the confluence of two hill streams which combine to form Pilla Salki river. The village contains a shrine, Baraladevi, the presiding deity of Kandhamal. The goddess is worshipped every year in the bright fortnight of Aswin (Sept-October). It is 15 km (9.3 mi) from Phulbani district headquarters, connected by a good road.

Belghar is situated at a height of more than 2,000 feet (609.6 metres) above the sea level in Balliguda sub-division. It is connected by a road. The place is 70 km (43 mi) from Balliguda and 155 km from Phulbani. The place is full picturesque scenery, mountains, forest and wild animals, especially elephants. It is believed to be homeland of Kutia Kandhas, who are considered to be the descendants of primitive inhabitants of the area. The place is having an Inspection Bungalow of Forest Department, which is built with wooden planks. It is lighted by solar power. Ushabali valley near the village is one of the rare beauty spots in this hilly region. Some times flocks of peacocks are seen by the roadside and haunted by wild elephants.

Chakapad is situated about 800 ft (243.84 m) from sea level in G. Udayagiri Tahasil. Lord Birupakhya (Siva) is the presiding deity of the area. The historical river Bhrutanga is flowing feature of the place is that, the trees all around and the Siva Linga inside the temple lean towards south.

Another temple dedicated to Lord Anandeswar and Jogeswar (Siva) is located near by one big fairies held here on the Sivaratri day. The place is situated in the midst of thick forest, abounds in beautiful natural scenery.

The arya Gurukula Ashram, Vedvyas, Sundargarh district has found an Asharam here, known as Banabasi Kalyan Ashram. The inmates are mostly Adivasi boys, who along with general and physical education are taught with Vedas and Scriptures. It is 70 km from Phulbani. The Ashram was established by one Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a great seer who was popular among tribals for his work. He was killed by Naxalites on 23 August 2008.

Daringbadi is situated at a height of about 3,000 ft (914.4 m) above sea level in Balliguda sub-division. It is 105 km (65 mi) from Phulbani. The place can be approached directly from Berhampur. The place is attractive in summer season due to its low temperature. Hill View point has been developed at Daringbadi where from a visitor could watch and enjoy the beauty of valley. Tourist complex has been built at Daringibadi for accommodation of the tourists. Vast patch of Coffee plantation attract a large number of visitors to Daringibadi all through the year.

Dungi is about 45 km from Phulbani situated on Phulbani-Berhampur road in G. Udayagiri Tehsil. This is the only archaeological site in Kandhmal district. There was one Buddha Vihar of 11th Century, after it is ruined, Siva temples have come up on the site, excavated during construction of new temples and are kept in the temple premises. One Buddha statue has been shifted to the Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar from the nearby area.

Jalespeta is about 127 km from Phulbani situated near Tumudibandh. Vedantakeshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati had established the Shakaracharya Kanyshram, a residential Sanskrit school tribal girls here. He was brutally killed there on Janmashtami day.

Kalinga valley is located 48 km away from Phulbani, the district headquarters on Phulbani – Berhampur road. The valley is near to Dashpalla. The valley is famous for silviculture garden and medicinal plant cultivation. The silviculture garden has rubber trees and human thick bamboo plants. The garden has pleasant aroma, which refreshes body and mind.

Ludu is located about 100 km (62 mi) from Balliguda in Kotagarh Block and 185 km from Phulbani. It is situated in dense forest inhabited by wild elephants. One fair weather road is leading to the side via Subarngiri. There is a waterfall 100’ (30.5m) high.

Mandasaru Kuti is about 100 km from Phulbani in Raikia Block. There is an old church on the outskirts of the village, surrounded by mountains. Nearby is a mountain gorge.

Pakadajhar is about 30 km from Phulbani town near the village Sudrukumpa situated on Phulbani-Boudh road in Phulbani Tahasil. There is one waterfall of 60’ height in natural forest background. One good road is leading to the site from Sudrukumpa. With recent development of the destinations a lot of tourists haunt the place for picnic from early November to end of February.

Putudi is 18 km from Phulbani town with a waterfall of 100 feet (30 m) height, situated in dense forest. The roaring sound of water fall with dense forest all around creates a thrilling sensation to the mind of visitors. One good road is leading to the side. The waterfall is on the river Salunki and excellent shooting spot.

Rushimal is situated about 8 km from Daringibadi near the village Tamangi in Kattingia G. P. A group of hills known as Rushimal hills from which originates river Rushikulya. At the source there is a small reservoir known as “Rushikunda” and above the hill top a cave known as “Rushigumpha”. The place is famous for Baruniyatra.

Urmagada is 17 km from Phulbani town on Phulbani-Gochhapada road in Phulbani Tahasil. The waterfall is of 50’ height, situated in a dense forest. One fair-weather road is leading to the site.may not pai

Transport[link]

The nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar 211 km (131 mi). There is an airstrip at Gudari 5 km from Phulbani town for landing small planes and helicopters.

The nearest railway station is Rairakhol, on the Sambalpur – Bhubaneshwar line, which is 99 km from Phulbani. However Berhampur 165 km (103 mi) away from Phulbani is another convenient rail link. One could conveniently make Phulbani the district headquarters/ Balliguda, the sub-divisional headquarter as the base for visiting the places of interest.

By road, Kandhamal can approached from Sambalpur via Baudh (170 km, 106 miles) and Berhampur (165 km) as well as from Bhubaneshwar via Nayagarh (210 km, 130 miles). It is 170 km (110 mi) away from Bolangir.

While there are no dedicated tourist buses to the places of interest in the district, taxis may be hired at Phulbani or Balliguda. There is no Railway rout in kandhamal till now.

Health facilities[link]

There are five hospitals:

• District Headquarters Hospital, Phulbani.
• Government Hospital, Balliguda
• Government Hospital, G. Udayagiri.
• Government Hospital, Tikabali.
• Government Hospital, Daringibadi.
• Government Hospital, Phiringia.
• Government Hospital, Tumudibandha.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

	Balangir district	Baudh district
	Kalahandi district		Nayagarh district
		Kandhamal district    East
	Rayagada district	Gajapati district	Ganjam district

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