Jajpur
—  city  —
Jajpur Location of Jajpur in Orissa and India
Coordinates	20°51′N 86°20′E / 20.85°N 86.33°E / 20.85; 86.33Coordinates: 20°51′N 86°20′E / 20.85°N 86.33°E / 20.85; 86.33
Country	India
State	Orissa
District(s)	Jajpur
Population	32,209 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 8 metres (26 ft)

Jajapur (also known as Jajpur) is a city and a municipality in Jajpur district in the Indian state of Orissa. It is popularly known as Biraja Khetra, which translates as "the place sacred to Goddess Biraja", and is located on the banks of the Baitarani River. It was the capital of Orissa during the Kesari dynasty, later supplanted by Cuttack. Now, it is the headquarters of Jajpur district.

The historical significance of Jajpur district is evident from the nomenclature of the district, which is believed to be named after the Somvanshi King `Jajati Keshari`, in early 10th century. The history of Jajpur from time immemorial is synonymous with the Viraja or Viraja Khetra. History of Jajpur states that as a seat of ancient culture and a holy shrine for Hindus, this district was once studded with scores of ancient stone temples as in the temple town of Bhubaneshwar. A new political situation developed in the district with the rise of the Bhaumakaras in 736 AD. The two powerful dynasties, Bhaumas and Somvanshi reigned over the whole land mass of modern Orissa for almost four centuries and saw the formative period of life and culture of the people. This period was indeed a remarkable epoch. Somvanshi King Jajati Keshari made Jajpur his capital. History of Jajpur District says that Jajpur was not only the capital of two important dynasties but also has contributed a lot to the synthesis of different regions which flourished in Orissa over the years.

Tourism in Jajpur District is developed around the archaeological museum of Ratnagiri, which is one of the important site museums of archaeological Survey of India..^[1]

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[2] Jajapur had a population of 32,209. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Jajapur has an average literacy rate of 75%, greater than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 90%. In Jajapur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest[link]

Etymologically the place derives its name from Yajna or Yagna.It is the place where Brahma did Ashwamedha Yajna.Later King Yajati Keshari did 10 Ashwamedha near Baitarani River bank.The apabramsa or local dialect has changed the name Yajanapura to Jajanapura and then to Jajapura or Jajipur in due course of time. A historic site for pilgrimages, it has shrines dedicated to Biraja Temple, Yajna Varaha Temple and Saptamatruka Temple among others, and at one time was intended to be the home of Lord Jagannath.^{[citation needed]} It is also believed to have once been the capital of the Kalinga Kingdom empire. Jajpur also has an ancient pillar of Ashokan times called the Shubha Stambha.

Temple of Goddess Biraja is about 35 kilometres from its nearest railway station Jajpur Keonjhar Road (JJKR) or Byasanagar. Several express trains stop here. Road is good for a car.

Jajpur K Road railway station itself formed into a town. It has separate STD code, PIN code, several hotels (to stay) and bus stand. This station area is also known as Kalinganagar and Byasanagar.

Prediction of the appearance of Kalki Avatar in Jajapur Orissa[link]

Oriya Malika:
Oriya Malika predicts the appearance of Kalki in Jajapur Orissa. These books are written in 16th century.

ଆମ୍ଭ ଜନମ ଅଣତିରିଶରେ , ଜନମ ହୋଇବୁ ବିରଜା ନଗ୍ରରେ
I will be born in 1929 , will be born in Biraja Nagara
ଯେତେ ବେଳେ ନୀଳାଚଳ ଛାଡିକରି ଯିବୁ , ଯାଜପୁର ବିପ୍ରଘରେ ଯାଇ ଜନମିବୁ
The time I leave Nilachala (PURI) , will be born in Jajapur in a Brahmin Family
ବେଲ ବୋଉଳ ବରକୋଳି ତହିଁ ନିକଟେ ଅଛି , ହୁଙ୍କା ସୁରୁପେ ନୃସିଂହ ତହିଁ ଜଗି ବସିଛି
Bel, Boula and Berry trees should be near to him , He meditates near an Ants Hill
ବାର ହାତ ତେର ଅଙ୍ଗୁଳି ହୁଙ୍କା ହୋଇବ ଉଚ୍ଚ , ତେବେ ଯାଣିବୁ ରାମଚନ୍ଦ୍ର କଳକୀର ପ୍ରକାଶ
When height of ant Hill becomes 12 hands and 13 fingers, then` only KALKI will be lighting.
ଯାଜନଗ୍ରେ ପ୍ରଭୁ ଜନମ ହେବେ , ଜନମେ ହେବେ ସେ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ ଭାବେ
Prabhu (Kalki) will born in Jajanagara, Born in a Brahman cast.

Above lines have copied from Balaram Das and Acyutananda Das books written in 16th century.They are specifying the presence of Kalki in the below address

• Country: India (Bharat, JambuDwepa)
  
• State: Orissa (Kalinga)
  
• District: Jajapur (YajaNagra, JajatiNagra, YagyaPur, JadhaKhanda)
  
• Village: SomonathPur (SyamaNagra, Shambhala Gram), Near Biraja Temple.

Economy[link]

There are about 15 steel plants in the vicinity of Jajpur. Kalinganagar, where a large number of mineral based industries are coming up, is slated to be one of the major industrial hub in India. However the issues relating to rehabilitation and displacement have been the main bottleneck in the industrial advancement of the region, one of the richest mineral belts of the country.^{[citation needed]}. Besides steel plants there is also an one and only software company named Ratna Technology that advances the IT technology and also create job opportunity for IT professionals. This company develop few sites for Jajpur which represents social responsibility.

Politics[link]

Current MLA from Jajapur Assembly Constituency is Pranab Prakash Das of BJD, who won the seat in State elections of 2009. Previous MLAs from this seat were Parameswar Sethi who won this seat in 2004 and Suryamani Jena who won this seat in 2000 representing BJD and also in 1995 representing JD, Jagannath Mallik who won this seat representing JD in 1990 and also in 1985 and in 1977 representing JNP, and Niranjan Jena of INC(I) in 1980.^[3]

Notable Person[link]

References[link]

External References[link]

• Official website