Baripada is a city and a municipality in Mayurbhanj district in the state of Orissa, India. Baripada is the district headquarters. It is a place to stay and tour the Mayurbhanj region. This region is home to Similipal, one of the most important wildlife parks of India. The national park comprises lush valleys, forest lands and scores of ancient temples.

Rathyatra (Chariot Festival) is one of the main attractions of Baripada. Baripada also hosts the second most popular Rath Yatra of Orissa after Puri. Baripada is also the home of the Mayurbhanj Chhau dance, an ancient martial dance form. The 5^th Battalion of OSAP (Orissa State Armed Police) is situated at Rangamatia.

Baripada is located at 21°56′N 86°43′E / 21.94°N 86.72°E / 21.94; 86.72. It has an average elevation of 36 metres (118 feet).

Baripada is the seat for North Orissa University at Takhatpur. It is also home to the Maharaja Purna Chandra College and to the MPC Autonomous College. The oldest high school is Maharaja Krushna Chandra High School built during 1889. The town also has a Kendriya Vidyalaya school. There is an English Medium School - St Anne's Convent School, Baripada. It also has Maharaja Purnachandra Junior and Autonomous college for providing intermediate, graduate and postgraduate level academics in various disciplines ranging from Science to Arts and many specializations. One of the other schools include Maharani Premakumari Girls High school situated at Lalbazar that is exclusively for girls secondary and higher secondary education. The engineering college named Seemanta Engineering College, affiliated to BPUT is situated near Jharpokharia which is 35 km away from Baripada.