About Gajapati District :
Gajapati District has been named after Maharaja Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, the Ex–Raja Sahib of Paralakhemundi estate (the 1st Prime Minister of Odisha State), who is remembered for his contribution in formation of a separate Odisha province and inclusion of Paralakhemundi estate in Odisha. It got a District status on 2nd October 1992 after bifurcated from Ganjam District. It was Parlakhemundi sub-division in Ganjam and yet it is only sub-division in Gajapati. There are 7 Tahasils, 7 Blocks, 1,534 Villages, 149 Gram Panchayats and 11 Police stations.
Covering an area of 3850 sq km, Gajapati District lies between 180.6’ to 190.39’ North Latitude and 830.48’ to 840.08’ East Longitude. Climatic condition in the Gajapati District varies between 16 degree to 40 degree Celsius and the normal rainfall received is 1403.30 mm.The District is surrounded by Andhra Pardesh in its South, Ganjam District in its East, Rayagada in its West and Kandhamal in its North. The soil and climate is suitable for plantation of crops and there is a great potential of horticulture development in the District. More than 60 percent of lands are situated in hilly terrain and high lands. Those are mainly suitable for horticulture. Other cultivable land are coming under medium lands (20 percent) and low lands (15 percent) category.
Total population of the Gajapati District (2011 census) was 5,77,817 comprising total 2,82,882 male population and 2,94,935 female population. Total SC population of the District is 39,175 and total ST population of the District is 3,13,714.
Gajapati District gains a large amount of its revenue through the agricultural sector. Also agro–processing and horticulture industries add to the economic wealth of this region. Economy of Gajapati District is agrarian in character. Except a few agro–processing units, there is no major industry in the District. However, some activities of cottage industries like Horn work, Jaikhadi bag, Cane and bamboo work, Ganjappa card and Pattachitra mukha, Broom work and Siali leaf plate making and Tibetan Woolen Carpet contribute to the economy of the District.
Jagannatha Narayana Deo (freedom fighter), Apanna Parichha (freedom fighter), Pandit Jugal Kishore Panigrahy (freedom fighter), Kabiraj Hari Krushna Purohit (poet), Madhu Tripathy (poet), Lalit Kumar Adhikari (body builder), Krushna Srichandan (poet/ dramatist), Hari Krushna Maharana (artist/painter), Chaitanya Rajaguru (poet/ astrologer), Nilamani Panigrahy (astrologer), Gourachandra Gajapati Narayan Deo (royal member) and Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo (royal member) are famous personalities born in Gajapati District.
SKCG College, Women’s College, JITM, Centurion University, and Kendriya Vidyalaya are some of the major educational institutions of the District. There are some noteworthy NGO-run residential schools viz. Mahendratanaya Ashram School, Koinpur.
Gajapati District experiences many fairs and festivals round the year. Ratha Yatra, Dusherra, Kumar Purnima, Thakurani Yatra, Pongal are the famous festivals celebrated here with much pomp and gaiety
Tourist Places :
Gandahati waterfall :
Gandahati is more about 30 km far from Paralakhemundi and which belongs to in Gajapati district of Odisha. The place is famous for the glittering water fall, which is famous water fall in Odisha and this this enclosed by dense green forest. You will find so many wild animals like elephant and these elephants are coming from upper side of the hill to this waterfall to bath/drink water. One beauty-full hindu temple is present near to this water fall. It can be reached both by rail & road. The nearest railway station Palasa is 44 kms away from Paralakhemundi. All the trains connecting Howrah with the southern part pass through Palasa and have a halt here. JITM campus is 7 kms away from Paralakhemundi.
Mahendragiri :
Mahendragiri of Gajapati district is not only a religious place, also a famous tourist place in eastern Odisha. Mahendragiri is a mountain peak, which is a part of Eastern Ghats at an elevation of 1,501 meters (4,976 ft) from the sea level. Mahendragiri peak is around 56 km from the district headquarter Paralakhemundi. The nearest railway station is Palasa of Andhra Pradesh, which is only 30 km distance via Goppili Road. To know more about this place and other nearby attractions read this article completely.Mahendragiri peak of Eastern Ghats is associated with many mythological legends as per Hindu Puranas and stories. It was said since a long as once Lord Parshuram used to stay and meditate Lord Shiva for a long time on this mountain, after which he received the Parsu (double axle) from the God. In addition, during Dwapara Yug, Mother Kunti along with her five sons used to stay here for a certain time during their 12 years of Vanvas (exile), and Bhima used to worship the Lord Shiva here too. The holistic place is though famous for the temple of Lord Shiva and Parshuram. Parshuram temple is at below the mountain, near Tumba village, whereas temples of Kunti, Judhistir and Bheema are on the hilltop. In Kunti temple, there is a Gokarneswar Linga (ear of cow shaped), in which whatever amount of water poured, gets disappear. The main festival of Mahendragiri is Maha Shiva Ratri that occurs in between February and March. A thousand of devotees from around the world travels here and trek onto the peak to worship Lord Shiva on that day and enjoys the tranquil and striking expressions of nature. On the eve of Maha Shiva Ratri, as thousands of people came here to worship, District Magistrate taking care with special preparations, such as Mobile Health Unit, Drinking Water facility etc. however to expose this place world widely, providing good communication to the peak and accommodation nearby, some major steps must be taken by the District Administrator and or Tourism Dept.
Chandragiri :
It is situated at about 90 kms. from Paralakhemundi and 15 kms. from R. Udayagiri. The Tibetans settle a beautiful place surrounded by forest. Large-scale horticulture plantation like mango, orange, guava, pineapple etc. along with a Government horticulture farm as well as the cultural activities of the Tibetans makes this place more beautiful. This place is famous for seasonal fruits, Tibetan woolen garments & carpet also for dogs of various breeds. It is also a health resort.
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