Balasore

2021-07-04T18:28:39Z

171.76.190.95:

{{more citations needed|date=February 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
 {{Infobox settlement
| name = Balasore
| other_name = Baleshwar
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Emami Jagannath Temple, Balasore, Odisha.jpg
| photo2a = Chandipur.jpg
| photo2b = QRSAM tested on 23 December 2019.jpg
| photo3a = Balasore Rail Station.JPG
| photo3b =
| spacing = 1
| color_border = white
| color = white
| size = 280
| text = From Top; Left to Right: Emami Jagannath Temple, Chandipur Sea Beach, DRDO Integrated Testing Range and Balasore Railway Station
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nicknames =
| pushpin_map = India Odisha#India#Asia
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Odisha, India
| coordinates = {{coord|21.49|N|86.93|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Orissa Flag(INDIA).png}} [[Odisha]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Balasore district|Balasore]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Nagar Palika|Municipality]]
| governing_body = Balasore Municipality
| leader_title1 = [[Balasore (Lok Sabha constituency)|Member of Parliament]]
| leader_name1 = [[Pratap Chandra Sarangi]] ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| leader_title2 = [[Balasore (Odisha Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Member of Legislative Assembly]]
| leader_name2 = [[Swarup Kumar Das]] ([[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]])
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name='balasoremunicipality'>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Balasore Municipality|url=http://balasoremunicipality.in/|access-date=22 November 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 17.48

| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 16
| population_total = 144373
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro = 177557
| population_rank = [[List of cities in India by population|India 409th]], [[List of cities in Odisha by population|Odisha 7th]]
| population_demonym = Baleshwaria
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Odia language|Odia]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=6 January 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 756001-756xxx
| area_code = 06782
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = OD - 01(Previously OR - 01)
| blank_name_sec1 = [[UN/LOCODE]]
| blank_info_sec1 = IN BLS
| website = {{URL|http://baleswar.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}
'''Balasore''' or '''Baleshwar''' (ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର) is a city in the state of [[Odisha]], about {{convert|194|km|mi|0}} north of the state capital [[Bhubaneswar]] and {{convert|152|km|mi|0}} from Kolkata, in eastern India. It is the largest city of northern Odisha and the administrative headquarters of [[Balasore district]]. It is best known for [[Chandipur, India|Chandipur]] beach. The [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program]]'s Integrated Test Range is located 18 km south of Balasore.

==History==
Baleshwar district was part of the ancient [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] kingdom which later became a territory of [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkal]], till the death of Mukunda Dev. It was annexed by the [[Mughal Empire]] in 1568 and remained as a part of their suzerainty up until the 1700s.

The British [[East India Company]] (EIC) established a [[Factory (trading post)|factory]] at Balasore in 1633. In 1719, the [[Austrian East India Company|Trieste Company]] merchants established a trading post there.<ref>
Klemens Kaps, ''Mercantilism as private-public network: The Greppi Marliani company – a successful Habsburg Central European player in global trade (1769-1808)'' In: ''Mediterranean doubts Trading Companies, Conflicts and Strategies in the Global Spaces (XV-XIX Centuries)'' Edited By Daniele Andreozzi, New Digital Press, Palermo 2017. p. 90.
[https://www.academia.edu/33435780/Mediterranean_doubts_Trading_Companies_Conflicts_and_Strategies_in_the_Global_Spaces_XV-XIX_Centuries_Edited_By_Daniele_Andreozzi_New_Digital_Press_Palermo_2017?auto=download 50.]
</ref> As [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] rose in importance, Balasore became the center for [[maritime pilot|river pilot]] services for vessels seeking to ascend the [[Hooghli River]].

The [[Marathas]] then occupied this part of [[Odisha]] and it became a part of the dominion of the [[Bhonsle]] [[Maratha]] Rajas of [[Nagpur]]. They ceded this part through the Treaty of Deogaon in 1803 and it became a part of [[Bengal Presidency]] until 1912.

Balasore as a separate district was created in October 1828 under the [[Bengal Presidency]]. On 7 November 1845, all of [[Danish India]] was sold to the British to form a part of [[British India]].

With the creation of [[Bihar Province]], Odisha, along with Balasore district, was transferred from Bengal to Bihar. But with the creation of Odisha as a separate state on 1 April 1936, Balasore became an integral part of Odisha State. The [[Indian independence movement|national movement of independence]] surged ahead with the visit of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1921. Similarly [[Praja mandala movement|Praja Andolan]] was initiated against the ruler of [[Nilagiri State]]. The state of Nilagiri merged with state of Odisha in January 1948 and became a part of Balasore district. On 3 April 1993, [[Bhadrak district|Bhadrak]] sub-division became a separate district and from this day Balasore remains a district of Odisha with two Sub-divisions namely Balasore and Nilagiri having eight [[Tehsils of India|Tehsils]], namely Balasore, Soro, Simulia, Nilagiri, Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal and Remuna and 12 blocks namely Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal, Basta, Balasore, Remuna, Nilagiri, Oupada, Khaira, Soro and [[Bahanaga]]. The name of the district is being derived from the name of the town.

Balasore is where the famous freedom fighter Jatindranath Mukherjee, also known as [[Bagha Jatin]], was injured and died fighting the British.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2018|title=Bagha Jatin: Bagha Jatin's man-eater slaying 'kukri' to be on display on Sunday|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bagha-jatins-man-eater-slaying-kukri-to-be-on-display-on-sunday/articleshow/65739351.cms|last=Dasgupta|first=Priyanka|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref>

==Climate==
{{Weather box
| location = Balasore (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 35.6
| Feb record high C = 38.7
| Mar record high C = 41.6
| Apr record high C = 45.0
| May record high C = 46.7
| Jun record high C = 46.1
| Jul record high C = 39.9
| Aug record high C = 36.7
| Sep record high C = 36.2
| Oct record high C = 36.1
| Nov record high C = 34.8
| Dec record high C = 33.6
| year record high C = 46.7
| Jan high C = 27.1
| Feb high C = 29.8
| Mar high C = 33.6
| Apr high C = 35.9
| May high C = 35.7
| Jun high C = 34.0
| Jul high C = 32.3
| Aug high C = 31.9
| Sep high C = 32.1
| Oct high C = 31.9
| Nov high C = 30.1
| Dec high C = 27.6
| year high C = 31.8
| Jan low C = 14.3
| Feb low C = 17.6
| Mar low C = 21.7
| Apr low C = 24.5
| May low C = 25.7
| Jun low C = 26.1
| Jul low C = 25.8
| Aug low C = 25.6
| Sep low C = 25.3
| Oct low C = 23.1
| Nov low C = 18.6
| Dec low C = 14.7
| year low C = 21.9
| Jan record low C = 7.2
| Feb record low C = 6.7
| Mar record low C = 11.7
| Apr record low C = 16.6
| May record low C = 18.4
| Jun record low C = 20.0
| Jul record low C = 20.0
| Aug record low C = 21.3
| Sep record low C = 20.3
| Oct record low C = 15.5
| Nov record low C = 8.9
| Dec record low C = 6.7
| year record low C = 6.7
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 16.4
| Feb rain mm = 36.2
| Mar rain mm = 39.6
| Apr rain mm = 60.5
| May rain mm = 146.4
| Jun rain mm = 296.7
| Jul rain mm = 291.2
| Aug rain mm = 308.4
| Sep rain mm = 290.0
| Oct rain mm = 174.3
| Nov rain mm = 39.7
| Dec rain mm = 6.8
| year rain mm = 1706.1
| Jan rain days = 1.1
| Feb rain days = 2.0
| Mar rain days = 2.3
| Apr rain days = 4.2
| May rain days = 7.2
| Jun rain days = 10.9
| Jul rain days = 13.7
| Aug rain days = 15.3
| Sep rain days = 11.8
| Oct rain days = 6.0
| Nov rain days = 1.6
| Dec rain days = 0.4
| year rain days = 76.4
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 63
| Feb humidity = 62
| Mar humidity = 64
| Apr humidity = 69
| May humidity = 71
| Jun humidity = 75
| Jul humidity = 78
| Aug humidity = 80
| Sep humidity = 80
| Oct humidity = 76
| Nov humidity = 70
| Dec humidity = 65
| year humidity = 71
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Balasore Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 69–70
| access-date = 10 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M159
| access-date = 10 January 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Culture and festivals==
Balasore culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, and music . The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other cities.
Balasore residents celebrate both Western and Indian festivals. [[Diwali]], [[Holi]], Eid, [[Christmas]], [[Navaratri|Navratri]], [[Good Friday]], [[Vijayadashami|Dussera]], [[Muharram]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], Durga Puja, Rajaa and [[Maha Shivaratri|Maha Shivratri]] are some of the popular festivals in the city. The akhada Arts Festival during durga puja is a unique culture of Balasore.

'''Festivals'''
* [[Durga Puja|Durga puja]], the festival of goddess Durga, is very popular in Balasore. Idols are worshipped in many streets and localities. In this city, Durga puja is famous for its idols, with localities trying to outsmart each other by constructing more attractive idols. Indeed, the whole city comes to a standstill on Astami, Navami and on Dashami burning of effigy of the demon Ravana (the eighth, ninth and tenth days of Durga puja) as people travel all over the city appreciating all the idols put forth by the neighbourhoods.
* [[Kali Puja]], Just after Durga puja gets over, Balasore gear up with all their vigour to celebrate Kali puja. On the auspicious day of Diwali amidst the bursting of [[firecrackers]].
* Kartikeshwar puja: [[Murugan|Kartikeshwar]] is the eldest son of [[Lord Shiva]].
* Kite flying is also celebrated with much enthusiasm and energy in the city. Kite-flying culminates with the [[Makar Sankranti]], with kite-flying competitions being held all over the city.
* All the other regular Indian festivals like [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], [[Vasant Panchami]], [[Holi]], [[Eid ul-Fitr|Id]], [[Good Friday]], [[Rath Yatra]], [[Diwali]], Christmas and the numerous Hindu festivals are also celebrated.

==Demographics==
[[File:Khirachora Gopinatha Temple.jpg|alt=|thumb|253x253px|Khirachora Gopinath temple, Remuna, Balasore city]]
According to [[2011 Indian Census]], Balasore (municipality + overgrowth) had a total population of 144,373, of which 73,721 were males and 70,652 were females. Population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 14,773. The total number of literates in Balasore was 113,418, which constituted 78.6% of the population with male literacy of 81.7% and female literacy of 75.3%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Balasore was 87.5%, of which male literacy rate was 91.0% and female literacy rate was 83.8%. The [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] population was 15,812 and 9,291 respectively. Balasore had 30460 households in 2011.<ref name="Census2011Gov">{{cite web |title=Census of India: Balasore |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=441206 |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref>

===Languages===
The official language of Balasore is [[Odia language|Odia]] which is also the most commonly spoken language of the city. It is followed by [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Santali language|Santali]] and [[Hindi]] in the descending order per the number of speakers.<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Town level |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2100.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=30 August 2020}}</ref>

==Economy==
Balasore is the main city in the District of Balasore. The district has four major revenue sources – industries, agriculture, fishing and tourism with its base in Chandipur.<ref name="Chandipur.">{{Cite news|publisher=www.ucnews.in
|title=In Orissa: Chandipur, the retreating sea and river mouth|date=26 September 2016|access-date=16 February 2017|url=http://www.ucnews.in/news/2401-3185852062547426/in-orissa--chandipur--the-retreating-sea-and-river-mouth.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217061731/http://www.ucnews.in/news/2401-3185852062547426/in-orissa--chandipur--the-retreating-sea-and-river-mouth.html|archive-date=17 February 2017|url-status = dead}}</ref> Many small and large scale industries are located both within the city limits as well as the outskirts. Balasore Alloys Limited,<ref name="Balasore Alloys Ltd.">{{Cite news|title=Balasore Alloys Limited|date=30 November 2015|access-date=16 February 2017|url=http://www.business-standard.com/company/balasore-alloys-811.html|work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> [[Emami]] Paper Mills,<ref name="Emami Paper Mills">{{Cite news|last=Laha Roy|first=Tasmayee|date=30 November 2015|title=Emami Paper Mills now forays into packaging board trade|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/paper-/-wood-/-glass/-plastic/-marbles/emami-paper-mills-now-forays-into-packaging-board-trade/articleshow/49978372.cms|work=Economic Times|access-date = 16 February 2017}}</ref> Oriplast, and [[Birla Tyres]] are some of the major industries based in Balasore. It is one of the richest cities of Odisha. The main markets of Balasore are Nua Bazar, Motiganj, FM Square, Vivekanand Marg, Station Square, ITI Chakh, Kachehri Road, Town Hall and Nua Shahi.

===Industry===
In an effort to bring industry, trade and commerce to a common meaningful platform, the Confederation of Indian Industry, with local chambers like North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry,<ref name="North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry">{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/integrated-textile-park-proposed-in-the-odisha-114070801220_1.html|title=North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry|first=Nirmalya|last=Behera|date=8 July 2014|work=[[Business Standard]]|access-date = 16 February 2017}}</ref> serve as an interface to fight for the rights and issues concerning the industrial scenario so as to contribute to the development of the state as a whole. Members from both public and private sectors work closely with the government for the expansion of business opportunities, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness and to work on policy issues. Located in Januganj, Balasore, NOCCI is essentially a business park with a massive exhibition hall, a separate residential block with hotel and restaurant facilities and an extended building called the industry facilitation center<ref name="Industry Facilitation Center">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nocci.in/industryfacilitation.html|title=North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry|website=www.nocci.in|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> specifically for industrial training. NOCCI comprises about 100 member units and six affiliated associations of the industrial units. NOCCI is instrumental in the promoting the initiative of the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (GoI)<ref>
{{Cite web
| publisher = nocci.in
| title = NOCCI Balasore Infrastructure Company
| access-date = 16 February 2017
| url = http://nocci.in/noccinew/about_iius.html}}</ref> through a scheme of Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation.

The [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program]]'s Integrated Test Range is located 18 km south of Balasore. The [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] developed many different missiles such as [[Nag (missile)|Nag]], [[BrahMos]], [[Agni (missile)|Agni Missile]] among others here.

==Education==
[[File:Statue of Fakir Mohan Senapati.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Statue of Fakir Mohan Senapati]]
Balasore is the main education hub of Northern Odisha with many engineering schools and colleges and the famous [[Fakir Mohan University]], named after the renowned novelist [[Fakir Mohan Senapati]], who hails from this town of Odisha. [[Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital]] was established in the year 2018 to boost the medical facility in Balasore and Northern Odisha.

===Technical colleges/institutions===
*[[Balasore College of Engineering and Technology]]
*[[Satyasai Engineering College]]
*[[Modern Engineering and management Studies]]
*[[Srinix engineering College]]
*[[Vijayanjali institute of Technology]]

===Universities/colleges===
*[[Balasore Law College]]
*[[Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital]]
*[[Fakir Mohan University]]
*[[Sagar College of Science]]

===Schools===
*[[St. Vincent's Convent School, Balasore]]
*[[D.A.V. Public School, Balasore]]
*[[Modern Public School]]
*[[Maharishi Vidya Mandir]]

==Transport==
[[File:Balasore Rail Station.JPG|thumb|206x206px|Balasore railway station]]

===Air===
The nearest airport is [[Biju Patnaik Airport]] in [[Bhubaneswar]] which is 200 km from Balasore. [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport]] in [[Kolkata]] is 154 km from Balasore.

===Rail===
[[Balasore railway station]] is an important station on the [[Howrah-Chennai main line]] of the [[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]]. The distance to Kolkata is approximately 154 km, while the distance to Bhubaneswar is about 206 km. A branch line to [[Baripada]] starts from [[Rupsa, India|Rupsa]], near Balasore. Balasore is connected to different parts of India through trains. There are frequent trains to Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, Bangalore, Puri, Ernakulam.
[[File:BLS station n GZB WAP-7.jpg|thumb|221x221px|Balasore Railway station and Rajdhani express]]

===Road===
{{mapframe|frame=yes|type=point|zoom=SWITCH:4,6,10|switch=zoomed out, zoomed mid, zoomed in}}
Balasore has a well developed roadways. National Highway 5 and National Highway 60 pass through the city. A part of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] project, this highway runs from [[Chennai]] to [[Kolkata]]. Intra-city transport comprises [[cycle rickshaw]]s and [[auto rickshaw]]s. City bus services commenced in Balasore on 15 August 2017. The bus terminus is at Sahadev Khunta and thousands of private buses ply to hundreds of destinations everyday. Many luxurious A.C buses ply to Bhubneswar, Kolkata and other nearby cities daily.

==Health==
Industrial and infrastructural development has boosted the healthcare market in Balasore and attracted healthcare corporate houses to set up base in the city. Balasore government hospital was the city's first hospital.

==Sports and entertainment==
Cricket is the most popular sport in the city. The city is also represented by the Balasore Baghas in the Odisha Premier League. Apart from cricket, people here love the game of football, volleyball & other sports.

Balasore has several cinemas playing films in Odia, Hindi, and English languages.

==Places of interest==
[[File:AAD Launch Crop.jpg|thumb|200px|Missile launch in [[Abdul Kalam Island]], Chandipur]]
[[Chandipur-on-sea]] is a seaside resort famous for its mile long beach. It is a unique beach – the tide comes to the shore only four times a day, at fixed intervals. At a distance of 30 km south-west is [[Panchalingeshwar]], a temple and scenic spot high on a mountain. The presiding deity there, Shiva, cannot be seen. One has to touch and feel the statue as it is behind (submerged under) a waterfall. About 33 km south-west of Balasore, the town Santaragadia has the Biseswar temple situated on a hill. The town is surrounded by hills on all sides. Nearby is Khulia village, a settlement of aboriginals. Around 30 km south-east of Balasore is a port named Dhamra.

[[Kshirachora Gopinatha Temple|Khirachora Gopinatha Temple]], situated at Remuna, approximately 7 km from the main town of Balasore, was built by King [[Langula Narasimha Dev]], who also built the famous temple at [[Konark]]. Khirochora Gopinath Temple is notable for its mythological story about how it was built there. The prashad of Krishna – the khira – is famous. The [[Biranchinarayan Temple, Palia]], AstaDurga, and Bhudhar Chandi are some other temples located in the region.

Jagannatha Temple, Remuna is a newly built temple in the area, the architecture of which is influenced by the famous Jagannatha Temple of Puri. It is the recent favourite tourist spot concerning the region.

[[File:Jagannatha Temple Nilagiri.JPG|thumb|200px|Jagannatha Temple Nilagiri]] [[File:Bhusandeswara Temple Chandaneswara Baleswara.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bhusandeswara Temple]]
There is a Jagannatha Temple in [[Nilagiri]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://baleswar.nic.in/history_culture.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721165338/http://baleswar.nic.in/history_culture.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which is one of the prominent Jagannatha temples of [[Odisha]]. Lord [[Jagannath]], [[Balabhadra]] and [[Subhadra]] are worshipped here. Every year, [[Ratha Yatra]] is performed with all the deities.

Panchalingeswara Temple is a temple near a picnic spot in [[Balasore district|Baleswar]] which is located 30 km from Balasore.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orissa-tourism.com/bsore.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726211824/http://www.orissa-tourism.com/bsore.html |archive-date=26 July 2011 }}</ref> There is a state tourism Pantha Nivas in Panchalingeswara for tourists. Panchalingeswara is surrounded by hills and forests.
{|
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Pancalingeswara Temple Nilagiri.JPG|thumb|800px|Panchalingeswara Temple]]
|}
'''[[Bhujakhia Pir]]''', situated at sunhat at the heart of the city is the tomb of Sufi saint Aasthana Sharif Hazrat Pir named as Bhujakhia Pir.The most interesting thing that both Muslim and Hindu jointly worship pir baba.

'''[[Baba Bhusandeswar Temple]]''', is one of the largest Shiva Lingams in the World is in [[Bhograi]] village of Balasore district, Odisha.which is located 100 km from Balasore. The 12 feet long and 14 feet width lingam is carved out on a black granite and only half of the lingam is visible. The other half has remained buried for years. The diameter of the lingam is 12 feet and has three parts. The middle portion of the lingam is octagonal in shape, about 12 feet in diameter and nearly four feet in height. The Lingam slightly leans towards the right side.

==Politics==
The current [[Member of parliament (India)|MP]] from Balasore Parliamentary Constituency is [[Pratap Chandra Sarangi]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]], who won the seat in the Indian general elections of 2019. The [[Odisha Legislative Assembly|MLA]] from Balasore Vidhan Sabha Constituency is Swarup Kumar Das of BJD, who won the seat in the 2020 bye-elections. Previous MLAs from this seat were Madan Mohan Dutta (BJP), who won the seat in 2019, Jiban Pradip Das ([[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]]), who won this seat in 2009, Arun Dey ([[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPM]]) in 2004, Gopa Narayan Das of [[Indian National Congress|INC]] in 1985 and Kartik Chandra Rout of [[Janata Party|JNP]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp14.htm
|title = State Elections 2004 – Partywise Comparison for 14-Balasore Constituency of Orissa
|publisher = Election Commission of India
|access-date = 23 September 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080217040021/http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp14.htm
|archive-date = 17 February 2008
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> Balasore is part of [[Balasore (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf
|title=Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha
|publisher=Election Commission of India
|access-date=23 September 2008
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051108040424/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf
|archive-date=8 November 2005
}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal||India|Denmark}}
* [[Rocket launch site]]s
* [[Indian Space Research Organisation]]
* [[Thumba|Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station]]
* [[Chandipur, Odisha|Chandipur]]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Chandipur}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|PanchaLingeswar}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Balasore}}
{{EB1911 poster|Balasore}}

*
* [http://balasorecity.com/ Online Information Center of Balasore]
* [http://baleswar.nic.in/ Baleswar District website]

{{Odisha}}
{{Balasore district}}
{{Industrial hubs in Odisha |state=collapsed}}
{{Danish overseas empire}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Balasore| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Balasore district]]
[[Category:Port cities in India]]
[[Category:Danish India]]
[[Category:Former Danish colonies]]
[[Category:Rocket launch sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu–German Conspiracy]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Balasore