>Shyamsunder: removed Category:Tourist attractions in India by district; added Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha by district using HotCat

2021-07-22T11:42:35Z

removed Category:Tourist attractions in India by district; added Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha by district using HotCat

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[[Bhawanipatna]] is classified as one of the major tourist destinations by the tourism Department<ref>{{cite web |url=http://orissatourism.gov.in/new/bhawani.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-12-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128145553/http://orissatourism.gov.in/new/bhawani.htm |archivedate=2011-11-28 }}</ref> of Government of [[Odisha]]. All the tourist attraction in [[Kalahandi]] region comes under [[Bhawanipatna]] jurisdiction. Though tourist potential of [[Kalahandi]] has not been exploited optimally due to poor marketing, political negligence and infrastructure development, the land is very rich in terms of water fall, forest and wild life, natural and scenic beauty, tribal life, mountains, agriculture field, historical sites and handicrafts. The best time to visit [[Kalahandi]] region is from October to March. April–June is hard Summer and the mercury may rise to 45 degree C and June to August is the Monsoon Season. It occasionally rains in September, but do not miss the great festival like Nuakhai in September and Dassara in end of September or early October. Beginning of Dessara marks the pleasant weather condition till the celebration of Chaitra in February/March.

==Introduction==

=== History ===
The history of [[Kalahandi]] goes back to the primitive period where a well-civilized, urbanized and cultured people inhabited on this land mass around 2000 years ago. The world's largest celt of Stone Age and the largest cemetery of the [[megalithic]] age have been discovered in Kalahandi – this shows the region had cradle of civilization since the pre-historic era. [[Asurgarh]] near Narla in Kalahandi was one of the oldest metropolises in [[Odisha]] whereas the other one was [[Sisupalgarh]] near [[Bhubaneswar]]. Some other historical forts in the region includes Budhigarh (ancient period), Amthagarh (ancient period), Belkhandi (ancient to medieval period) and Dadpur-Jajjaldeypur (medieval period). In ancient history this kingdom was serving as salt route to link between ancient [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] and South [[Kosala]]. This land was unconquered by the great Ashoka, who fought the great [[Kalinga War]], as per Ashokan record.<ref>''B. Mishra, op.cit., 2003-2004</ref> In medieval period the region had played a prominent role to link South India, Eastern India and Central India region and witnessed the battle ground for [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]], Chola, [[Kalachuris of Kalyani]] and [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]]. [[Kalahandi]] region was the main route for Chola to attack Subarnapur of South [[Dakshina Kosala|Kosal]].

The history of Kalahandi is rich in terms of contribution towards the Indian culture and temple architecture. Temple of Goddess Stambeswari at [[Asurgarh]], built during 500 AD, is a perfect example where the first brick Temple in Eastern India was built. Sanskritization in [[Odisha]] was first started from Kalahandi, [[Koraput]] region, ancient Mahakantara region. Earliest flat-roofed stone temple of [[Odisha]] was built at Mohangiri in Kalahandi during 600 AD. Temple architecture achieved perfection at Belkhandi in [[Kalahandi]] and then traversed to Ekamra, present [[Bhubaneswar]], along with the political expansion of the Somavamsis during the 1000–1100 AD.

The distribution and occurrence of precious and semi-precious gemstones and other commercial commodities of Kalahandi region have found place in accounts of Panini (5th century BC), Kautilya (3rd century BC), Ptolemy (2nd century AD), Wuang Chuang (7th century AD) and Travenier (19th century). Present name [[Kalahandi]] finds mention for the first time in the [[Junagarh, Kalahandi|Junagarh]] Dadhivaman temple inscription issued from Kalahandinagara by Maharaja Jugasai Dev in A. D. 1718...<ref>[[Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra]], Archaeology in Odisha, Vol-II, p.233, 1986, Delhi</ref> The region was known as various names in different period of time such as'' Kantara'', ''Mahakantara'', ''Titilaka Janapada'', ''Atavi Land'', ''Chakrakota Mandala'', ''Kamala Mandala'' and ''Karonda Mandal''. It was also part of South [[Dakshina Kosala|Kosal]] and ''Trikalinga''. It was a feudatory under [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]], Gadajat under Maratha and Princely State under British rule in India. After independence of India, in 1948, [[Kalahandi]] joined Indian Union and became a part of [[Odisha]] state. However, in post independence period the name [[Kalahandi]] got associated with backwardness despite its rich history, culture, art, craft and agriculture & forest resources.

=== Topography and culture ===
The topography of Kalahandi consists of plain land, hills & mountains. Kalahandi is surrounded by hills with its border with other districts in the South and East, whereas large part of its land in North and West is primarily agricultural and plain land. Over one third of tKalahandi is covered with dense jungle forest and one third of the population is tribal. Thus, Kalahandi is a rich land in terms of culture and festivals.<ref>Kalahandi: Loka Anusthan, Edited by Jayanta Kumar Behera, Dr Dolagobinda Bisi, Parameswar Mund, Mahabir Sanskrutika Anusthan, 1998</ref> Since it is a melting point of South Odisha and Western Odisha with a substantial tribal population, those living in hills as well as plain land, their different culture, tradition, languages and belief along with mainstream Hindu culture have made Kalahandi region rich with culture and festivals. In pre-independence period Kalahandi was largely inspired to Saivaism, Vaishanivism and Shakti puja. Shakti Puja is largely accepted among tribal, perhaps due to which Kalahandi was well known for celebrating Shati Puja. However, affect induction of Kalahandi as part of Odisha state, dominance of coastal Odisha culture in the state is increasingly influencing the local culture. Celebration of Rathajatra and construction of Jaggannath temple in Kalahandi has been increasingly realized unlike in old days of Radha Krishna temple.

=== Transportation and hospitality ===
For transportation to Kalahandi, the nearest airport is located in [[Raipur]] (200–250 km) having daily flights to majority of the cities in [[India]]. Kalahandi can be reached from [[Raipur]] via [[Nuapada]] or [[Dharamgarh]]. [[Vishakhapatnam]] airport is located in 300 km and [[Bhubaneswar]] airport in 450 km. [[Kesinga]] is the gateway of Kalahandi for rail connectivity. It is directly linked with most of the major cities in India, such as [[Delhi]], [[Chennai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Ranchi]], [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Raipur]], [[Nagpur]], [[Ahemadabad]] etc. by rail. The train connection to [[Bhawanipatna]] and Junagarh is getting operational via Lanjigarh road. National Highway 26 and 27 pass through Kalahandi. Luxury night buses are available to [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Katak]], [[Raipur]], [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Sambalpur]] and [[Rourkela]] from [[Bhawanipatna]], [[Dharamgarh]], [[Jaipatna]], Junagarh, [[Kesinga]], [[Koksara]], etc. Accommodation and hotels are available in [[Bhawanipatna]], [[Dharamgarh]], Junagarh and [[Kesinga]].

==Major destinations==
[[Bhawanipatna]], [[Dharamgarh]], [[Golamunda]], [[Jaipatna]], Junagarh, [[Karlamunda]], [[Kalampur]], [[Kesinga]], [[Koksara]], [[Lanjigarh]], [[Madanpur Rampur]], [[Narla]], and [[Thuamul Rampur]]

==Water World==
'''Lake'''

Indravati Lake in Mukhiguda, [[Jaipatna]]

Ashasagar, [[Bhawanipatna]]

Chhoriagad, [[Dharamgarh]]

'''Water Fall'''

[[Phurlijharan]], Bhawanipatna

[[Dokarichanchara]], Dharamgarh

Rabanddarah, Bhawanipatna

Urladani, Madanpur Rampur

Karaka, Ampani

Dumri Jhulla, Karlapat

Kamla Jharan, Karlapat

Kuang, Karlapat

Ghusurigudi, Karlapat

Ghumar, Thuamul Rampur

Sindher, Thuamul Rampur

Mardiguda, Thuamul Rampur: Origin of Indravati river under the Mango tree

Dhoben Chanchra, Sagada, Bhawanipatna

Khandual, Karlapat

==Wild life==
'''Sanctuary'''

[[Karlapat]]

[[Ampani]] (sometime referred as Ambapani in Oriya)

'''Scenic Spot'''

Thuamul Rampur

Perumanji

Ampani

Jakam

[[Dokarichanchara]]

Chora Dangar or Chura Pahad

Karlapat

==Monuments==
'''Amthaguda'''

An ancient fort

'''[[Asurgarh]]'''

An ancient fort, a civilisation about 2000 years old, it is located in Narla and 30 km from Bhawanipatna

'''[[Behera]]'''

Danteswari Temple

'''Belkhandi'''

12th century monuments

'''Bhawanipatna'''

Old city, centuries old Manikeswari Temple, Royal Palace

'''Bhimkhoj'''

Shiva Temple and Foot Print of Bhima

'''Budhigarh'''

Ancient fort

'''Dadpur-Jajjaldeypur '''

Medieval fort

'''Dharamgarh'''

Old Radhakrushna Temple, Paradeswar Temple

'''Gudahandi'''

Ancient caves and painting

'''Junagarh'''

An old town, Century old temples, Lankeswari Temple, Dadhibamana Temple, Kanakdurga Temple, Fort
'''Kusurla and Sapagarand'''

Religious Centers

'''Mohangiri'''

Oldest temple in Odisha, 6th century Shiva Temple

'''Mukhiguda'''

Power plant

'''Talguda fort'''

Historical site

'''Teresinga'''

Historical site

'''Urlukupgarh'''

Ancient fort

==Festivals==
[[Chatar jatra|Chhatar Jatra in Bhawanipatna]]

Khandabasa in Junagarh

[[Kalahandi Utsav]]

Chaitra or Ghanta Jatra in Dharamgarh

[[Nuakhai]]

Pora Uansh (or Pura Uansha)

Tokimara Jatra

Budharaja Jatra in Ampani

Pat Jatra, Luhabahal in Jaipatna

Nagabom (Shivaratri) in Dharamgarh

Shivaratri in Mohangiri, M.Rampur

Talgud Jatra at Talgud(Mukhiguda)

==Arts and Crafts==
Wood Craft in Khairpadar

Bamboo Craft in Narla

Stone Work in Ampani

Handicraft in Habaspur

Handicraft in Chichiguda

==Tribal culture==
'''Niyamgiri'''

'''Lanjigarh'''

The village has some fortifications with a large moat around. It contains the temples of Gopinath and a female Deity called "Dokari" greatly revered in the area. The local Jhami Yatra or Jhamu Yatra in the month of Chaitra (March–April) is an occasion when thousands of people gathered and witness the walking on burning charcoal by a number of devotees,

'''Nakarundi'''

'''Thuamul Rampur'''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Kalahandi district}}

[[Category:Kalahandi district]]
[[Category:Lists of tourist attractions in Odisha]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha by district]]

Tourist attractions in Kalahandi district - Revision history

>Shyamsunder: removed Category:Tourist attractions in India by district; added Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha by district using HotCat