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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{AI-generated|date=February 2026|reason=[[Special:Diff/1312772459|this fall 2025 rewrite]]; note [[WP:AISIGNS]] including undue emphasis on broader trends, vocab distribution typical of 2024-25 LLM text etc}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                           = Asika
| name               = Asika
| settlement_type                 = Town
| settlement_type   = Town
| image_skyline                   =  
| image_skyline     = File: Img Satya Narayan Temple Aska.jpg
| image_alt                       =  
| image_alt         =  
| image_caption                   =  
| image_caption     = View of Satya Narayan Temple before Rain
| nickname                       = The Sugar City
| nickname           = The Sugar City
| pushpin_map                     = India Odisha#India
| pushpin_map       = India Odisha#India#Asia#World
| pushpin_label_position         = right
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Odisha, India
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Odisha, India, Asia, World
| coordinates                     = {{coord|19.6|N|84.65|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates       = {{coord|19.6|N|84.65|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type               = Country
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name               = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Odisha]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Odisha]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]]
| established_title               = <!-- Established -->
| subdivision_type3  = Sub-division
| government_type                 =  
| subdivision_name3  = [[Bhanjanagar]]
| governing_body                 =  
| established_title = <!-- Established in 1824-->
| leader_title1                   = [[Aska (Lok Sabha constituency)|Member of Parliament]]
| government_type   = Municipality
| leader_name1                   = Smt.Pramila Bisoyi, (BJD)
| governing_body     = Asika Municipality
| footnotes                      =
| leader_title      = Chairperson
| leader_title2                   = [[Aska (Odisha Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Member of Legislative Assembly]]
| leader_name        = Bineta Swain ([[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]])
| leader_name2                   = Smt.Manjula swain, ([[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]])
| leader_title1     = [[Asika (Odisha Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Member of Legislative Assembly]]
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| leader_name1       = [[Saroj Kumar Padhi]]([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| area_total_km2                 = 8
| leader_title2     = [[Aska (Lok Sabha constituency)|Member of Parliament]]
| elevation_m                     = 30
| leader_name2       = [[Anita Subhadarshini]] ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| population_total               = 21,428 <ref>{{cite web |title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having Census 2011-2020 in Orissa |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/data/town/801868-asika-orissa.html |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=10 October 2014}}</ref>
| unit_pref         = Metric
| population_as_of               = 2011
| area_total_km2     = 8
| population_density_km2         = auto
| elevation_m       = 30
| demographics_type1             = Languages
| population_total   = 30,545
| demographics1_title1           = Official
| population_rural  = 143,770
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| population_as_of   = 2022
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| population_density_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type               = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| postal_code                     = 761110
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| area_code                       = 06822
| timezone1         = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| area_code_type                 = Telephone code
| utc_offset1       = +5:30
| registration_plate             = OD-07 (Ganjam) <br>OD-32 (Bhanjanagar)
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| demographics1_info1             = [[Odia language|Odia]]
| postal_code       = 761110
| official_name                   =  
| area_code         = 06822
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| registration_plate = OD-07 (Ganjam) <br />OD-32 (Bhanjanagar)
| demographics1_info1 = [[Odia language|Odia]]
| official_name     =
| footnotes          =  
| other_name        = Sugar City
| area_rank          = 2nd in Ganjam District by Population
}}
}}
'''Asika''' or '''Aska''' is a town and a [[Notified Area Council]] in [[Ganjam district]] in the state of [[Odisha]], [[India]]. Fondly known as the sugar city of India. Asika is the 3rd largest city in district of Ganjam after Berhampur and Bhanjanagar. Asika is a major commercial and transportation hub of Ganjam district. It is situated between river Badanadi and holy river Rushikuliya.


Asika is located on state highway 7 and national highway 59.It is 40 kilometers away from Berhampur. It has road connectivity to all most all town and cities of Odisha. This city is home to people of various religious beliefs and thus contains several temples, mosques and churches, as well as colleges, schools and other institutions.
'''Asika''' (also spelled as '''Aska''') is a town and municipality in the [[Ganjam district]] of the Indian state of Odisha. Known locally as the ''Sugar city''. Asika lies near the confluence of the Rushikulya and Badanadi rivers and is a minor regional centre for trade and agro-processing. The shrine of Maa Khambeswari is an important local landmark.<ref>{{Cite book |url= |title=South Asian Handbook |date=1994 |publisher=Trade & Travel Publications |isbn=978-0-900751-47-9 |language=en}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Asika is located at {{Coord|19.6|N|84.65|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Asika.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Asika]</ref> It has an average elevation of 30&nbsp;metres (98&nbsp;feet). It is situated at a distance of 40&nbsp;km from [[Berhampur|Brahmapur]] on South, 35&nbsp;km from [[Bhanjanagar]] on the North at the confluence of Rivers [[Rushikulya]] and Badanadi (Bara River). NH-59 ([[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur]]-[[Ahmedabad]]) passes through this city.
Aska is located at {{Coord|19.6|N|84.65|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Asika.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Asika]</ref> Aska is located at approximately 19.6°N, 84.65°E, with an average elevation of about 30 m. It sits around 40 km north of [[Berhampur|Brahmapur]], 35 km south of [[Bhanjanagar]], and 37 km west of [[Surada]]. The nearby river confluence hosts the annual Baruni Yatra.  


==Asika Sugar Factory==
== Etymology ==
[[Asika Sugar Factory]] is the first sugar factory in Asia, established in 1824. The plant is located in Asika town. Asika Cooperative Sugar Industries is a large scale industry employing more than 35000 families.
The name is linked by local accounts to the archaic Sanskrit-Prakrit (असिक) (aśik/Asik) ("whinyard", "obelisk" or “dagger”), in reference to the dagger-like landform created by the meeting of the Rushikulya and Badanadi rivers. During the colonial period Aska’s central location within Ganjam made it into a local administrative and military hub.
 
It is one of the oldest in India, built by Minchin Saheb in British time. Along with the factory at Nellikuppam near Cuddalore, it was managed by Parry and Co. Due to this factory Asika Town is known as ''Sugar City.''
 
The jaggery mill was started in 1848 as Asika Sugar Works and Distillery Ltd. by Parry and Co. Madras. It met with huge losses for lack of supervision and other transport bottlenecks. Thereafter, Fredrick Josheph Vivian Minchin, the Book Keeper of Biny & Co. purchased the factory and with the new Sugar Technology obtained from Germany designed and rebuilt the factory in 1856.


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Asika had a population of 21,428 (third largest city in terms of population [[Ganjam district|Ganjam dist]] after [[Berhampur|Brahmapur]] and [[Hinjilicut]]). Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Asika has an average literacy rate of 85.76%, higher than the national average of 72.87%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
As of the [[2011 Census of India]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>{{update after|2022}} Aska has a population of more than 30, 000 as of 2024 hence make it the second largest city in terms of population [[Ganjam district]] after [[Brahmapur, Odisha|Brahmapur]]. Including Mukundapur CT more than 10,000 people are living in the satellite area of this town namely Kalasandhapur, Babanpur, Nuagam Baragam, and College Square. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Aska has an average literacy rate of 85.76%, higher than the national average of 72.87%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
 
{{bar box
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Asika<ref>{{cite web |title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having Census 2011-2020 in Orissa |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/data/town/801868-asika-orissa.html |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=10 October 2014}}</ref>
|title=Religion in Asika<ref>{{cite web |title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having Census 2011-2020 in Orissa |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/data/town/801868-asika-orissa.html |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=10 October 2014}}</ref>
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}}
}}


==History==
On 30 Aug 2025, the [[Government of Odisha]] upgraded Aska NAC to be a Municipality.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 February 2024|title=Odisha creates 39 urban local bodies for socio-economic development|work=The Print|url=https://theprint.in/india/odisha-creates-39-urban-local-bodies-for-socio-economic-development/1977869/|access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>


Aska is governed by a municipality and is divided into 18 wards. It also serves a wider rural hinterland through markets and services.
*Ward no. 1- Raghunath Nagar
*Ward no. 2- Bani Bihar
*Ward no. 3- Khambeswari Patna
*Ward no. 4- Khambeswari Patna
*Ward no. 5- M.G. Road
*Ward no. 6- Gopabandhu Nagar
*Ward no. 7, 8 & 9- Sunamba Street
*Ward no. 10- Taluka Road
*Ward no. 11- Harihar Nagar
*Ward no. 12- Kalinga Road
*Ward no. 13- Binayak Bazar, Laxmi Bazar, Hatapada and Kalimukhi Street
*Ward no. 14- Niranjan Nagar
*Ward no. 15- UB Road
*Ward no. 16- Lacchman Palli and Gandhi Nagar
*Ward no. 17- Lala Sasan and Shastri Nagar
*Ward no. 18- Pakalla Palli


==Temples==
==Industries==
*Satyanarayan Temple, Binayak Bazar, Aska
===Aska Sugar Factory===
* Maa Fulakasuni (Odia sahi)
Industrial sugar-making at Aska can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century, when a factory attributed to Binny & Co. operated in the then Madras Presidency alongside other early mills at [[Nellikuppam]] and [[Bheemunipatnam|Bimlipatam]].<ref>{{Citation |title=East Indian Sugar versus Slave Sugar |date=2013 |work=The Sugar Plantation in India and Indonesia: Industrial Production, 1770–2010 |pages=44–87 |editor-last=Bosma |editor-first=Ulbe |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/sugar-plantation-in-india-and-indonesia/east-indian-sugar-versus-slave-sugar/9E874DDE44834166CD2AB53571078B4C |access-date=2025-09-22 |series=Studies in Comparative World History |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-03969-8}}</ref> Local narratives further credit F. J. V. Minchin (“Minchin Sahib”) with purchasing a loss-making unit in the 1850s, importing continental machinery, and substantially redesigning the works; contemporary technical notes from the late 1850s indicate significant activity at Aska at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=Chakkarai, Cheeni, Askã in the 1970s Madras |url=https://madrasmusings.com/vol-32-no-9/chakkarai-cheeni-aska-in-the-1970s-madras/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Madras Musings |language=en}}</ref> The chronology and precedence of these ventures are, however, contested. One strand of local and corporate lore asserts that Aska hosted “Asia’s first sugar factory”, often dated to 1824 and sometimes described as a French initiative later taken over by Binny; by contrast, industry histories and EID Parry’s own corporate records consistently identify Nellikuppam (South Arcot) as India’s first modern sugar plant, started in the 1840s. A cautious characterisation used by several scholars is that Aska was among the earliest industrial sugar works in the Presidency, even if its primacy over Nellikuppam is not demonstrated to the standards of modern historiography. There is also disagreement over early proprietorship: some accounts emphasise Parry’s presence at Aska, while others link the nineteenth-century unit primarily to Binny: and over exact dates in the sequence (with 1848 frequently given for a jaggery or sugar works and 1856 for Minchin’s rebuild, though some late retellings introduce a likely erroneous “1948” start).
*Rameshwar Temple,KS Patna  
 
* Maa Khambeswari Goddess
Following changes in ownership, local histories hold that the privately run factory later passed to the Sahu family and ceased operations by 1936, reflecting broader headwinds for cane sugar in the late colonial period. The modern phase began with the registration of Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Limited (ACSIL) in 1956 and the commencement of crushing in 1963–64 with a roughly 1,000 TCD plant, subsequently balanced to about 1,200 TCD and expanded during the 1990s to around 2,500 TCD. The cooperative also operates a molasses-based distillery producing rectified spirit and allied products. Estimates of the economic footprint vary by source: ACSIL commonly cites engagement with roughly 20,000 cane growers in its command area and, when counting dependants and allied livelihoods, a figure of “about 35,000 families”.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-31 |title=Aska sugar plant starts ops, sets enhanced target |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/aska-sugar-plant-starts-ops-sets-enhanced-target/articleshow/107277354.cms |access-date=2025-09-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* Jagannath Temple (Sunambo Sahi)
 
Relations between the mill and growers have periodically been strained by payment delays and cane-price disputes. Farmer organisations and press reports have, at times, alleged arrears running into crores of rupees (for example, coverage of dues in 2013), while cooperative announcements have also highlighted upward revisions to the cane price (such as a rise to ₹3,500 per tonne in early 2025). Such revisions do not automatically change the centrally notified Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) or any state-specific additional price (SAP), and year-to-year realisations depend on a mix of policy, recovery rates, and market conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=archive |first=From our online |date=2020-12-10 |title=Odisha's sugarcane farmers seek early crushing, increase in MSP |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/Dec/10/sugarcane-farmers-seek-early-crushing-increase-in-msp-2234266.html |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
Environmental compliance has been another recurring theme. In 2011–12, the Central Pollution Control Board issued closure directions/notices concerning the distillery linked to ACSIL, citing deficiencies in effluent treatment and zero-liquid-discharge arrangements; subsequent correspondence and reporting refer to upgrades undertaken to meet tightening national norms for distillery effluents. In recent years, the Government of Odisha has framed Aska’s modernisation as part of a wider effort to stabilise crushing seasons, support cane cultivation, and strengthen cooperative governance, including the constitution of task forces in 2024–25 to examine revival models used in other states.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-07-13 |title=Central Pollution Control Board serves closure notice on Aska sugar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/central-pollution-control-board-serves-closure-notice-on-aska-sugar/articleshow/14856770.cms |access-date=2025-09-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
 
Beyond factory gates, the sugar story has also entered regional memory and language. Nostalgic writing from the Madras/Chennai region sometimes claims that refined sugar from Aska was colloquially called “aska” in parts of Tamil Nadu in the early twentieth century; while striking, this linguistic note remains anecdotal and is best presented as such.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=Chakkarai, Cheeni, Askã in the 1970s Madras |url=https://madrasmusings.com/vol-32-no-9/chakkarai-cheeni-aska-in-the-1970s-madras/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Madras Musings |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Tourist Attraction ==
[[File:Image of Aska Bhanjanagar NH in evening.jpg|right|100px|Aska-Bhanjanagar Highway at Jhadadei Square|alt=Asika-Bhanjanagar Highway at Jhadadei Square]]
There are many peacock reserves found near Aska at Cheramaria, Nalabanta, Pakidi Hill, Karnoli and Khandadeuli area. [[Blackbuck|Blackbucks]] too are frequently found in the western region of Aska. There are many mandirs situated at the top of small hills in the periphery making it an ideal spot for picnic. Maa Kankan Devi Mandir is one of them.
 
==Religious Places==
* Maa Khambeswari Mandir
[[File:Image_of_Maa_Khambeswari,Aska.jpg|right|100px|Maa Khambeswari of Aska|alt=Maa Khambeswari of Asika]]
Baisakhi Jatra of Maa Khambeswari in Aska is held in Hindu month of Chaitra every year. Lots of devotees come for their children's well being by donating their hairs. Many folk dances and dramas are presented in roadside during the festival.
* Satyanarayan Mandir, Binayak Bazar
* Maa Fulakasuni Mandir, Odia Sahi
* Rameshwar Mandir, KS Patna
* Jagannath Mandir, Sunambo Sahi
* Panchamuki Hanuman Mandir
* Panchamuki Hanuman Mandir
* Jaganatha Temple (Nuagam)
* Jagannath Mandir, Nuagam
* Kali Mandir (Nuagam)
* Kali Mandir, Nuagam
* Bhagabat Mandir (Nuagam)
* Bhagabat Mandir, Nuagam
* Radha Krushna Mandir (Nuagam)
* Radha Krushna Mandir, Nuagam
* Ram Mandir (Nuagam)
* Ram Mandir, Nuagam
* Pudageswar  
* Pudageswar Mandir
* Subarneswar
* Subarneswar Mandir
* Nilakantheswar  
* Nilakantheswar Mandir
* Satyanarayan
* Maa Karanjei Mandir
* Karanjei Goddess
* Balunkeswar Mandir
* Balunkeswar  
* Tirupati Balaji Mandir
* Tirupati Balaji
* Ram Mandir
* Ram Mandir
* Hanuman Mandir
* Hanuman Mandir
* Maa Kali  
* Maa Kali Mandir
* Maa Kalimukhi
* Maa Kalimukhi Mandir
* Narshinha
* Narasingha Mandir
* Maa Thakurani near Gondopuli
* Maa Thakurani Mandir, Gondopuli
* Jaganath temple main road Kalasanadh Pur
* Jaganath Mandir, Kalasandhapur
* Hunuman temple main road Kalasanadh Pur
* Hunuman Mandir, Kalasandhapur
* Radha Krishna Temple (Banibihar, Aska)
* Radha Krishna Mandir, Banibihar
* Sai Mandira
* Sai Mandir
* Maa Kankana Devi temple, (Bhetanai)
* Maa Kankana Devi Mandir, Bhetanai
* Ellama Potturaj (Damodarpalli)
* Ellama Potturaj Mandir, Damodarpalli
* Maa Rajjamma Kanekamma (Dhobapalli)
* Maa Rajjamma Kanekamma Mandir, Dhobapalli
* Hanuman Temple (Kotibadi)
* Hanuman Mandir, Kotibadi
* Gopinath Temple (Raipalli)
* Gopinath Mandir, Raipalli
* Radhakrishna Mandir
* Radhakrishna Mandir, Chadhiapalli
(Chadhiapalli)
[[File:Durga Puja aska.jpg|thumb|Durga Puja At Aska Busstand occurred By Aska Private Bus Association.]]


==Climate and regional setting==
==Climate and regional setting==
Maximum summer temperature is 34&nbsp;°C; minimum winter temperature is 23&nbsp;°C. The mean daily temperature varies from 33&nbsp;°C to 38&nbsp;°C. May is the hottest month; December is the coldest. The average annual rainfall is 1250&nbsp;mm and the region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October.
Aska has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw''). Maximum summer temperature is {{convert|37|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}; minimum winter temperature is {{convert|16|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}, and mean daily temperature varies from {{convert|22|to|33|°C|°F|1}}. May is the hottest month; December the mildest. The average annual rainfall is {{convert|1150|mm|in|0|disp=or}} and the region receives [[monsoon of South Asia|the monsoon]] and the majority of annual rainfall from June to October.


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
Line 123: Line 159:
| metric first = Y
| metric first = Y
| single line = yes
| single line = yes
| temperature colour = pastel
| Jan high C = 27
| Jan high C = 27
| Feb high C = 30
| Feb high C = 30
Line 147: Line 184:
| Nov low C = 20
| Nov low C = 20
| Dec low C = 16
| Dec low C = 16
| Jan rain mm = 12.40
| Jan rain mm = 12.4
| Feb rain mm = 17.40
| Feb rain mm = 17.4
| Mar rain mm = 18.60
| Mar rain mm = 18.6
| Apr rain mm = 15.00
| Apr rain mm = 15.0
| May rain mm = 40.30
| May rain mm = 40.3
| Jun rain mm = 150.00
| Jun rain mm = 150.0
| Jul rain mm = 282.10
| Jul rain mm = 282.1
| Aug rain mm = 272.80
| Aug rain mm = 272.8
| Sep rain mm = 180.00
| Sep rain mm = 180.0
| Oct rain mm = 93.00
| Oct rain mm = 93.0
| Nov rain mm = 33.00
| Nov rain mm = 33.0
| Dec rain mm = 18.60
| Dec rain mm = 18.6
| rain colour = green
| rain colour = green
|source= [https://www.msn.com/en-in/weather/today/asikaorissaindia/we-city?q=asika-orissa&form=PRWLAS&iso=IN&el=bu%2bGqwZrwDV6BPIfAycG7g%3d%3d MSM Weather]
|source= [https://www.msn.com/en-in/weather/today/asikaorissaindia/we-city?q=asika-orissa&form=PRWLAS&iso=IN&el=bu%2bGqwZrwDV6BPIfAycG7g%3d%3d MSM Weather]
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==Education==
==Education==
 
===Colleges===
* Aska Science College, Kotinada [http://www.askasciencecollege.com]
* Niranjan Govt. Women's College, Khambeswari Patna
* Mac Mickle Sanskrit College, Niranjan Nagar
* Nimina Brundaban Chandra College, Kendupadar
===Schools===
===Schools===
* Harihar High School
* Harihar High School
* A.S.I High School Nuagam
* A.S.I High School Nuagam
* [http://www.kvaska.org.in Kendriya Vidyalaya]
* Kendriya Vidyalaya [http://www.kvaska.org.in]
* Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir
* Odisha Aadarsh Vidyalaya, Nimina
* Saraswati Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School
* Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
* NAC High School
* NAC High School
* Mac Mickle Sanskrit Vidyalaya
* Mac Mickle Sanskrit Vidyalaya
* Hari Har High School
* Harihar Nagar UP School
* Harihar Nagar UP School
* Bediri Sahi UP School
* Bediri Sahi UP School
* Govt. Technical High School
* Govt Tech High School
* Govt. Girl's High School
* Govt Girls High School
* Aryan Public School[http://www.apsAska.in]
* [http://www.apsAska.in Aryan Public School]
* DePaul School
* DePaul School
* [http://www.mom.org.in Mom School of Excellency]
* Mom School of Excellency[http://www.mom.org.in]
* SriAurobindo Integral Education Center, R.Damodar Palli
* Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Center, R.Damodarpalli
* Technical High School
* Utkal Public School, Kishore Chandrapalli
* Utkal Public School, Kishore Chandra Palli
* Ramakrushna Adarsha Vidya Mandir, Gayatri Nagar
* Ramakrushna adarsha vidya mandir, Gayatri nagar, aska
 
==Financial Institutions/Banks==
* [[State Bank of India]]
* Aska Central Co-operative Bank Ltd
* SBI [[Agriculture Development Bank]]
* [[Union Bank of India]]
* [[Axis Bank]]
* [[ICICI Bank]]
* [[Bank of India]]
* [[Utkal Grameen Bank]]
* [[Indian Overseas Bank]]
* [[Karur Vysya Bank]]
* [[Punjab National Bank]]
* [[HDFC Bank]]
* SBI Sme Branch
 
==Transport==
 
===Road===
Aska is connected with [[National Highway 59 (India)]] (Khariar – Brahmapur), [[National Highway 326 (India)]] and [[National Highway 157 (India)]] (Purunakatak – Aska) which connect Aska to other cities and towns of Odisha.


===College===
===Rail===
*[http://www.askasciencecollege.com Aska Science College]
* [[Brahmapur railway station]]


* Niranjan Women's College
===Air===
* Mac Mickle Sanskrit College
* [[Biju Patnaik International Airport]]
* Saraswati Vidya (junior) Mandir College
* [[Berhampur Airport]]


===Banks===
===Port===
*SBI Main Branch
* [[Gopalpur port]]
*Asika Coperative Bank
*SBI ADB Branch
*Andhra Bank
*Axis bank
*ICICI Bank
*UGB Bank
*Bank Of India
*Rushikulya Gramya Bank
*Union Bank
*
*Indian Overseas Bank
*Utkal Gramin Bank
*Karur Vaiysa bank
*Punjab National Bank
* HDFC bank
* Corporation bank of India
* Sbi Sme Branch


==Politics==
==Politics==
This constituency includes Aska, Aska block and 12 GPs (Subalaya, Kaniari, Barida, Paikajamuna, Sunapalli, Sialia, Nandiagada, Borasingi, Ambapua, Baliasara, Bolasara and Sunarijhola) of Kabisuryanagar block. The current [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from Asika Assembly Constituency is Smt. Manjula Swain of [[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]]. Previous MLAs from this seat was Sri. Debaraj Mohanty from 2004-2014 of BJD, Usharani Panda of the [[Indian National Congress]] in 1995, Duti Krushna Panda of [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] in 1990, Raghaba Parida who won representing INC in 1985 and as a candidate of the Indian National Congress in 1980, and [[Harihar Swain]] of [[Janata Party|JNP]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web
[[Aska (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]] includes Aska NAC Aska block and 12 GPs (Subalaya, Kaniari, Barida, Paikajamuna, Sunapalli, Sialia, Nandiagada, Borasingi, Ambapua, Baliasara, Bolasara and Sunarijhola) of Kabisuryanagar block. The current [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from Aska Assembly Constituency is Saroj Kumar Padhi from [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]. Previous MLAs from this seat was Smt. Manjula Swain from 2019 to 2024 of BJD, Debaraj Mohanty from [[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]] in 1914, Duti Krushna Panda of [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] in 1990, Raghaba Parida who won representing the [[Indian National Congress]] in 1985 and 1980, and [[Harihar Swain]] of [[Janata Party|JNP]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web
  |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp68.htm  
  |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp68.htm  
  |title=State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparison for 68-Aska Constituency of Odisha  
  |title=State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparison for 68-Aska Constituency of Odisha  
Line 221: Line 264:
}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


Asika is part of [[Aska (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
Aska is part of [[Aska (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
  |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf  
  |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf  
  |title=Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha  
  |title=Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha  

Latest revision as of 11:50, 23 February 2026

Template:AI-generated

Asika
Sugar City
Town
View of Satya Narayan Temple before Rain
View of Satya Narayan Temple before Rain
Nickname: 
The Sugar City
Asika is located in Odisha
Asika
Asika
Location in Odisha, India, Asia, World
Asika is located in India
Asika
Asika
Asika (India)
Asika is located in Asia
Asika
Asika
Asika (Asia)
Asika is located in Earth
Asika
Asika
Asika (Earth)
Coordinates: 19°36′N 84°39′E / 19.6°N 84.65°E / 19.6; 84.65
Country India
StateOdisha
DistrictGanjam
Sub-divisionBhanjanagar
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyAsika Municipality
 • ChairpersonBineta Swain (BJD)
 • Member of Legislative AssemblySaroj Kumar Padhi(BJP)
 • Member of ParliamentAnita Subhadarshini (BJP)
Area
 • Town8 km2 (3 sq mi)
 • Rank2nd in Ganjam District by Population
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2022)
 • Town30,545
 • Density3,800/km2 (9,900/sq mi)
 • Rural
143,770
Languages
 • OfficialOdia
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
761110
Telephone code06822
Vehicle registrationOD-07 (Ganjam)
OD-32 (Bhanjanagar)

Asika (also spelled as Aska) is a town and municipality in the Ganjam district of the Indian state of Odisha. Known locally as the Sugar city. Asika lies near the confluence of the Rushikulya and Badanadi rivers and is a minor regional centre for trade and agro-processing. The shrine of Maa Khambeswari is an important local landmark.[1]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Aska is located at 19°36′N 84°39′E / 19.6°N 84.65°E / 19.6; 84.65.[2] Aska is located at approximately 19.6°N, 84.65°E, with an average elevation of about 30 m. It sits around 40 km north of Brahmapur, 35 km south of Bhanjanagar, and 37 km west of Surada. The nearby river confluence hosts the annual Baruni Yatra.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name is linked by local accounts to the archaic Sanskrit-Prakrit (असिक) (aśik/Asik) ("whinyard", "obelisk" or “dagger”), in reference to the dagger-like landform created by the meeting of the Rushikulya and Badanadi rivers. During the colonial period Aska’s central location within Ganjam made it into a local administrative and military hub.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2011 Census of India,[3][needs update] Aska has a population of more than 30, 000 as of 2024 hence make it the second largest city in terms of population Ganjam district after Brahmapur. Including Mukundapur CT more than 10,000 people are living in the satellite area of this town namely Kalasandhapur, Babanpur, Nuagam Baragam, and College Square. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Aska has an average literacy rate of 85.76%, higher than the national average of 72.87%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion in Asika[4]
Hinduism
 
 98.54%
Islam
 
 1.25%
Christianity
 
 0.14%
Sikh
 
 0.01%
Buddhist
 
 0.01%
Jain
 
 0.00%
Not Stated
 
 0.05%
Other
 
 0.00%

On 30 Aug 2025, the Government of Odisha upgraded Aska NAC to be a Municipality.[5]

Aska is governed by a municipality and is divided into 18 wards. It also serves a wider rural hinterland through markets and services.

  • Ward no. 1- Raghunath Nagar
  • Ward no. 2- Bani Bihar
  • Ward no. 3- Khambeswari Patna
  • Ward no. 4- Khambeswari Patna
  • Ward no. 5- M.G. Road
  • Ward no. 6- Gopabandhu Nagar
  • Ward no. 7, 8 & 9- Sunamba Street
  • Ward no. 10- Taluka Road
  • Ward no. 11- Harihar Nagar
  • Ward no. 12- Kalinga Road
  • Ward no. 13- Binayak Bazar, Laxmi Bazar, Hatapada and Kalimukhi Street
  • Ward no. 14- Niranjan Nagar
  • Ward no. 15- UB Road
  • Ward no. 16- Lacchman Palli and Gandhi Nagar
  • Ward no. 17- Lala Sasan and Shastri Nagar
  • Ward no. 18- Pakalla Palli

Industries[edit | edit source]

Aska Sugar Factory[edit | edit source]

Industrial sugar-making at Aska can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century, when a factory attributed to Binny & Co. operated in the then Madras Presidency alongside other early mills at Nellikuppam and Bimlipatam.[6] Local narratives further credit F. J. V. Minchin (“Minchin Sahib”) with purchasing a loss-making unit in the 1850s, importing continental machinery, and substantially redesigning the works; contemporary technical notes from the late 1850s indicate significant activity at Aska at that time.[7] The chronology and precedence of these ventures are, however, contested. One strand of local and corporate lore asserts that Aska hosted “Asia’s first sugar factory”, often dated to 1824 and sometimes described as a French initiative later taken over by Binny; by contrast, industry histories and EID Parry’s own corporate records consistently identify Nellikuppam (South Arcot) as India’s first modern sugar plant, started in the 1840s. A cautious characterisation used by several scholars is that Aska was among the earliest industrial sugar works in the Presidency, even if its primacy over Nellikuppam is not demonstrated to the standards of modern historiography. There is also disagreement over early proprietorship: some accounts emphasise Parry’s presence at Aska, while others link the nineteenth-century unit primarily to Binny: and over exact dates in the sequence (with 1848 frequently given for a jaggery or sugar works and 1856 for Minchin’s rebuild, though some late retellings introduce a likely erroneous “1948” start).

Following changes in ownership, local histories hold that the privately run factory later passed to the Sahu family and ceased operations by 1936, reflecting broader headwinds for cane sugar in the late colonial period. The modern phase began with the registration of Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Limited (ACSIL) in 1956 and the commencement of crushing in 1963–64 with a roughly 1,000 TCD plant, subsequently balanced to about 1,200 TCD and expanded during the 1990s to around 2,500 TCD. The cooperative also operates a molasses-based distillery producing rectified spirit and allied products. Estimates of the economic footprint vary by source: ACSIL commonly cites engagement with roughly 20,000 cane growers in its command area and, when counting dependants and allied livelihoods, a figure of “about 35,000 families”.[8]

Relations between the mill and growers have periodically been strained by payment delays and cane-price disputes. Farmer organisations and press reports have, at times, alleged arrears running into crores of rupees (for example, coverage of dues in 2013), while cooperative announcements have also highlighted upward revisions to the cane price (such as a rise to ₹3,500 per tonne in early 2025). Such revisions do not automatically change the centrally notified Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) or any state-specific additional price (SAP), and year-to-year realisations depend on a mix of policy, recovery rates, and market conditions.[9]

Environmental compliance has been another recurring theme. In 2011–12, the Central Pollution Control Board issued closure directions/notices concerning the distillery linked to ACSIL, citing deficiencies in effluent treatment and zero-liquid-discharge arrangements; subsequent correspondence and reporting refer to upgrades undertaken to meet tightening national norms for distillery effluents. In recent years, the Government of Odisha has framed Aska’s modernisation as part of a wider effort to stabilise crushing seasons, support cane cultivation, and strengthen cooperative governance, including the constitution of task forces in 2024–25 to examine revival models used in other states.[10]

Beyond factory gates, the sugar story has also entered regional memory and language. Nostalgic writing from the Madras/Chennai region sometimes claims that refined sugar from Aska was colloquially called “aska” in parts of Tamil Nadu in the early twentieth century; while striking, this linguistic note remains anecdotal and is best presented as such.[11]

Tourist Attraction[edit | edit source]

Asika-Bhanjanagar Highway at Jhadadei Square
Aska-Bhanjanagar Highway at Jhadadei Square

There are many peacock reserves found near Aska at Cheramaria, Nalabanta, Pakidi Hill, Karnoli and Khandadeuli area. Blackbucks too are frequently found in the western region of Aska. There are many mandirs situated at the top of small hills in the periphery making it an ideal spot for picnic. Maa Kankan Devi Mandir is one of them.

Religious Places[edit | edit source]

  • Maa Khambeswari Mandir
Maa Khambeswari of Asika
Maa Khambeswari of Aska

Baisakhi Jatra of Maa Khambeswari in Aska is held in Hindu month of Chaitra every year. Lots of devotees come for their children's well being by donating their hairs. Many folk dances and dramas are presented in roadside during the festival.

  • Satyanarayan Mandir, Binayak Bazar
  • Maa Fulakasuni Mandir, Odia Sahi
  • Rameshwar Mandir, KS Patna
  • Jagannath Mandir, Sunambo Sahi
  • Panchamuki Hanuman Mandir
  • Jagannath Mandir, Nuagam
  • Kali Mandir, Nuagam
  • Bhagabat Mandir, Nuagam
  • Radha Krushna Mandir, Nuagam
  • Ram Mandir, Nuagam
  • Pudageswar Mandir
  • Subarneswar Mandir
  • Nilakantheswar Mandir
  • Maa Karanjei Mandir
  • Balunkeswar Mandir
  • Tirupati Balaji Mandir
  • Ram Mandir
  • Hanuman Mandir
  • Maa Kali Mandir
  • Maa Kalimukhi Mandir
  • Narasingha Mandir
  • Maa Thakurani Mandir, Gondopuli
  • Jaganath Mandir, Kalasandhapur
  • Hunuman Mandir, Kalasandhapur
  • Radha Krishna Mandir, Banibihar
  • Sai Mandir
  • Maa Kankana Devi Mandir, Bhetanai
  • Ellama Potturaj Mandir, Damodarpalli
  • Maa Rajjamma Kanekamma Mandir, Dhobapalli
  • Hanuman Mandir, Kotibadi
  • Gopinath Mandir, Raipalli
  • Radhakrishna Mandir, Chadhiapalli
Durga Puja At Aska Busstand occurred By Aska Private Bus Association.

Climate and regional setting[edit | edit source]

Aska has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw). Maximum summer temperature is 37 °C or 98.6 °F; minimum winter temperature is 16 °C or 60.8 °F, and mean daily temperature varies from 22 to 33 °C (71.6 to 91.4 °F). May is the hottest month; December the mildest. The average annual rainfall is 1,150 millimetres or 45 inches and the region receives the monsoon and the majority of annual rainfall from June to October.

Climate data for Asika, Odisha
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 27
(81) 		30
(86) 		34
(93) 		36
(97) 		37
(99) 		34
(93) 		32
(90) 		31
(88) 		32
(90) 		32
(90) 		30
(86) 		28
(82) 		32
(90)
Average low °C (°F) 16
(61) 		19
(66) 		23
(73) 		27
(81) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		27
(81) 		27
(81) 		26
(79) 		23
(73) 		20
(68) 		16
(61) 		23
(74)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 12.4
(0.49) 		17.4
(0.69) 		18.6
(0.73) 		15.0
(0.59) 		40.3
(1.59) 		150.0
(5.91) 		282.1
(11.11) 		272.8
(10.74) 		180.0
(7.09) 		93.0
(3.66) 		33.0
(1.30) 		18.6
(0.73) 		1,133.2
(44.63)
Source: MSM Weather

Education[edit | edit source]

Colleges[edit | edit source]

  • Aska Science College, Kotinada [1]
  • Niranjan Govt. Women's College, Khambeswari Patna
  • Mac Mickle Sanskrit College, Niranjan Nagar
  • Nimina Brundaban Chandra College, Kendupadar

Schools[edit | edit source]

  • Harihar High School
  • A.S.I High School Nuagam
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya [2]
  • Odisha Aadarsh Vidyalaya, Nimina
  • Saraswati Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School
  • Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
  • NAC High School
  • Mac Mickle Sanskrit Vidyalaya
  • Harihar Nagar UP School
  • Bediri Sahi UP School
  • Govt. Technical High School
  • Govt. Girl's High School
  • Aryan Public School[3]
  • DePaul School
  • Mom School of Excellency[4]
  • Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Center, R.Damodarpalli
  • Utkal Public School, Kishore Chandrapalli
  • Ramakrushna Adarsha Vidya Mandir, Gayatri Nagar

Financial Institutions/Banks[edit | edit source]

Transport[edit | edit source]

Road[edit | edit source]

Aska is connected with National Highway 59 (India) (Khariar – Brahmapur), National Highway 326 (India) and National Highway 157 (India) (Purunakatak – Aska) which connect Aska to other cities and towns of Odisha.

Rail[edit | edit source]

Air[edit | edit source]

Port[edit | edit source]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Aska (Vidhan Sabha constituency) includes Aska NAC Aska block and 12 GPs (Subalaya, Kaniari, Barida, Paikajamuna, Sunapalli, Sialia, Nandiagada, Borasingi, Ambapua, Baliasara, Bolasara and Sunarijhola) of Kabisuryanagar block. The current MLA from Aska Assembly Constituency is Saroj Kumar Padhi from BJP. Previous MLAs from this seat was Smt. Manjula Swain from 2019 to 2024 of BJD, Debaraj Mohanty from BJD in 1914, Duti Krushna Panda of CPI in 1990, Raghaba Parida who won representing the Indian National Congress in 1985 and 1980, and Harihar Swain of JNP in 1977.[12]

Aska is part of Aska (Lok Sabha constituency).[13]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ South Asian Handbook. Trade & Travel Publications. 1994. ISBN 978-0-900751-47-9.
  2. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Asika
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  4. ↑ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having Census 2011-2020 in Orissa". Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Odisha creates 39 urban local bodies for socio-economic development". The Print. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Bosma, Ulbe, ed. (2013), "East Indian Sugar versus Slave Sugar", The Sugar Plantation in India and Indonesia: Industrial Production, 1770–2010, Studies in Comparative World History, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 44–87, ISBN 978-1-107-03969-8, retrieved 22 September 2025{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  7. ↑ "Chakkarai, Cheeni, Askã in the 1970s Madras". Madras Musings. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Aska sugar plant starts ops, sets enhanced target". The Times of India. 31 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  9. ↑ archive, From our online (10 December 2020). "Odisha's sugarcane farmers seek early crushing, increase in MSP". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Central Pollution Control Board serves closure notice on Aska sugar". The Times of India. 13 July 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Chakkarai, Cheeni, Askã in the 1970s Madras". Madras Musings. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparison for 68-Aska Constituency of Odisha". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 25 September 2008.[permanent dead link]
  13. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2008.

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