Boudh District

The Boudh District, also known as the Bauda District, is an administrative district located in the state of Orissa in eastern India. The headquarters of this district lies in the city of Boudh. The precise location of the district is in central Orissa, to the south of the Mahanadi River, which constitutes the western and the northern border of the district. On either side of the Mahanadi, lie the districts of Bolangir to the west, Subarnapur to the northwest, and Angul to the northeast. The Nayagarh District is situated on the southeast, the Phulbani District to the south, and the Kalahandi District to the southwest.

History of Boudh district

Though there is controversy regarding the history of the Boudh District, majority believes that the district was a significant Buddhist centre of Orissa. As shown by the epigraphic records, in the middle of the eighth century A.D., Boudh District was occupied by the Bhanja rulers and was a part of Khinjali Mandala. The earliest known monarch of this Bhanja family was Nettabhanja who ruled over the Dhenkanal region as an autonomous ruler, but his successor moved towards the Boudh-Sonepur region and set up Khinjali Mandala and subsequently ruled there as the liegeman of the Bhauma Karas of Tosali.

In the intervening time the Muslims took up Orissa. It is supposed that Boudh maintained an affable relation with the Muslims and possibly for this, Raja Pratap Dev of Boudh, had obtained from the Muslim powers, the title "Swasti Sri Dhirlakhya Dhumbadhipati Jahrkhand Mandaleswar" which was employed by the rulers of Boudh District till the time of Raja Banamali Deb. But the Maratha contact with the Boudh State was supposedly much more cordial. However, in 1800 AD this cordial relation deteriorated. The Maratha attacked Boudh and overpowered Raja Biswambara Dev. However, he was allowed to rule as a feudatory Raja of Nagpur and had to pay a regular tribute. During the primary years of the reign of Raja Biswamabara Dev (1778-1817), the Panchara Pragana lying between Baghanadi and Meheruni became detached from the Boudh State. After the third Anglo Martha War, the British Government permanently took hold of Boudh from the Marthas and incorporated this state in the South West Frontier Agency till 1837, when it came under the control of the superintendent of Tributary Mahals in Cuttack.

Geography of Boudh district

The district experiences subtropical type of climate, with hot and dry summers, cold and dry winter and hot and humid rainy seasons. In the summer season, the temperature reaches to 45AøC and in the winter season temperature may come down to 10Aøc. The rainfall is not evenly distributed and varies from time to time. The total area of the Boudh District that is under cultivation is 358292 hectares. Paddy is cutivated in about 64000 hectares of land. The different irrigation projects include Salki Medium Irrigation project, Minor Irrigation project, Lift Irrigation project, Diversion weir, Dugwell and others.

Culture of Boudh district

 
Culture is an integral part of Boudh district. In spite of being a new district, the Boudh District is home to one of the oldest civilisations. Being a significant seat of Buddhism, Shavism and Shakti cults, it has a very rich culture. Different types of dances are held in different social carnivals. Some of these dances are the karma dance (performed during the Sana Karama festival on the 11th day of the dark fortnight in the month of August or September), the Danda Nata (performed in the month of Chaitra and Vaishakha by the worshippers of god Hara and goddess Parvati) and the Dalkhai Dance (performed in the month of Aswina on the event of Bhatri Dwitya). The district celebrates a number of important festivals like Chuda Khai Jatra, Ratha Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Nuakhai, Sivaratri, Dasahara, Dola Jatra, Puajiuntia and Bhaijiuntia, Ramaleela, Kailashi Jatra, New Year`s day , Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Christmas Day, Id-Ul-Fitre, Id-Ul-Zuha, Shab-E-Barat, Shab-E-Quadar, Juma-Tul-Wida, Muharram, Shab-E-Meraj, Milad-Un-Nabi, and Ramzan.

Tourism in Boudh district

The picturesque beauty of Boudh District draws a large number of tourists. The place is renowned for its ancient temples, antique Buddha statues and caves. With the spread of Saivism, Vaishnavism and a number of other religious groups, abundant shrines dedicated to a variety of deities were set up in this area. Three notable Buddhist statues are found in the Boudh District. One of the statues is found in the Boudh town. Another image of Buddha built in sandstone is in the village of Shyamsundarpur. The third Buddha statue is seen in the village Pragalapur that lies 2 km. from Shyamsundarpur. The Ramanath Temple, which is a group of three temples of Siva, probably built in the 9th century A.D. is built of red sandstone. Each temple stands on a hoisted podium and each consists of a cubicle and an attached portico. These temples are planned in the form of eight rayed stars. Another tourist spot is the charming and gorgeous Jogindra Villa Palace, which was constructed during the reign of Raja Jogindra Dev. The Boudh District has a variety of wildlife. At a distance of 80 Km from the Boudh town lies the Padmatola Sanctuary. The Satakosia Gorge lies at the end of this sanctuary. The crocodile sanctuary situated on the left bank of the gorge attracts a large number of tourists. Another tourist spot is the Nayakpada Cave, situated at a distance of 12 Km. from Boudh town. This place which was once andashram` for sadhus, is believed to have mythological importance. The lush green forests of this place are a rich attraction for tourists. An ideal picnic spot is the island of Marjakud located opposite to the Boudh town in the river Mahanadi. The deity of Maa Pitabali is worshipped here.

Boudh District has a very glorious cultural heritage, which is a consequence of its rich and diverse history. No wonder that the people are quite familiar with religious texts like the Bhagabata, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Haribansa, or other Puranas as a part of their recreation.

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