Gajapati district

District of Odisha in India

Gajapati district

District of Odisha

Clockwise from top-left: Khasada Waterfall, Mahendragiri Hills, Padmasambhava Mahavihara monastery, Gandahati waterfall, B.N. Palace, Mahendragiri Temple, Gajapati Palace

Location in Odisha

Coordinates: 19°02′N 84°12′E﻿ / ﻿19.03°N 84.2°E﻿ / 19.03; 84.2
Country|  India
State|  Odisha
CD Blocks and Tahasils| 07
District
Formation| October 2, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-10-02)
Named for| Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo
Headquarter| Paralakhemundi
CD Blocks and Tahasils| Gosani
Kashinagar
Gumma
Rayagada
Nuagada
R. Udayagiri
Mohana
Government

• District Collector and District Magistrate| Mr. Bijay Kumar Dash, IAS
• Superintendent of Police| Mr. Jatindra Kumar Panda,, OPS
Area

• Total

| 3,850 km2 (1,490 sq mi)
• Rank| 16th
Elevation

| 1,501 m (4,925 ft)
Population

(2024)

• Total

| 814,722
• Rank| 28th
• Density| 212/km2 (550/sq mi)
Demonym| Gajapatia
Languages

• Official| Odia, English
• Local| Sora • Kui
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN|

761 xxx

Telephone code| 06815 Paralakhemundi
06816 Mohana
06817 R. Udayagiri
Vehicle registration| OD-20
Nearest city| Brahmapur
Sex ratio| 1046 ♂/♀
Literacy| 53.49%
House of the People Constituency| Brahmapur
Legislative Assembly Constituency| 2

* 136-Mohana(ST)
137-Paralakhemundi

Climate| Aw (Köppen)
Precipitation| 1,403.3 millimetres (55.25 in)
Avg. summer temperature| 41 °C (106 °F)
Avg. winter temperature| 04 °C (39 °F)
Website| www.gajapati.nic.in

Gajapati district is a district of Odisha State in India. It was carved out of Ganjam District on 2 October, 1992. As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Odisha (out of 30), after Debagarh and Boudh.[1] Gajapati district was named after Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb, the King of the Paralakhemundi estate and the first Prime Minister of Orissa, who is remembered for his contribution to the formation of a separate state, and inclusion of his estate in Odisha. The district headquarters at Paralakhemundi, formerly a Zamindari, has been clustered within a radius of approximately 5 kilometers around the geometric centre of Paralakhemundi.

## History

[edit]

The history of Gajapati district goes back to the Paralakhemundi kingdom. It was part of the Gajapati Kingdom of Odisha. During the 12th century CE Paralakhemundi was part of the Khemundi state. During the reign of Mukunda Dev Khemundi was trifurcated creating 3 states Bada Khemundi, Sana Khemundi and Paralakhemundi. After the trifurcation, Subhalinga Bhanu became the ruler of the Paralakhemundi. This line of kings continued to rule Paralakhemundi throughout the Mughal Maratha rule of Odisha. Before the British completed control of Odisha, Parala became a feudal state of British Raj during the reign of Gajapati Jagannatha Narayanadev in 1767. The state had some conflict with the British administrators. The king Gajapati Jagannatha Narayanadev and his son was arrested by the British. The state then came under direct British supervision. There was a revolt among the tribals and Paikas of the state against the King's detention. Due to this, the King was reinstated to his position.[2] Paralakhemundi remained under the administration as a feudatory state until its unification with Odisha.[3] One of the prominent kings of Parala was Krushna Chandra Gajapati. He was an active member of Utkal Sammilani and was instrumental in creating the separate state for Odisha. Finally, with the effort of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati and Utkal Sammilani, the separate state of United Odisha was formed on 1 April 1936. The state of Paralkhemundi in Vizagapatam district was partitioned into two – with the capital and most of the princely state coming under Odisha and the remaining Telugu-speaking areas remained under Madras Presidency. In 1937, the first Governor of Odisha, Sir John Austin Hubback invited Krushna Chandra Gajapati Dev to form the cabinet. Shri Gajapati was the first Prime Minister of the Odisha state from 1 April 1937 to 18 July 1937. He was the Prime Minister of Odisha for the second time from 24 November 1941 to 30 June 1944.[4][5]

It was created from Ganjam District on 2 October, 1992. Gajapati district was named after Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb, the King of the Paralakhemundi estate and the first Prime Minister of Orissa, who is remembered for his contribution in the formation of a separate state, and inclusion of his estate in Odisha. The district headquarters at Paralakhemundi, formerly a Zamindari, has been clustered within a radius of approximately 5 kilometers around the geometric centre of Paralakhemundi.

## Geography

[edit]

Paddy Fields around the road from Munising to Seranga in Gajapati District

Show zoomed in

Show zoomed mid

Show zoomed out

Gajapati district located at the south-east of Odisha between longitude 84° 32'E and 83° 47'E and latitude 18° 44'N and 19° 39'N. The Mahendratanaya River flows through it. The district borders with Andhra Pradesh in the south, District of Rayagada to the west, District of Ganjam to the east and District of Kandhamala to the north. The district is located on a hilly terrain of Eastern Ghats. The mountain Mahendragiri, a segment of Eastern Ghats is situated in this district.

The climate is subtropical with high humidity. The summer season is between March and mid-June and is extremely hot with the temperature reaching 46 °C. The winter season is mild and temperature can fall lowest to 9 °C November to February. The rainy season lasts between mid-June and mid-October and it receives approximately 1000 mm of rainfall primarily from the southwest monsoons.[6]

## Administrative setup

[edit]

The 7 Tahasils in Gajapati district under one sub-divisions are listed in the following table.

7 Tahasils  # | Paralakhemundi Sub-Division

|

1 | Paralakhemundi
2 | Gumma
3 | Rayagada
4 | Nuagada
5 | Mohana
6 | Kashinagar
7 | R. Udayagiri

The 7 Blocks in Gajapati district under one sub-divisions are listed in the following table.

7 Blocks  # | Paralakhemundi Sub-Division

|

1 | Gosani
2 | Gumma
3 | Rayagada
4 | Nuagada
5 | Mohana
6 | Kashinagar
7 | R. Udayagiri

There are 11 Police Stations under the two Police Districts in Ganjam Administrative district, which are listed in the following table.

11 Police Stations  # |

Gajapati Police District

|

1 | Adava P.S.
2 | Mohana P.S.
3 | Ramagiri P.S.
4 | R. Udayagiri P.S.
5 | Serango P.S.
6 | Kashinagar P.S.
7 | Paralakhemundi P.S.
8 | Gurandi P.S.
9 | Garabandha P.S.
10 | Rayagada P.S.
11 | Energy P.S. Paralakhemundi

## Economy

[edit]

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Gajapati one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[7] It is one of the 19 districts in Odisha currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[7]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±%

|
|

1901| 184,840| —
1911| 205,514| +11.2%
1921| 198,842| −3.2%
1931| 225,161| +13.2%
1941| 252,613| +12.2%
1951| 262,998| +4.1%
1961| 285,069| +8.4%
1971| 348,964| +22.4%
1981| 402,271| +15.3%
1991| 454,708| +13.0%
2001| 518,837| +14.1%
2011| 577,817| +11.4%
2023| 803,166| +39.0%
8,14,722| | —
Source: Census of India[8]

Religions in Gajapati district (2011)[9]

Religion |  | Percent
Hinduism |

| 61.12%
Christianity |

| 37.98%
Other or not stated |

| 0.90%

According to the 2024 census Gajapati district has a population of 814,722,[1] approximate equal to the nation of Bhutan[10] or the US state of North Dakota.[11] This gives it a ranking of 573rd in India (out of a total of 766).[1] The district has a population density of 133 inhabitants per square kilometre (340/sq mi).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.99%.[1] Gajapati has a sex ratio of 1046 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 54.29%. 12.23% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 6.78% and 54.29% of the population respectively.[1]

### Language

[edit]

Languages of Gajapati district (2011)[12]

Odia (41.51%)

Sora (34.49%)

Telugu (15.53%)

Kui (5.54%)

Kuvi (1.25%)

Others (1.68%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 41.51% of the population in the district spoke Odia, 34.49% Sora, 15.53% Telugu, 5.54% Kui and 1.25% Kuvi as their first language.[12]

## Culture

[edit]

The mountain Mahendragiri, a segment of Eastern Ghats is situated in Paralakhemundi. Legend says that it is the place where lord Parashurama, a Chiranjeevi staying eternally and doing tapasya. Temples built by Pandavas are seen. Main festival here is Shivaratri, the worship of Shiva, the guru or percepter of lord Parashurama.

## Education

[edit]

### Colleges

[edit]

* S. K. C. G. Autonomous College, Paralakhemundi
* Women's College, Paralakhemundi
* Sanskrit College, Paralakhemundi
* Centurion School for Rural Enterprise Management
* Centurion University of Technology and Management(CUTM)
* Gajapati College of Pharmacy
* Gajapati College of Nursing
* Gajapati School of Nursing
* Indira Memorial College, Chandiput
* Meenaketan Degree College, Gurandi
* Narayanpur College

### Schools

[edit]

* Maha Raja's Boys High School (MRBHS), Paralakhemundi
* Maha Raja's Girls High School (MRGHS), Paralakhemundi
* PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Betaguda
* PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Betaguda
* Centurion Public School (CPS), Paralakhemundi
* St. Joseph English Medium School (SJS), Paralakhemundi
* N.M. High School, Narayanpur
* De Paul Public School, Khajuripada

## Politics

[edit]

This article is part of a series on

Odisha
Governance

* Governors
* Chief Ministers
* Legislative Assembly
* Political parties
* High Court
* Police

Topics

* Arts
* Cinema
* Cuisine
* Culture
* Odia Hindu wedding
* Economy
* Education
* Elections
* Festivals
* Flora and fauna
* Geography
* Highest point
* History
* Historic sites
* Maritime history
* Rulers
* Language
* Script
* Act
* Literature
* Grammar
* People
* Tribes
* Odissi (dance)
* Odissi music
* Politics
* Sports
* Tourism

Districts
Divisions

* Angul
* Balangir
* Balasore
* Bargarh
* Bhadrak
* Boudh
* Cuttack
* Debagarh
* Dhenkanal
* Gajapati
* Ganjam
* Jagatsinghpur
* Jharsuguda
* Jajpur
* Kalahandi
* Kandhamal
* Kendrapara
* Kendujhar
* Khordha
* Koraput
* Malkangiri
* Mayurbhanj
* Nabrangpur
* Nayagarh
* Nuapada
* Puri
* Rayagada
* Sambalpur
* Subarnapur
* Sundergarh

GI Products

* Berhampur Patta
* Bomkai Sari
* Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics
* Ganjam Kewda Flower
* Ganjam Kewda Rooh
* Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics
* Habaspuri Saree & Fabrics
* Khandua
* Konark stone carving
* Kotpad Handloom fabrics
* Odisha Ikat
* Pattachitra
* Pipili applique work
* Sambalpuri saree
* Rasgulla

India portal

* v
* t
* e

### Odisha Vidhan Sabha

[edit]

The district has two assembly constituencies, represented by members from major political parties, Odisha Vidhan Sabha. The following is the two Vidhan sabha constituencies[13][14] of Gajapati district and the elected members[15] of those areas.

No.  | Constituency  | Reservation  | Extent of the Assembly Constituency (Blocks)  | Member of Current Assembly  | Party

|
|
|
|
|

136  | Mohana | ST  | Mohana, R. Udayagiri, Nuagada, Rayagada | Dasarathi Gamango  | INC
137  | Parlakhemundi | None  | Parlakhemundi (M), Kashinagar (NAC), Gumma, Kashinagar, Gosani | Rupesh Kumar Panigrahi  | BJD

### House of the People

[edit]

The district is part of the Brahmapur Parliamentary Constituency, electing a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent it in the House of the People at the national level.

No.  | Constituency  | Reservation  | Extent of the Parliamentary Constituency  | Member of the Parliament  | Party

|
|
|
|
|

20  | Brahmapur | None  | Paralakhemundi
Mohana (ST) | Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy  | BJP

## Media

[edit]

* The Pioneer Rajeev Rathan
* GTV
* CHANNEL 3

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g "District Census Handbook 2011 – Gajapati" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
2. ^ Dāsa, P.; Sahitya Akademi (2002). Bhakta Kavi Gopāla Krishna. Makers of Indian literature (in Latvian). Sahitya Akademi. pp. 97–99\. ISBN 978-81-260-1201-5. Retrieved 2019-05-27.97-99&rft.pub=Sahitya+Akademi&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=978-81-260-1201-5&rft.aulast=Dāsa&rft.aufirst=P.&rft.au=Sahitya+Akademi&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=8LbXhwYq1uoC&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Gajapati+district" class="Z3988">
3. ^ Acharya, P. (2008). National Movement and Politics in Orissa, 1920–1929. SAGE Series in Modern Indian History. SAGE Publications. p. 1\. ISBN 978-81-321-0001-0. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
4. ^ Orissa Tourism Development Corporation; Odisha (India). Dept. of Home (1980). The Heritage of Odisha. Produced by Odisha Tourism Development Corporation for the Department of Home, Government of Odisha. p. 87. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
5. ^ Devi, B. (1992). Some Aspects of British Administration in Odisha, 1912–1936. Academic Foundation. p. 213\. ISBN 978-81-7188-072-0. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
6. ^ "Parlakhemundi FD :: Odisha Wildlife Organisation". Welcome. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
7. ^ a b Ministry of Panchayati Raj (September 8, 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
8. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
9. ^ "Table C-01 Population by Religious Community: Odisha". Census of India, 2023. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
10. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-10-01. "Solomon Islands 571,890 July 2011 est."
11. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2011-09-30. "Vermont 563,626"
12. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Odisha". Census of India 2011. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
13. ^ Assembly Constituencies and their EXtent
14. ^ Seats of Odisha
15. ^ "List of Member in Fourteenth Assembly". ws.ori.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2013. "MEMBER NAME"

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gajapati district.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Gajapati district

|  | Kandhamal district |

|
|

|  |
Rayagada district |

Gajapati district

| Ganjam district
|  |
| Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh |

* v
* t
* e

Gajapati district

Constituencies|

* Mohana
* Paralakhemundi

Cities and
towns|

* Kashinagara
* Paralakhemundi (district headquarters)

Villages|

* Adava
* Badagam
* Batisiripur
* Haddubangi
* Kharasanda
* R.Udayagiri

* v
* t
* e

State of Odisha

Capital: Bhubaneswar

State symbols|

* Emblem: Emblem of Odisha
* Anthem: Bande Utkala Janani
* Animal: Sambar
* Bird: Indian roller
* Flower: Ashoka
* Tree: Sacred fig
* Fish: Mahanadi mahseer

Governance|

* Governors
* Chief ministers
* Legislative Assembly
* Constituencies
* High Court
* Police
* Elections
* Politics
* Human Rights Commission

History|

* Kalinga
* Rulers
* Mahameghavahana dynasty
* Murunda dynasty
* Nala dynasty
* Mathara dynasty
* Pitrbhakta dynasty
* Shailodbhava dynasty
* Bhauma-Kara dynasty
* Bhanja dynasty
* Somavamshi dynasty
* Eastern Ganga dynasty
* Gajapati Empire
* Bhoi dynasty
* Orissa Tributary States
* Utkal Sammilani
* Historic sites
* Maritime history of Odisha

Geography|

* Flora and Fauna
* Forests
* Utkal Plains
* Garhjat Hills
* Chilika Lake
* Deomali (Highest point)
* Abdul Kalam Island

Districts

division|

| Northern|

* Angul
* Balangir
* Bargarh
* Debagarh
* Dhenkanal
* Jharsuguda
* Kendujhar
* Sambalpur
* Subarnapur
* Sundergarh

|

Central|

* Balasore
* Bhadrak
* Cuttack
* Jagatsinghpur
* Jajpur
* Kendrapara
* Khordha
* Mayurbhanj
* Nayagarh
* Puri

Southern|

* Boudh
* Gajapati
* Ganjam
* Kalahandi
* Kandhamal
* Koraput
* Malkangiri
* Nabrangpur
* Nuapada
* Rayagada

Cities|

* Angul
* Balangir
* Balasore
* Barbil
* Bargarh
* Baripada
* Bhadrak
* Bhawanipatna
* Bhubaneswar
* Berhampur
* Cuttack
* Dhenkanal
* Jajpur
* Jharsuguda
* Jeypore
* Joda
* Kendrapara
* Kendujhar
* Khordha
* Paradeep
* Puri
* Rourkela
* Sambalpur
* Talcher

GI products|

* Berhampur Patta
* Bomkai sari
* Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics
* Ganjam Kewda Flower
* Ganjam Kewda Rooh
* Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics
* Habaspuri sari
* Khandua
* Konark stone carving
* Kotpad Handloom fabrics
* Odisha Ikat
* Pattachitra
* Pipili appliqué work
* Odisha Rasagola
* Sambalpuri sari

Topics|

* Arts
* Cinema
* Cuisine
* Culture
* Day
* Economy
* Education
* Festivals
* Language
* Act
* Script
* Literature
* Grammar
* People
* Tribes
* Sports
* Tourism

India portal

* v
* t
* e

Minority Concentrated Districts in India

Andaman and Nicobar Islands|

* Nicobar

Arunachal Pradesh|

* Changlang
* East Kameng
* Lower Subansiri
* Papum Pare
* Tawang
* Tirap
* West Kameng

Assam|

* Barpeta
* Bongaigaon
* Cachar
* Darrang
* Dhubri
* Dima Hasao
* Goalpara
* Hailakandi
* Kamrup
* Karimganj
* Kokrajhar
* Morigaon
* Nagaon

Bihar|

* Araria
* Darbhanga
* Katihar
* Kishanganj
* Purnia
* Sitamarhi
* West Champaran

Delhi|

* North East Delhi

Haryana|

* Gurgaon
* Sirsa

Ladakh|

* Leh

Jharkhand|

* Gumla
* Pakur
* Ranchi
* Sahibganj

Karnataka|

* Bidar
* Kalaburagi

Kerala|

* Wayanad
* Malappuram

Madhya Pradesh|

* Bhopal

Maharashtra|

* Buldhana
* Hingoli
* Parbhani
* Washim

Manipur|

* Chandel
* Churachandpur
* Senapati
* Tamenglong
* Thoubal
* Ukhrul

Meghalaya|

* West Garo Hills

Mizoram|

* Lawngtlai
* Mamit

Odisha|

* Gajapati

Sikkim|

* North Sikkim

Uttar Pradesh|

* Amroha
* Baghpat
* Bahraich
* Balrampur
* Barabanki
* Bareilly
* Bijnor
* Budaun
* Bulandshahr
* Ghaziabad
* Kheri
* Lucknow
* Meerut
* Moradabad
* Muzaffarnagar
* Pilibhit
* Rampur
* Saharanpur
* Shahjahanpur
* Shrawasti
* Siddharthnagar

Uttarakhand|

* Haridwar
* Udham Singh Nagar

West Bengal|

* Bardhaman
* Birbhum
* Cooch Behar
* Dakshin Dinajpur
* Howrah
* Kolkata
* Maldah
* Murshidabad
* Nadia
* North 24 Parganas
* South 24 Parganas
* Uttar Dinajpur

Source: "List of 90 Minority Concentration Districts" (PDF). www.minorityaffairs.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-09-02.

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±%]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template