Bhawanipatna

Geography and climate

Bhawanipatna is located at 19.9°N 83.17°E / 19.9; 83.17. It has an average elevation of 248 m (814 ft). Bhawanipatna is located in the centre of large mountains and plateaus. It has eastern ghat mountains in its eastern frontier.

Climate

Bhawanipatna has a tropical wet and dry climate, temperatures remain moderate throughout the year, except from March to June, which can be extremely hot. The temperature in April–May sometimes rises above 48 °C (118 °F).These summer months also have dry and hot winds. In summers, the temperature can also go up to 50 °C. The city receives about 1,300 millimetres (51 in) of rain, mostly in the monsoon season from late June to early October. Winters last from November to January and are mild, although lows can fall to 5 °C (41 °F).

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Bhawanipatna had a population of 69,045 and total including sub-urban of 83,756. Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 7407 which is 10.73% of total population of Bhawanipatna (M). In Bhawanipatna Municipality, Female Sex Ratio is of 945 against state average of 979. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Bhawanipatna is around 911 compared to Orissa state average of 941. Literacy rate of Bhawanipatna city is 85.00% higher than state average of 72.87%. In Bhawanipatna, Male literacy is around 90.95% while female literacy rate is 78.72% according to the 2011 census. Out of total population, 23,705 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 18,666 were males while 5,039 were females. In census survey, worker is defined as person who does business, job, service, and cultivator and labour activity. Of total 23705 working population, 84.55% were engaged in Main Work while 15.45% of total workers were engaged in Marginal Work.

Language and literature

The language spoken by the people of Kalahandi is the Kalahandia dialect of Oriya, locally known as Kalahandia . Local weekly newspapers such as Arjji and Kalahandi Express publish articles in standard Odia and Kalahandia language. Hindi is the second preferred language after Oriya. Some of the known and recognised writers, poet and dramatists from the region are Chaitanya Das, Pataraja Padman Singh, Maharaja Udit Pratap, Maharani Asha Kumari Devi, Rama Chandra Raiguru, Brajaraj Singhdeo, Bira Bikram Deo, Lai Rudra Madhab Deo, Gadadhar Mishra, Parsuram Mund, Dr. Someswar Behera, Kaviraj Prayagdutta Joshi, Anup Singhde, Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera, Prafulla Kumar Rath, Akhila Nayak, Bharat Majhi, Parameswar Mund, Dr Dola Govinda Bisi, Dr Hare Krushna Meher, and others. Other languages include Kui, Bhatri, Parji, Bhunjia, spoken by approximately 7000 Bhunjia Adivasis.

Politics

Current MLA from Bhawanipatna (SC) Assembly Constituency is Anam Naik of BJD, who won the seat in State election of 2014. Previous MLAs from this seat is Dusmanta Kumar Naik of INC, who won the seat in State election of 2009. Previous MLAs from this seat include Pradip Kumar Naik of BJP who won the seat in State elections of 2004 and also in 2000 and 1995, Ajit Das of JD who won this seat in 1990, Bhaktacharan Das of JNP in 1985, and Dayanidhi Naik who won this seat in 1980 as a candidate of INC(I) and as INC candidate in 1977.

Bhawanipatna is part of the Kalahandi constituency, currently held by Arka Keshari Singhdeo, and before that by Bikram Keshari Deo, who was also the king of Kalahandi.

Areas of Bhawanipatna

City area of Bhawanipatna includes nearby sub-urban areas like Parmanandapur, Station area, Kesinga road, Bandhapala, Kasakendu, Medinipur, Duarsuni, Raisingpur, Bhangabari and Atangaguda.

Tourism

Manikeshwari Mandir is located in Kalahandi district of Odisha. The temple is located to the south of Bhawanipatna. The main deity here is Goddess Manikeshwari. The main devotees are from the fishermen community. During Dussehra festival, animal sacrifice is offered at this temple. A film is also documented showing the ritual of animal sacrifice, before Goddess Manikeshwari.

Phurli Jharan is one of the most famous tourist spots in Kalahandi. 15 km from Bhawanipatna, Phurlijharan is a perennial water fall about 30 ft in height and has a special charm of its own. The multi coloured rainbow created by the sunrays falling on the scattered water particles of the fall is an amusing sight to be seen. The evergreen forests around the fall provide ample opportunities to group picnickers.

Present on SH-44 Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary (Odia: କର୍ଲାପାଟ୍;Hindi: कर्लापाट्) is a wildlife sanctuary located in Kalahandi district and a very popular tourist attraction of Odisha in India. Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary is 12 km from Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi district.

The sanctuary covers an area of 255 km².[2] It lies within the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.[3] Major plant communities include mixed deciduous forests and scrublands.It has also high mineral deposit like bauxite and manganese etc.

This sanctuary is home to many wildlife species like tiger, leopard, gaur, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, mouse deer, a wide variety of birds and reptiles.

Jakham is a tourist attraction on SH-44 (20 km away). It has a wooden guest house so that one can spent some time to feel natural beauty and glimpse of nature and wildlife.

Rabandhar is one of the most famous tourist spots near Bhawanipatna. 15 kilometres from city, Rabandhar is a perennial water fall about 13 ft (4.0 m) in height and has a special charm of its own.

Permunji is a nursery situated at the foot of great mountain, a place for picnics. Elephants are commonly seen near the nursery crossing roads.

Hello Point is a picnic spot and valley view point 75 km from Bhawanipatna. It is present on the top of the eastern ghats from where half of the Kalahandi district is visible including Junagarh, Kalampur block etc. One can receive signal from all telecom services for mobile, therefore it is named as Hello Point.

Indravati Dam or Upper Indravati Hydro Power Project is one of the largest Dam in India as well as Asia. It is the largest dam in eastern India which produces 600MW of electricity. The Upper Indravati Project envisages diversion of water, of the indravati river in its upper reaches into the Mahanadi valley for power generation and irrigation.

The project involves construction of 4 dams across the Indravati and its tributaries 8 dykes and two inter-linking channels to from a single reservoir with a live capacity of 1435.5 Mcum, 4.32 km. tunnel, a power house with installation of 4 units of 150 MW each turbines, 9 km. tail race channel and an irrigation barrage across Hati river with the associated irrigation canals i.e., Left Canal and Right Canal.

Irrigation from left canal is done in Kalampur, Koksara, Junagarh and Dharmagarh Block where Asia's longest aqueduct is made on Tel River near Odisha border. And right canal is done is Junagarh (Nandol area)and Bhawanipatna Block, the construction work is under process in Karlapada block where it merges with Ret River. The water comes from mainly Indravati River, Pet fula Naal etc.

Media and broadcasting

* Doordarshan Kendra (DD-6)

This 10 KW capacity Doordarshan kendra started functioning in 1992 is one of the few HPT centres among Sambalpur, Cuttack in Odisha. Its studio became operational in 2002. In 2004, it started broadcasting agriculturerelated programmes sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture and simultaneously began broadcasting agriculture programmes in different HPT (high power transmission) centres of KBK region.

Besides this, it also used to produce programmes to promote tribal heritage, culture, drama besides entertainment and awarenessbuilding programmes for the KBK. It was broadcasting agriculture related programmes from 6 pm to 6.30 pm on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and local culture and entertainment based programmes from 5.30 pm to 6 pm each Monday and Thursday. During the period from 2005 to 2009, the centre has bagged 10 national awards and five nominee prizes for different programmes produced by it.

* All India Radio (Akashwani Bhawanipatna 98.3 FM)

All India Radio or Akashwani Bhawanipatna started on 30.12.1993 near Naktiguda, outskirt of the city. It has two transmitters 2x100 KW, MW in Belamal near Pastikudi. Frequency of Transmission is 1206 kHz, 248 MTs.It has two studios. Sanctioned strength of Radio station in all cadre is 100.No. Of Casual Announcers in the kendra is 56. Composition of originated programmes targets audience programme for Rural, Women Children, Youth & Senior Citizen, Light & Classical Music, Film Music. Broadcasting of programmes are done in Odia, Hindi, and English languages.The broadcasting covers a popuplation of approx. 18,66,000 Lacs from Kalahandi, Nuapada and nearby districts.

* My Channel (Local Media Group)

Digital Cable TV and WiMax provider.

*Ortel+

Digital Cable TV and Broadband provider.

Festivals

Market

There are several market areas in the city, the biggest one is Laxmi Bajar or Main Market which is at the core of the city. Most of the garment showrooms, costume, jwellery, grocery and fancy shops are found here. Fruits and Vegetables are sold in the inner area of the market mainly near Laxmi Mandir.

Hatpada or Weekly Market is situated near Gandhi Pramod Udyaan (park) is a bi-weekly market that takes place on Tuesday and Saturday where traders from different areas come to sell their goods including vegetables, grocery items, masala & spices, metal products(like utensils etc.), animal and their products like milk products, meat, fishes etc.

It is located near Ghodaghat bridge where different types of fishes and prawns are sold.

It is a small bajar located on NH-26 mainly known for Grocery and Vegetable items.

Sports

1. Lal Bahadur Sashtri Stadium is the biggest stadium in Odisha according to the total field area. It is present near the Old cinema hall. The stadium has held various matches including the Ranji Trophy and the Kalahandi Cup. It is maintained by Kalahandi District Athletic Association. Various sports and athletic training are conducted including Cricket, football, Karate etc. There are also several tennis courts in the stadium.
2. Indoor Stadium (Gymnasium Hall) is present near the LBS Stadium.
3. The Reserve Police Stadium is the home ground of the Odisha Police.
4. The Govt. Autonomous College Field is one of the largest field present as compared to all others in Bhawanipatana.
5. D.I.E.T. Field is one of the biggest groud available in the city used for club cricket, volleyball and football games.

Entertainment

Talkies/Cinema Halls

1. Bhawani Talkies- It is the oldest cinema hall in the city present near L.B.S. Stadium.
2. Satyam Cinema- It is the biggest cinema hall in the city with UFO technology and Dolby Digital sound.
3. New Star Cineplex- It is the first 3D Multiplex in KBK region situated near OMFED Diary, Raipur Rd. SH-16 with 3 screens and also having 3D proficiency, shoping mall, gaming zone and a restaurant in it.

Parks and Ecological Gardens

1. Bhagirathi Park- Present near Shirdi Sai Mandir on SH-44 is a tourist attraction.
2. Gandhi Pramod Udyaan- Situated near Statue Square.
3. Ecological Park- One of the oldest park present on the outskirt of the city on NH-26.

Technical colleges/institutions

1. Government College of Engineering, Kalahandi Bhawanipatna
2. Government Agriculture College, Bhawanipatna
3. Government Medical College, Bhangabari, Bhawanipatna
4. Sardar Rajas Medical College & Research Centre , Jaring
5. Government Polytechnic College Bhawanipatna

Graduation colleges

1. Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna
2. Government Womens College Bhawanipatna
3. Pragati Degree College, Bhawanipatna
4. Saraswati Degree College, Bhawanipatna
5. Sastriji Science College, Bhawanipatna
6. Binayak residential college, Bhawanipatna

Schools

1. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bhawanipatna
2. Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
3. Satya Sai Vidya Mandir
4. B.M. High School
5. Manikeshwari High School
6. Delhi Pulic School
7. Vimla Convent School
8. Aim education Bhawanipatna
9. Hi-Tech Public School Bhwanipatna
10. Citizens' Model English Medium Academy, Bhawanipatna

Health care

There is a medical college and several hospitals including nursing homes in the city which provide good health care services in the city. There are many ambulance services like National Ambulance Service (dial 102,108), Janani Express running for health services. Recently State Government has announced a government Medical College in Kalahandi. In response 40 acres of land has been handed over to State Health Dept. for the infrastructure development in Bhangabari which is behind Bhawanipatna Ring Road (Proposed). It is adjacent to SH-16 (Proposed NH).

SRMCH is located 17 km away from Bhawanipatna on NH-26, it is the only medical college in KBK region enhancing health services in the region. It was established on 2009 with support from WODC and Government of Odisha for conducting Under-graduate Medical Courses.It is a self-financing medical institution with 100 seats.

District Headquarter Hospital is the main backbone for the health services in the city and whole district. It has many wards for different kind of patients,there's also a Radio Therapy and Regional Diagnostic centre in the hospital. There is also a blood bank in the hospital campus. Currently a new 6-storey hospital building is under construction.

Life Worth Hospital was established in 2004 at Bhawanipatna loacated near Ghodaghat Chowk (SH-16). It is a branch of Life Worth Super Specialty Hospital present at Raipur. Life Worth Hospital at Bhawanipatna is having all the necessary facilities required during emergency.

Situated in Armed Reserve Police Campus near College Chowk, Bhawanipatna.

Nursing Homes

Near Balaji Mandir Pardeshi Para Bhawanipatna

Near Red Cross Kalyan Mandap Bhawanipatna

Near Balaji Mandir Pardeshi Para Bhawanipatna

Air

Utkela Airstrip (VEUK) is present near the city(15 km) is operational with daily flights to state capital Bhubaneshwar by private air service provider Air Odisha. Another one, Lanjigarh Airstrip (FR44733) (58 km) is prvate airstrip conducting VIP and chartered planes. Other nearby Airport are Swami Vivekananda Airport at Raipur, Chhattisgarh is 262 km away. Biju Patnaik International Airport in the state capital, Bhubaneswar is 427 km away by road and 631 km by rail.

Rail

Bhawanipatna railway station was inaugurated on 12 August 2012. It is situated on Lanjigarh-Junagarh rail line. Currently there are 3 trains (1 express and 2 passengers) running from Bhawanipatna to Bhubanneshwar, Raipur and Sambalpur.

Road

Highways connecting Bhawanipatna to various cities :

Bhawanipatna Bus Stand is one of the biggest bus stand in Odisha present on NH-26. Both Private and Govt. buses are available from here. Bhawanipatna is one of the division of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (O.S.R.T.C.) that runs Govt. Buses from Bhawanipatna to Bhubaneshwar, Vishakhapatnam, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Cuttack, Jeypore. Newly added taxi facility and auto facility including Biju Gaon Gadi throughout Bhawanipatna and villages nearer to it, is adding an advantage to the transport facility.

Notable personalities

* Rindo Majhi: A freedom fighter in Odisha, who started the Kondha revolution against the British in 1853.

Power and transmission

There is a 132/33 kV Grid Station near OMFED diary on SH-16. Power to this grid comes directly from Therubali Grid. Power transmission and maintenance is done by GRIDCO.

There is also a Sub-station in Naktiguda, Bhawanipatna. It is maintained by WESCO