Udala

Geography

Udala is located at 21.57°N 86.57°E / 21.57; 86.57. It has an average elevation of 57 metres (187 feet). The place is situated about 45 km from Baripada the district headquarters of Mayurbhanj. This is situated near the great waterfalls of Similipal.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Udala had a population of 11,712. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Udala has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 69%. In Udala, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Under this block, many panchayats are there. Among them largest panchayat is Bahubandh Grama panchayat.

Places of interest

The main place of attraction is Devkund (25 km from Udala, 40 km from Baripada, 45 km from Balasore). It is also a Devi Pitha. A big festival is held during the month of January during Makar Sankranti. Sameebrikshya (where Pandavas kept their weapons during their exile), a single vertical stone is also a major tourist place. Besides Devkund there are two other tourist attractions, Kalo and Sunei irrigation project.

Devkund: Devkund is a divine scenic spot, found at a distance of 65 km from Baripada and 110 km from Balasore. This place is an important tourist attraction, owing to its alluring waterfalls and natural beauty. Perched on a hill, Maa Ambika Temple is a renowned shrine of Devkund.

Jhinkeshwar Temple: Jhinkewshwar temple is an abode of Lord Shiva. It is a place famous for the Udbhaba Linga (where the Linga has appeared from the ground). So the sanctum of the temple is below the ground level. There is a small pond attached to the temple and an old and deep well located in the premise of the temple. Jhinkeshwar Shiva temple was built by Sadashiva Kar many years ago. Every year on Shivaratri the famous Jagara Jatra is conducted in the village. Merchants from far away places gather here to sell their commodities. This Jatra is conducted for about 15 days. This place is also famous for its various sweets.

Mouda Temple: Mouda temple is a Shiva Temple located on the top of the Mouda hill located near Radho. Every year on Shivaratri the hill is decorated with lights and offerings are made to Lord Shiva by the people.

Tarini Temple: This Tarini temple is located atop a small hilltop in Udala.

Kalo and Sunei: These are irrigation projects and located near to Udala. These are popular places for picnicking and boating.

Other Attractions

Communications

There are bus service from Baripada, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. Every 10 minutes there is a bus from Baripada and in every 30 minutes there is a Bus From Balasore. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, and Cuttack are connected with Udala through bus routes with luxury buses plying between them every day.

The nearest railway stations are Baripada (40 km) and Balasore (45 km).

Schools and Colleges

There are many UG ME Schools, 3 High Schools (Out of which one is girls' high school, another is a Udala High School, though it is not a boys' high school but is called as a boys' high school as no girls take admission in this school and Nagpal high school). There is a college on the way to Baripada and there is also a women's college. The education standard in Udala is good. The women college is called as Indira Gandhi women's college. Some good schools are Udala High School, Udala Girls High School, Nagpal High School and one of the recently established CBSE based English medium school called "The Cambridge School". Other English medium schools are St. Mary's School and Morning Star School.

Festivals

Festivals like Durga Puja, Makar Sankranti, Kali Puja, Rajo, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. are celebrated here with great joy and delight. After Saraswati Puja, there is a festival called as "Saraswati Mela" that is held. During this time the Udala town is usually decorated with lights. Eid and Ramadan also celebrated.

Politics

There are 12 wards in Udala town. The main villages that comes under Udala is Mendhakhai and Nagpal, and the other places are Bandhasahi, Jyoti nagar, Jantrida, Subudhiband, Collegeroad, Nagbani, Lodha colony, Kalia Chhak. Current MLA from Udala (ST) Assembly Constituency is Shrinath Soren of BJD. Previous MLAs from this seat were Bhaskar Madhei of BJP, who won the seat in State elections in 2004 and also in 2000. Rabaneswar Madhei who won this seat representing INC in 1995 and in 1985 and representing INC(I) in 1980, Rohidas Soren of JD in 1990, and Birbhadra Singh of JNP in 1977.

Udala is part of Mayurbhanj (Lok Sabha constituency).