Bhawanipatna


Bhawanipatna is a city, and district headquarters of the Kalahandi district, in the Indian state of Odisha. Bhawanipatna is a city of numerous temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu pantheon. It is named after the presiding deity, Bhawani-Shankar and Patna which means place in Odia like "Padaa". Bhawanipatna municipality is the administrative head of the city, which is divided into twenty wards with different sub-areas called pada. Originally, these padaas were inhabited by people of different communities, but over the last few decades, these padaas have become homogeneous. Bhawanipatna has more than forty padaas.

Geography and climate

Bhawanipatna is located at. It has an average elevation of. 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. These summer months also have dry and hot winds. In summers, the temperature can also go up to. The city receives about 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.

Demographics

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. 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. Other languages include Kui, Bhatri, Parji, Bhunjia, spoken by approximately 7000 Bhunjia Adivasis.

Politics

Current MLA from Bhawanipatna Assembly Constituency is Pradipta Kumar Naik of BJP, who won the seat in State Legislative election of 2019. Previous MLA from this seat is Anam Naik, he won the election in the year 2014. He is from Biju Janata Dal. Dusmanta Kumar Naik of INC won the seat in State election of 2009. Pradip Kumar Naik of BJP won the seat in State elections of 2004 and also in 2000 and 1995, Ajit Das of JD 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 and as INC candidate in 1977.
Bhawanipatna is part of the Kalahandi constituency, currently held by Arka Keshari Deo, and before that by his father Bikram Keshari Deo, who was the younger son of Maharaj Pratap Kesari Deo of Kalahandi.

Tourism

There are two Manikeshwari Mandir located in Kalahandi district of Odisha, one is in Bhawanipatna and other at Thuamal Rampur. The temple is located in the centre 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 which is a festival also known as Chatar jatra where lacs of people gather in the city to get the blessings from their beloved goddess. A film is also documented showing the ritual of animal sacrifice, before Goddess Manikeshwari.
Phurlijharan is a perennial water fall about 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 is a wildlife sanctuary located in Kalahandi district and a very popular tourist attraction of Odisha in India. The sanctuary covers an area of. It lies within the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion. 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.
It has a wooden guest house.
Rabandara is a perennial water fall about in height and has a special charm of its own.
Sospadar is an exotic location for picnic lovers and adventurers.
Zilla Sangrahalaya or the District Museum, Bhawanipatna has different artifacts, manuscripts, paintings and many rare items from pre-historic age depicting ancient history of Kalahandi Region.
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. 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.

Media and broadcasting

* Doordarshan Kendra
It was started as Low Power Transmission on 15 February 1987 and it had been upgraded to High Power Transmission on 20 January 1992. This 10 KW capacity Doordarshan kendra started functioning in 1992 is one of the few HPT centres among Sambalpur, Cuttack in Odisha. Program generating facility was started on 3 September 2002. Its one of the three Doordarshan Kendras in the state of Odisha other being Sambalpur and Bhubaneshwar. 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 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
All India Radio or Akashwani Bhawanipatna started on 30 December 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.
All India Radio, #Bhawanipatna was started on 30 Dec 1993 at Naktiguda, Bhawanipatna i.e., Transmission and Studio and Radio Station at Belamal is a Relay Tower.
Recently FM services have been started at AIR station at frequency of 103 MHz
Primary service zone, Kalahandi District and Naupada District.
The station has not only popular in its primary zone, rather its audience from the district of Bolangir, Sonepur, Phulbani, Bargarh, Nawrangpur and Rayagara of Orissa and Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. Moreover, this station serves the districts coming under the capital KBK scheme of the Govt. of India.
Transmission Strength~BEL HMB 140- 2 x 100 KW
Frequency of Broadcast~1206 kHz and 248 mtrs.
Mast Height~ 122 Meters
* My Channel
Digital Cable TV and WiMax provider.
* Ortel Cable and Broadband Service
Digital Cable TV and Broadband provider.
* EM Digital

Festivals

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 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, 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 Bhawani Talkies, 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 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 grounds available in the city used for club cricket, volleyball and football games.

    Entertainment

Talkies/Cinema Halls
Parks and Ecological Gardens

Technical/Professional institutions

  1. College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna
  2. Government College of Engineering, Kalahandi Bhawanipatna
  3. Government Polytechnic College Bhawanipatna
  4. College of Teacher Education, Bhawanipatna

    General degree colleges

  5. Binayak Residential college, Bhawanipatna
  6. Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna
  7. Government Women's College Bhawanipatna
  8. Jayaprakash Sandhya Mahavidyalaya, Bhawanipatna
  9. Pragati Degree College, Bhawanipatna
  10. Saraswati Degree College, Bhawanipatna
  11. Sastriji Science College, Bhawanipatna

    Schools

  12. Vimala Convent School
  13. Hi-Tech Public School Bhwanipatna
  14. Citizens' Model English Medium Academy, Bhawanipatna
  15. B.M. High School
  16. Delhi Public Kids & Primary School, Bhawanipatna
  17. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bhawanipatna
  18. Manikeshwari High School
  19. Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
  20. Satya Sai Vidya Mandir
  21. Shastriji model school.
  22. Shastriji Siksha Niketan.

    Computer Institutions

  23. CROWN IT & MANAGEMENT, Mahavirpada, Near Maa Medical Store, Bhawanipatna
  24. NICE - National Institute of Computer Education.

    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, 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. It is adjacent to SH-16.
State Government had signed with Vedanta Group to build a Medical College and 500 bedded Hospital at Bhangabari near Bhawanipatna. Recently MoU has been signed by State Government and Vedanta Group and land acquisition has been done and soon the work is going to be started.
SRMCH is located away from Bhawanipatna on NH-26, it was the only medical college in KBK region earlier enhancing health services in the region. It was established in 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. Its now abandoned and case is currently going on by the medical students against Sylvian Trust at Odisha High Court.
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.
Earlier known as Life Worth Hospital it was established in 2004 at Bhawanipatna located near Ghodaghat Chowk. It was a branch of Life Worth Super Specialty Hospital present at Raipur. Later it was renamed as Maa Manikeswari Multispeciality 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

Transport

Air

is present near the city which is scheduled to be operational with daily flights to state capital Bhubaneshwar and Raipur in the coming month of September by private air service provider Air Odisha under UDAN scheme by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India. Another one, Lanjigarh Airstrip is private airstrip conducting VIP and chartered planes. Other nearby Airport are Swami Vivekananda Airport at Raipur, Chhattisgarh is 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 running from Bhawanipatna to Bhubanneshwar, Raipur and Sambalpur.kesinga Railway station is connected by many major cities in India,like Delhi,Mumbai, Chennai,Surat etc.

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 that runs Govt. Buses from Bhawanipatna to Bhubaneshwar, Vishakhapatnam, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Cuttack, Jeypore. Private Buses provide transportation facility to different cities in Odisha and Raipur, Durg etc. in Chhattisgarh. 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

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 Grid Corporation of Odisha.
There is also a sub-station in Naktiguda, Bhawanipatna. It is maintained by Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha