Overview
Gajapati is a district in the southern part of the Indian state of Odisha. It was carved out of the erstwhile Ganjam district on 2 October 1992 and named after Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo of Paralakhemundi, a prominent figure in the movement for the creation of a separate Odisha province. The district headquarters is located at Paralakhemundi (also spelt Parlakhemundi).
Key facts
| State | Odisha |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Paralakhemundi |
| Formed | 2 October 1992 |
| Named after | Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo |
| Parent district | Ganjam |
| Region | Southern Odisha |
| Major language | Odia, with significant Telugu and Saura/Soura speakers |
Geography
Gajapati lies in the Eastern Ghats and shares its southern boundary with the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is bordered by Ganjam district to the east, Kandhamal district to the north, and Rayagada district to the west. The terrain is largely hilly and forested, with the Mahendragiri range forming a notable feature in the south. The Vamsadhara river rises in this region and flows southward into Andhra Pradesh.
Administration
The district is divided into administrative subdivisions and tahasils, with Paralakhemundi serving as the principal urban and administrative centre. It comprises seven blocks: Gumma, Mohana, Nuagada, Rayagada, R. Udayagiri, Kasinagar, and Gosani. Paralakhemundi is the only municipal town in the district.
Demographics and society
Gajapati has a substantial Scheduled Tribe population, with the Saura (Sora/Savara) being among the most prominent communities. The district also has a notable Christian population, one of the higher proportions among Odisha's districts, alongside Hindu communities. Odia is the principal language, while Telugu is widely spoken in the southern belt close to the Andhra Pradesh border, reflecting the district's historical links with the erstwhile Paralakhemundi estate.
History
The area corresponds largely to the territory of the former princely estate of Paralakhemundi, ruled by the Gajapati dynasty. The estate played an important role in the early twentieth-century movement for a separate Odisha-speaking province, which culminated in the formation of Odisha (then Orissa) on 1 April 1936. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo served as the first Prime Minister of the province of Orissa. After independence, the territory became part of Ganjam district. On 2 October 1992, as part of a wider reorganisation that increased the number of districts in Odisha, Gajapati district was constituted as a separate administrative unit.
Economy
The district economy is predominantly agrarian. Paddy is the staple crop, while turmeric, ginger, pulses, and cashew are important commercial crops grown in the hilly tracts. Forest produce, including bamboo, kendu leaves, and minor forest products, contributes to rural livelihoods. Handloom weaving, particularly the production of traditional textiles, is practised in and around Paralakhemundi.
Culture and notable places
Paralakhemundi is known for its palace and for the Sri Gangadhara Rameswara Mahadeva temple complex. The town has a long association with Odia literature and was a centre of cultural patronage under the Gajapati rulers. Mahendragiri, in the south of the district, is a hill of religious and ecological significance, associated with legends from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and is home to ancient temples. The district's tribal heartland preserves distinct Saura artistic traditions, including the well-known Saura wall paintings (idital).
Transport
Paralakhemundi is connected by road to Berhampur and to towns in northern Andhra Pradesh. It is served by a railway link in the southern part of the state, and the nearest major railway junction is at Berhampur on the Howrah–Chennai main line. The nearest airport with regular services is at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.