Dharamgarh

Dharamgarh is a small town in Kalahandi district of Odisha. It is one amongst the three Notified Area Councils in Kalahandi. It is the headquarter of Dharamgarh subdivision. It is also referred to as Dharmagarh or Dharmagada.

Dharamgarh is known as the granary of the Kalahandi district.^[1]

The Dharamgarh Sub-Division of Kalahandi includes Golamunda, Koksara, Jaipatna, Kalampur, Junagarh and Dharamgarh Blocks.

History and economy

Bandhkana, Dharamgarh sub-division

Dharamgarh became a sub-divisional headquarter in post-independence period when Kalahandi joined Odisha state. Dharamagrh sub-division is historically well known for rice production in the region. This region was known as Puel Pahar, which symbolises production of more straw and paddy. In post Upper Indravati irrigation project it is among the leading rice producing sub-divisions in Odisha. Kalahandi contributed largest number of rice mills, out of which majority of the rice mills are in Dharamgarh sub-division.

Temples and monuments

Shiva Temple in Bhimkhoj Dharamgarh

Bhima Kunda (Foot Print of Bhima from Mahabharat)in Bhimkhoj Dharamgarh

• Bhimkhoj Shiva Temple: This is one of the popular religious site in the region. The Bhima Kunda present near the Shiva temple is believed to be the foot print of Bhima, so the name of village Bhimkhoj (Footprint of Bhima from Mahabharat) is derived from the mythological footprint of Bhima. Recently Nagabom has a quite popular festival associated with this temple.
• Paradeswar Temple: It is among the few, perhaps 3, shiva temples in the world where the Linga is made of mercury known as Rasalingam.
• Radha Krishna Temple:
• Jagannath Temple
• Indravati Shiv & Vaishnodevi Temple
• Bhandargharen Temple
• Sri Aurobindo Relics Center:The sacred relics of Mahayogi Sri Aurobindo and The Divine Mother Sri Maa installed here on 4 February 2002

Sri Aurobindo Kendra, Dharamgarh

SHRINE of Sri Aurobindo Relics Centre, DHARAMGARH

Sri Aurobindo Pathachakra, Dharamgarh

Sri Aurobindo Pathachakra Photo

Tourist attraction

• Dokhri Chanchra Water Fall: This fall is situated about 20 km from Dharamgarh. It has one of the best scenic view with nature, forest and mountains surrounding it.
• Gudahandi Historical Site: Gudahandi is situated in about 20 km from Dharamgarh in the border to Koraput district. In the Gudahandi hills are some ancient caves bearing pictographic paintings of remote antiquity.
• Ampani: Ampani hills present a panoramic view of nature. It is also famous for Budharaja Temple and waterfall, located about 40 km from Dharamgarh.
• Chura Pahad: Locally known as Chora Dangar is a beautiful place with forest, mountains and springs situated about 15 km from Dharamgarh.
• Junagarh: This historical town in Kalahandi is just situated 15 km from Dharamgarh. Junagarh used to be capital of Kalahandi before Bhawanipatna. It has famous Lankeswari temple, Dadhimana temple and Kanak Durga temple.
• Indravati Lake: Indravati lake popularly known as Indravati Dam is situated in Mukhiguda. The hydroelectricity power station at Mukhiguda is known to be one of the largest in Asia. This lake is surrounded by forest and mountains giving a beautiful scenic view for nature lovers.

Administration

• Sub Collector = Dr. Y. Vijay (IAS)
• BDO = Sri Padmanabh Samantaray (OAS)

Politics

MLA = Shri Pushpendra Singh Deo

Notified Area Council

• Chairperson - Sushree Hira Bag
• Vice Chairperson - Shri Ashok Mohanty
• Executive Officer - Shri Ishwar Pujari

Councillors List

• Ward No:01 - Swarnalata Dash
• Ward No:02 - Pushpanjali Nayak
• Ward No:03 - Hira Bag
• Ward No:04 - Ashok Mohanty
• Ward No:05 - Pradeep Rout
• Ward No:06 - Maya Naik
• Ward No:07 - Janhavi Nayak
• Ward No:08 - Bibek Kumar Mishra
• Ward No:09 - Banita Lahjal
• Ward No:10 - Manjulata Hans
• Ward No:11 - ChandraSekhar Bihari
• Ward No:12 - Bhabeswar Bhoi
• Ward No:13 - Nathuram Naik
• Ward No:14 - Dingardhar Nayak

Festivals

• Kalahandi Utsav: Kalahandi Utsav^[2] is celebrated every year in Dharamgarh along with Bhawanipatna.
• Ghanta Jatra
• Bhandargharen Puja
• Nagabom
• Nuakhai
• Dasahara: It is an important festival of the region

Hospitals nearby

• Sub-Divisional Headquarters Hospital, Dharamgarh
• Sardar Raja Medical College, Jaring
• District Headquarters Hospital, Bhawanipatna
• Life Worth Hospital, Bhawanipatna
• CHC, Junagarh

Educational institutions

Schools

• K D M E School Dharamgarh
• Government High School Dharamgarh
• Vocational Train College
• Government Girl's High School Dharamgarh
• Sri Aurobindo Center Of Integral Education, Dharamgarh
• Gurugeeta Public School,Dharamgarh
• El Nissi Mission School Dharamgarh
• Saraswati sishu vidya mandir Dharamgarh
• Sanskaar Public School
• Scholar Model School
• Gurukul Public School, Dharamgarh.
• Kashibahal High School

College and Technical Institution

• Akash College of Science (Junior)
• Panchayat College Dharamgarh (Junior)
• Panchayat College Dharamgarh (Senior)
• Women's College Dharamgarh (Junior)
• Women's College Dharamgarh (Senior)
• Vocational Higher Secondary School Dharamgarh
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Law College Dharamgarh
• Industrial Training Institute

List of Banks

• State Bank of India - Main Branch
• State Bank of India - Bazaar Pada Branch
• Axis Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
• Bank of Baroda (BOB)
• DCB Bank
• Utkal Grameen Bank (UGB)
• Co-Operative Bank
• CARD Bank

Important Offices

• Sub-Collector Office
• Tehsil Office
• Block Office
• SDO, Public Works Department (PWD)
• SDO, Rural Water Supply & Sanitation (RWSS)
• SDO, BSNL Office
• SDO, Electric Office
• Child Development Project Office (CDPO)
• District Agriculture Office
• EE, MI Office
• Sub Registrar Office
• Sub Treasury Office
• Assistant Civil Supply Office (ACSO)
• Horticulture Office
• Election Office
• Police Station
• Office of SDPO
• RI Office
• Superintendent, Sub-Jail

References

1. http://www.dailypioneer.com/301018/Sri-Sri-Ravi-Shankar-to-visit-Sambalpur-Kalahandi-Cuttack-from-Dec-14.html
2. http://kalahandiutsav.com/

External links

• kalahandi.nic.in
• kalahandiutsav.com
• www.dharamgarh.in