Gandola
Encyclopedia
Gandola is a small village located in the eastern coastline of Ganjam district
in the India
n state
of Orissa
.
. Majority of people in this town are dependent on cultivation.
, Gandola-Belagan had a population of 8183 which is more than Gopalpur port town. Gandola is a Panchayat (with one village) & Belagan also a Panchayat (with one village). Both the villages are merged about 30 years back like Hinjili and Katu. Efforts to be made to declare Gandola-Belagan town as a NAC and to be part of Greater Berhampur region.
Source: refer to this link
The city is agog with activities to welcome goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temporary abode for the biennial Thakurani Jatra festival at late night .
The hereditary head of the festival, who is also regarded as the head of the weaver Dera community of the city, Desibehera dressed in his traditional attire reached the Budhi Thakurani temple to invite the goddess to her parental abode at his home on Saturday afternoon.
His wife also accompanied him as per the tradition. They also offered ritualistic offerings at the Kalika temple.
Changudi puja
Rituals to welcome the deity for the festival started at the temporary temple built at Desibehera street from evening with the `Changudi Puja'.
After rituals, flowers would be carried from Desibehera's house to the Budhi Thakurani temple in this special basket called `Changudi'.
Special rituals
After offering these flowers to the deity, special rituals would be conducted at the temple that would continue till some of these offered flowers fall down from the deity.
These fallen flowers would be carried as representative of the deity to Desibehera street in a large decorated procession at late night.
A special police outpost for Thakurani Jatra was opened up at Desibehera street .
Gopalpur is a unique beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resortmany decades ago. Located at a distance of 16-km from Berhampur in Orissa,Gopalpur on Sea is one of the appealing beach alongside the eastern coastline of India. Not very crowded like the Goa or Kerala Beach fronts,this pristine small beach of Orissa is a retreat for the sun, sea and sand lovers.
At one time this place was a busy seaport, but today it offers its visitorsa peaceful atmosphere that is most favourable for a relaxing break.The beach still displays the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty,reminding to its past glory of commercial activity.
The beach continues to draw the beach worshipers for its delightful surf and excellent sailing options.
The place is named after the presiding deity Goddess Bhairabee at remote village ‘ Mantridi’. Carved in crude fashion, the Icon (one legged Goddess with four hands) was explored by a ploughed and was enshrined as such in a newly adorned temple in the year 1937. According to legend, fisherman and sailors used to worship the deity for blessings before commencement of their journey. Bhairabee now a day has become an important Sakti Pitha Venerable for the valorous seafaring by the fisherman community who lives in nearby villages. Tourists from almost all parts of southern Orissa as well as northern Andhra Pradesh visit this holy shrine every day. The important dates with the deity are the Sankranties of Hindu Calendar, and all Tuesdays
The Tara Tarini Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India. This oldest and famous Adi Shakti Pith is situated on the holy Taratirini hill (Purnagiri) at a distance of 30 km from Berhampur in the state of Orissa, India. It is believed to be the Breast Shrine (Sthana Pith) of Adi Shakti and originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati. The mythological texts recognize four major Shakti Peethas,i.e. Tara Tarini (Stana Khanda) near Berhampur, Bimala (Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Kamakshi
(Yoni khanda) near Guwahati and Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) in Kolkata. Apart from these, there are 52 other sacred Shakti Peethas, which originated from the limbs of the corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga, present in Indian sub-continent.
Explaining the importance of this Pith ‘Brihat Samhita’ described it as the most prominent TARA PITH and also gives the geographical location of this shrine. IN SANSKRIT
"Rushikulya** Tatae Devi,
Tarakashya Mahagiri,
Tashya Srunga Stitha Tara,
Vasishta rajitapara."
(**Rushikulya: A famous River flowing on the foot hill of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine))River Rushikulya flows at the foot of the hill. The shrine draws huge crowd throughout the year especially on every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra.
The place is well connected by regular bus service from Berhampur.
Taptapani, as the name suggests, is famous for its hot springs. Nestled at about 1800 feet (548.6 m) above Mean Sea Level, this spot is only 56 kilometers away from Behrampore (or Brahmapur as the locals call it), the nearest rail station. You can board a bus bound for Raigada and alight at the Tattapani Panthanivas (OTDC-Guesthouse), or else you can hire a car which will take around Rs. 800/- to drop you at Taptapani. You can retain it for a higher fee so that it can take you to Chandragiri the next day before dropping you back at Behrampore.
The sprawling Panthanivas, is the only shelter for tourists at Taptapani. The two AC suits (Rs.500 - 700, depending on the season) have a common balcony and each has a huge bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom containing a small swimming pool fed by the warm water from the hot springs. The cozy lukewarm water sooths your body and soul. “Bathing is believing”, the manager asserted.
The cottages have another attraction. They overlook a pristine valley replete with various shades of green. Anyone can leisurely spend hours sitting here. The Dining Hall is strategically placed in between two crests of mountain fold. You get an eerie feeling amid buzzing crickets in the evening. A few minutes walk from here will take you to Kandimata Mandir where the locals take a bath in the spring before offering their daily prayers. There is also a deer park maintained by the forest department, which adds another feather to Taptapani’s cap.
Visitors usually negotiate the site while traveling on the road that connects Berhampur with Western Orissa. As and when the urban people of Ganjam are browned of an inclement atmosphere, generally, opt to visit Goddess Mahurikalua, Having a shapely visage, smeared with red Leo and decorated peacock tails. This picnic spot of unrivalled ambience of seclusion allures good number of tourists.
Nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, Chilika is India’s biggest inland lake.Spread over 1,100 square kilometers stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water.Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
Buguda is a small town in Ghumusar Sub-Division of Ganjam district. It is famous for the temple of Biranchinarayan. The temple was built by king Srikara Bhanja who ascended the throne of Ghumusar in 1790 A.D. The image of God Biranchinarayan which is installed in the sanctum of the temple was recovered from the ruins of Malatigarh. About the finding of the status Sewell in his Ghumusar Report has stated that once a heredboy, while tending cattle, struck his foot against a plate of metal at the foot of the hill. Consequently the villagers dug up the portion and unearthed a lifesize image of Suryanarayan which was carried to Buguda where it was consecrated in a new temple. The temple subsequently came to be known as Biranchinarayan. The temple is built in the form of a chariot driven by seven horses. The temple is conspicuous for its remarkable wood carvings and wall paintings. The wood carvings are noticed on the ceiling of the Mandap and on the jambs of the entrance door way as well. At the other end of the main road facing the temple of Biranchinarayan is a temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The temple is built in such a manner that the devotees can see the arati of both the temples at the same time from any of these two places
Kulada is famous for Goddess Bagh Devi which is the presiding deity, Kulad is said to be birth place of great Oriya Poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. It is situated to the north west of Ganjam District with a ruin fort, river Mahanadi flowing in the east and dense forest in the west side of the ruined fort. Legend speaks that during 12th century a Bhanja ruler had joined hands with a tribal leader’ KULA’ to be eradicating the foreign invasion. Seeing the danger from the tribe he stained the tribal leader KULA and on the same place, constructed a fort which was later known as Kulad / Kulargad. The original temple is at the top of the hill known as Upper Bagh Devi with 210 steps. Upendra Bhanja spent his term in meditation at this place. As the steps are yet to be made and the route is very tough for climbing another temple of Goddess Bagh Devi has been constructed near the road where people in large number gather to worship. Kulad has many other temples also. The other important temples of Kulad are Temple of Lord Jagannath, Mausimaa temple, Ratneswar Mahadev temple etc.
Ganjam District
Ganjam district is a district in the Indian state of Orissa located on the border of Andhra Pradesh. Ganjam's total area is 8,070 km² . Its population is approximately 2,704,056.Ganjam is known for its beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, the most famous ones being Gopalpur and Dhavaleshwar...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
.
Overview
Gandola is a town under the panchayat of HinjilicutHinjilicut
Hinjilicut is a town and a notified area committee in Ganjam district in the Indian state of Orissa.-Geography:...
. Majority of people in this town are dependent on cultivation.
Demographics
According to a 2009 report on world Gazetter India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Gandola-Belagan had a population of 8183 which is more than Gopalpur port town. Gandola is a Panchayat (with one village) & Belagan also a Panchayat (with one village). Both the villages are merged about 30 years back like Hinjili and Katu. Efforts to be made to declare Gandola-Belagan town as a NAC and to be part of Greater Berhampur region.
- Gandola: In 2001 – 4583, and in 2010 – 5071
- Belagan: In 2001–2812, and in 2010 – 3112
Source: refer to this link
Schools / College
- Ganesh Vidyapitha (established-1959)
- Science College, Gandola
- Sri Beleswar (Junior) Mahavidyalaya, Gandola
- Sri Beleswar Mahavidyalaya, Gandola
Attractions
* Bi-Annual Thakurani Jaatara - The Festival of the Goddess.The city is agog with activities to welcome goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temporary abode for the biennial Thakurani Jatra festival at late night .
The hereditary head of the festival, who is also regarded as the head of the weaver Dera community of the city, Desibehera dressed in his traditional attire reached the Budhi Thakurani temple to invite the goddess to her parental abode at his home on Saturday afternoon.
His wife also accompanied him as per the tradition. They also offered ritualistic offerings at the Kalika temple.
Changudi puja
Rituals to welcome the deity for the festival started at the temporary temple built at Desibehera street from evening with the `Changudi Puja'.
After rituals, flowers would be carried from Desibehera's house to the Budhi Thakurani temple in this special basket called `Changudi'.
Special rituals
After offering these flowers to the deity, special rituals would be conducted at the temple that would continue till some of these offered flowers fall down from the deity.
These fallen flowers would be carried as representative of the deity to Desibehera street in a large decorated procession at late night.
A special police outpost for Thakurani Jatra was opened up at Desibehera street .
- GopalpurGopalpur-on-SeaGopalpur is a town and notified area in Ganjam district in the Indian state of Orissa. Gopalpur is located at . It has an average elevation of 1 metres ....
beach
Gopalpur is a unique beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resortmany decades ago. Located at a distance of 16-km from Berhampur in Orissa,Gopalpur on Sea is one of the appealing beach alongside the eastern coastline of India. Not very crowded like the Goa or Kerala Beach fronts,this pristine small beach of Orissa is a retreat for the sun, sea and sand lovers.
At one time this place was a busy seaport, but today it offers its visitorsa peaceful atmosphere that is most favourable for a relaxing break.The beach still displays the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty,reminding to its past glory of commercial activity.
The beach continues to draw the beach worshipers for its delightful surf and excellent sailing options.
- The Chatrapur Port Area
- Maa Bhairavi Temple
The place is named after the presiding deity Goddess Bhairabee at remote village ‘ Mantridi’. Carved in crude fashion, the Icon (one legged Goddess with four hands) was explored by a ploughed and was enshrined as such in a newly adorned temple in the year 1937. According to legend, fisherman and sailors used to worship the deity for blessings before commencement of their journey. Bhairabee now a day has become an important Sakti Pitha Venerable for the valorous seafaring by the fisherman community who lives in nearby villages. Tourists from almost all parts of southern Orissa as well as northern Andhra Pradesh visit this holy shrine every day. The important dates with the deity are the Sankranties of Hindu Calendar, and all Tuesdays
- Maa Tara Tarini TempleMaa Tara Tarini TempleTara Tarini Sthana Peeth is situated on the holy Taratarini hill at a distance of 30 km from Berhampur in the state of Orissa, India. The Twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshiped as manifestations of Adi Shakti...
The Tara Tarini Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India. This oldest and famous Adi Shakti Pith is situated on the holy Taratirini hill (Purnagiri) at a distance of 30 km from Berhampur in the state of Orissa, India. It is believed to be the Breast Shrine (Sthana Pith) of Adi Shakti and originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati. The mythological texts recognize four major Shakti Peethas,i.e. Tara Tarini (Stana Khanda) near Berhampur, Bimala (Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Kamakshi
Kamakshi
The goddess Kamakshi is a form of Tripura Sundari or Parvati or the universal mother goddess. The main abode of Kamashi is the Kamakshi Amman temple at Kanchipuram. Other important forms of goddess Tripura Sundari are Meenakshi of Madurai, Akilandeswari of Thiruvanaikaval and Vishalakshi of...
(Yoni khanda) near Guwahati and Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) in Kolkata. Apart from these, there are 52 other sacred Shakti Peethas, which originated from the limbs of the corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga, present in Indian sub-continent.
Explaining the importance of this Pith ‘Brihat Samhita’ described it as the most prominent TARA PITH and also gives the geographical location of this shrine. IN SANSKRIT
"Rushikulya** Tatae Devi,
Tarakashya Mahagiri,
Tashya Srunga Stitha Tara,
Vasishta rajitapara."
(**Rushikulya: A famous River flowing on the foot hill of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine))River Rushikulya flows at the foot of the hill. The shrine draws huge crowd throughout the year especially on every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra.
The place is well connected by regular bus service from Berhampur.
- Taptapani
Taptapani, as the name suggests, is famous for its hot springs. Nestled at about 1800 feet (548.6 m) above Mean Sea Level, this spot is only 56 kilometers away from Behrampore (or Brahmapur as the locals call it), the nearest rail station. You can board a bus bound for Raigada and alight at the Tattapani Panthanivas (OTDC-Guesthouse), or else you can hire a car which will take around Rs. 800/- to drop you at Taptapani. You can retain it for a higher fee so that it can take you to Chandragiri the next day before dropping you back at Behrampore.
The sprawling Panthanivas, is the only shelter for tourists at Taptapani. The two AC suits (Rs.500 - 700, depending on the season) have a common balcony and each has a huge bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom containing a small swimming pool fed by the warm water from the hot springs. The cozy lukewarm water sooths your body and soul. “Bathing is believing”, the manager asserted.
The cottages have another attraction. They overlook a pristine valley replete with various shades of green. Anyone can leisurely spend hours sitting here. The Dining Hall is strategically placed in between two crests of mountain fold. You get an eerie feeling amid buzzing crickets in the evening. A few minutes walk from here will take you to Kandimata Mandir where the locals take a bath in the spring before offering their daily prayers. There is also a deer park maintained by the forest department, which adds another feather to Taptapani’s cap.
- Mohuri kalua
Visitors usually negotiate the site while traveling on the road that connects Berhampur with Western Orissa. As and when the urban people of Ganjam are browned of an inclement atmosphere, generally, opt to visit Goddess Mahurikalua, Having a shapely visage, smeared with red Leo and decorated peacock tails. This picnic spot of unrivalled ambience of seclusion allures good number of tourists.
- Chilika
Nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, Chilika is India’s biggest inland lake.Spread over 1,100 square kilometers stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water.Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
- Biranchi Narayan
Buguda is a small town in Ghumusar Sub-Division of Ganjam district. It is famous for the temple of Biranchinarayan. The temple was built by king Srikara Bhanja who ascended the throne of Ghumusar in 1790 A.D. The image of God Biranchinarayan which is installed in the sanctum of the temple was recovered from the ruins of Malatigarh. About the finding of the status Sewell in his Ghumusar Report has stated that once a heredboy, while tending cattle, struck his foot against a plate of metal at the foot of the hill. Consequently the villagers dug up the portion and unearthed a lifesize image of Suryanarayan which was carried to Buguda where it was consecrated in a new temple. The temple subsequently came to be known as Biranchinarayan. The temple is built in the form of a chariot driven by seven horses. The temple is conspicuous for its remarkable wood carvings and wall paintings. The wood carvings are noticed on the ceiling of the Mandap and on the jambs of the entrance door way as well. At the other end of the main road facing the temple of Biranchinarayan is a temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The temple is built in such a manner that the devotees can see the arati of both the temples at the same time from any of these two places
- Kulada
Kulada is famous for Goddess Bagh Devi which is the presiding deity, Kulad is said to be birth place of great Oriya Poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. It is situated to the north west of Ganjam District with a ruin fort, river Mahanadi flowing in the east and dense forest in the west side of the ruined fort. Legend speaks that during 12th century a Bhanja ruler had joined hands with a tribal leader’ KULA’ to be eradicating the foreign invasion. Seeing the danger from the tribe he stained the tribal leader KULA and on the same place, constructed a fort which was later known as Kulad / Kulargad. The original temple is at the top of the hill known as Upper Bagh Devi with 210 steps. Upendra Bhanja spent his term in meditation at this place. As the steps are yet to be made and the route is very tough for climbing another temple of Goddess Bagh Devi has been constructed near the road where people in large number gather to worship. Kulad has many other temples also. The other important temples of Kulad are Temple of Lord Jagannath, Mausimaa temple, Ratneswar Mahadev temple etc.