Junagarh, Kalahandi

Junagarh
city
Junagarh
Junagarh

Location in Odisha, India

Coordinates: 19°51′42.35″N 82°56′26.32″E / 19.8617639°N 82.9406444°E / 19.8617639; 82.9406444Coordinates: 19°51′42.35″N 82°56′26.32″E / 19.8617639°N 82.9406444°E / 19.8617639; 82.9406444
Country  India
State Odisha
District Kalahandi
Area
 • Total 20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation 248 m (814 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 19,820
 • Density 990/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Oriya
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 766014
Telephone code 06672
Vehicle registration OR 08
Sex ratio 51:49 ♂/♀
Website odisha.gov.in
The old Capital of the Ex-State of Kalahandi.

Junagarh is a town and a notified area council in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Odisha. It was the capital of the former state of Kalahandi. Junagarh is 26 km from Bhawanipatna, connecting National Highway 201.This highway recently has been termed as National Highway 26.

Junagarh was a well-built fort. The fortified area has a number of temples with Oriya inscriptions. This is a place which has sculptural evidence of the sati rite, which was prevalent in medieval India, and was stopped during the British Raj by Lord William Bentinck. The sculptures are identified as sati pillars Junagarh was famous for its lakes and fruit garden"'chha kodi bandha naa kodi tota'", means 120 ponds and 180 orchard. Junagarh is also famous for its temples. It is also known as temple city of Kalahandi.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Junagarh had a population of 15,759. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Junagarh has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66%, and female literacy is 44%. In Junagarh, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

Schools

(S.A.I.E.C.)

Colleges

Temples

SRI AUROBINDO RELICS CENTER, JUNAGARH

Ganesh Idols at Pandals


Festivals

Maa Lankeshwari is the principal deity of the Naga clan at Junagarh. The deity is still revered by the king and his descendants. The descendants of the king perform puja in the temple of Lankeshwari on the auspicious day of Mulashtami as KHANDABASA

‘Khandabasa’ festival was observed at Goddess Lankeswari temple at Junagarh with the congregation of a large numbers of devotees.After performing the traditional rituals, the swords of Goddess Lankeswari and Bhairav were placed on the two sides of the Goddess Lankeswari altar by a representative of the royal family in standing position over a heap of rice.Goddess Lankeswari is treated as a war Goddess as thus the significance of the practice of ‘Khandabasa’. Tradition has it that during the rule of Chindakanaga, Ganga, Kalachuri and Naga dynasties the traditional sword of Goddess Lankeswari was worshipped to seek her blessings before going to a war.

Durga Puja and gajalaxmi puja are also important festival. Various pandals are constructed throughout the town.

Tourist place


Lakes

River

Hospitals

A 50 bedded government hospital is present in the town. Recently a medical college [Sardar Raja Medical College and hospital] is being constructed near the town. The hospital has already been started a year ago. A multi specialty clinic named as Bharati health foundation is present near the block office which caters both Medical and Dental facilities.

Topography timeline
SARDAR RAJAS MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTER.

Hospitals Nearby

Transport

A new railway station for Junagarh has been opened for service and was inaugurated on 2 March, 2014.

Politics

Current MLA from Junagarh Assembly Constituency is dibya shankar mishra of BJD, who won the seat in State elections of 2014. Previous MLAs from this seat include Himansu Sekhar Meher who won this seat in 2004 and also in 2000 as BJP candidate, Late Bikram Keshari Deo who won this seat in 1995 and 1990 as BJP candidate and also in 1985 as JNP candidate, Maheswar Barad who won this representing INC(I) in 1980 and as INC candidate in 1977.[2]

Junagarh is part of Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency).[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ↑ "State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparison for 98-Junagarh Constituency of Odisha". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  3. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
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