Dharamgarh

Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India^[1]. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized. Dharamgarh is known as the granary of Kalahandi district^[2].

Bandhkana, Dharamgarh sub-division

Dharamgarh sub-division of Kalahandi includes Golamunda, Koksara, Jaipatna, Kalampur, Junagarh and Dharamgarh blocks.

History & Economy

Dharamgarh became a sub-divisional head quarter in post-independece period when Kalahandi joined Orissa state. Dharamagrh sub-division is histrorically well known for rice production in the region. This region was known as PUEL PAHAR, which symbolises production of more straw & paddy. In post Upper Indravati irrgation project it among the leading rice producing sub-division in Orissa. Kalahandi contributed largest number of rice mill, out of which majority of the rice mills are in Dharamgarh sub-division.

Educational Institutions

School

• 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
• El Nissi Mission School Dharamgarh

College and Technical Institution

• 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
• Agriculture College (proposed by Sri Sri Ravishankar)

Temples and Monuments

Paradeswar Temple in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi

• 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 Khimkhoj (Foot Print of Bhima from Mahabharat) is derived from the mythological foot print of Bhima. Recently Nagabom is quite popular festival associated with this temple.

• Paradeswar Temple: It is among the few, perhaps 3, shiva temple in the world where the Linga is made of mercury.

• Radha Krishna Temple:

• Jagannath Temple

• Indravati Shiv & Vaishnodevi Temple

• Bhandargharen Temple

• Sri Aurobindo Relics Center

• Siddarth Foundation:Spiritual Healing & Saktipat Research Center

Tourist Attraction

Water Fall in Dokri Chanchara

• 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 maountains 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, mauntains and springe situted 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 surrpounded by forest and mountains giving a beautiful scenai view for nature lovers.

Festivals

Ghanta Jatra in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi

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

Shiva Temple in Bhimkhoj Dharamgarh

• Kalahandi Utsav: Kalahandi Utsav^[3] is celebrated every year in Dharamgarh along with Bhawanipatna.

• Ghanta Jatra

• Bhandargharen Puja

• Nagabom

• Nuakhai

• Dasahara

Hospitals Nearby

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

References

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

External links

• kalahandi.nic.in
• kalahandiutsav.com