Bellaguntha

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Bellaguntha | type = town | latd = 19.88 | longd = 84.65
state_name = Orissa
district = Ganjam
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 59
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 9961| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =06821
postal_code = 761119
vehicle_code_range =oR07
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Bellaguntha is a town and a notified area committee in Ganjam district in the state of Orissa, India.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Bellaguntha had a population of 9961. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Bellaguntha has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

As per folklore here, Bellaguntha was a main market place for grocerry and cattle in the Ganjam district. This place is famous for Brass Fish "Pitala Macha" in India. Nrusinghanatah temple is one of the significant temple in this region that attracts thousands of pilgrims to get a darsan of Lord Lakshmi Nrusingh. King Upendrabhanja had established the temple during 18th century.

Geography

Bellaguntha is located at coord|19.88|N|84.65|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Belaguntha.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bellaguntha] ] . It has an average elevation of m to ft|59|m|abbr=on. It falls in the Ghumusara taluk of Ganjam district. The meaning of Ghumusare is "the place of ups and downs".

Culture

Among festivals, Thakurani Yatra and Ratha Yatra are two festivals that makes Bellaguntha the point of attraction.

Thakurani Yatra: The meaning of Thakurani is Goddess Kali (The violent avtar of Maa Parvati), she is the mother to all the Hindus. During the summer, the people of Orissa manifesting Maa Kali to save them from unexpected devastation. The meaning of word Yatra can be translated to procession or divine journey. Hence Thakurani Yatra is the divine procession of Thakurani - Maa Brahmani Devi (Local name of Maa Kali). During this Yatra, the main attraction is the "Bana Patuara" means the Procession of Maa with arrangements of crackers. Generally this Thakurani Yatra celebrated for around one month during the month of Vaisakh(April-May). During this time there will be many theators arranged for the entertainment of the inhabitants and visitors from other places with Minabazars in the Fair.

Transport

Bellaguntha belongs to Ganjam district in Orissa. The nearest city is Berhampur (around 160km from state capital Bhubaneswar). For coming Bellaguntha, from Bhubaneswar following two options are available:
# Through any bus which goes from Bhubaneswar to Bhanjanagar
# By bus/train to reach Berhampur and then via bus. From Berhampur direct buses ply to Bellaguntha. Alternatively, from Bhanjanagar buses are available to Bellaguntha.

References