Junagarh, Kalahandi

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Junagarh | type = city | latd = | longd =
state_name = Orissa
district = Kalahandi
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 15,759| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 06672
postal_code = 766014
vehicle_code_range = OR 08
sex_ratio = 51:49
unlocode =
major river =hati nadiwebsite =
footnotes = The old Capital of the Ex-State of Kalahandi.

"See Junagarh for disambiguation."

Junagarh is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa. It was the capital of the former state of Kalahandi. Junagarh is 26 km from Bhawanipatna Connecting NH 201.

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"cha kodi bandha naa kodi tota".

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , 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
* Junagarh Government High School
* Lankeswari Government High School
* Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
* Kanya Ashram

college
* Priyadarsini indira mahavidyalaya
* Chameli Devi womens college

Temples

* Lankeswari Temple
* Dadhi baman Temple

Lakes

* Lakshmi Sagar
* Siba Sagar
* Kastura Sagar
* Dhoba Sagar
* Rani Bandh

Politics

Current MLA from Junagarh Assembly Constituency is Himansu Sekhar Meher of BJP, who won the seat in State elections of 2004 and also in 2000. Previous MLAs from this seat include 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. [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp98.htm
title = State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparision for 98-Junagarh Constituency of ORISSA
publisher = Election Commission of India
accessdate = 2008-09-26]

Junagarh is part of Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf
title = Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Orissa
publisher = Election Commission of India
accessdate = 2008-09-26]

References