Balasore

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Balasore | other_name = Baleshwar
locator_position = left
type = city | latd = 21.49 | longd = 86.93
state_name = Orissa
district = Baleshwar
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 16
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 106,032| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Balasore (also known as Baleswar or Baleshwar) is a city in Orissa state of eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balasore District. It is best known for Chandipur, the site of the Indian army development of different missiles such as "Nag", Agni missile etc.. The lingua franca is Oriya.

History

The English settlement of Balasore was formed in 1642, was an early trading port for British, French and Dutch ships in the early age of Enlightenment and became a colonial part of first Danish India, later British India.

In 1763 Balasore became a Danish possession, governed from Tranquebar, as part of Danish India. Due to the shallowness of its bay, the trading post was abandoned, leaving behind only a small settlement in the area. On 7 November 1845, all Danish India was sold to the British, who made it part of British India.

Since the beginning of the 20th century Balasore, as a strategic point, interested revolutionaries. On 9 September 1915, while waiting for German arms and ammunition despatched as part of the Indo-German Conspiracy

Geography

Balasore is located at coord|21.49|N|86.93|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Balasore.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Balasore] ] . It has an average elevation of m to ft|16|m|abbr=on.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Baleshwar had a population of 106,032. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Baleshwar has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Overview

Balasore is a place of scenic beauty and a major tourist attraction, also because of its historical monuments, such as various temples in the area. There are a few hill ranges in the region too. It is 212 km north-east of Bhubaneswar by road.

Balasore has been in use since 1989, but unlike Sriharikota, it is not used for launching satellites. The rocket launching site at Balasore is situated in a place named Chandipur. Chandipur is located on the Bay of Bengal. The Interim Test Range in Chandipur, Balasore is responsible for carrying out tests for various missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, Trishul etc.

Economy

Balasore is the main town in the District of Balasore. The primary occupation of people in district of Balasore is cultivation. Balasore district is mostly known for cultivation of paddy since rice is the staple cereal of the local people.

Transport

Balasore Railway Station falls en route on the main line connecting Chennai to Kolkata. Road connectivity wise, National Highway-5 runs through Balasore.

Places of interest

Khirochora Gopinath Temple is situated at Remuna, approximately 7 km from the main town of Balsore, built by the Great King Langula Narasimha Dev who also built the notable Temple at Konark. Khirochora Gopinath Temple is notable for its mythological story about how it was built there. The "Biranchi Narayana", "AstaDurga", "Bhudhar Chandi" are some other temples located in that region.

Chandipur-on-sea is a sea resort famous for its mile long shallow beaches. It is a unique beach where the tide comes to the shore only four times a day, at fixed intervals. At a distance of 30 k.m. south-west, there lies 'Panchalingeswara', a scenic spot high in a mountain. The presiding Siva there can't be seen, rather, one has to feel by touching the statue which is submerged under the flowing fountain. About 33 km south-west of Balasore, there is 'Santaragadia' is a semi town where 'Biseswar temple' is situated in the hill, covered by hills on its sides. Near to this place, there is 'Khulia Village' which is a settlement of aboriginal peoples staying in a scenic village surrounded by hills and fountains from all sides. Around 30 km south-east of Balasore, there is a port named 'Dhamra'.

Birth place of linguist and novelist Fakir Mohan Senapati, who created Oriya script apart from being an eminent freedom fighter against the British Raj. Also birth place of Oriya poet Kabibar Radhanath Ray, who is noted for his poems on the beauty of famous Chilika Lake apart from being an eminent freedom fighter against the British Raj. He is born in Kedarpur (soro) near to village Budei.

Education

Colleges and universities

* Fakir Mohan University
* [http://swayam-education.com/ Education at your HOME]
* [http://abaindia.com/ Academy of Business Administration]

chools

*St.Vincent's Convent School
*Maharshi Vidya Mandir
*Central School

Politics

Current MLA from Balasore Assembly Constituency is Arun Dey of OGP, who won the seat in State elections of 2004. He won this seat earlier as an independent candidate in 1995 and representing CPI in 1990 and in 1980. Other previous MLAs from this seat were Jiban Pradip Dash of BJP who won this seat in 2000, Gopa Narayan Das of INC in 1985, and Kartik Chandra Rout of JNP in 1977. [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp14.htm
title = State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparision for 14-Balasore Constituency of ORISSA
publisher = Election Commission of India
accessdate = 2008-09-23]

Balasore is part of Balasore (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 = 2008-09-23]

References

External links

* [http://baleswar.nic.in/ Baleswar District website]
* [http://www.astronautix.com/sites/balasore.htm Balasore] at Encyclopedia Astronautica
*
* [http://www.beaumondeindia.com/ Architectural Planning, Quality Control, survey Work and Civil Consultancy]
* [http://www.barjorjishotels.com/ Hotel Barjorjis Banjara/Bhojan website]

ee also

* Balasore (Lok Sabha constituency)
* Rocket launch sites
* Indian Space Research Organisation
* Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
* Chandipur
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