Balangir

Balangir (also spelled Bolangir) is a district in the State of Orissa in India. The district is bounded by Sonepur in the east, Nuapara in the west, Kalahandi in the south and Bargarh in the north. The district is named after the headquarter town of Balangir which lies between 20°11'40" - 21°05'08" North latitude and 82°41'15" - 83°40'22" East latitude. Geographical area of this district is 6575 sq km. Population of this district as per census 2001 is 1337000.

There are 3 Subdivisions, 6 Tahsils, and 14 CD Blocks.

History

It was under royal regime during British India, namely Patna. Patnagarh was the capital prior to being merged with Orissa after Indian independence.

The district was formed on 1st Nov,1949. Sonepur was carved out as a separate district on 1.4.1993.

This town was also the headquarters of the feudatory state of Patna, since the eighties of the nineteenth century. Balaram Deo, the brother of Narasimha Deo, the 12th Raja of Patna, established Balangir. As Balaram Deo is known to have flourished about the middle of 16th century, the origin of the town of Balangir has also been attributed to that period. It is said that the town being founded by Balaram Deo was named after him as Balaramgarh, from which the present name Balangir has been derived. There is however no recorded evidence to support this theory.

It is also notable for having experimented in the republican form of Government that was overthrown by Ramai Deo. Ramai founded the kingdom of Patna in the 14th century, which within a short span of its militant career become the head of the cluster of eighteen Garhs. The Chauhan rule ended with the merger of the state of Patna and Sonepur with Orissa on the 1st January, 1948.

Politics

The royals are still respected by the locals. One from the Royal family, Rajandra Narayan Singdeo became chief minister of Odisha. Today also the royals are the rulers even though they have come to power through democratic process. The MP from Balangir, Sangeeta Singhdeo is from the same family. Sangeeta' husband, Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo is an MLA from Patnagarh, a minister in the present Odisha govternment is K. V. Singdeo's uncle; and son of R. N. Singhdeo, Anang Uday Singdeo is MLA from Balangir and a minister in the present state govt. A. U. Singhdeo's son Kalikesh Singhdeo has became an MLA in last state election. He won the Saintala seat. The royals are trying out hard to be the rulers to the state even today.

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation

66 Loisingha Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. AGALPUR BLOCK, 2. LOISINGHA BLOCK, 3. PUINTALA BLOCK.

67 Patnagarh Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. PATNAGARH BLOCK, 2. KHAPRAKHOL BLOCK, 3. BELPARA BLOCK , 4. PATNAGARH (NAC).

68 Bolangir Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. BOLANGIR BLOCK, 2. DEOGAON BLOCK , 3. BOLANGIR (M).

69 Titlagarh Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. TITLAGARH BLOCK 2. SAINTALA BLOCK 3. TENTULIKHUNTI (GUDVELLA) BLOCK 4. TITLAGARH (NAC)

70 Kantabanji Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. TUREKELA BLOCK, 2. BANGOMUNDA BLOCK, 3. MURIBAHAL BLOCK, 4. KANTABANJI (NAC).

Places of interest
Samaleswari, Patmeswari, RANIPUR JHARIAL, SOMESWARA SIVA TEMPLE, TEMPLE OF 64 YOGINIES, INDRALAT TEMPLE, CHANDI TEMPLE AT SAINTALA, SOMESWARE TEMPLE AT PATNAGARH, PATANESWARI TEMPLE AT PATNAGARH, JOGESWAR SIVA TEMPLE AT JOGISARDA, HARISANKAR, PATNAGARH, SAINTALA, JOGISARDA, TUREKELA, DHARPAGARH, GAIKHAI, TENTTULIKHUNTI, MURSING, Jal Mahadev