Bargarh () is a town and the administrative headquarters of Bargarh district in the state of Odisha,India.It is an important town of Odisha because it is known as the "rice bowl of Odisha" due to its intense rice production. It is an agro-industrial hub and is also known as "city of handloom" because sambalpuri sari originated from here."Dhanu jatra" of Bargarh is world famous and is known as the "world's largest open air theater". Bargarh is also one of the most densely populated town of Odisha because it has a higher population density than most towns of Odisha according to the 2011 census.
BPCL’s first integrated 2G+1G BioEthanol refinery at Bargarh, Odisha is scheduled for mechanical completion . This will be using biomass from non-edible whole plants or food grain residues for 2G ethanol and sugarcane juice, molasses & damaged grains for making 1G ethanol.
Geography Bargarh is located in Western Odisha, close to the border of neighboring state of Chhattisgarh. It is positioned at with an average elevation of 171 meters (561 feet).Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bargarh The Bargarh district lies in the Plain with Eastern Ghats running close to the town. As per the earthquake zoning of India, Bargarh falls in the zone- ll category, the least earthquake prone zone.
The headquarter of Bargarh district lies on the NH 53, Kolkata to Mumbai, hence well connected to the rest of the country with the well-constructed road. The Railway Station (Code - BRGA) is served by DBK Railway running from Jharsuguda to Titilagarh. The station is just 4 km off the main town. The nearest airport is at Raipur (CG) (220 km), Bhubaneswar (OD)(350 km) and Jharsuguda (OD)(110 km).
History
Bargarh is one of the many forts built by the Chouhan dynasty. Although no clear data is available about the settlement, the old fort walls can be traced near the 'Jeera' river towards the plains of Ambapali. From an inscription of the 11th century AD, it is believed that the original name of the place was "Bahgar Kota". Balaram Dev, the Chauhan king of Sambalpur ruled this province when it acquired the name "Bargarh". He made it his headquarters for some time while the fort near the Jeera River was to be built. Narayan Singh, the last Chauhan King of Sambalpur, gave the whole land of Bargarh to two Brahmin brothers Krushna Dash and Narayan Dash, Son of Baluki Dash who was killed in action by the Gond Rebel led by Baldia Ray and Mahapatra Ray. The Padampur sub-division of bargarh, popularly known as the "Borasambhar Region" was the headquarters of the Zamindari extended over 2178 km2. This is the biggest sub-division of Bargarh District which has also a feudal history with a tribal leader.
Buddhism played a significant role in defining the lifestyle of the people for a short period of time. Some ancient Buddhist monasteries and sculptures can be seen along a belt starting from Bijepur block (Ganiapali) to the Paikamal block (Nrusinghanath), which has a clear mention in Huen-Tsang's literature as Po-Lo-Mo-Lo-Ki-Li (Parimalagiri).
The legendary hero Veer Surendra Sai led his war against the British from Debrigarh, which is a peak on the Barapahad Range. His fight against the British Raj particularly after the First War of Independence in 1857 was remarkable in the history of freedom struggle in India (Pasayat and Singh, 2009; Panda and Pasayat, 2009). Debrigarh today is a tiger sanctuary. Barabakhra (12 caves) used to be a secret meeting place during this period.
Bargarh was a subdivision of old Sambalpur district until April 1992, when the then chief minister Mr. Biju Patnaik declared it as the headquarters of the newly formed district by the same name.
Demographics As of the 2011 Census of India, Bargarh had a population of 83,651. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bargarh has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Other than Oriya speaking people who form the majority, the town has some Marwari community who have migrated and settled down. Within the Oriya speaking population, the major communities are Kuiltas, Dumals, Agharias, Bhulia/Meher, Teli, etc. Kuiltas and Dumals are presumed to be an offshoot of the original Chasa (agrarian) community and are synonymous with the Khandayats of the coastal region. This is evident by the striking similarity of rituals and the gods they pray. Bhulias were migrated to and settled in this region by some rulers, but the exact time period is controversial. Agharia's were migrated from the Mughal empire of Agra for establishing a cultivator community during the war when Kuiltas were assigned the duty of part-time Kshatriyas. C Pasayat Political Economy of Medieval West Orissa As Reflected in Oral Tradition - cse.iitd.ac.in
Oriya is the language for communication, official purposes and for education.
Languages
Culture
Dhanu Jatra
Bargarh is known for the annual festival, Dhanu Jatra which attracts a lot of tourists worldwide. Dhanu Jatra or Dhanuyatra celebrated every winter, is an open stage dramatisation of Krishna Leela with virtually the whole town as a stage. Spanning over a period of 11 days and a radius of 8 km, with the universal theme of 'Triumph of Good over Evil'. It depicts the mythological story of Krishna starting from the marriage of his parents (Devaki and Basudev) till the death of Kansha, the evil king. For this whole period, Bargarh town turns into the mythological city of Mathura, Jeera river turns into Yamuna and Ambapali, ward of Bargarh Municipality, turns into Gopapur with Kansha (played by a theatre artist) 'ruling' over it. This Festival is considered as World's Largest open air theater played across an 8 kilometers radius. Now Dhanuyatra had been declared as a National Festival of India.
The Nuakhai or The Nabanna The "Nuakhai" is a social festival of unity. This festival is observed among kith and kins during the month of Bhadraba. The appropriate date of the Nuakhai is just the day after the Ganesh Puja. It is a festival of harvest of crops. On this occasion, the new grain after harvesting is first offered to the local deity and during this festival, the people get themselves lost in merrymakings. Wearing new clothes, preparing delicious foods the people of this area celebrate this festival with enthusiasm. It is mostly an agricultural festival of Western Odisha.
Basant Mahotsav of Beherapali The Basant Mahotsav is celebrated in Beherapali, a village near Sohela, Bargarh every year. The major attraction along with the worship of Saraswati Devi is the 3-day-long open-air drama performed by artists. Based on the historical storyline of Gupta dynasty, the actors enact the King Vikramaditya, Kalidas and attacker Paschim Satrap and the villagers play the role of a resident of Ujjain. Artists from different parts of the state come to showcase their skill in the courtyard of King Vikramaditya. After the defeat and killing Paschim Satrap, the Vasant Utsav is celebrated with happiness. Many people come to witness the festival along with marvelous acting.
Maa Shyama Kali Puja
Kali-Puja is one of the big festivals celebrated at Kali Mandir Road, Bargarh when Goddess Maa Shyama Kali is worshiped on the occasion of Dipawali. Yagyans and hymn are organised for this festival. The big statue of Goddess Shyama Kali is made up of alloy including 8 kinds of metals. A new temple for the Goddess was built since 2015. Besides the Kali temple, there are Sri Shyameshwar Mahadev temple and a Hanuman temple.
Baisakh Mela of Nrusinghanath
Nrusinghanath Jatra is another major festival of the district, celebrated in the religious site of Nrusinghanath where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Marjarakesari. Nrusinghanath is also a historical site that attests to the religious synthesis of tribal people and non-tribal people; and among Saivism, Vaishnavism, Tantrism and Buddhism (Pasayat, 2005:12-25). This mela is celebrated from Triyodasi to Purnima in the month of Baisakh at Nrusighanath Temple. It is celebrated on the occasion of Nrusingha Janma (birth) and also known as Narsingh Chaturdashi Mela. There becomes a huge gathering of devotees on this occasion.
Ratha Yatra of Bhatli
The Cart Festival of Bhatli celebrated at Dadhibaman Temple of Bhatli on the Dwitiya Tithi of Asadha. On this day Lord Dadhibaman rides on the chariot and sets out on a journey to Mausima Mandir. The Lord stays in Mausima Mandir for 9 days and again on the Dasami of Asadha the return Cart Festival is celebrated. On this day the Lord returns to his temple. There becomes a huge gathering of devotees at Bhatli. This cart festival is said to have an affinity with that of Puri.
Shree Shyam Mandir Bhatli
Shyam Mandir located in Bhatli has many values. it is believed to be most popular Shyam Mandir after Khatu Shyamji. Pilgrims from the whole of India visit the Mandir during Shyam Mahotsav.
Maha Shiva Ratri of Kedarnath
The Maha Shivaratri at Kedarnath Temple celebrated on the Chaturdasi in the month of Falguna. The temple is located on the foothills of Bara Pahar, nearly 35 km from Bargarh town. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this occasion. On this day the devotees observe fasting and remain awakened at night. Many cultural programmes are organised which the people enjoy. The day observed in each and every Shiva Temple in Bargarh.
Sital Sasthi of Barpali
The Sital Sasthi Yatra celebrated in Barpali on the day of Sasthi in the month of Jestha every year on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. There is a huge gathering of devotees at Barpali. It is a mobile yatra. Many folk dances, cultural programmes are organised which the people enjoy it at night. For the last few years, it has also been celebrated in proper Bargarh town. It is the second biggest as per devotees after the Sambalpur Sital Sasthi Yatra.
Bali Yatra of Khuntpali
The Bali (Sand) Yatra is celebrated on the sand-bed of river Zeera at Khuntpali on the day of Kartika Purnima. On this occasion, Lord Shiva is worshipped with all serenity on the sand-bed. During this much trade, fares are held on the sand-bed at Khuntpali, AT/Po. Khuntpali, Tah/Dist. Bargarh.The balijatra of khuntpali is one of the best festivals of Odisha.
Bargarh Yoga Ashram Niranjanananda Yoga Sansthan, a Yoga Ashram associated with the Yoga teaching institution Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, was established in the town in 2010. It conducts daily Yoga sessions in the mornings along with evening programs of chanting and meditation. This Ashram follows the Satyananda System of Yoga. Swami Vijnana Chaitanya Saraswati is the Acharya of Ashram at Bargarh (2010-present)
Jugar Jatra of Kuchipali
The jugar jatra of Kuchipali is one of the festivals of the Bargarh district and Odisha. The festival is based on brotherhood and peace of mankind. It was started in the year 1985. Large jugars are given to maa kali by devotees. Animals are generally killed in shakti upasana or the festival of kalipuja, durgapuja and others. But in jugar jatra of kuchipali jugars are given, which were made from khai (a product of rice) and gud (a product of sugarcane). Though jugar jatra is a great festival, there is no need for police. All the safety security and smooth conduct of the festival is done by a volunteer group saptarshi swechhasevi sangathan. In this festival the Muslims also participate. This festival commands the whole world to destroy enmity and make unity. It is also a platform for folk dance groups that are going extinct.
Jugar jatra is now not limited in Bargarh only – it is spread to Chhattisgarh and other neighboring states. Every year more than 200 jugars are coming from outside the district. In 2009 the silver jubilee of jugarjatra was observed. And from 2009 must a 21 khandi jugar (a large jugar equal to 21*one simple jugar) is given.
Transport