26/02/2016
Kalahandi District has derived its name from āGudahandi Cavesā. The District is a rich land in terms of art and crafts. The Kalahandi District formed a part of the ancient South Kosal state. Later on the District became a part of the feudatory of erstwhile KalingaāUtkala Empire of Gajapati rulers of Odisha. The District was still being annoyed by the princely states during the time of the independence.
Kalahandi District covering a geographical area of 7920 sq km lies in between 19.3 to 21.5 N Latitude and 82.20 to 83.47 E Longitude. The District occupies the South Western portion of Odisha, bordered to the North by the Balangir District and Nuapada District, to the South by the Nabarangpur District, Koraput District and Rayagada District, and to the East by the Rayagada, Kandhamal District and Boudh District.
As per 2011 census, the Kalahandi District has got total 15,76,869 population comprising 7,87,101 male and 7,89,768 female. Total rural population of the District is 14,54,882 whereas the urban population of the District is 1,21,987. There are total 2,86,580 SC and 4,49,456 ST population in the District of Kalhandi.
As per the administration of the District is concerned the Kalahandi District has got two sub divisions namely Bhawanipatna and Dharmagarh. There are 9 Tahasils, 13 Blocks, 12 Police stations, 273 Gram Panchayats, 2236 villages functioning in the Kalahandi District.
The climate of the Kalahandi District is of extreme type. It is dry except during monsoon. The maximum temperature of the District is 45 degree C, whereas the minimum temperature recorded is 11 degree C. The District experiences the average annual rainfall as 1378.20 mm. The monsoon starts late in June and generally lasts upto September.
Kalahandi District is largely an agriculture based Economy. The District is rich with agriculture. Dharamgarh sub division was historical known for rice production in Odisha. Since 2000s the Indravati Water Project, second biggest in the state has changed the landscape of southern Kalahandi, leading to two crops in a year. Because of this, blocks like Kalampur, Jaipatna, DharRayagada, Kandhamal District and Boudh District.
As per has boasted the Highest Number of Rice Mills in Kalahandi among districts in Odisha. The number of rice mills in the District was around 150 in the year 2004ā05.
Forest based products like Mahua, Kendu leaf, Wood, Timber and Bamboos also contribute to local economy largely. Kalahandi District supply substantial raw materials to paper mills in neighboring Rayagada and Jeypore District.
Kalahandi District celebrates many festivals round the year. Chhatra Jatra in Bhawanipatna, Deepawali, Rathajatra, Shivaratri, Holi, Janmastami, Ramanabami are the famous festivals celebrated by local people with fun and fair. There are also some other local festivals like Khandabasa, Nuakhai, Amnuan, Kandulnuan, Seminuan, Dumernuan, Kalahandi Utsav, Ghanta Jatra that are celebrated in the District.
Many eminent personalities have taken birth on the soil of Kalahandi District. Pratab Kesari Deo (former MP and ex- Maharaja of Kalahandi), Rindo Majhi (freedom fighter in Odisha), Chakra Bisoi (freedom fighter), Ram Chandra Patra (bureaucrat, social worker, administrator), Natyarashmi Prafulla Ratha, Dayanidhi Nayak (former minister), Jayanta Kumar Behera (social activist and artist) are a few among them.
