MAYURBHANJ, Odisha

Main Attraction: Similipal biosphere reserve

Thick and green forests, extensive grassy lands and meadows, cloud kissing peaks, precipitous and sparkling waterfalls, meandering rivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeing deer and flying squirrels, talking myna and dancing peacocks etc make Similipal a dreamland of Nature in the wilderness and an irresistible destination. Covering a vast are a of 2750 sq. km out of which 303 sq. km from the core area, thick biosphere reserve is a sanctuary and one of the Tiger Projects and National parks of India. With wide range of rain falls and variations range from dry deciduous to moist green forests, it is suitable to different species of flora and fauna. About 1076 species of mammals, 29 types of reptiles and 231 species of birds are the proud possession of this plateau. 

Average mean elevation of Similipal is 900 meters. Tall and luxuriant Sal Trees in large numbers stand like sentries. The handsome peaks of Khairiburu (1178 meters), Meghasani (1158 meters) and others welcome like smiling receptionists from the emerald heights. Sweet scented Champak flowers freshen the air. The richly hued orchids on the green foliage are soothing to the eyes. In the midst of the dense forests, the summer stands humbled and the sun gets lost. Several rivers like Budhabalanga, Khairi, Salandi, Palpala, etc. originate from the hills and meander through the forest like veins and arteries in the body. Many of them have formed cascading rapids and foaming falls before leaving for the plains. The panoramic view of the waterfalls at Barehipani (400 meters) and Joranda (150 meters) are simply enchanting of fish, is found in abundance in most of the rivers. The silence of Similipal is occasionally broken by the chirping of the birds to an avian delight. 

The dense forest and riverine system serve as an excellent home to some of the most beautiful creatures of the World. To stay with them, even for a while, is a thrilling experience. Herds of elephants majestically walking across the roads and rivulets could be a regular sight. While moving on the hilly tracts, predators like Tiger and Leopards might be obliviously lulling under the shade with their own thoughts. If lucky, one could spot them there, or else see them around the saltlicks at places like Chahala. Forget the apprehensive dear at Similipal is at its natural best.

Brief History

Being the largest district in area of the state, Mayurbhanj is a land locked district and is situated in the northern boundary of the state with the headquarters at Baripada. The district is bounded in the North-East by Medinapur district of West Bengal, Singhbhum district of Jharkhand in northwest, Baleshwar district in the south-east and by Kendujhar district in the south-west. The district comes under North-Central Plateau agro-climatic region. Red- Laterite category of soil dominates all over the district. Mayurbhanj occupies a unique position being endowed with lush green vegetation different fauna and rich cultural heritage. The district has a rich mineral base and is home to the Similipal Biosphere. This was a princely state till its merger with Odisha on 1st January 1949. Since the date of its merger Mayurbhanj is administered as one of the districts of Odisha.

The name Mayurbhanj implies that, the erstwhile state was named after two medieval ruling families, Mayurs and Bhanjas. The Mayurs as known from records were ruling over Banai Mandal contemporaneous with the Bhanjas of Bhijjinga Mandal. Social and cultural relations between these two ruling families were very close. So the kingdom was named as Mayurbhanj in commemoration of the traditional relation of these two ruling families. The present district of Mayurbhanj formed in ancient time, a part of Utkal which according to Puranic tradition was founded by Prince Utkal, the son of Sudyumna. This territory according to Pargiter, comprised the southern portion of modern Chhotnagpur and it extended over modern Mayurbhanj and parts of Baleshwar district. In the 6th century B.C. two merchant brothers of Utkal while going on trade to Madyadesa met Buddha in the Urubela forest and gave him first food after his enlightenment. This territory including Mayurbhanj formed as a part of Kalinga under Ashoka as well as under Kharavela.

The Soro and Patiakela copper plate inscriptions dated respectively in the Gupta year 260 (580 A.D.) and 283 (603 A.D.) recorded the rule of Maharaja Sambhuyasa over Tosala which was divided into Dakhina Tosala and Uttara Tosala. The Mayurbhanj tract formed part of Uttara Tosala and was under the Mana rule for sometime. After the Manas the notable Royal Dynasty of this tract was that of the Bhanjas. According to Sri R.D. Banerjee, a great historian, the Bhanjas are of very old dynasty, they are older than the Gangas and the Somavamsis of Orissa. During the medieval period, the Bhanjas ruled over a territory called Khinjjinga Mandal comprising the present district of Mayurbhanj and part of Kendujhar with the capital at Khinjjinga kotta i.e. modern Khiching. According to tradition, recorded in the copper plate charters the founder of Bhanja dynasty in Mayurbhanj tract was Adi Bhanja, who was born of an egg of peahen and was brought up by the sage Basistha in the hermitage of Kotyasrama. The Sobar history of Bhanja rule starts from king Kotta Bhanja who was the founder of the township of Khijjinga Kotta.

Ranabhanjas had issued the Bamanghaty charter dated in the year 188 (924 A.D.). The Bamanghaty charter being dated in the Bhauma era the Bhanjas may be taken to be feudatories of Bhauma kings who ruled over the coastal districts of Odisha from Medinapur to Ganjam. Ranabhanja is also identified with King Rayabhanja who is known from an inscription engraved at the pedestal of an image of AvaloKiteswara preserved in the Khiching Museum. After the decline of the Bhaumas, the Bhanjas of Khijjinga mandal became the feaudatory of the Somavamsi kings who ruled over both Utkal and Kosala. The Somavamsi rule was supplanted by the Gangas at the beginning of the 12th century A.D. and the Bhanjas, thereafter became subordinate to the Imperial Ganga powers. During the rule of Ganga king Bhanudeva-III (1352-1378) Feroz Shah Toghuluk, the Sultan of Delhi invaded Orissa early in 1361. The sultan marched through Manbhum, Singhbhum and Mayurbhanj and probably destroyed Khijjingakota, the capital of Bhanjas. After that disaster the Bhanjas shifted their headquarters from Khijjingakota to Haripur.

Odisha was occupied by the Afghans in 1568 and the Mughuls took possession of this territory in the later part of that century. The Mughal rule lasted from 1592-1751 A.D. From the accounts left by Mansinha the sway of Mayurbhanj extended from Tamar, Barabhum, and Medinapur in the north to the river Baitarani in the south and the sea in the east to the western extremity of Singhbhum in the west. During the time of anarchy following the serious illness of the emperor Sahajahan in 1657, Raja Krishna Bhanja of Mayurbhanj became very powerful and overran the territory from Medinapur to Bhadrak. When emperor Aurangjeb occupied the throne he appointed Khani Dauran as the Governor of Orissa in 1660. In 1707 Aurangjeb died. But the Moghal rule was then firmly established over Mayurbhanj tract. During the reign of Maharaja Chakradhar Mayurbhanj was occupied by the Marahattas of Nagpur. The East India Company made diplomatic relations with the ruling family of Mayurbhanj towards the end of the 18th century. During the war between the English and the Marhattas in 1803 Mayurbhanj maintained friendship with East India Company. After occupation of Orissa the British Government settled the tributes of the state.

In 1835 the Kols rose against the Raja and created disturbances in the internal administration of the country. Subsequently the British Government created the Kolhan state and that was taken out of the control of Raja of Mayurbhanj. During the Indian Mutiny, Mayurbhanj remained loyal to the British. In the 19th century the most important Raja of Mayurbhanj, Krishna Chandra Bhanja occupied the Gadi in 1867 at the age of 20. He introduced modern method of administration in the ex-state. After his death in May 1882 his eldest son Sriramchandra Bhanja, at the age of 11 years succeeded the Gadi. The ex-state was managed by the court of wards till 1890 when Sriramchandra Bhanj assumed direct control. He was an enlightened ruler and introduced social reforms by reorganizing various branches of Government. During the rule of Pratap Chandra Bhanja Prajamandal Party which later on came to be known as Mayurbhanj Congress Party was formed under the leadership of Shri Sarat Chandra Das when India became independent in August 1947, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanja formed a state Legislative Assembly with Sarat Chandra Das as the Chief Minister of the state. On 16th October, 1948, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of merger and the formal taking over of the state by the Government of India took place in November 1948 when Shri D.V. Rage, I.C.S. was appointed as the Chief Commissioner in Mayurbhanj. The administration of Government of India lasted for less than two months and on 1st January 1949, Mayurbhanj merged with Orissa and became a district of the state.

The kings of Mayurbhanj were pioneering force in the upliftment of Odisha under British rule. In fact it was one of the most progressive district in the whole nation during the British rule. The Bhanja kings have established the first medical college of the state at Cuttack. They have also donated huge sum of money and a land for establishment of higher educational institutions like Ravenshaw college at Cuttack. They were also responsible for making endeavors and finally persuading the British for a Railway route to Odisha. The district is known worldwide for the unique form of dance “the Chhau and the Jhumar”.

Being away from the coastal belt the district experiences a subtropical climate with a hot summer, chilling winter with good precipitation with an average rainfall.