At a Glance
Mayurbhanj is a land of lush green forests and royal heritage. It houses Similipal, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The district is renowned for the Mayurbhanj Chhau, a martial dance form. Baripada, the headquarters, is famous for its unique Ratha Yatra (where women pull the chariot of Devi Subhadra).
The Heritage Diary
Mayurbhanj was one of the largest and most progressive princely states. The Bhanja kings were great patrons of art and modernization. It was the first state in India to have a narrow-gauge railway line (Mayurbhanj State Railway).
Local Landmarks
- ✦Similipal National Park: A Tiger Reserve and Elephant Reserve, known for its biodiversity and waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda.
- ✦Khiching: The ancient capital of the Bhanjas, famous for the Kichakeswar Temple made entirely of chlorite slabs.
- ✦Devkund: A scenic spot with a waterfall and a temple of Goddess Ambika.
- ✦Baripada: Known as the cultural capital of North Odisha. The Jagannath temple here is known as Haribaldevjew.
Taste of the Land
- ✦Mudhi Mansa: Puffed rice served with spicy mutton gravy is the signature dish of Baripada.
- ✦Kai Chutney: A spicy chutney made from red weaver ants, a tribal delicacy believed to have medicinal properties.
Local Heroes
- ✦Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo: The maker of modern Mayurbhanj.
- ✦Droupadi Murmu: The 15th President of India, hailing from Rairangpur.
- ✦Pandit Raghunath Murmu: The creator of the Ol Chiki script for the Santali language.