At a Glance
Nayagarh is a district of rolling hills and temples. It is the birthplace of Chhena Poda, the delicious roasted cheese dessert of Odisha. The district comprises four erstwhile princely states: Nayagarh, Ranpur, Khandapara, and Daspalla.
The Heritage Diary
History is etched in every corner of Nayagarh. It is believed to be the place where the original wooden idol of Lord Jagannath (Nila Madhab) was worshipped by the tribal chief Viswavasu before King Indradyumna took it to Puri.
Local Landmarks
- ✦Kantilo Nilamadhab: A temple on the banks of the Mahanadi dedicated to Nila Madhab. It is a precursor to the Jagannath culture.
- ✦Odagaon Raghunath Jew: A famous temple dedicated to Lord Rama with exquisite wooden carvings.
- ✦Maninag: A hill overlooking Nayagarh town with a temple and a trekking trail.
- ✦Kuanria Dam: A popular picnic spot with a deer park.
Taste of the Land
- ✦Chhena Poda: The town of Dasapalla in Nayagarh claims the origin of this sweet. The caramelized crust and smoky flavor are best experienced here.
- ✦Manda Pitha: Steamed rice cakes with coconut filling.
Local Heroes
- ✦Pathani Samanta (Samanta Chandra Sekhar): The bare-foot astronomer born in Khandapara who wrote the Siddhanta Darpana. The planetarium in Bhubaneswar is named after him.