Boudh

Boudh (also known as Baudhgarh) is a town and a notified area committee in Boudh district in the state of Orissa, India. It is the district headquarters of Boudh district. It is located on the bank of Mahanadi, the largest river of the state of Orissa.

Boudh District, also known as Bauda District, is one of the 30 administrative districts of Orissa state. The Boudh town is its administrative headquarters. The district lies in central Orissa, to the south of the Mahanadi River, which forms the western and northern boundary of the district. Across the Mahanadi lay the districts of Bolangir to the west, Subarnapur to the northwest, and Angul to the northeast. Nayagarh District lies to the southeast, Phulbani District to the south, and Kalahandi District to the southwest. Boudh was an important Buddhist centres in ancient Orissa.

History of Boudh district Though there is controversy regarding the history of the Boudh District, majority believes that the district was a significant Buddhist centre of Orissa. As shown by the epigraphic records, in the middle of the eighth century A.D., Boudh District was occupied by the Bhanja rulers and was a part of Khinjali Mandala. The earliest known monarch of this Bhanja family was Nettabhanja who ruled over the Dhenkanal region as an autonomous ruler, but his successor moved towards the Boudh-Sonepur region and set up Khinjali Mandala and subsequently ruled there as the liegeman of the Bhauma Karas of Tosali.

In the intervening time the Muslims took up Orissa. It is supposed that Boudh maintained an affable relation with the Muslims and possibly for this, Raja Pratap Dev of Boudh, had obtained from the Muslim powers, the title “Swasti Sri Dhirlakhya Dhumbadhipati Jahrkhand Mandaleswar” which was employed by the rulers of Boudh District till the time of Raja Banamali Deb. But the Maratha contact with the Boudh State was supposedly much more cordial. However, in 1800 AD this cordial relation deteriorated. The Maratha attacked Boudh and overpowered Raja Biswambara Dev. However, he was allowed to rule as a feudatory Raja of Nagpur and had to pay a regular tribute. During the primary years of the reign of Raja Biswamabara Dev (1778-1817), the Panchara Pragana lying between Baghanadi and Meheruni became detached from the Boudh State. After the third Anglo Martha War, the British Government permanently took hold of Boudh from the Marthas and incorporated this state in the South West Frontier Agency till 1837, when it came under the control of the superintendent of Tributary Mahals in Cuttack.

Places of interest around Boudh

Buddha Statue
Ramanath Temple
Jogindra Villa Palace
Hanuman Temple (In side Mahanadi River)
Chandra Chuda & Matengeswar Temple
Bhiarabi & Madan Mohan temple
Bhairabi Temple,Purunakatak

As the very name goes, Boudh was once a significant Buddhist centre in Orissa which has been confirmed as an archaeological fact. Located centrally in the Map of Orissa, Boudh is traversed by river Mahanadi and its tributaries, along which lie the extensive riverine fertile plains. The socio-economic genesis of the people of Boudh lies in the agrarian economy which is due to large and extensive fertile plains suitable for cultivation. Boudh district is presently on its march towards progression and development by leaps and bounds for which time alone shall remain testimony to its future.

Culture of Boudh district Culture is an integral part of Boudh district. In spite of being a new district, the Boudh District is home to one of the oldest civilisations. Being a significant seat of Buddhism, Shavism and Shakti cults, it has a very rich culture. Different types of dances are held in different social carnivals. Some of these dances are the karma dance (performed during the Sana Karama festival on the 11th day of the dark fortnight in the month of August or September), the Danda Nata (performed in the month of Chaitra and Vaishakha by the worshippers of god Hara and goddess Parvati) and the Dalkhai Dance (performed in the month of Aswina on the event of Bhatri Dwitya). The district celebrates a number of important festivals like Chuda Khai Jatra, Ratha Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Nuakhai, Sivaratri, Dasahara, Dola Jatra, Puajiuntia and Bhaijiuntia, Ramaleela, Kailashi Jatra, New Year`s day , Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Christmas Day, Id-Ul-Fitre, Id-Ul-Zuha, Shab-E-Barat, Shab-E-Quadar, Juma-Tul-Wida, Muharram, Shab-E-Meraj, Milad-Un-Nabi, and Ramzan.