Balasore

Balasore
Baleswar
City
Nickname(s): Sand City of India
Granary of Odisha
Missile City of India
Balasore
Location in Odisha, India
Balasore
Balasore (India)
Coordinates: 21°29′N 86°56′E / 21.49°N 86.93°E / 21.49; 86.93Coordinates: 21°29′N 86°56′E / 21.49°N 86.93°E / 21.49; 86.93
Country  India
State Odisha
District Balasore
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Body Balasore Municipality
 • Member of Parliament Shri Rabindra Kumar Jena (BJD)
 • Member of Legislative Assembly Shri Jiban Pradip Dash (BJD)
Area
 • City 88 km2 (34 sq mi)
Elevation 16 m (52 ft)
Population (2011)
 • City 144,373
 • Density 1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
 • Metro 177,557
Languages
 • Official Odia, English
 • Major local language Ho language
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 756001-756xxx
Telephone code 06782
Vehicle registration OD - 01(Previously OR - 01)
UN/LOCODE IN BLS
Website baleswar.nic.in

Balasore or Baleswar is a city in the state of Odisha, about 194 kilometres (121 mi) north of the state capital Bhubaneswar, in eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balasore district. It is best known for Chandipur beach. The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program's Integrated Test Range is located 18 km south of Balasore. The spoken language in Balasore is Odia. It is the largest city of North Odisha.

History

Baleshwar district was part of the ancient Kalinga kingdom which later became a territory of Utkal, till the death of Mukunda Dev. It was annexed by the Mughal Empire in 1568 and remained as a part of their suzerainty up until the 1700s. The British East India Company (EIC) established a factory at Balasore in 1633. As Calcutta rose in importance, Balasore became the center for river pilot services for vessels seeking to ascend the Hooghli River.

The Marathas then occupied this part of Odisha and it became a part of the dominion of the Bhonsle Maratha Rajas of Nagpur. They ceded this part through a treaty called the Treaty of Deogaon in 1803 and it became a part of Bengal Presidency until 1912.

Balasore as a separate district was created in October 1828 while it was in the Bengal Presidency. On 7 November 1845, all of Danish India was sold to the British, who made it part of British India. With the creation of Bihar Province, Odisha was diverted along with Balasore district from Bengal to Bihar. But with the creation of Odisha as a separate State on 1 April 1936, Balasore became an integral part of Odisha State. The national movement of independence surged ahead with the visit of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. Similarly Praja Andolan was initiated against the ruler of Nilagiri State. The state of Nilagiri merged with state of Odisha in January 1948 and became a part of Balasore district. On 3 April 1993, Bhadrak sub-division became a separate district and from this day Balasore remains a district of Odisha with two Sub-divisions namely Balasore and Nilagiri having eight Tehsils, namely Balasore, Soro, Simulia, Nilagiri, Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal and Remuna and 12 blocks namely Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal, Basta, Balasore, Remuna, Nilagiri, Oupada, Khaira, Soro and Bahanaga. The name of the district is being derived from the name of the town.

Balasore is where the famous freedom fighter Jatindranath Mukherjee, also known as Bagha Jatin, was injured and died fighting the British.[1][2]

Geography

Balasore is a town in the north of Odisha, which is a state in Eastern India. The city has West Bengal in the north, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Balasore is located at 21°30`N, 86°56`E and has an area of 88 km2.

Balasore, the coastal district of Odisha, is crisscrossed with perennial and estuarine rivers because of its proximity to the sea. Two important rivers of Odisha, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha, pass through this district from west to east before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. There is widespread irrigation in Balasore district.

Climate

Climate data for Balasore
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.5
(92.3)		 38.1
(100.6)		 40.3
(104.5)		 42.5
(108.5)		 45.4
(113.7)		 43.8
(110.8)		 40.1
(104.2)		 39.5
(103.1)		 39.2
(102.6)		 38.3
(100.9)		 38.0
(100.4)		 36.2
(97.2)		 45.4
(113.7)
Average high °C (°F) 27.0
(80.6)		 29.5
(85.1)		 33.7
(92.7)		 36.0
(96.8)		 36.1
(97)		 34.2
(93.6)		 31.8
(89.2)		 31.4
(88.5)		 31.7
(89.1)		 31.3
(88.3)		 29.2
(84.6)		 26.9
(80.4)		 31.6
(88.8)
Average low °C (°F) 13.9
(57)		 16.7
(62.1)		 21.0
(69.8)		 24.4
(75.9)		 26.0
(78.8)		 26.2
(79.2)		 25.8
(78.4)		 25.8
(78.4)		 25.5
(77.9)		 23.0
(73.4)		 17.8
(64)		 13.7
(56.7)		 21.7
(71)
Record low °C (°F) 3.1
(37.6)		 8.5
(47.3)		 13.4
(56.1)		 17.2
(63)		 20.0
(68)		 22.1
(71.8)		 21.8
(71.2)		 21.8
(71.2)		 21.7
(71.1)		 18.4
(65.1)		 10.5
(50.9)		 5.3
(41.5)		 3.1
(37.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 17.0
(0.669)		 36.3
(1.429)		 39.4
(1.551)		 54.8
(2.157)		 108.6
(4.276)		 233.4
(9.189)		 297.9
(11.728)		 318.3
(12.531)		 275.8
(10.858)		 184.0
(7.244)		 41.6
(1.638)		 6.5
(0.256)		 1,613.6
(63.526)
Source: India Meteorological Department (1901-2000)[3]

Culture and festivals

Balasore culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, and music . The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other cities. Balasore residents celebrate both Western and Indian festivals. Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Navratri, Good Friday, Dussera, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Rajaa and Maha Shivratri are some of the popular festivals in the city. The akhada Arts Festival during durga puja is a unique culture of balasore.

Festivals

  • Durga puja, the festival of goddess Durga, is very popular in Balasore. Idols are worshipped in many streets and localities. In this city, Durga puja is famous for its idols, with localities trying to outsmart each other by constructing more attractive idols. Indeed, the whole city comes to a standstill on Astami, Navami and in Dashami burning of effigy of the demon Ravana (the eighth, ninth and tenth days of Durga puja) as people travel all over the city appreciating all the idols put forth by the neighbourhoods.
  • Kali Puja, Just after Durga puja gets over, balasore gear up with all their vigour to celebrate Kali puja. On the auspicious day of Diwali amidst the bursting of firecrackers.
  • Kartikeshwar puja: The organized puja committees in charge of carrying out the worship of the deity of Balasore get ready for Kartikeswar Puja. Kartikeshwar is the eldest son of Lord Shiva.
  • Kite flying is also celebrated with much enthusiasm and energy in the city. Kite-flying culminates with the Makar Sankranti, with kite-flying competitions being held all over the city.
  • All the other regular Indian festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Vasant Panchami, Holi, Id, Good Friday, Rath Yatra, Diwali, Christmas and the numerous Hindu festivals are also celebrated.

Demographics

Baleshwar Station Square

The population of Balasore in 2011 census is 144373[4] and is the 7th most populous city of Odisha. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Balasore has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. It is also the most literate town of Odisha. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Fakir Mohan Square, Balasore
Religions in Balasore
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 83.0%
Islam
 
 14.97%
Christianity
 
 1.63%
Others
 
 0.4%
Others include Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs

Economy

Balasore is the main town in the District of Balasore. The district has four major revenue sources – industries, agriculture, fishing and tourism with its base in Chandipur.[5] Many small and large scale industries are located both within the city limits as well as the outskirts. Balasore Alloys Limited,[6] Emami Paper Mills,[7] Oriplast, and Birla Tyres are some of the major industries based in Balasore. It is one of the richest cities of Odisha. The main markets of Balasore are Nua Bazar, Motiganj, FM Square, Vivekanand Marg, Station Square, ITI Chakh, Kachehri Road, Town Hall and Nua Shahi.

Industry

In an effort to bring industry, trade and commerce to a common meaningful platform, the Confederation of Indian Industry, with local chambers like North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry,[8] serve as an interface to fight for the rights and issues concerning the industrial scenario so as to contribute to the development of the state as a whole. Members from both public and private sectors work closely with the government for the expansion of business opportunities, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness and to work on policy issues. Located in Januganj, Balasore, NOCCI is essentially a business park with a massive exhibition hall, a separate residential block with hotel and restaurant facilities and an extended building called the industry facilitation center[9] specifically for industrial training. NOCCI comprises about 100 member units and six affliatied associations of the industrial units. NOCCI is instrumental in the promoting the initiative of the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (GoI)[10] through a scheme of Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation.

The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program's Integrated Test Range is located 18 km south of Balasore. The Defence Research and Development Organisation developed many different missiles such as Nag, Brahmos, Agni Missile among others here.

Education

Statue of Fakir Mohan Senapati

Balasore is the main education hub of Northern Odisha with many Engineering Schools and the famous Fakir Mohan University, named after the renowned novelist Fakir Mohan Senapati, who hails from this town of Odisha. A government medical college is under construction which will be opened from 2018 academic year. It will boost the medical facility in Balasore and northern Odisha.

Technical colleges/institutions

  • Balasore School of Engineering
  • Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), CSTS, BALASORE
  • Ramarani Institute of Technology
  • Bahanaga Junior College
  • Venus Group Of Educational Institution
  • Balasore College of Engineering and Technology
  • Satya Sai Engineering College
  • Modern Engineering & Management Studies
  • Srinix college of Engineering
  • Ambedkar Multimedia College
  • Government Polytechnic Balasore
  • Global Institute of Information Technology (GIIT)
  • RIHS,Bhograi
  • Vijayanjali Institute of Technology
  • NIST POLYTECHNIC, sergarh, balasore
  • Balasore Law College

Universities/colleges

Dr. B R Ambedkar's statue at Ambedkar Multimedia College
  • Fakir Mohan University
  • Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women's (Degree) College, Balasore
  • Soro Women's (Degree) College, Soro
  • Balasore Mahila (Degree) College, Gopalgaon
  • Laxmipriya +3 Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Baliapal
  • Women's (Degree) College, Bhogarai
  • Nilagiri Women's (Degree) College, Nilagiri
  • Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore
  • Swana Chuda College
  • Remuna College, Remuna
  • Nilakantheswar Mahavidyalaya
  • Balasore Mahavidyalaya, Sovarampur
  • Balangi Mahavidyalaya, Sunhat
  • Chandaneswar College
  • SriRam Chandra Sanskrit College, Bateswar
  • Dina Krushna College, Jaleswar
  • Upendranath College, Soro
  • Khaira College, khaira
  • Gopalpur (Degree) College, Gopalpur, Balasore
  • Belabhumi (Degree) College, Avana
  • Kshetra Mohan College of Basic Science, Balasore
  • Sharpmind College of Commerce, Balasore
  • Subarna Rekha (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Baliapal
  • Krushna Chandra Pipili (Degree) College, Jagai
  • Laxminarayan (Degree) College, Jamsuli
  • Nilamani (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Rupsa
  • Sidheswar (Degree) College, Amardaroad
  • Kamarda (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Kamarda
  • S.N.I.H.T.S college Kamarda
  • Rural (Degree) Institute of Higher Studies, Bhogarai
  • Dinakrushna (Degree) College, Jaleswar
  • Shitala Thakurani (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Khuluda
  • Jagannath (Degree) College, Jaleswar
  • Jaleswar Women's (Degree) College, Jaleswar
  • Jambeswar (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Garsang
  • Dr. Hare Krishna Mahatab (Degree) College, Kupari
  • Khaira (Degree) College, Khaira
  • Swarnachuda (Degree) College, Mitrapur
  • Berhampur (Degree) College, Raj-Berhampur
  • Nilagiri (Degree) College, Nilagiri
  • Baba Panchalingeswar (Degree) College, Santaragadia
  • Oupada (Degree) College, Oupada
  • Remuna (Degree) College, Remuna
  • Shri Jagannath (Degree) Educational Foundation, Barunsingh
  • Dr. Jadunath (Degree) College, Rasalpur
  • Santilata (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Uitikiri
  • Balangi (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Sunahat
  • Nilakantheswar Degree Mahavidyalaya, Bangara, Balasore
  • Balikhanda (Degree) College, Balikhanda
  • Sagar College of Science
  • Simulia (Degree) College, Markona
  • Srinibas (Degree) College, Mangalpur
  • Saraswata (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Anantapur
  • Upendra Nath (Degree) College, Soro

Schools

  • DTLK High School, Shyamanandipur, Bhograi
  • H.C. Academy, Bhograi
  • College of Teacher Education, Balasore
  • Bahanaga High School, [Bahanaga]
  • Bahanaga Nodal U.P. School, [Bahanaga]
  • Manibhadra High School, Gopalpur
  • Balasore Police High School
  • Balasore Zilla High School
  • Govt. High School, Hirapur, Rupsa
  • Barabati Girls High School
  • Bari High School, Bari
  • Bhimeswar High School, Bhimeswar
  • Christian High School
  • D.A.V Public School, Balasore
  • Das Industrial Training Centre
  • Balasore Technical School, Mission Compound
  • Dasabhuja High School, Kanheibindha
  • Durgadevi High School, Durgadevi
  • Fatepur High school, Fatepur
  • Hare Krushna High School, Naraharipur
  • Heritage Public School
  • Jalada Dalanga Ucha Vidyapith, Khania
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya Balasore
  • KidZee— Play School
  • Shyam Sunder High School, Damodarpur, Motiganj
  • KIDZEE, Gopalgaon
  • Madhu Sudan High School
  • Maharshi Vidya Mandir
  • Modern Public School
  • M.B. High School, Gopalpur
  • Talakurunia High School
  • M.C High School Aladiha/Baliapal
  • Public High School
  • Remuna Government Girls High School
  • Remuna High School, Remuna
  • Sahada High School, Sahada
  • R.N. High School, Markona
  • Sarbeswar High School, Baharda, Bhograi
  • Sardhapur High School
  • Sovarampur High School
  • St. Vincent's Convent School
  • Town High School
  • A.p. High School, Srirampur, Balasore.
  • B.S. High School Sarugaon
  • Madhu Hari Bidya pitha Mahatipur
  • Palashpur High School, Palashpur, Khaira, Balasore
  • Panisaunli ME School, Panisaunli, Khaira, Balasor
  • Sri Ram Chandra Sanskrit Toll, Bateswar, Balasore
  • Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Mitrapur/Remuna/Santaragadia/Soro
  • Akhandaleshwar Girls High School, Purbapada, Khaira, Baleshwar
  • Barapara Dasharathi High School, Sundhira (Jagannath Parida)
  • Anchalika High School, Saun (Harish Kumar Nayak)
  • Modern Industrial Training Center, Sunhat
  • Santaragadia High School, Santaragadia
  • Janata High School, Kuruda, Balasore
  • St. Thomas Convent School, Kalidaspur, CBSE New Generation School
  • Panchayat High School, Fulwar Kasaba (Fuladi), Balasore
  • Bhudhar Chandi High School Sajanagarh, Balasore
  • St. Xavier's High School, Balasore
  • Lavana Satyagraha Smruti Vidyapitha, Inchudi, Balasore
  • M.R.S High school Kamarasalia, Netua
  • Nayak Ramachandra Academy, Mahapada, NIMAPADA

Transport

Balasore railway station

Air

The nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar. Kolkata is approximately three and a half hours away by train and approximately 4 to 5 hours by bus.

Rail

Balasore railway station is an important station on the Howrah-Chennai main line of the South Eastern Railway. The distance to Kolkata is approximately 232 km, while the distance to Bhubaneswar is about 206 km. A branch line to Baripada starts from Rupsa, near Balasore. Balasore is connected to all parts of India through trains. There are frequent trains to Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Bangalore, Puri, Ernakulam. 58029/Balasore - Bhadrak Passenger (UnReserved) origine from here.

Balasore Railway station and Rajdhani express

Road

Balasore has a well developed roadways. National Highway 5 and National Highway 60 pass through the city. A part of the Golden Quadrilateral project, this highway runs from Chennai to Kolkata. Intra-city transport comprises cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws. City bus services commenced in Balasore on 15 August 2017. The bus terminus is at Sahadev Khunta and thousands of private buses ply to hundreds of destinations everyday.Many luxurious A.C buses ply to Bhubneswar, Kolkata and other nearby cities daily.

Health

Industrial and infrastructural development has boosted the healthcare market in Balasore and attracted healthcare corporate houses to set up base in the city. Balasore government hospital was the city's first hospital. The other healthcare facilities of repute are Jyoti Hospital, Kaushalaya Memorial Hospital, Durga Nursing Home, etc. After the completion of the under construction Medical college healthcare facility in Balasore will be boosted.

Sports and entertainment

Cricket is the most popular sport in the city. Due to a shortage of grounds, various modified versions are played everywhere. The city is also represented by the Balasore Baghas in the Odisha Premier League. Apart from cricket, people here love the game of football, volleyball & other sports.

Balasore has several cinemas playing films in Oriya, Hindi, and English languages. Some of the well-known Cinemas are Balasore Talkies, MoviEx, Oden, etc.

Sand park at Gandhi smruti Bhawan and Baghajatin park at Phuladi is a popular destination.

Places of interest

Missile launch in Abdul Kalam Island, Chandipur

Chandipur-on-sea is a seaside resort famous for its mile long beach. It is a unique beach – the tide comes to the shore only four times a day, at fixed intervals. At a distance of 30 km south-west is Panchalingeshwar, a temple and scenic spot high on a mountain. The presiding deity there, Shiva, cannot be seen. One has to touch and feel the statue as it is behind (submerged under) a waterfall. About 33 km south-west of Balasore, the town Santaragadia has the Biseswar temple situated on a hill. The town is surrounded by hills on all sides. Nearby is Khulia village, a settlement of aboriginals. Around 30 km south-east of Balasore is a port named Dhamra.

Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, situated at Remuna, approximately 7 km from the main town of Balasore, was built by King Langula Narasimha Dev, who also built the famous temple at Konark. Khirochora Gopinath Temple is notable for its mythological story about how it was built there. The prashad of Krishna – the khira – is famous. The Biranchinarayan Temple, Palia, AstaDurga, and Bhudhar Chandi are some other temples located in the region.

Jagannatha Temple, Remuna is a newly built temple in the area, the architecture of which is influenced by the famous Jagannatha Temple of Puri.It is the recent favourite tourist spot concerning the region.

Jagannatha Temple Nilagiri
Bhusandeswara Temple

There is a Jagannatha Temple in Nilagiri[11] which is one of the prominent Jagannatha temples of Odisha. Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshipped here. Every year, Ratha Yatra is performed with all the deities.

Panchalingeswara Temple is a temple near a picnic spot in Baleswar which is located 30 km from Balasore.[12] There is a state tourism Pantha Nivas in Panchalingeswara for tourists. Panchalingeswara is surrounded by hills and forests.

Panchalingeswara Temple

Bhujakhia Pir, situated at sunhat at the heart of the city is the tomb of Sufi saint Aasthana Sharif Hazrat Pir named as Bhujakhia Pir.The most interesting thing that both Muslim and Hindu jointly worship pir baba.

Baba Bhusandeswar Temple, is one of the largest Shiva Lingams in the World is in Bhograi village of Balasore district, Odisha.which is located 100 km from Balasore. The 12 feet long and 14 feet width lingam is carved out on a black granite and only half of the lingam is visible. The other half has remained buried for years. The diameter of the lingam is 12 feet and has three parts. The middle portion of the lingam is octagonal in shape, about 12 feet in diameter and nearly four feet in height. The Lingam slightly leans towards the right side.

Politics

The current MLA from Balasore Assembly Constituency is Jeeban Pradeep Dash of BJD, who won the seat in State elections in 2009. He had won this seat earlier as a BJP candidate in 2000. Other previous MLAs from this seat were Arun Dey (NCP) who won this seat in 2004, Gopa Narayan Das of INC in 1985, and Kartik Chandra Rout of JNP in 1977.[13] Balasore is part of Balasore (Lok Sabha constituency).[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bagha Jatin", Wikipedia, 2018-09-10, retrieved 2018-10-11
  2. ↑ "Battle of Balasore". Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  3. ↑ "Climate of Balasore" (PDF). India meteorological department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=441206
  5. ↑ "In Orissa: Chandipur, the retreating sea and river mouth". www.ucnews.in. September 26, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Balasore Alloys Limited". Business Standard. November 30, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Emami Paper Mills now forays into packaging board trade". economictimes.indiatimes.com. November 30, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  8. ↑ "North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry". Business Standard. July 8, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  9. ↑ "North Orissa Chamber of Commerce and Industry". www.nocci.in. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  10. ↑ "NOCCI Balasore Infrastructure Company". nocci.in. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  11. ↑ http://baleswar.nic.in/history_culture.htm
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "State Elections 2004 – Partywise Comparison for 14-Balasore Constituency of ORISSA". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 February 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  14. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Odisha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
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