Chandabali

Chandabali
Town/city
Nickname(s): CNB
Chandabali Location in Odisha, India Show map of Odisha Chandabali Chandabali (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 20°47′0″N 86°46′0″E / 20.78333°N 86.76667°E / 20.78333; 86.76667Coordinates: 20°47′0″N 86°46′0″E / 20.78333°N 86.76667°E / 20.78333; 86.76667
Country	India
State	Odisha
District	Bhadrak district
Population
• Total	100,905 up to 2,011
Languages
• Official	Odia
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	756133
Vehicle registration	OD
Nearest city	bhadrak
Lok Sabha constituency	bhadrak
Website	odisha.gov.in

Chandabali (or Chandbali) is an old town (now a Legislative Assembly/ Block) in the Bhadrak district of Odisha on the bank of the River Baitarani, and a tourist stop for visitors to the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.^[1]

History

Before the 19th century AD, Chandabali was a small fishing village, and a natural river port. In 1866, trading began from this port to Bengal and in 1881, it was declared a government port by the British government. This led to growth and development of a market for agricultural produce.

In the 1910s, the United States Hydrographic Office noted that the opening of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway had drawn trade away from the port, and that the port was now considered to be simply part of the port of Dhamra. At the time, the port had between 22 and 30 feet of anchorage, in front of the town, with three landing piers, the water 10 feet deep at their ends. A steamer service ran four times per week between there and Calcutta. The town itself had a single police station, a customhouse and warehouse, and a traveler's bungalow. The 1901 Census of India had recorded the population as 1,826.^[2]

Attractions

Maa Patana Mangala Temple, Chhatrapada, Ghanteswar Promoted By K.C.Nayak(NALU) son of Kashi Nath Nayak

Maa Patana Mangala's Bada Singhara Besa in Maha Vishuva Sankranti{Promoted By K.C.Nayak(NALU)}

The 650 km² Bhitarkanika National Park is about 35 km away, accessible via ferry.The park, one of the few marine parks in India, was established to protect saltwater crocodiles, with the special status of Crocodile Sanctuary. The Odisha Government has established a saltwater crocodile-breeding center in the park.^[3] Other attractions are the remains of two 9th century monuments and a temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.. Another Shakti pitha Maa Patana Mangala Temple(Chhatrapada) is about 25.0 km(30 mins) away from Chandabali.One of the major famous festival for "Patua Yatra" is held at Chhatrapada from April 14 to 21 April annually.Chandabali is home to the Sri Aurobindo Dibyadham Ashram, its Relics Temple and Integral Education centre.^[4] The Baba Akhandalamani shiv temple (Aradi is around 15 km away from Chandbali and is one of the renowned saiva pitha's in Odisha.There is a famous temple of Goddess Kali at one end of chandabali market and Goddess Durga at other end.

The river bank of Chandabali is very attrac.The town is famous for its exquisite fish and dry fish industry which is also supplied to other parts of the state.

There is a bridge which connects chandabali with Kendrapada district.The town is an old town but now it has lost its glory and converted to a small town because of bad condition of road connecting to bhadrak,12 hour of power cut, political issues and other problems.The oldest High school is situated at the heart of the town " Dakha High School chandbali". The School is known for its art of teaching and it has produced some great minds in its 62 years history.It is 50 km away from Bhadrak.There are seven gram panchayats (G.P.) in Chandbali namely Chandbali G.P., Panchpada G.P., Vijaya nagar G.P., Bhatapada G.P., Baligaon G.P., Tentulidiha G.P and Ostia G.P.. Population of Chandbali (six gram panchayats taken together)is nearly 20000, of them 16000(approx.)are above 18 years of age.

References