Belaguntha

As of 2001 India census,[1] Bellaguntha had a population of 9961. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Bellaguntha has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

As per folklore here, Bellaguntha was a main market place for grocery and cattle in the Ganjam district. This place is famous for Brass Fish "Pitala Macha" in the world. Nrusinghanatha temple is one of the significant temples in this region that attracts thousands of pilgrims to get a darshan of Lord Lakshmi Nrusingh. One of the Bhanja Kings from Bhanja Dynasty had established the temple during 18th century.

Bellaguntha was the business destination for people. All grocery, corns, vegetables, etc. came from Boudh and Phulbani for selling. People purchase and resale/supply to Aska and Brahmapur. It was the business hub in the region. Bellaguntha itself famous for Art and culture with brass, silver, copper, and woodwork. The world famous Brass Fish are still the main attraction of the city. There was a tale about the brass fish. The brass fishes will swim in water for several minutes to entertain the king and queen. Bellaguntha is mainly well known for its Temples, Teachers and Tanks also known as "3T". There are more than twenty temples inside the town and more than twenty five tanks inside and outskirts of the town. Bellaguntha is also the education hub in the region.

Bellaguntha is located at 19.88°N 84.65°E / 19.88; 84.65.[2] It has an average elevation of 59 m (194 ft).

Among festivals, Thakurani Yatra, Ratha Yatra and Danda Jatra are three festivals that makes Bellaguntha the point of attraction.

Apart from this, Dola Purnima, Durga Puja (Dussehra), Kumar Purnima, Pana Sankranti, Nurshingha Chaturthi, Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Danda Yatra, Ganesh Puja and Saraswati Puja are the other important festivals. People with brotherhood celebrating all the festivals. The daily prasad bhog to god is very famous here. It is tender and very tasteful with a different divine smell.

Kabichandra Pati was a famous poet, who had written all danda yatra poems for different gods and goddesses.

Bellaguntha is also famous for some special types of sweets and local foods. Famous sweets include:

• Halua
• Medavada
• Drake
• Puli
• Arissa
• Kakara
• Desi Manda
• Satapuri etc.

Some sweets are prepared for special festivals, such as Halua and Drakhya for Ratha Yatra and Satapuri for Satapuri Amabasya.

Being a business hub in the Ganjam district, it is perfectly connected with other major cities of Odisha such as BBSR and Berhampur.

• By rail: Berhampur is the nearer railway station which is about 80 km far from Bellaguntha town.
• By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport, BBSR is about 160 km far from town.
• By bus: As mentioned above it is properly connected by road with other cities of odisha. Bhanjanagar (Sub-div. of Ganjam dist.) is the main town in the vicinity. Buses connect the city to the rest of Odisha.

Famous places in the area include:

• Sri LaxmiNrusingh Temple - an old temple of Odisha
• Sri Jagannath Temple - Dadhibaman temple
• Sri Balunkeswara Temple - a temple made of red rocks on the bank of a large pond
• Maa Bramhanadevi Temple - goddess temple in a bamboo forest
• Sri Baidyanath Temple - a temple at Nayakpada a few kilometres away from the town
• Anikata is near Jirol Village. There is a dam at the confluence of the Loharakhandi and Bada rivers, its main purpose was irrigation and flood protection
• Sagar - ten fishery ponds excavated by Bhanja kings
• Kumarsuni Hills
• Sri Chandra Kalpeswar temple at Sasan Street.
• Lachhaman Balaji temple - an old math of monks
• Biju Pattnaik children's Park
• Top ten coaching centre, Girisola

As it is known as the education hub to its nearer areas, many students come here to study from nearby villages. Some institutions are:

• Bellaguntha Science College
• Bellaguntha Women's College
• Sai Industrial Training Center (ITI)
• G.T. High School, Estd: 1948
• Girls' High School
• Saraswati Sishu Bidya Bhawan
• Swami Vivekananda Sisu Bidya Mandir
• Swami Vivekananda Play School
• Smile Play School
• Saraswati Sisu Bidya Manadir
• Sri Arabinda Purnanga Sikhya Kendra
• Balidi U.P School
• Mala sahi Prathamika Bidyalaya
• Patel Road U.P School
• Bhagabata Patana UP School
• Rangani Patana Prathamika Bidyalaya
• M.E School
• Taksila English Medium School
• Odisha Public School
• Smart Learning English Medium School
• Sharp Education