Gandola

Gandala is a town under the panchayat of Hinjilicut. Majority of people in this town are dependent on cultivation.

• Location: Gandala on map

Gandala has an average elevation of 28 m (92 ft).

According to a 2013 report on world Gazetter India census,[1] Gandala-Belagan had a population of 8389 which is more than Gopalpur port town. Gandala is a Panchayat (with one village) & Belagan also a Panchayat (with one village). Both the villages are merged about 30 years back like Hinjili and katu.

• Gandala: In 2011 – 4652, and in 2013 – 5199
• Belagan: In 2011 – 3154, and in 2013 – 3190[2]

• Bellagam Government PHC Hospital
• Veterinary Hospital in Gondala, Ganjam

• UNITED BANK OF INDIA(IFSC-UTBI0GNB475) GANDALA-BELGAON
• DHANEI KGFS GANDALA PRIVATE
• Head Post Office Gandala

• UNITED BANK OF INDIA
• STATE BANK OF INDIA

• Primary School Near main Market
• Primary School in bandha sahi
• Saraswati Sisu Mandira
• Ganesh Vidya Peeth (established 1959)
• Raghunath Vidyapitha, Bellagam
• Sri Beleswar (Junior) Mahavidyalaya, Gandala (established 1993)
• Sri Beleswar Degree Mahavidyalaya, Gandala (established 1997)

The village is agog with activities to welcome goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temporary abode for the biennial Thakurani Jatra festival at late night. The hereditary head of the festival, who is also regarded as the head of the weaver Dera community of the city, Desibehera dressed in his traditional attire reached the Budhi Thakurani temple to invite the goddess to her parental abode at his home on Saturday afternoon. His wife also accompanied him as per the tradition. They also offered ritualistic offerings at the Kalika temple.

Rituals to welcome the deity for the festival started at the temporary temple built at Desibehera street from evening with the 'Changudi Puja'. After rituals, flowers would be carried from Desibehera's house to the Budhi Thakurani temple in this special basket called 'Changudi'.

After offering these flowers to the deity, special rituals would be conducted at the temple that would continue till some of these offered flowers fall down from the deity. These fallen flowers would be carried as representative of the deity to Desibehera street in a large decorated procession at late night. A special police outpost for Thakurani Jatra was opened up at Desibehera Street.