Padmapur

Padampur is located at 21.0°N 83.07°E / 21.0; 83.07.[1] It has an average elevation of 205 metres (673 ft). It is about 440 kilometres (270 mi) from its capital city of Bhubaneshwar and It is almost 80 kilometres (50 mi) from its district headquarters, Bargarh. Padampur is about 80 km from Bolangir, the district headquarter of its neighboring district to its south, thus Padampur, Bargarh and Bolangir roughly form an equilateral triangle, each urban centre located at the three corners. Nearest Railway Station: Bargarh Road (80 km), Khariar Road (76 km), Kantabanji (78 km), Bolangir (80 km)

Raj Borasambar High School, Padampur

The area around Padampur is mostly rain-fed and hence is prone to frequent droughts. The Anga (Ong) river, a right bank tributary of the Mahanadi (the largest river of Odisha) flows on the eastern side of the town about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away, and one the way to Bargarh. The Gandhamardan Parbat is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) South-east and forms the natural border between Bargarh and Balangir districts. Till date the beautiful locale has not been spoiled by industrialisation, but the per capita income is very low. The site proposed for Pujharipali Dam(at Pujharipali, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) down Lakhamara, 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) up Kudharenpali) on Anga is about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the north of Padampur.

As per 2011 India census,[2] Padampur had a population of 17,625. With a sex ratio of 961, males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Padampur has an average literacy rate of 69%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 60%. In Padampur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The sub-district of Padampur has a total population of 81,259, with 71 villages under it, besides the town of Padampur. Padampur NAC (Notified Area Council) is divided into 11 wards (administrative sub-units), with following population composition: ward 001: 2109, ward 002: 2825, ward 003: 1478, ward 004: 1133, ward 005: 998, ward 006: 1121, ward 007: 1752, ward 008: 2295, ward 009: 815, ward 010: 1533 and ward 011: 1566.

Anchal College Padampur

Colleges: Anchal college[3] Padampur, established in 1965 and spread over 40 acres (16 ha) of campus, is one of the oldest Government colleges in entire western Odisha. In fact, Anchal College predates Sambalpur University (estd: 1966), to which it is currently affiliated. The college offers various subjects to students under three broad streams viz. Science, Arts and Commerce. There is an exclusive women's college, Government Women's College which has been in operation since 1995. Besides these there are a few other private colleges offering courses at the higher secondary levels in Padampur.

Statue of Gangadhar Meher, The Poet, in RBHS, Padampur

High Schools: Raj Borasambar High School (RBHS), established in 1944 is an educational institution at the secondary level. Government Girls High School is another oldest high school in the district. Besides these, other notable secondary level schools include Saraswati Sishu Mandir, Town High School and padampur public school, hello kid's , and other

Current MLA from Padmapur Assembly Constituency is Pradip Purohit of BJP, who won the seat in State elections in 2014.[4] .Prior to him, Mr Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha won this seat earlier for BJD in 2009, 2000 and for JD in 1995 and in 1990. Other previous MLAs from this seat were Satya Narayan Sahu of INC who won this seat in 2004, in 1985 for INC and in 1980 representing INC(I).

Padampur used to be part of Sambalpur (Lok Sabha constituency). Now, it comes under Bargarh Lok Sabha constituency, which is now represented by Prabhas K Singh of BJD.[5] Previously, Bargarh Lok Sabha constituency was represented by Dr. Sanjay Bhoi of INC in the 2009 general election.

Padampur has a very rich tradition of culture. While the festival of Nuakhai is an age old practice, Nuakhai Bhetghat is being celebrated at the town level as a public festival since 1997 under the aegis of ABCD organisation. The uniqueness of this festival is that, people from all religions participating in the evening get together at the bhetghat programme. This feature makes the festival truly public. This celebration is marked by many other uniqueness like a non-Brahmin priest does the formal worship of the Deity Maa Samlai, the eldest living member in the region is felicitated on the occasion.[6]

Cultural Organisations

• The Loo (estd. 1993)
• Ravindra Kala Parishad
• Nataraj Dance

• Sarala Devi Govt Hospital
• Raj Bora Sambar High School Play ground (locally known as Badfield)
• Rajaji Town Hall
• Janata Talkies
• Biju Children's Park
• Town Club
• Ashok Stadium

Nearby Spiritual Centres

• Vipassana Meditation Centre, Khariar Road, Dhamma Utkala[7] (75 km)
• Gurukul Ashram, Amsena, Khariar Road (80 km)

Nearby Tourist Attractions

• Nrusinghanath Temple (35 km), Harishankar (45 km)
• Patra Dam (83 km)
• Kinkari Dam (78 km)
• Debdarah (25 km)

Places of Historical Prominence

• Ganiapali[8] - site for old (4th-5th century AD) Buddhist excavations (40 km)