Introduction

Bargarh is a city as well as a municipality in the Bargarh district in the western most part of the state of Odisha. The administrative headquarters of the Bargarh District are located in this city. Bargarh is also known by the name of Baragarh.

Location of Bargarh

Bargarh is located in Western Odisha area, close to the border of neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh.

Geography of Bargarh

Bargarh is positioned at 21.33 degree North to 83.62 degree East with an average elevation of 171 meter (561 feet). The whole of Bargarh district lies in the Deccan plateau with Eastern Ghats Mountain Range in India running close to the town. As per the earthquake zoning of India, Bargarh falls in the zone 2 category, the least earthquake prone zone.

Demography of Bargarh

Bargarh has a population of 63,651. Males make up 52% of the population and females comprise 48%. The mean literacy rate of the city is 72%, higher than the nationwide mean of 59.5%. 57% of the males and 43% of the females are literate. 11% of the population is children below six years of age. The renowned Gangadhar Meher was a member of the "Meher" community of Bargarh.

Culture of Bargarh

Bargarh attracts a lot of tourists every year during the Dhanu festival and the Kali Puja. Dhanu Festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over his despot uncle, King Kansa who had locked up his parents and compelled him to live in exile for years.

Dhanu or Dhanur Yatra
Bargarh is known for the annual festival, Dhanu Jatra which attracts lot of tourists. Dhanu Jatra, celebrated every winter, is an open stage dramatization of Krishna Leela with virtually the whole town as a stage. Dhanu Jatra is spanning over a period of 10 days and a radius of 5 km, with the universal theme of "triumph of good over evil". It depicts the mythological story of Krishna starting from marriage of his parents till the death of Kansa, the evil king. For this whole period, the town turns into the mythological city of Mathura with Kansa (played by a theater artist) "ruling" over it. The natives of the town claim this festival to be the world largest open stage play. Now dhanu yatra had been declared as national festival of Odisha.

Nuakhai Festival
Nuakhai is a social festival of unity among the people of Bargarh. This festival is observed among the people during the month of Bhadraba. The appropriate date of the Nuakhai is just the day after the Ganesh Puja. It is also regarded as the New Year of the Sambalpuri people. It is a festival of harvest of crops. On this occasion the new grain after harvesting is first offered to the local deity and during this festival the people get themselves lost in merrymakings. Wearing new clothes, preparing delicious foods the people of this area celebrate this festival with enthusiasms. It is mostly an agricultural festival of Western Odisha.

Kali Puja
After Bengal, Bargarh has the prominence of Kali Puja from medieval era. Kali-puja is one of the big festivals at Kali Mandir road, Bargah when Goddess Maa Shyama Kali is worshiped on the occasion of Diwali and yagans are organized. The big beautiful statue of Goddess Shyama is made up of alloy including 8 kinds of metals. A new temple for the Goddess built recently is really an attraction point for the pilgrims. Beside the kali temple, there are Sri Syameshwar Mahadeva temple and Hanuman temple.

Nrusinghnath Yatra
Nrusinghanath Yatra is another major festival of the district, celebrated in the religious site of Nrusinghanath where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Marjarakesari. Nrusinghanath is also a historical site which attests the religious synthesis of tribal people and non-tribal people; and among Saivism, Vaishnavism, Tantrism and Buddhism. This fair is celebrated from Triyodasi to Purnima in the month of Baisakh at Nrusighanath Temple. It is celebrated on the occasion of Nrusingha Janma (Birth) and also known as Narsingh Chaturdashi Mela. There becomes a huge gathering of devotees on this occasion.

Cart Festival of Bhatli
Cart Festival of Bhatli celebrated at Dadhibaman Temple of Bhatli on the Dwitiya Tithi of Asadha. On this day Lord Dadhibaman rides on the chariot and sets out on a journey to Mausima Mandir. The Lord stays in Mausima temple for 9 days and again on the Dasami of Asadha the return Cart Festival is celebrated. On this day the Lord returns to his temple. There becomes a huge gathering of devotees at Bhatli. This cart festival is said to have affinity with that of Puri. So it is famous in Western Odisha.

Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri at Kedarnath Temple celebrated on the Chaturdasi in the month of Falguna. The temple is located on the foot hills of Bara Pahar, nearly 35 km from Bargarh town. Lord Shiva or Mahadeva is worshipped on this occasion. On this day the devotees observe fasting and remain awakened at night. Many cultural programmes are organized which the people enjoy. The day is observed in each and every Shiva Temple in Bargarh.

Sital Sasthi of Barpali
Sital Sasthi Yatra is celebrated in Barpali on the day of Sasthi in the month of Jestha every year on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parbati. There is a huge gathering of devotees at Barpali. Many folk dances, cultural programmes are organized which the people enjoy at night. For the last few years it has also been celebrated in proper Bargarh town. It is the second biggest as per devotees after the Sambalpur Sital Sasthi Yatra.

Vasant Utsav of Beherapali
Vasant Panchami is celebrated in Beherapali, a village near Sohela every year. The major attraction along with the worship of Saraswati Devi is the 3 days long open air drama performed by artists. Based on the historical story line of Gupta dynasty, the actors enact the King Vikramaditya, Kalidas and attacker Paschim Satrap and the villagers play the role of resident of Ujjain. Artists from different parts of the state come to showcase their skill in the courtyard of King Vikramaditya. After the defeat and killing Paschim Satrap, the Vasant Utsav is celebrated with happiness. Many people come to witness the festival along with marvellous acting.

Bali Yatra
Bali Yatra or Sand Yatra is celebrated on the sand-bed of river Zeera at Khuntpali on the day of Kartika Purnima. On this occasion Lord Shiva is worshipped with all serenity on the sand-bed. During this many trade fares are held on the sand-bed at Khuntpali.

Economy of Bargarh

Bargarh is home to much cement, sugar and thread factories.

Tourism in Bargarh

The tourism of Barhgarh develops round the historical significance of Barhgarh. Bounty of temples and the religious sites enhances the prominence of tourism, industry of Barhgarh. Apart from historical and religious sites, Bargarh has many mythological tourism destinations like Nrusinghnath, Gandhamardan, Parimalgiri, Baijal Dev temple, Papaharini Temple, Harishankar, Barapahar hills and a wildlife sanctuary nearby. Moreover the region of Barhgarh has an effective road network, by which it is connected to the rest of the state. The effective road network and plenty of interesting places enhance the prosperity of the tourism industry of Barhgarh.

Nrusinghnath: Nrusinghnath is a lone pilgrim spot entices the visitors for its appealing beauty in absolute solitude. The temple of Lord Nrusinghnath, the presiding deity of sacred mound of Gandhamardan gathers a flock of tourist to its core.

Gandhamardan: Gandhamardan is a place of legendary greatness wherefrom Hanuman is believed to bring the medicine of Bishalyakarani to save Lakshman. Historically important Gandhamardan, at the same time is invested with profound mythological significance, for which it is constituted as an important place in the tourism of Barhgarh. On the picturesque vicinity of the Gandhamardan lies the prosperous Buddhist University of Parimal Giri. The university is the tribute to the champion traveler Hiuen T`Sang, who came to India. The bewitching fabrication of the walls of University is the primary attraction for the visitors. Moreover the abode of more than 5000 medicinal herbs providing medication to thousands of ailments, Gandhamardan is alluring to the tourist also for the scenic beauty. Gandhamardan constitute a considerable portion of interest in the tourism industry of Barhgarh.

The perennial flow of the spring, locally called Papaharini, literally meaning Destroyer of Sins, on the Gandhamardan bewitches the visitors. The pristine freshness and the exquisite beauty of the spring attracts tourist.

Other Tourist Interests in Barhgarh
Via Satyaam, is an old pattern cave followed the design of an old Buddha Vihar prompts the description of Buddha Vihar of Hiuen Tsang. Hence the cave attaches historical interest in the tourism industry of Barhgarh.

The entire region of Barhgarh is dotted with the Shiva Temples of different heights having exquisite fabrications around the temple walls. These groups of Shiva Temples fetch a large gathering of visitors and pilgrims.

Moreover the small villages in the pockets of the Barhgarh district, having the remnants of the freedom movement are also important as the tourist centers.

The tourism industry of Barhgarh recently shares a substantial amount in the economic development of the Barhgarh District.

Visiting Information

Bargarh is easily connected with the road ways with National Highway No.6 and the train and airways. The Railway Station is served by DBK Railway running from Jharsuguda to Titilagarh. The station is just 4 km off the main town. The nearest airport is at Raipur (CG) (220 km) and Bhubaneswar (OD)(350 km). The best period of the year to visit this place is between October to March. The nearby tourist spots are well connected to the district headquarters with good communication facilities.