Rayagada

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Rayagada is a small town in Orissa state of eastern India. It is the headquarters of Rayagada District. see http://rayagada.nic.in/

Rayagada as a place flourished due to the existence of Jeypore Sugar Factory and the Metal and Ferro Alloys company. The Jeypore Sugar Company(JEYSUCO) also has a distillary attached. Various grades of sugar are made here. However this company had to close down during the late nineties.

The Metal and Ferro Alloys continues its production.

Being a border state of Orissa, near to Vizianagaram and vishakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh, there is a mix of telugu and oriya speaking population here. Majority of the population from adjacent Andhra pradesh moved to rayagada during the sixties when the JEYSUCO came up and have established here. Once Rayagada became the district HQ (it was Earlier a part of undivided Koraput District), the percentage of oriya population began to raise. Berhampuri - a dialect of oriya can also be heard in this region.

The presiding deity of the Place is MAA MAJHI GOWRI. Annual festivals of the deity are conducted across the town. The temple of the deity attracts heavy crowd especially during Sundays. Offerings of hair and hen can be observed.

When the local railways were finding it hard to lay a permanent bridge in the region , it is said that that deity - Maa Majhi Gowri had instructed one of the devotees to construct the bridge where she had her trishul is installed. The bridge so laid passes right in front of the temple and has stood so for decades.

There are many places surrounding Rayagada which have a scenic appeal and there are also many waterfalls surrounding the town, "Hathipathar" being the most visited one. The town is located at high altitude though its not a hill station. The climate and temperature varies to the extremes based on the season.

The food is a blend of south-Indian and east-Indian cusine and will rekindle all the taste buds. The best time to visit the place is between October to March.

There are various communities living in Rayagada notably being Oriyas, Telugus, Sindhis, Gujratis and Marwaris who have settled since long and have become a distinct identity of the place. All the festivals relating to these communities are celebrated with pomp and fervour. However, a section of the Society comprises of tribals.

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The district of Rayagada is known as the most famous region of the state because of its longest human history. Although the district came into existence on the 2 October in the year 1992, it has long and glorious historical records evident by copper plates, rock inscriptions as well as different coins, which clearly indicate that the region was the centre of attraction in all ages. In the third century B.C, during the reign of Ashoka the Great, it was covered under Kalinga empire. The hilly track between river Languli and Prachi language as Bansadhara and Nagabali, as evident by Andhra Historical Journal XXVII edition at page 46, was famous for spices. Another Bhojpur Rock inscription in Brahmi of Rastrik King Mandhata adds some facts about this region. Later, Rastriks were defeated by Kharvela, the only Aryan Emperor of Orissa, at the time of Samudra Gupta himself during the Chawpagada battle. The rock inscription of Allahbad inscribed by Mahamantri Harisena provides evidence to this effect. Later, the ruins of mud fort and historical idol of Mahakal Bhairab found at Champikota very near to Rayagada makes it clear that this is the ancient Champagada Fort. During Ganga Vansi and Surya Vansi Kings, it was under Dadarnab Dev of Gudari Kataka. A rock inscription found at Pataleswar temple in Brahmi script provides an evidence to this effect. A subsequent literature found at Pataleswar temple speaks about the River Langully, giving a supporting evidence to the various facts. This region went to Bahamanis when Mukund Dev was defeated at Gohera Tikiri in 1519. Then, it was under Nandapur Kingdom for brief period of 47 years. Biswambar Dev who was defeated and killed by Hasin Khan was perhaps the third king installed at Rayagada. Still, the Sati Kunda Goddess Majhi Ghairani and the mudfort around it speaks much about its evidence. In subsequent years it was under Bobilli, a Tahasil of Vijayanagaram. Later, during the English regime, Rayagada was covered under the Jeypore Zamindari, which continued till Independence. INTRODUCTION

The district Rayagada was carved out of the erstwhile Koraput district on 02.10.1992, as part of the extension plan of districts in the state. The district has a population of 832019, out of which 473379 are tribals. In other words, the district is predominantly a tribal populated district with 57.52% of tribal population. Keeping this in view, all the 11 blocks of the district have been covered under tribal sub-plan with 3 micro projects in operation for the pre-literate indigenous tribal communities.

           The physiography of Rayagada gives a prefect platform for the tribals in sustaining their ethno-cultural identity in the district. Forest area covers an extent of 4785.36 Sq. K.M. out of which 777.27 Sq. K.M. is Reserved forest. The district has been the homeland of various tribal communities with their sub-tribes, who are found in different level of development depending upon their assimilation with the so-called mainstream or modern communities.  The kondhas and its subsection constitute the major percentage of tribal population in the district and the Souras stand second. There are also many other tribal communities who are, however, negligible in number but definitely contribute to the exotic intermingling culture of the district.

           In the ethno-cultural map of Orissa, two tribes stand out quite prominently for their educational backwardness and continuing ethnic and cultural identity.

           Firstly, the Kondhas are one of the primitive tribes, inhabiting almost all the blocks of the district. Their highest concentration is found in the blocks of Rayagada, Kashipur, Kalyansinghpur, Bissamcuttack and Muniguda.  Secondly, the Souras or Lanjia Souras as they are often called due to their dress pattern wear a loin cloth hanging from behind & which could be mistakenly identified as a tail by a stranger. They inhabit blocks of Gunupur, Padmapur and Gudari.  Their highest concentration is found in the Puttasingi area, approximately 25 km away from Gunupur NAC.  Although, they are close to the assimilation process, yet some interior GPs like Rejingtal, Sagada and Puttasingi have Souras who still retain their traditional tribal customs and traditions.

THE KONDHOS

           The Kondhas once infamous for their human sacrifice during British colonialism in India are believed to be from the Proto-Australoid racial stock.  They have a distinct language called "Kui" which has no written script.  They are plain land dwellers exhibiting greater adaptability to the forest environment. However, due to development interventions in education, medical facilities, irrigation, plantation and so on and so forth, they have started adapting to the great tradition or modern civilization standards in many ways.  Their traditional life style, customary traits of economy political organization, norms, values and world view have been drastically changed over a long period of time.

           The most primitive sub group of kondhas is the Dongaria Kondhas.  They inhabit the plateaus of Niyamgiri hill ranges which cover parts of Rayagada and Koraput and Kalahandi districts.  Their major concentration is found in the blocks of Kalyansinghpur, Bissamcuttack and Muniguda.  They are called Dongaria or dweller of "donger"(hill in Oriya) and love to settle in higher altitudes due to their economic demands.  They are the most primitive tribe in the district and declared as one of the 13 primitive tribes of the state.  On the basis of their pre agricultural economy and very low literacy level, two Dongaria Development Agencies (DKDAs) are in operation in these two blocks for the integral development of those communities.  They have a subsistence economy based on foraging, hunting & gathering but they now primarily depend on a subsistence agriculture i.e. shifting cultivation or slash and burn cultivation or Podu.

The Dongaria family is often nuclear, although extended families are not unexceptional. The Dongaria females are considered as an asset because of her contribution inside and outside the household and she contributes on equal footing with the male members in constructing a house to cultivation. She does all the work for household ranging from fetching water from the distant streams, cooking, serving food to each member of the household to cultivating, harvesting and marketing of produce in the market. Hence, the total domestic economy revolves around her. "She" is preferred over the "he". Due to this, the "Bride price" is paid to her parents when she gets married which is a striking feature of the Dongorias. However, the family is patrilineal and patrilocal

The Dongorias practice polygamy. The family is mostly polygamous, which shows how much the Dongoria society depends upon the resourcefulness of female members. In Dongoria society incest taboo is prevalent. The clan or "Puja" is exogamous, which means marriages are made outside the clan. But, the Dongoria tribe is endogamous. The form of acquiring mate is often by capture or force or elopement. However, marriage by negotiation is also practiced. The Dongorias have a dormitory for adolescent girls and boys which forms a part of their enculturation and education process. The girls sleep at night in the dormitory (Daa Sala) and learn social taboos, myths, legends, stories, riddles, proverbs amidst singing and dancing the whole night, thus learning everything that is expected from a potential wife and mother.

The Dongoria have a religion very close to animism. The gods and goddess are always attributed to various natural phenomena, objects, trees, animals, etc. They have a god or deity for everything and anything. The Dongorias give highest importance to earth god (Dharani penu), who is believed to be the creator of Dongorias. For instance, in a house, there is a deity for back and front street, kitchen, living room, implements and so on and so forth. In the Dongoria society, breach of any religious conduct by any member of the society invites the wrath of spirits in the form of lack of rain fall, soaking of streams, destruction of forest produce, and other natural calamities. Hence, the customary law, norms taboos, values are greatly adhered and enforced with high to heavy punishments, depending up on the seriousness of the crimes committed.

For social control in the village and Muttha level (regional) there are hereditary religious leaders like Jani (religious head), Mondal (secular head) Bejuni (sorcerer), Barik (messenger) to co-ordinate, decide by holding a meeting where, the punishment is awarded along with appeasement procedure is followed with sacrifices of buffaloes and cocks. The punishment may be in cash or kind and may leads to ostracisation from community if not obeyed.

The most striking feature of the Dongoria kondhas is that they have now adapted to horticulture and grow pineapple, oranges, turmeric, ginger and papaya in plenty. Forest fruit trees like mongo and jackfruit are also found in huge numbers, which fulfill the major dietary chunk of the Dongorias. Besides, the Dongorias practice shifting cultivation or "Podu Chasa" as it is locally called, as part of an economic need retaining the most primitive features of underdevelopment and cultural evolution.

The Dongorias are great admirer of aesthetic romanticism. Their personal adornment is unique with each male and female member using hair clips, ear rings neck rings, hand rings made up of brass, iron and Hyndalium prepared by themselves as well as purchased from local markets. Body tattooing is a cultural habit. In spite of various state interventions by the launching of integrated development schemes/projects, Dongorias are still found to be a society of illiteracy, impoverishment and exploitation. However, very few people or individual have achieved status in getting Govt. employment and some sort of exposure to mainstream population. But still it’s a long way to go if anything distinctive is to be achieved.

THE SAORAS The second backward tribal community is the Saoras. They are known by various names such as "Savara", "Sabara", "Sora" and "Soura". They are concentrated in parts of Gunupur adjoining to the blocks of Gumma, Serango of Gajapati district. The Saoras have their own dialect. However, written language in saora is not followed by all. They practice shifting cultivation, with a few gradually taking up settled agriculture. Like Dongorias, they belong to Proto Australoid racial stock.

They are endogamous and the clan, although absent, is related to "Birinda", which is exogamous. Families are nuclear although joint or extended families are also found. Marriages are made by bride capture, elopement and by negotiations.

Instead of clan organization they have their extended families called Birinda, which consists of descendants from a common ancestors of four to five generation. Marriage by negotiation is held ideal, though expensive. The saora’s religion is very elaborate and deep rooted. They are polytheist and believe in large number of deities and ancestral spirits. They practice both Podu and terraced cultivation with varieties of cereals. They also collect minor forest produce for their livelihood. They are very artistic people and are famous for their wall paintings called EDITAL. Dance and music constitute part and parcel of their rich aesthetic life.

The Saoras practice swidden or shifting cultivation. They are more adept or skilled in terraced cultivation where they grow varieties of cereal and pulses. The saora family is polygamous. The total household economy revolves around the woman member who is hardworking and who helps her husband in ploughing and harvesting crops in addition to attending household chores exclusively. Like the Dongorias, the Saoras are highly religious with each and every natural phenomenon attributed to the works of some Gods, deities or spirits. Therefore, the customary law, values, norms are highly respected by all members of the society for the fear of inviting personal or communal harms. The social control mechanism revolves around the religious beliefs, which are very strong. The tribals of Rayagada observe a string of festivals. Some are closed affairs, relating to a birth or death within the family or daughter attaining puberty. Others relate to sowing or harvest time and these involve the entire community. Mostly, a festival is an occasion for a good of Mahua liquor or HANDIA liquor, a game roasted on the spirit and a night of song and dance and reveling. But that is not the end. There is an animal sacrifice too for the deities and spirits must be appeased first, particularly the malevolent ones so that they will not face drought or sickness of land. The saora have a traditional political organization at each village and region, having hereditary post of Gomango (secular head), Buyya (religious head), Mondal, Raito and Barik (messenger) discharging the function of a tradition court of law, by hearing both sides and awarding punishments. However, unlike the Dongaria, the Saoras in Rayagada have adopted Christianity in large numbers and therefore the traditional economy, polity and religion is at a cross road. Due to its impact, they have adopted modern ways of life by joining Govt. and non-govt. services. Their traditional dress pattern has been changed drastically, leaving behind only few people in the interior villages retaining their traditional cultural life style. The Saoras have made history in pre-British and British period and post independence as a community known for their economic and political integrity

Rayagada is a district of meadows, forests, water falls and terraced valleys, peopled by colourful  tribals and many Primitive Tribal Groups. The scenic  beauty and heritage on the land is an unexplored paradise. The systematic relationship between men and nature is a feast to the eyes of an outsider. It has its own appeal for the lap of nature.

                   The pattern of peopling of the district show unit in diversity of races, languages and culture. The Schedule Tribes living in the district posses dissimilar economics ranging from food gathering to settled cultivation. Their languages/dialects, societies and culture show inter-societal/ cultural variations because of the persistence of ethnic mosaic formed by communities belonging to scheduled Tribes, Scheduled castes and other castes groups.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Rayagada, the district of many charms, is a thrill to the searching eyes. It has the facilities to serve as a base for visiting the near by place of interest.

MAA MAJHIGHARIANI TEMPLE

Maa Majhighariani is famous in Southern Division of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Most of the devotees are coming from Madhyapradesh Chatishgarh, Andhrapradesh including undivided Koraput District. Only the face of the Maa MajhiGhariani is worshiped. During Sunday, Wednesday and Friday a large number of Devotees are coming to this place for worshiping the Goddess. The temple is famous for Chaitra-Parba i.e. March-April of every year.

HATIPATHAR

Only 3 km from the district headquarter. It is a place of great scenic beauty with two water falls on the course of river Nagavali. The scenic beauty is impressive and the boulders here appear like huge elephants. It is 133 km from Koraput.

LAXMINARAYAN TEMPLE

Famous Laxminarayan Temple situated at IMFA Factory, Therubali. The deities Laxminarayan, Hanuman, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and Lord Siva also worshiped by thousands devotees.

PAIKAPADA

The place Paikapada is famous for so many Siva Lingams. The deities like Lord Jagannath, Maa Dhakineswar Kalika, Samudra etc. are worshiped here. The car festival of Lord Jagannath is also celebrated and during Sivaratri a large number of pilgrims come to observe the function. The Place is situated near Theruballi. It is believed that there are 99,99,999 shivlingams (only one less to 1 crore) in & around Paikapada shrine.

CHATIKONA

It is located about 48 km from Rayagada surrounded by a series of valleys and wooden hills of varying colours and the place is a center of pilgrimage for the temple of Mahadev. It offers picnickers gorgeous view of the waterfall. The Siva temple is the focus of hectic activities on Siva Ratri. The Dongaria Kondha of Chatikona represent the primitive section of the tribe.

MINAJHOLA

It is only 134 km from Rayagada. It is a beauty spot of nature, has a siva temple at the confluence of three rivers. It is situated in the heart of dense forest, rich in wild life. Sivaratri is a popular festival of this place. Though there is no good all weather road yet the place is worth visiting. Regular bus service is available from Rayagada and Gunupur up to Gudari. The rest 25 km. Road is Jeepable.

DEVAGIRI

        The Devagiri hill rises to a height of 120.2 meters. Unlike other hills it is not narrower upwards. The top of the hill is a flat platform of rectangular plain, which can be approached only from the northern side. There are 476 steps which are the unique feature of the Devagiri. At the top of the hill, there are perennial poles of water called Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Bhargavi and Indradyumna. 

       There is a cave looking like two Jaws, The Siva Lingam is enshrined at the meeting point of the Jaws. Sivaratri is its biggest festival, which draws a large crowd every year. It is 50 km from Rayagada. Regular bus services are available from Rayagada to Kalyansingpur and the sacred hill is close to Kalyansingpur.

PADMAPUR

Housing the shrine of Manikeswari Siva. It is identified to be the seat of Dharmakirti, the Budhist-Logician-philosopher. It is 90 km from Rayagada.

Fairs and Festivals

Chaitra Parba of MAA MAJI GHARIANI GODDESS

Rath Yatra at Rayagada in the month of July

Kali Puja at Block Colony, Rayagada in the month of November.

Laxmi Puja at New Colony, Rayagada in the month of October.

Dasehera at J.K.Pur in the month of October.

Annual celebration of Gram Devata during March- April (9 days) at Rayagada

How to Reach Rayagada

Getting to Rayagada is not difficult. Nearest air port is at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 200 km away which is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur by going flights.

Rail: Well connected from other parts of India like Delhi, Chennai, Allepy, Bokaro, Raipur, Gujrat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hyderbad, Bilaspur and Bhubaneswar.

Road : Convenient road transport facilities available as NH-43 is passing through Koraput, i.e. 109 km from Rayagada. Direct Express bus services are available from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagarm, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Jeypore, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, etc.

Facilities: Taxies and Auto-Rickshaw are available here at Rayagada for visiting the places of attraction and excursion.

Medical : District Head Quarters Hospitals Rayagada. Phone No.06856-222059, Ambulance - 06856-222059, 102

Postal : Available in almost all the places of the district.

Banks : State Bank of India and other Nationalised Banks have their branches at Rayagada and other important places of the District.

Shopping : Shopping complexes are available under the supervision of Municipality, Special Planning Authority and also private. There is no weekly special markets at Rayagada, but in surrounding villages weekly markets are held. All essential commodities are made available at those places to facilitate the remote tribal people.

WEEKLY MARKET / HATS OF RAYAGADA AREA

SUNDAY Narayanaopatna, Dongasil, Amlabhatta (12 km).

MONDAY Ambadola (90) km, Sourapalli.

TUESDAY Majhiguda (35 km), Gumma (15 km), Dahikhal ( Via Muniguda-77 km) Dukum (Via - Bissamcuttack-60 km)

WEDNESDAY Chatikona (43 km), Kashipur ( 70 km) , Muniguda (65 km)

THURSDAY Rapkona (31 km), Mukundpur ( 30 km), Hatmunuiguda (58 km)

FRIDAY Tikiri (58 km)

SATURDAY Seshikhal (20 km), Gorakhpur (60 km)

                   Bhamini Cattle Market ( Via Gumuda-70 km)

Coordinates: 18°58′N 84°10′E