Berhampur

Brahmapur (Berhampur)
—  city  —
Brahmapur (Berhampur)
Location of Brahmapur (Berhampur)
in Orissa and India
Coordinates
Country India
State Orissa
District(s) Ganjam
Population 355,823 (120) (2011)
Official languages Oriya
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)

Brahmapur (earlier known as Berhampur) (Oriya: ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର), nicknamed "The Silk City", is a city located in the eastern coastline of Ganjam district of the Indian state of Orissa, about 160 kilometres (99 mi) south of the state capital, Bhubaneswar. It is also dubbed as "The Dance City" of Orissa after Prince Dance Group and Harihar Das made the state famous in India's Got Talent television series. It is one of the oldest and largest city of Orissa. It is famous for its silk, its temples and its culture, etc. The latest estimate of the population of the city is 799,282 (2009 est.) making it the third most populous urban city in the Orissa state and 58th overall in India.[1] Brahmapur (or Berhampur) also got the status of a Corporation after Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Contents

Etymology

The city's official Sanskrit name was Brahmapur [or Home of Lord Bramha], but in the age of British India, it was changed to Berhampur (English name).. This city has renamed as Brahmapur to retain its original Sanskrit name.

Overview

Berhampur is the primary railway head for nearby tourist destinations. It serves as a node for the nearby small towns and villages, so trade is predominant here. A majority of the people are self-employed in various businesses of different scales. Berhampur is well known for its intricately designed silk sarees called Berhampuri patta, handloom cloth and jewellery shops.

Geography

Berhampur is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 27 m (89 ft).

Demographics

According to 2011 India census,[3] Berhampur had a population of 355,823 with the population of Greater Berhampur region consisting of Chatrapur & Gopalpur (People are demanding to include Hinjilicut) reaching more than 513 thousands. Males constitute 52% of the population and females only 48%. Berhampur has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with male literacy of 83% and female literacy of only 64%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is 15 km away from Gopalpur sea beach/port and 35 km away from Aska, also known as The Sugar City (This place had the first sugar factory in Asia).

Culture

Berhampur is one of the oldest and most prominent places between north Andhra Pradesh and Cuttack, Berhampur boasts of true Oriya, Ganjami (Oriya mixed with Telugu), Telugu, and Hindu culture. In the British period, this used to be part of the Madras Presidency. The prominence can be gauged from the fact that a Court existed here since the beginning of British style of Judiciary System. After Vizianagaram, the next Court was in this town.

The oldest Municipal School, Government High School – MKCG Medical Campus, Girls High School, K. C. Town High School, City High School are probably among the oldest schools in India. Prominent lawyers like G. L. Narasimham, Rajaguru, G. L. Jagannadham, and others are still considered prominent legal experts by the lawyers in and around Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Theater has been very prominent since the early days of 1930, and was the main source of entertainment till the advent of motion pictures. Since then, theater and drama have become cultural events here. Ganjam Kala Parishad and Prakasam Hall are some of the oldest drama-halls in India which are located in this city. The oldest theater in the history of Orissa was the SSVT hall (established in the year 1927) which was closed down around 10 years back.

Oriya culture has been prominent in this southern city of Orissa since ancient times. As this region was merged with Madras Presidency in British era, a large number of South Indians (mostly Telugu and Tamil) were employed here by the British Government. Being the border city nearest to Andhra Pradesh, the city has a mixed Orissa and Andhra culture. The city is famous for the shops in Bada Bazaar, Annapurna Market and Bhapur Bazaar.

Brahmapur is very famous for its Pappad (popadum), Aachar (pickles) and various kinds of badis. Berhampur is well known for its intricately designed silk sarees and handloom cloth and hence is known as the Silk City. It is the also a big market place for fruits especially mangoes as they arrive from the orchards of nearby Andhra Pradesh state.

The town is also a major center of education in south Orissa. The city is the home to 9 engineering colleges, 11 Polytechnic colleges, 14 ITI’s (as of 2011) and the number is growing every year. The city is also home to many tutorials and coaching institutes who prepare students for various entrance exams. Real Estate have also emerged as a big player in Berhampur urban area. Recent times have seen large scale retail chains such as Vishal Mega Mart, The Planet, Kolkata Bazar, Reliance, The World, etc. opening outlets in Berhampur.

There are many major educational institutions in Berhampur and following are some of the reputed institutions: Berhampur University, Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College and Hospital, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences(CPS), Khallikote Government College, Government Engineering School (Polytechnic), Parala Maharaj Engineering College(PMEC), National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Vignan Institute of Technology and Management(VITAM), Roland Institute of Technology (RIT), Sanjaya Memorial Institute of Technology (SMIT) and Gandhi Institute for Industrial Technology(GIIT). The city has highest number of engineering colleges after the state capital of Bhubaneswar.

Many students come here to prepare for engineering and medical entrance examinations especially from southern and central region of Orissa.

Night life in this town comes alive with some glitter and bustling shops around Annapurna Market, some market complexes down the market street and a pond (Ramlinga Tank) which is often polluted but people sit there and enjoy the evening. The streets around Goutam Cinema Hall are famous for street side food, though hygiene of the food can be questionable.

There are some food and sweets joints like Calcutta Sweets which have been here for quite a number of years and are famous. Balaji Mishtan Bhanda at Bada Bazar Chowk, Sahoo Lassi stall and Girija restaurant in Girija Square, Baikuntha Bhawan in Bada Bazar, Jata Sankaram Hotel in Joura Street, Dharma Hotel in Khaspa Street, Dandapani Hotel and Kasi Hotel in Beraka Street, Samal Canteen in Annapurna Square, Anna Chowmein in front of City High School grounds, Lavanya Hotel in Raja Street Square, May Fair Fastfood near the Sub-Registrar office, New Biryani Center in Corporation Road and Hotel Satya Sai in Komapalli Square are quite famous from the olden days.

Voluntary organisations like Bahumukhi Samajamangala O Sanskrutika Kendra(Multipurpose Socio-cultural centre) is working for environment and Oriya language since 1977.

Festivals

The people of Berhampur celebrate all the major festivals of Orissa, like Rath Yatra, Durga Puja, Diwali, Kumar Purnima or Gaja Laxmi Puja, Manabasa Gurubar, Raja Sankranti, Makar Sankranti, Bishuba/Pana Sankranti or Orissa New Year, Dola Yatra or Holi, Chandan Yatra, Gamha Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan, Kartik Purnima, Nabanna, Janmastami, Ram Navami, Saraswati Puja, Ganesh Puja and others. Some festivals are unique to the City, like Sharad Purnima or Kumara Purnima. In Kumar Purnima, all the girls do Janiusa Puja and pray to Tulasi Maa for blessing them with a good life partner. Every two years, a festival is held in honor of the main deity of the city, Thakurani Maa and the festival is known as Thakurani Jatara/Yatra. It is said that Goddess Thakurani Maa come to their parent's home during the holidays for some days from her in-laws home.

The other communities of the city such as Telugus, Tamils, Marwaris, Punjabis, Bengalis and Gujaratis celebrate their festivals along with the major festivals of the city.

Media

Brahmapur has a full fledged All India Radio Station which broadcasts FM radio with Frequency (100.6 MHz)in Greater Berhampur region (BCGH-Berhampur , Chhatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut). Also there is a high power transmitter of (6 KW) Doordarshan which telecasts Oriya programs. B-TV, U-TV are two local channels that telecast from here.

There are many print media houses in Brahmapur. The oldest Oriya daily Dainik Asha, The Samaj, The Dharitri, The Sambad and Anupam Bharat are published from Berhampur.

Health care

Government/Society-owned hospitals:

Pharmaceutical Business

Berhampur plays a vital role in pharmaceutical business of southern Orissa. Pharmaceutical distributors of Berhampur supplies stocks to Retailers & Sub-Stockists of Gajapthi, Gunupur, Malkangiri, Nowrangapur, Koraput and Khandamal districts apart from Ganjam district. After the District Chemists & Druggists Association became sub-judice over the leadership and other issues, Ganjam Pharma Wholesalers Association (GPWA), Berhampur was formed in the year 2009 with Mr.Santosh Kumar Patro as founder President and Mr. V. Satyanaryana as founder Secretary. The GPWA was inaugurated by Orissa IT Minister Mr. Surjyanarayan Patro in the year 2009. GPWA plays a vital role in policy making of pharmaceutical business in Southern Orissa and looks after various issues of Pharmaceutical trade and safeguards the interests of wholesalers and the retailers of Ganjam and Gajapati Districts of Orissa. The GPWA is an independent body, which follows the suggestions and guidance of All India Organisation of Chemists & Drugists (AIOCD), Mumbai with good spirit. About 250 wholesalers of Ganjam and Gajapathi districts having valid drug license are the members of Ganjam District Wholesalers Association.

Education

General Stream

Professional Stream- Engineering Degree and Masters Degree

Professional Stream- Medical, Pharmacy and Nursing College

Professional Stream- Diploma School

Professional Stream- Others

Hotels

IT organisations

Many state level software companies have set up their centres here, as Berhampur offers opportunities associated with Grade II and grade III cities for BPO and software companies. The Delhi-based IT company Perfect Infotech has operations here. Also, certain small and medium scale software organizations like TeamIn Technologies Private Limited, Integrity Infotech Private Limited, Aahwaan Infotech Odisha, Ozone Software, Auro Infotech, etc., have set up operations here to cater to the IT needs in and around Berhampur. The third software park (STPI) of the state was inaugurated recently. Due to its moderate climate and technical education infrastructure base it may become a leading IT and ITES destination of eastern India.

Work has started on establishing a second IIIT at Berhampur. The Government has allotted 100 acres (0.40 km2) for the proposed institute at Rangeilunda. Also, NID (National Institute of Design) is coming to Berhampur city as stated by the ex-MP/ Central Minister Mr. Chandrasekhar Sahu.

Sports

Berhampur has produced some of the best weight-lifting and boxing players for India at the International level including present day Indian champion in Commonwealth Games (CWG) Gold medalist winner K. Ravi Kumar. Veer Hanuman Club of Berhampur has produced international weight-lifters like Bijay Kumar Satapathy, Chandra Sekhar Sahu and Tikina Gopal from the town. Bijay Kumar Satapathy, is also an Arjuna Award winner and had grabbed the Silver medal in the 1982 CWG held in Australia, and gold medal in the 1981 Mini-Commonwealth Games. Chandra Sekhar Sahu, an employee of the Railways, had clinched a Gold medal in the SAARC sports meet in 1990. Similarly, Tikina Gopal had also won Silver and Bronze medals in the Junior and Senior Asian Championship, while Ranu Mohanty, a girl from the city won medals in the International event of Power-lifting.

Stadiums

Berhampur has a National level stadium which has hosted several Ranji Trophy matches. The city has produced many reputed Ranji players in the recent times.

Eminent personalities

Nearby Attractions

Photo Gallery of Bi-Annual Thakurani Yatra
Lanjipalli Thakurani Yatra.
Gopalpur Beach Photo Gallery.
Rooted in the hoary past, mentioned in the Puranas, the Tantras and as the main seat of Tantric cult for thousands of years and center of Shakti worship since time immemorial, this hill Shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine of Mata Sati) and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of about 6000 years.
According to mythological texts and folklore this Shrine has seen all the greatest icons of the human civilization like Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Parasuram, the Pandavas and great saints like Jagadguru Sankaracharya, Shri Chaitanya and Balayogi Neelakanthi. It has also been the confluence ground of plethora of ancient religions like the Vedic religion, the Brahminical religion, the Hinduism, the Buddhism, the Tantricism etc. Unquestionably, these facts from the mythology demonstrate the historicity and importance of the Hill Shrine it occupied in the past. Further, the presence of the mythological pious river Rushikulya or Rushikalyani (known as the elder sister of the Ganges in the Vedas) on the foothill of the Shrine has further enhanced the significance of the Tara Tarini Shakti Dham which is also known as Kalyani Dham.
Highlights of the 6000 years history
According to the mythological Puranas the origin of Maa Tara Tarini is directly attributed to Daksha Prajapati's Jagna in Satya Yuga. The famous Shakta Peethas of Bimala, Tara-Tarini, Dakshina Kalika, and Kamakshi originated from the limbs of the divine Corpse of Devi Sati. Mythological sacred texts like the Shiva Purana, the Kalika Purana, the Devi Bhagabat (a contemporary text of the Mahabharata written by Shri Vyasa Dev around 6000 years ago) attested this fact. It is known from the Mahabharata that before the commencement of the Mahabharata war Lord Srikrishna had advised Arjuna to offer prayer for victory at Shridevi Kupa or Bhadrakali. Bhadrakali originated from the limbs of Mata Sati like the other four major Shakti Peethas, existed during the time of the Mahabharata or around 6000 years ago. This is the oldest data/ information we get till date, regarding the existence of the Shrines originating from the limbs of Mata Sati.
Tara Tarini Hill Shrine under Buddhist control
According to available historical sources, the fall of Kalingan Empire and its capital Sampa (Samapa) in the Kalinga war around 2300 years ago by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, strengthened the grip of Buddhists in this part of India. The then Sampa capital of the Kalingan empire, was hardly 4 km away from Taratarini Hill Shrine. So, scholars believe that Tara Tarini might be the principal deity (Ista-Devi) of the mighty Kalinga Empire.
According to the texts of Mahayana Buddhists, in the initial days, the Buddhists didn't believe in the Matrupuja (Goddesses worship) or in Pratimapuja (Idol Worship). But, the ecclesiastical texts of Mahayana's reveal that from 1st century AD after the fall of Kalinga, for the first time the Mahayana Buddhists accepted the worship of Mother Goddess 'Tara'. So there is seldom any doubt that the Buddhists have learned the 'Tara' Puja concept from this Shrine. The Bouddha Tantrik texts, texts of Vajrajani sect and Hindu Tantrik texts also attest these facts. Scholars believe that in the primary days the Buddhists worshiped Taratarini, the principal seat of Tantrik sect in Hinduism at that time, as Bouddha Tara, and later on included 'Tara' as the Tantrik deity or spouse of bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in their belief system. Gradually this 'Tara' worship spread to different parts of the world.
Besides the worship of Tara by the Buddhist Tantrikas, the maritime history of Kalinga also suggest the worship of 'Tara' by the Sadhavas (merchants) and seamen before launching their sea voyage from the great sea ports like Dantapura (Gopalpur), Pallur near Chilika Lake, Kalingapatna and river Rushikulya. It is important to mention, that all these major seaports of the ancient world were present very near to the Taratarini Hill Shrine.
According to folklore and folk stories, it is around 9th century AD when Jagadguru Sankaracharya toured the whole country, that he discovered this Shrine. But, it did not exist in its present form. After a long try he came to know that this ancient Shakti centre was under the control of Buddhist tantrikas. Then he released this Pitha from the control of Bouddha tantrikas and handed it over to Hindus.
It is known from the available sources that till 17th century this place was out of the sight of the common man. But, according to a folk story, once Maa Taratarini appeared as two sisters in the house of Shri Basu Praharaj. He was a learned Brahmin of Kharida Vira Jagannathpur village in Ganjam District and one of the great devotees of the Mother Goddess but childless. After staying for some years one day both the sisters disappeared suddenly from the house of Basu Praharaj and according to the account of the villagers both the sisters traveled up to the Tarini Parvat/ Ratnagiri and disappeared there. Basu Praharaj searched for these two sisters but did not find their trace. His heart broke down with grief and pain. On that night he saw a dream where the Goddesses Tara Tarini informed Basu Praharaj that actually they were not his daughters; but they are the Goddesses Tara and Tarini. The Goddesses ordered Basu to come out of the grief and said that the time has arrived and with full devotion renovate the temple on the hilltop of Tarini Parvat and establish the deities according to the tradition.
After that divine direction Basu discovered the tracings of ancient most presence of Goddesses Tara-Tarini on the sacred Hill Top and immediately took steps to reconstruct the temple and the Shrine. Since that time for its magnetism and sanctity this Shakti Pitha became a centre of faith and reverence for countless numbers of people, out in search of peace, tranquility, guidance and spiritual energy and its fame spread like wild fire to become one of the popular religious destinations for millions of devotees. [4]
Photo Gallery of Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Politics

Current MP (Member of Parliament) of Berhampur Parliamentary Constituency is Siddhant Mohapatra (BJD), elected in the year 2009. Current MLA from Berhampur Assembly Constituency is Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chau Patnaik of BJD, who won the seat in the state elections of 2004 and 2000 and also as JD candidate in 1995.[5] Berhampur Corporation comes under four Assembly segments i.e., Berhampur old town, Gopalpur, Chatrapur and Digapahandi. Berhampur is part of Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency.[6]

References

  1. ^ "World Gazetteer: – largest cities". http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=pnan&col=adhoq&msz=1500&geo=-104. Retrieved 2 September 2010. 
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc -Berhampur
  3. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
  4. ^ Excerpts from the article of R. P. Tripathy, New Delhi
  5. ^ "State Elections 2004 – Partywise Comparison for 75-Berhampur Constituency of ORISSA". Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp75.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
  6. ^ "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Orissa". Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
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