Bhuban

Bhuban ଭୁବନ
city
Bhuban Location in Odisha, India
Coordinates: 20°53′N 85°50′E / 20.88°N 85.83°E / 20.88; 85.83Coordinates: 20°53′N 85°50′E / 20.88°N 85.83°E / 20.88; 85.83
Country	India
State	Odisha
District	Dhenkanal
Elevation	64 m (210 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	20,134
Languages
• Official	Oriya
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	759017

Bhuban is a town and a NAC, in the sub-division of Kamakshya nagar, Dhenkanal district in the state of Odisha, India. It is the largest village of south Asia. It is well known for its Brass and Metal crafts('Kansa pittal basan'). The village has a blend of cultures as people of different cultures (Hindu, Muslims) reside here. Most of the population are Hindus. Business, cultivation are the major activities of the people to earn their livings. It is basically a business hub for the people, who live in around a 20 km radius surrounding it.

Bhuban is the birthplace of Sahid Baji Rout (b. 1925, martyred 10 October 1938), "the youngest martyr" of India,^[1] who was shot in Rekhdeipur in 1938. Nilakanthapur, just 7 km from here is the location of panchayat kanpal (Mahulpal). It has beautiful scenery with a fabulous climate.

Cultural life

Almost all the festivals are being celebrated in a grand manner by the residents of Bhuban. The festival season starts with Khudurukuni, then Ganesh puja, Dussehra, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja, Bali Jatra,Hingula jatra and so on and on. The Dussehra is celebrated in a grand way, which is very different, conventional and as per the tradition. People of Bhuban, who are residing outsides of it, always make it a point to be a part of the grand celebration every year. It is basically celebrated for two days.

Bullocks are decorated using beads, animal furs, colourful saddles and become a part of the procession, which is not done any where else in the world. In the second day of the celebration immersion of goddess Durga takes place. The Bullock festival of Bhuban has a special identity. Legend says in ancient days Bullocks were used for both transport and conveyance. The Thoriya community of Bhuban used Bullocks for trade and business purposes. During Dusserah period they were taking the bullocks to gramdevi at Banijari and worshiped them. Then the bullocks make few rotation around The Gramdevi. In subsequent time this became a convention and custom for Bhubanians. In present day the bullocks are decorated with ornaments, beads, bells in their neck, colourful velvet saddles in their back. Then they are taken for a procession with full blown music. Interestingly the bullocks are not frightened to the loud music. The procession covers about 3 to 4 km and runs the whole night. The procession start around 6 pm in the evening and goes till next day morning. So, anybody who knows any "Bhubanian" must know the special Dussehra celebrated here. The "Aarisa Pitha" is a very much talked about sweet dish prepared at homes in this festival.

In Kartik Purnima a local festival known as "Bali jatra" takes place around Brudheswar temple in the river bank of brahmani with much splendor. Many people gather near Brundeswar temple for Bali Jatra. Another most important jatra celebrate in Bhuban is "Hingula Jatra" in Chatra purnima likely to fall in April in the English calendar. On this occasion the Most Prestigious Samman of Bhuban "Hingula Samman" was declared for outstanding lifetime achievement in the feild of Acting,painting,litureture and social service.

Geography

Bhuban is located at 20°53′N 85°50′E / 20.88°N 85.83°E / 20.88; 85.83.^[2] It has an average elevation of 64 metres (209 feet). Bhuban is located at 20°53′N 85°50′E / 20.88°N 85.83°E / 20.88; 85.83.[1] It has an average elevation of 64 meters (209 feet). Bhuban is around 90 km from all the leading power plants(Kaniha NTPC and Talcher NTPC) and so called industrial hub Angul.

Education

It has several schools and high schools for children education. Among them Bhuban High School established during 1948 is the oldest institution. The alumni from this institution have established them in National and International level. Convent schools like Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Baji Rout Memorial School and Saraswati Shishu Mandir.Bhuban Girl's High School and Nua Bhuban High School providing quality education to the children's of this region. In Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, hostel facilities are provided to the students who come from outside of the village. Bhuban High School and Bhuban Girls High School are top among the high school category. Baji Rout Memorial College,^[3] Bhuban Women's college and Bhuban women's Degree College provides education to the students of Bhuban and its surroundings.

Foods

People here mostly eat food made from rice and wheat flour. In different festivals, people make different kind of food here. There are several hotels where one can get traditional "Oriya Thali". Chinese and South Indian foods are also a craze among people.

Other information

Many social organisations such as Rama mandir Puja committee, mahila sangrami morcha, Satya Sai Seva anusthana, Brudheswar puja committee, Durga Puja Committee, Rastriya swayan sevak sangh, Bajaranga dala, Biswa Hindu Parisad, Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parisad (ABVP)Bhuban Unit, Maa Hingula Thakurani Puja Committee, Ganesh puja committee, has been organizing frequent activities every year. It has many clubs handling by different age groups. Basically Nuabazar, Ganesh Bazar and Kali bazar do fulfill basic needs and wants of its inhabitants and outsiders also. It has a very good blend of Village and town life. Bhuban is also known for the treatment of liver disease jaundice by Ghasiram Agrawalla and their family members herbally from last 70 to 80 years. People from many parts of the country come here daily for the treatment and it is said to be 100% successful. It is a thickly populated area consisting of different categories of people. The people are basically peace loving and religious minded with high social values.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[4] Bhuban had a population of 20,134. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bhuban has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 76% and female literacy of 60%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References