Belaguntha

Bellaguntha
Town
Nickname(s): BGT
Bellaguntha Location in Odisha, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Odisha
District	Ganjam
Government
• Type	Democratic
• Member of Legislative Assembly	Purna Chandra Swain(BJD)
• Member of Parliament	Ladu Kishor Swain(BJD)
Elevation	59 m (194 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	11,297
Languages
• Official	Odia
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	761119
Telephone code	06821
Vehicle registration	OD-32
Sub-division	Bhanjanagar
Block	Bellaguntha
Legislative Assembly Constituency	Surada
Parliament Constituency	Aska

Bellaguntha is a town and a Notified Area Council (N.A.C.) in Ganjam district in the state of Odisha, India.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Belaguntha had a population of 9961. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Belaguntha has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

As per folklore here, Belaguntha was a main market place for grocery and cattle in the Ganjam district. This place is famous for Brass Fish "Pitala Macha" in the world. Nrusinghanatha temple is one of the significant temples in this region that attracts thousands of pilgrims to get a darshan of Lord Lakshmi Nrusingh. One of the Bhanja Kings from Bhanja Dynasty had established the temple during 18th century.

Belaguntha was the business destination for people. All grocery, corns, vegetables, etc. came from Boudh and Phulbani for selling. People purchase and resale/supply to Aska and Berhampur. It was the business hub in the region. Belaguntha itself famous for Art and culture with brass,silver,copper, and woodwork. The world famous Brass Fish are still the main attraction of the city. There was a tale about the brass fish. The brass fishes will swim in water for several minutes to entertain the king and queen. Belaguntha is mainly well known for its Temples, Teachers and Tanks. There are more than twenty temples inside the town and more than twenty five tanks inside and outskirts of the town. Belaguntha is also the education hub in the region, recognized for more teachers such as Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sanskrit, etc.

Geography

Belaguntha is located at . It has an average elevation of 59 m (194 ft).

Culture

Among festivals, Thakurani Yatra, Ratha Yatra & Danda Jatra are three festivals that makes Belaguntha the point of attraction.

Apart from this, Dola Purnima, Durga Puja(Dussehra), Kumar Purnima, Pana Sankranti, Nurshingha Chaturthi, Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Danda Yatra, Ganesh Puja and Saraswati Puja are the other important festivals celebrated here with lots of enthusiasm. People with brotherhood celebrating all the festivals. The daily prasad bhog to god is very famous here. It is tender and very tasteful with a different divine smell.

Kabichandra Pati was a famous poet, who had written all danda yatra poems for different gods and goddesses.

Food

Bellaguntha is also famous for some special types of sweets and local foods. Some famous sweets are;

• Halua
• Medavada
• Drake
• Puli
• Arissa
• Kakara
• Desi Manda
• Satapuri etc.

Some sweets are prepared for special festivals, such as Halua & Drakhya for Ratha Yatra, Satapuri for Satapuri Amabasya, etc.

Transport

Being a business hub in the Ganjam district, it is perfectly connected with other major cities of Odisha such as BBSR & Berhampur.

• By Rail: Berhampur is the nearer railway station which is about 80 km far from Bellaguntha town.
• By Air: Biju patnaik International Airport, BBSR is about 160 km far from town.
• By Bus: As mentioned above it is properly connected by road with other cities of odisha. Bhanjanagar(Sub-div. of Ganjam dist.) is the main town very close to it. Buses are coming from every corners of Odisha.

Famous places

Bellaguntha has already established identity for its historical heritage, arts, culture and natural beauty. Some famous places are:

• Sri LaxmiNrusingh Temple (an old, famous temple of Odisha)
• Sri Jagannath Temple (Dadhibaman temple)
• Sri Balunkeswara Temple (a beautiful temple made up of red rocks and situated on the bank of a large pond)
• Maa Bramhanadevi Temple (Famous goddess temple present in between Bamboo Forest)
• Sri Baidyanath Temple (a famous temple present at Nayakpada a few kilometres away from the town)
• Anikata which is nearest to Jiroli Village (water dam present at the meeting point of Loharakhandi river & Bada river, its main purpose was irrigation and flood protection)
• Sagar (a group of 10 fishery ponds, which were excavated by Bhanja kings)
• Kumarsuni Hills (About 3 km from town )
• Sri Chandra Kalpeswar temple at Sasan Street.
• Biju Pattnaik children's Park.

Education

As it is known as the education hub to its nearer areas, many students come here to study from nearby villages. Some institutions are:

• Bellaguntha Science College
• Bellaguntha Women's College
• Sai Industrial Training Center (ITI)
• G.T. High School, Estd: 1948
• Girls' High School
• Saraswati Sishu Bidya Bhawan
• ITCT Computer Education
• Swami Vivekananda Sisu Bidya Mandir
• Swami Vivekananda Play School
• Vivekananda Institute of Computer Education
• Smile Play School
• Saraswati Sisu Bidya Manadir
• Sri Arabinda Purnanga Sikhya Kendra
• Balidi U.P School
• Mala sahi Prathamika Bidyalaya
• Patel Road U.P School
• Bhagabata Patana UP School
• Rangani Patana Prathamika Bidyalaya
• M.E School
• Taksila English Medium School
• Odisha Public School