Bhadrak subdivision of the undivided Balasore district became a new district on 1st april'1993. Bhadrak having a rich heritage and history derives its name as legend has it, from the Goddess Bhadrakali whose temple stands on the bank of the river Salandi. This district is bounded by Balasore district in the north, Jajpur district and river Baitarani is in the south, Keonjhar district is in the west and Bay of Bengal and Kendrapada district is in the east. The area of this district is 1721 sq. Km. With a population of 1332000 as per provisional figure of 2001 census. It is a level trac of allivial soil with a gradual slope eastwards to the Bay of Bengal. A number of deltaic rivers viz. Salandi, Baitarani, Kansabansa, Gamol, Mantei, Genguti, Kochila, Reba and Kapali pass through and around the District.

The ancientry of this land is eloquently testified by the gigantic tank of Asura, the Buddhist relics of the Seventh and Eight Centuries discovered in Khadipada and Solampur, the villages of Dhamnagar, the Budddist caves in Sarisua Hill near Kupari and the mysterious temple of Biranchi Narayan in the village Palia, a parallel to the Sun Temple at Konark. The last battle to vindicate the freedom of Orissa was fought in a village called Gohiratikiri, on the bank of the river Genguti near Dhamnagar in 1568 in which the defeated king Mukunda Dev lost his life. In 1575 the Muslim population settled down in Bhadrak following the discomfiture of the Afgans under Usman at the hand of Raja Mansingh. In Mughal period Bhadrak remained a subah under the Nawabs of Bengal. When the imperial powers of the Mughals waned, the zone consisted of some principalities like Kanika, Ampo and Agarapada with a few administrative sub-units called Chowparhies such as Kubera, Talapada, Nadigaon, Kasimpur, Kurigaon, Bindha etc., all ruled by Kshatriya Chiefs with patriotic temper.

After the British occupation of Orissa, Cuttack and Balasore constituted one of the two administrative divisions, in June 1804. In 1828 when Balasore was made a separate District, Bhadrak become one of its Sub-Division with an Assistant Magistrate cum Deputy Collector as the Sub-Divisional Head, while the Munsif Court remained in Jajpur until 1901.

In modern times, during the period of National struggle Bhadrak became the vanguard. In 1920 when the non-cooperation movement was launched in response to the clarion call of Gandhiji, the boycott of the law court practically resulted in closing down of the court of the 2nd Officer for a whole year. Gandhiji came down to Bhadrak in the last week of March 1921, being impressed with the nationalistic fervour and fighting spirit of the people. In 1992 started the historic mass rebellion of Kanika which for the time being was suppressed with the help of British troops stationed at Bhadrak but ultimately the popular upsurge, under the leadership of Chakradhar Behera, the doyen of Kanika tenants movement triumphed. With the mass civil disobedience movement launched in 1930, Bhadrak once again became vibrant with patriotic zeal, hearts throbbed with the urge for freedom, salt law was defied, a shake up given to the Govt. and success achieved. Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab's role in steering this movement to a crowning success is so great and spectacular that it has become already a part of Bhadrak psyche and history of modern India. Mahatma Gandhi who visited Bhadrak again in 1934 stayed in Mahatab's residence at Nuabazar. Gandhiji addressed a meeting of the Harizan workers in Jibaraj Ashram (Garadpur). It was by this time that Banchhanidhi Mohanty of Eram was shaping, stimulating and sensitizing the national consciousness among the people by his patriotic songs.

In the historic Quit India Movement of 1942 Bhadrak played a leading role. The congregated leadership, which guided the quit India Movement, constitutes many luminous figures including Dr.Harekrushna Mohatab, Md. Hanif, Muralidhar Jena, Gokulananda Mohanty, Nilamani Routray and others.

Since independence, the history of Bhadrak has been the history of multifarious progress in Education, Industry, Agriculture, Trade and commerce and with the birth of a new star it is leaping towards the twenty first century with hope and promise.

Bhadrak is situated at a distance of 159 kms. from Bhubaneswar,it is famous for Bhadrakali Temple . It has been separated from Balasore and thus is a new district born in the year 1993. Salandi river passes by this district. This district has contributed equally like the other older districts in cultural, economicL, Social and Political fields. This district had also contributed a lot during the freedom struggle of our motherland.

Important Places

Baba Akhandalamani - Aradi : Situated at a distance of 10km from Chandabali, Aradi is famous for the temple of Akhandalamani. This famous Akhandalamani temple, the abode of "Lord Siva" is nicely located in the bank of river Baitarani, at Aradi, 37km away from the district head quarter of Bhadrak towards east by road via Asurali, Kothara and Dhusuri.

This place is also linked with Chanbali by boat through the river Baitarani. From Chandbali ferry ghat to Aradi it will take hardly 2 hrs by boat.

The present main temple of Aradi was built by the King of Konika Shri Harihara Bhanja and his chief queen Satyabhama Patadei. The height of the temple is around 150 ft. All the stones used in this temple were brought from the historic hill of Lalitgiri near Chandikhol. The entrance main Hall was built by a sage named Shri Narasingha Pratap Kumar and the surrounding wall of the temple was built by a noted sage named Shri Darshan Sekhara Das.

Patiala : Patiala which is situated  15 kms. from Bhadrak  is famous for Biranchi Narayana Temple.

Sri Radha Madanmohan Temple : This temple is one of the most visited temples of Bhadrak district. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that Sri Chaitanya's five hundred old clothes are present here.

Chandbali Port : Chandbali port occupies a distinct place in Orissa's trade and navigation. Chandbali is 50 Kms away from the district hedquarters of Bhadrak. It is located on the bank of the holy river Baitarani. Presently Chandbali is the headquarter of Chandbali tahasil as well as Chandbali block.It is also a popular tourist spot and the gate-way to the famous tourist spot-cum- wild life Sanctuary "Bhitarkanika" in the water way, being accessed by boats through the river Baitarani.

Dhamara Port : Dhamara Port is not yet complete. It is the second port of this district. This port when completed will stand as a mile stone in India's as well as world trade.

Important Facts about Bhadrak