As the very name goes, Boudh was once a significant Buddhist centre in Orissa which has been confirmed as an archaeological fact. The early history of  Boudh is still in obscurity.  However, the discovery of remarkable Buddhist statues from Boudh led some scholars to believe that Boudh was an important Buddhist centre of Orissa.  From the epigraphic records it is known that in the middle of Eighth Century A.D., Boudh region was under the occupation of the Bhanja rulers and was a part of Khinjali Mandala.  The earliest known ruler of this Bhanja family was Nettabhanja who was ruling over the Dhenkanal region as independent ruler,  but his successor migrated towards Boudh-Sonepur region and established Khinjali Mandala and ruled there as the feudatory of the Bhauma Karas of Tosali. The Sonepur Copper Plate of Satrubhanja Dev, son of Silabhanja mentions the name Khinjali Mandala for the first time and on this basis it is believed that Silabhanja Dev was the  founder of Bhanja Kula of Khinjali Mandala.  Their capital was Dhirtipura, which has been identified with Boudh town. 

Satrubhanja Dev – II, a ruler of this family was defeated and killed by the Somavansi ruler of South Kosala, Janmeyjaya – I.  The Bhanja’s were driven out from the Boudh region which was renamed as Odra Desa.  Yayati – I, the son and successor of Janmejaya – I established his capital in Odradesa at Yayatinagara, which has been identified with modern Jagati in Boudh District.  The Somavansi then occupied and migrated towards Utkala leaving their original home land South-Kosala in charge of viceroys. In course of time Kosala was lost to them and was occupied by the Telugu-Chodas and the Kalachuris. The imperial Gangas of Kalinga, after their occupation of Utkala, entered into a protracted struggle with the Kalachuris for one hundred years for the occupation of Kosala region.  It is evident from the Chatesvar Inscription ( 1220 AD) that the struggle finally ended in favour of the Gangas during the region of Anangabhima Deva – III and there after Boudh along with Sonepur came under the Ganga Rule and was administered by the Ganga Administrators.  In course of time, the Ganga Administrators became semi-independent and ruled over this territory hereditarily. So far tradition goes, there emerged a Brahmin ruling family in Boudh . Gandhamardan Dev, the last Brahmin ruler of this family, being childless adopted one Ananga Bhanja of Keonjhar Bhanja royal family.  He succeeded Gandharmardhan Dev and laid the foundation of the rule of the Bhanjas in Boudh in the first half of fourteenth century AD.  He changed his surname from Bhanja to Dev and was known as Ananga Dev. Since then, the new line of kings continued to rule over this region till the merger of Boudh State with the Orissa province in 1948.  Their kingdom comprised of modern Athmallik, Boudh and Sonepur regions with its capital headquarters at Swarnapura ( Sonepur).  But later on due to the expansionist policy followed by the Chouhan rulers of Patna ( Patnagarh in Bolangir District ) they shifted their capital to Boudh.

Located centrally in the Map of Orissa, Boudh is traversed by river Mahanadi and its tributaries, along which lie the extensive riverine fertile plains. The socio-economic genesis of the people of Boudh lies in the agrarian economy which is due to large and extensive fertile plains suitable for cultivation. Boudh district is presently on its march towards progression and development by leaps and bounds for which time alone shall remain testimony to its future.

Important Places

Buddha Statue:

Three remarkable Buddhist statues are found in Boudh are indicative of the fact that it was once a center of Buddhist culture.  One of the statue is present in Boudh town.  The total height of this image is 6ft. 9 inches of which the seated figure measures 4 ft. 3 inches in height and 3 ft. 10 inches from knee to knee. It is seated in the Bhumisparsa Mudra  on a lotus throne 1 ft. 2 inches in height placed on a pedestal 11 inches in height and 4 ft. 6 inches in breadth. The whole image is built up in sections with carved stones. The only attendant figures are two Gandharvas flying with garlands in their hands on the sides of the head. On the whole this colossus of Boudh compares favourably  with similar colossi at Udayagiri and Lalitgiri in Cuttack district. The image is   uninscribed and beneath the pedestal is the ancient stone pavement of the original shrine. This appears to be the site of an ancient Buddhist monastery the remains of which are still to be found.
   

At a distance of 40 Km. from Boudh  town the image of  Budhha is in the village shyamsundarpur. The height of statue is 5 ft. and the image is in the same posture as in Boudh town. Here also the  only attendant figures are two Gandharvas flying with garlands in their hands at the back of the Budhha statue.  The image is built up in sand stone. Locally it is known as Jharabaudia Mahaprabhu.

Another Budhha statue is also seen in the village Pragalapur which is at a distance of 2 km. from Shyamsundarpur. The height of this statue is 3.5 ft.. In the left hand side of the statue there are 3 numbers of invisible image and on the right hand side their lies five numbers of image called ugratara.

Ramanath Temple

A group of three temples of Siva at Boudh town  called the Rameswar or Ramanath temples , dating back to the 9th century A.D. are reputed for their special feature. The decorative motifs and the plastic art of three temples at Boudh are certainly superior to and older than the great lingaraj-Ananta –Vasudeva group. One particular feature of the Ramanath temple is worth particular attention. Their plan is quite different from any other temples. In plan these temples are eight-rayed stars and the argha-pattas of the lingas are also similar.These magnificent temples built of red sandstone and profusely carved are stated to have been constructed in mid-ninth century A.D. The temples with rich texture and curved surfaces are strikingly noteworthy. Each of these temples stands by itself on a raised platform and each consists of a cell and an attached portico. The minute recesses and angularities produce a charming effect of light and shade and confer an appearance of greater height from the continued cluster of vertical lines than they really possess. Archeological Survey of India has preserved this temple.

Jogindra Villa Palace:   

This is the palace of ex-Ruler of Boudh locally known as Rajabati.  This was constructed during the reign of Raja Jogindra Dev ,who was benevolent and generous ruler. The palace is a picturesque and handsome building commanding a fine view of Mahanadi.

Hanuman Temple

This  temple is situated in the midst of the river Mahandai to the east of Boudh town..The Hanuman temple was constructed by a religious mendicant. This shrine was constructed on a large stone. The temple commands a beautiful view , especially  during rain when the Mahanadi is in  full boom .

Chandra Chuda & Matengeswar Temple:

The Chandra Chuda & Matengeswar temple are situated on the bank of river Mahanadi in Boudh town. Both the temples are Siva temples. In the Matengeswar temple there is also separate  temple for goddess Parvati.

Bhiarabi & Madan Mohan temple

Both these temples are built nearby the palace of the ex-ruler of Boudh. In Bhirabi temple goddess Bhairabi has been worshipped.  In Madan Mohan temples idol of Radha-Krishna has been worshipped. One gayatri pragnya Mandir is also situated at  theadjacent to these temples.

Jagannath temple

This is one of the ancient  temple of Orissa. It is situated at the heart of Boudh town. Here Ratha Jatra is celebrated with great pomp and show.

Debagarh

The Raghunath temple at Debagarh is situated at a distance of 14 Km. from Boudh town. The surrounding of the temple is full with natural beauty. The marble statue of  Rama ,Laxman , Sita and Hanuman are being worshipped here. A beautiful pond is also here .

Jagati

Jagati is situated at a distance  of 16 Km. from Boudh . Near the village at Gandhradi, is situated the famous twin temples of Nilamadhava and Sidheswar. These temples were constructed under the patronage of the Bhanja rulers of Khinjali mandala in 9th century A.D. These two temples were built on one platform which are exactly similar to each other. The one on the left hand is dedicated to Siva named Siddheswar and its sikhara  is surmounted by a Sivalinga.The second is dedicated to Vishnu ,named Nilamadhava  and its sikhara is surmounted by a wheel of blue chlorite. The principle of construction of the Jagamohanas at gandharadi is slightlt different than that of other temples. Their roofs are built on the cantilever principle and originally it appears to have been supported on twelve large pillars arranged as a hollow square  .                                             

Thus each side had four pillars of which the  central ones flanked an opening. Originally these two Jagamohanas appear to have been open on all sides; but later on the lintels on all sides appear to have given away and then it became necessary to fill in the gaps between pillars with the exception of the four openings with ashlar masonry.  At the same time the side openings   were filled up with a jali or lattice of blue chlorite towards the bottom and a frieze of four miniature temple sikharas  over it. This arrangement is not followed in later temples where the ingress of light into jagamohana is through four or five stone pillars in the opening used as window bars.

The style of ornamentation in the jagamohans of the Gandharadi temples is altogether different. Even stylized chaitya-windows are rarely to be seen at Gandharadi except at the bases of the pilasters of the vimana . the ornamentation on these two jagamohans is very simple and much less overcrowded . The importance of the Gandharadi temples lies in the fact that they provide a link  and that a very important one, in the chain of the evolution ,in the chain of the evolution of the mediaeval Orissan temple type.
   

The Gandharadi temple is also locally known as ‘Chari Sambhu Mandira ‘ ( the temple of four Sambhus or Siva lingas). In the Siva temple Siddheswar is the presiding deity. In the Jagamohan  ,to the left of the door  leading to the sanctum is the siva Linga called Jogeswar and to the right of the door is the linga called Kapileswar. At a little distance from Siddheswar standsa the temples of Paschima  Somanath ( Siva), the door of the temple opening to the west.

Some images of considerably antiquity are found worshipped in shrines nearby. Notable among them are the images of Ganesh in the temple of Paschima somanath and a beautiful  image of eight armed Durga worshipped under a banyan tree,the later image being badly eroded due to the vagaries of weather. These images probably once adorned the siddheswar temple .Portions of beautifully carved door steps in black chlorite and other decorative motifs have been  unearthed. In the vicinity of the temple. A five feet (1.52 meters) high Hanuman image of good workmanship is being worshipped near the village Jagati and a beautiful carved Nabagraha slab is lying in the cornfield. Archeological Survey of India has preserved this place. .

Purunakatak

Purunakatak , situated at a distance of  30 Km. from Boudh on Boudh-Bhubaneswar  road is a trading center of some importance. Goddess Bhairabi is the presiding deity of the place . The temple has beautiful entrance. Durga puja festival is observed here for sixteen days. Just opposite to the Bhairabi temple is the temple of Maheswar Mahadev. One Inspection Bunglow is in the nearby for staying.

Padmatola Sanctuary &  Satakosia Gorge

The district is rich in wild life resources. The Padmatola Sanctuary in the district can be approached from Charichhak,43 km. east on the Bhubaneswar –Balangir road and by a  fair weather road from Daspalla. The distance of this place from Boudh town is 80 Km.

To the end of this sanctuary the majestic Satakosia Gorge with its lush green forests and rich wild life is located.  The crocodile sanctuary set up at Tikarapada ,located on the left bank of the gorge is an added attraction of this place. The meandering Mahanadi, flowing amidst the hills forms here the  mightiest  gorge in India, measuring 22 km long. This is an ideal place for boating, angling and adventure. Goddess Binikeyee, the presiding deity of Satakosia gorge is enshrined at the entrance. She is seen in the form of a four armed Chamundi and is worshipped according to Tantric rites. A forest IB at Sitalapani which is near to this place provides excellent accommodation  for those nature loving people who want to spend a day or two.

Dambarugada

The Dambarugada mountain is situated at a distance of  21 Km. from Boudh town toward Boudh –Balangir road. The name the place is Sangrampur. The river Mahanadi flows down the mountain which makes for a visually stunning sight.  The mountain give a curve look from all of its side. The height of the mountain is 70 feet. On the top it a temple of Chiatanya deva  .

Nayakpada Cave

The Nayakpada Cave is located at a distance of  12 Km. from Boudh town. in the Boudh-Bhubaneswar road. This cave  was said to have been associated with mythology. Once upon a time this cave was asram of  sadhus . The forest here is in rich of different types of flora and fauna  .Here ,one can breathe the nature in its virgin state and truly delight in the grandeur of the flora and fauna.

Island

Marjakud is a wonderful island of Boudh. It is located on the opposite side of Boudh town in the river Mahandai. About three thousand people are living here. Maa Pitabali is the presiding deity of this place. It is an ideal place for picnic.

Important Facts about Boudh District