The District of Nuapada was a part of Kalahandi District till early March 1993, but for the administrative convenience, Kalahandi District was divided into two parts i.e. Kalahandi and Nuapada vide State Government Notification No. DRC-44/93/14218/R. dated 27th March 1993. Nuapada District now comprises one sub-division (Nuapada), two tahasils (Nuapada and Khariar) and five Community Development Blocks (Khariar, Sinapalli, Boden, Nuapada and Komna).

It is believed that the District of Kalahandi formed in ancient time a part of Mahakantara territory. During 4th century A.D. when Samudra Gupta led his campaign through this region a king named Vyaghraraja was ruling over Mahakantara. After Vyaghraraja, the Nala kings like Bhavadatta Varman, Arthapati and Skanda Varman ruled over this region up to about 500 A.D. In the 6th century A.D. a new kingdom developed in the Kalahandi tract under King Tustikara, but very little is known about other kings of his family. The Nuapada area was by that time under the kings of Sarabhapuriya dynasty whose copper plate record and gold coins are available. This region came under the occupation of the Somavamsis of South Kosala during the 8th century A.D. when Mahaivagupta Balarjuna was ruling from his headquarters at Sripur.
 
 
  In the 9th century A.D. when the Somavamsis were ousted from the Sripur region and organized a new kingdom in Sonepur-Sambalpur tract, the Kalahandi portion continued to be under their rule. In fact, Mahabhabagupta Janamejaya occupied the Trikalinga territory (Koraput area) through Kalahandi. In the middle of the 10th century A.D. the Somavamsi dominion embraced the whole of Orissa under Yayati II Mahasivagupta. His son Udyotakesari divided this dominion and placed the western part (Kosala) under the rule of a collateral branch. Kalahandi was included in the Kosala kingdom the capital of which was Jajatinagar near Sonepur. The rule of the Somavamsis in Kosala collapsed by the invasion of Rajendra Chola in 1022 A.D. and after that the territory came under the rule of the Telugu Cholas. In 1038 A.D. Vajrahasta V of Ganga dynaty became powerful in Parlakhemundi region and after the death of Rajendra Chola in 1044 A.D. he assumed independence and occupied the hilly territory including Koraput and Kalahandi.
 
Kalachauri Horse Maraguda
   
The Gangas ruled over Kalahandi for a long period. The stone inscription at Narla reveals that one Madanamahadeva was ruling over Kamalmandala in 1231 A.D. apparently as a feudatory of the Gangas. Tradition preserved by the Durbar of Kalahandi reveals that the Nagas commenced their rule in Kalahandi from Vikram sambat 1062 or A.D. 1005. If the tradition is to be believed it may be said that the Nagas ruled over Kamalmandala as feudatories of the Gangas till 14th century A.D. after which they owed allegiance to the Surjayavamsi Gajapatis. It is not known when Kamalmandala became known as Kalahandi. The earliest reference to the name Kalahandi is found in the Dadhivaman temple inscription dated in Yugabda 4819, i.e., A.D. 1718. In British records this territory was called Karond. This territory assumed independence after the downfall of the Gajapatis of Orissa in 1568 A.D. According to tradition the Kalahandi kingdom commanded sovereign power over eighteen garhs before it was occupied by the Bhonslas of Nagpur in the middle of the 18th century A.D. In 1803 when the Marhattas were defeated by the British and the coastal regions of Orissa as well as the Patna-Sambalpur group of states came under the British, Kalahandi, very probably, continued under the Marhattas. The Patna-Sambalpur group was subsequently restored to Raghujee Bhonsla II in 1806. The Marhattas of Nagpur became subordinate to British power after the 3rd Anglo-Marhatta War in 1818. But Kalahandi continued to be under Marhatta rule till 1853, when the Nagpur state lapsed to the British Crown as Raghujee III died without an heir. The Chauhans were ruling over Khariar since about the time of Rama Deo, the first Chauhan king of Patna. In 1590 A.D. Gopal Ray, a scion of the Patna family became the king of Khariar and started a line of semi-independent kings in that territory. Khariar came under the Marhattas in 1741 A.D. and the British occupied it in 1818.
  
    
In 1905 when the District of Sambalpur and some feudatory states including Kalahandi were amalgamated with Orissa Division of Bengal, the Government of the Central Provinces opposed merger of Khariar with Sambalpur and in 1906 Khariar became a part of the Mahasamund tahasil. When the separate province of Orissa was formed in 1936, Khariar was added to Orissa and was made a sub-division (Nuapada sub-division) of Sambalpur District. On the 1st January 1948, Kalahandi alongwith other feudatory states of Orissa except Mayurbhanj, merged with Orissa and on that date the new District of Kalahandi was formed with the ex-states of Kalahandi, Patna and Sonepur. On the 1st November 1949, Patna and Sonepur together constituted a separate District and the Nuapada sub-division of Sambalpur was added to the District of Kalahandi.

Important Places

Patora 'Jogeswar Temple' is one of the Shiva pitha of wester orissa and Chhatisgarh. The tallest sivalinga sofar discovered at Maraguda village in the Maraguda valley in Nuapada District, which is around 6ft high and presently installed at Jogeswar temple. Ram temple is located down hill. 40 ft. hanuman statue is one of the attraction.

Rajiv Udyan Loacated at the Upper Jonk Dam site, it is one the most beautiful park of Orissa. Water shower and sound system make it more enjoyble.

Access 20 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 163 KM from Raipur / 540 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 172 KM from Bhawanipatna  
 
  
Patalganga : It is a perennial spring situated 41 kms. from Khariar and 6 kms. from Boden. It is regarded as a holy place for Hindus. There is a belief that if a man take bath in this warm spring after solar/lunar eclipse, he will acquire religio-spiritual attainment equal to that of a bath in the holy river Ganga. It is believed that during the Ramachandra's banavas while walking through that area, once Sita Devi felt thirsty. There was no water source nearby Lord Rama pierced earth by an arrow, brought the Ganga and accordingly the place was named a Patalganga.
 
 
Yogimath : Yogimath is famous for the prehistoric cave paintings situated 9
kms. to the east of Khariar. Yogimath cave contains paintings of neolithic age and the drawings are very distinctly drawn in Indian red paint over the rock surface. The figure of the bull is very interesting. There is also a cow and calf following as well as the figure of a man. The whole scene is significant of the domestication of animals and agriculture. In the ceiling too there are some paintings. There is yet another cave at a little distance but since the roof has fallen the paintings are not visible. The entire area is yet
unexplored and invite scholars to unearth her past glory. ,
  
  
Budhikomna : Budhikomna is situated at a distance of 73 kms. from Khariar. The place is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Pataleswar Siva. It is brick temple of Tri-Ratha style in dilapidated condition.
  
Khariar : A temple named Dadhibaman locally called Badagudi is situated in the hear of Khariar town, and it is believed to be more than 50 years old. Since the beginning of this century, the place has been the seat of Activities of an American Evangelical Mission.   
 
Godhus Waterfall l having total height of 30mtr. The fall is verymuch energetic in rainy and winter season and get dried in summer. In the down a temple of Lord siva is present. An annual fair is arranged here on Baisakhi which attaracts thousand of pilgrims. Sorrounded by forest with watch tower and Jalki water reservoir near Lodra village, suitable site for nature camp.

Access : 30 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 163 KM from Raipur / 540 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 33 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 42 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 172 KM from Bhawanipatna
 
  
Beniadhus Magnificient Beniadhus water fall of 24 mtrs. height located in the Sunabeda Wildlife sanctuary. The Jonk River starts from sunabeda plateau. The Goddess Sunadei, presiding deity of the plateau, is sacredly worshiped by the people of the area on the day of Dusserra.
Access 102 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 105 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 115 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 162 KM from Bhawanipatna
  
  
Kharadhus Wataer fall of 50 Meter height, located toward west of Beniadhus waterfall.

Access :102 KM from Nupada District Headquarter / 222KM from Raipur / 642 KM from Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur / 105 KM from Nuapada Railway Station / 115 KM from Khariar Road Railway station / 162 KM from Bhawanipatna .

Important Facts about Nuapada