The district of Rayagada is known as the most famous region of the state because of its longest human history. Although the district came into existence on the 2nd October in the year 1992, it has long and glorious historical records evident by copper plates, rock inscriptions as well as different coins, which clearly indicate that the region was the centre of attraction in all ages. In the third century B.C, during the reign of Ashoka the Great, it was covered under Kalinga empire. The hilly track between river LRayagadai and Prachi language as Bansadhara and Nagabali, as evident by Andhra Historical Journal XXVII edition at page 46, was famous for spices. Another Bhojpur Rock inscription in Brahmi of Rastrik King Mandhata adds some facts about this region. Later, Rastriks were defeated by Kharvela, the only Aryan Emperor of Orissa, at the time of Samudra Gupta himself during the Chawpagada battle. The rock inscription of Allahbad inscribed by Mahamantri Harisena provides evidence to this effect. Later, the ruins of mud fort and historical idol of Mahakal Bhairab found at Champikota very near to Rayagada makes it clear that this is the ancient Champagada Fort. During Ganga Vansi and Surya Vansi Kings, it was under Dadarnab Dev of Gudari Kataka. A rock inscription found at Pataleswar temple in Brahmi script provides an evidence to this effect. A subsequent literature found at Pataleswar temple speaks about the River LRayagadaly, giving a supporting evidence to the various facts. This region went to Bahamanis when Mukund Dev was defeated at Gohera Tikiri in 1519. Then, it was under Nandapur Kingdom for brief period of 47 years. Biswambar Dev who was defeated and killed by Hasin Khan was perhaps the third king installed at Rayagada. Still, the Sati Kunda Goddess Majhi Ghairani and the mudfort around it speaks much about its evidence. In subsequent years it was under Bobilli, a Tahasil of Vijayanagaram. Later, during the English regime, Rayagada was covered under the Jeypore Zamindari, which continued till Independence.

Rayagada is a district of meadows, forests, water falls and terraced valleys, peopled by colourful  tribals and many Primitive Tribal Groups. The scenic  beauty and heritage on the land is an unexplored paradise. The systematic relationship between men and nature is a feast to the eyes of an outsider. It has its own appeal for the lap of nature.

The pattern of peopling of the district show unit in diversity of races, languages and culture. The Schedule Tribes living in the district posses dissimilar economics ranging from food gathering to settled cultivation. Their languages/dialects, societies and culture show inter-societal/ cultural variations because of the persistence of ethnic mosaic formed by communities belonging to scheduled Tribes, Scheduled castes and other castes groups.

Important Places

Rayagada, the district of many charms, is a thrill to the searching eyes. It has the facilities to serve as a base for visiting the near by place of interest.  

MAA MAJHIGHARIANI TEMPLE

Maa Majhighariani is famous in Southern Division of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Most of the devotees are coming from Madhyapradesh  Chatishgarh, Andhrapradesh including undivided Koraput District. Only the face of the Maa MajhiGhariani is worshiped. During Sunday, Wednesday and Friday a large number of Devotees are coming to this place for worshiping the Goddess. The temple is famous for Chaitra-Parba i.e. March-April of every year.

HATIPATHAR

Only 3 Kms from the district headquarter. It is a place of great scenic beauty with two water falls on the course of river Nagavali. The scenic beauty is impressive and the boulders here appear  like huge elephants. It is 133Kms from Koraput.

LAXMINARAYAN TEMPLE

Famous Laxminarayan Temple situated at IMFA Factory, Therubali. The deities Laxminarayan, Hanuman, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and Lord Siva also worshiped by thousands devotees.

PAIKAPADA

The place Paikapada is famous for so many Siva Lingams. The deities like Lord Jagannath, Maa Dhakineswar Kalika, Samudra etc. are worshiped here. The car festival of Lord Jagannath is also celebrated and during  Sivaratri a large number of pilgrims come to observe the function. The Place is situated near Theruballi. It is believed that there are 99,99,999 shivlingams (only one less to 1 crore) in & around Paikapada shrine.

CHATIKONA

It is located about 48 Kms from Rayagada surrounded by a series of valleys and wooden hills of varying colours and the place is a center of pilgrimage for the temple of Mahadev. It offers picnickers gorgeous view of the waterfall. The Siva temple  is the focus of hectic activities on Siva Ratri. The Dongaria Kondha of Chatikona  represent the primitive section of the tribe.

MINAJHOLA

It is only 134 Kms from Rayagada. It is a beauty spot of nature, has a siva temple at the confluence of three rivers. It is situated in the heart of dense forest, rich in wild life. Sivaratri is a popular festival of this place. Though there is no good  all weather road yet the place is  worth visiting. Regular  bus service is available from Rayagada and Gunupur upto Gudari.The rest 25 Kms. Road is Jeepable. 

DEVAGIRI 

The Devagiri hill rises to a height of 120.2 meters. Unlike other hills it is not narrower upwards. The top of the hill is a flat platform of rectRayagadaar plain, which can be approached only from the northern side. There are 476 steps which are the unique feature of the Devagiri. At the top of the hill, there are perennial poles of water called Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Bhargavi and Indradyumna.

There is a cave looking like two Jaws, The Siva Lingam is enshrined at the meeting point of the Jaws. Sivaratri is its biggest festival, which draws a large crowd every year. It is 50 KMs from Rayagada. Regular bus services are available from Rayagada to Kalyansingpur and the sacred hill is close to Kalyansingpur.

PADMAPUR

Housing the shrine of Manikeswari Siva. It is identified to be the seat of Dharmakirti, the Budhist-Logician-philosopher. It is 90Kms from Rayagada.

Fairs and Festivals

Chaitra Parba of  MAA MAJI  GHARIANI GODDESS
Rath Yatra  at Rayagada in the month of July  
Kali Puja at Block Colony, Rayagada in the month of November.
Laxmi Puja at New Colony, Rayagada in the month of October.
Dasehera at J.K.Pur in the month of October.
Annual celebration of Gram Devata  during March- April (9 days) at Rayagada

Where to stay:

Name of the Establishment            Reservation Authority

Inspection Bunglow                 -      Executive engineer, (R&B), Rayagada (- 06856-222149

Hotel Sai International            -      Manager, (- 06856 223396   Fax -  06856-225554, 225555

Hotel Swagat                           -      Manager, (- 06856- 222208)

Hotel Kapilas                           -       Manager, (- 06856- 222280) 

Hotel Ashok                             -      Manager, (- 06856- 223246)

Hotel Jyoti Mahal                    -      Manager,(- 06856 - 223015

Hotel Maruti                            -      Manager, (- 06856- 225333

Assistance : Tourist Information Counter, Rayagada Railway Station, (- 06856Tel: 222248

Tourist Office,Koraput at Koraput Club,   (- 06852-250318, Gram:

ORISSATOUR
Tourist Counter, Vizianagaram Railway Station ,  (- 08922 - 223582.

Superintendent of Police, Rayagada, 06856 ,  222304

District Information & Public Relations Officer, Rayagada, 06856, 222193

How to Reach Rayagada

Getting to Rayagada is not difficult. Nearest air port is at  Visakhapatnam    (Andhra Pradesh) 200 KMs away which is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur by going flights.

Rail: Well connected from other parts of India like Delhi,  Chennai, Allepy, Bokaro, Raipur, Gujrat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hyderbad, Bilaspur and Bhubaneswar.

Road : Convenient road transport facilities available as NH-43 is passing through Koraput,i.e. 109 KMs from Rayagada.  Direct Express bus services are available from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagarm, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Jeypore, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, etc.

Facilities: Taxies and Auto-Rickshaw are available here at Rayagada for visiting the places of attraction and excursion.

Medical :    District Head Quarters Hospitals Rayagada. Phone No.06856-222059, Ambulance - 06856-222059, 102

Postal :    Available in almost all the places of the district.

Banks :    State Bank of India and other Nationalised Banks have their branches at Rayagada and other important places of the District.

Shopping :    Shopping complexes are available under the supervision of Municipality, Special Planning Authority and also private. There is no weekly special markets at Rayagada, but in surrounding villages weekly markets are held. All essential commodities are made available at those places to facilitate the remote tribal people.

Important facts about Rayagada