Kendrapara is a Town and a municipality in the Kendrapara district of the Indian state of Odisha. It is the headquarters of Kendrapara district.
Geography
Kendrapara is located at . It has an average elevation of . It is surrounded by Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts and the Bay of Bengal to the east.
The river Chitroptala (a branch of the Mahanadi) flows through Kendrapara district. Other rivers in Kendrapara include the Luna, the Karandia, the Gobari, the Brahamani, the Birupa, the Kani, the Hansua, the Baitarani, the Kharasrota, and the Paika. This district has 9 blocks, which are Aul, Derabish, Garadpur, Mahakalapada, Marshaghai, Kendrapara, Rajanagar, Rajkanika, Pattamundai.
Transport
To reach Kendrapara one can take the Jagatpur-Salipur state highway SH9A or National Highways No.16 and 53. Kendrapara is a two and a half hour drive from Bhubaneswar Airport on the National Highway 16 and State Highway 9A. The nearest railway station is at Cuttack, which is 54 kilometres from the Kendrapara township on State Highway 9A.
Demography
As of the 2011 Indian census, Kendrapara district has a population of 1,439,891, roughly equal to the nation of Eswatini or the US state of Hawaii. This gives it a population ranking of 344th in India (out of a total of 640 districts). The district has a population density of 545 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,410 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.59%. Kendrapara has a sex ratio of 1006 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 85.93%. The mother tongue of most of the residents of Kendrapara is Oriya (Odia). However, there is also a sizable population of Bangla and Urdu speakers. Hindi and English are also widely understood.
Hindus encompass the majority of the population. There is a substantial Muslim minority.
Most of the residents of Kendrapara are farmers. Some do business and some fish in the rivers and the Bay of Bengal. Some people also grow prawn near the sea shore, as it is profitable. Many small-scale industries are appearing in the area and bringing job opportunities.
Culture
The Baladevjew Temple is located in Kendrapara district of Odisha. A Chariot Festival, or Rath Yatra, is held in the month of Ashadha(June/July) every year. The chariot of Lord Baladevjew is known as Brahma Taladhwaja and is considered the biggest chariot of its type in the world.
The Gajalaxmi puja on Kojagari Purnima or Kumar Purnima Durga Pujaat Amruta manohi village is celebrated in the month of October, and Kartikeya Puja and Maa Kali Puja at Olaver are held in November each year. Gajalaxmi puja is a big festival in Kendrapara and is celebrated for 7 days.
Maa Basanti Durga Puja in Basupur has been one of the region's most famous festivals for over 80 years. The Oriya sweet dish, Rasabali, originated in Kendrapara. Kendrapara is also known as Tulasi Ksherta (as Tulasi, different from basil tulsi, the wife of Lord Balabhadra) and Gupta Kshetra (Lord Balabhadra wished to stay here secretly). Different types of prasad prepared and used in Baladevjew Temple are Rasabali, Potali Pitha, Magaja Ladoo, Kakaraa, Khaja, Karanji, Chhena Kheeri, Ghanabrata, Dahipakhala, Khiri, and Puri.
One of the most popular festivals, Kartikaswar Puja, is held on the banks of the Luna at Kalapada Kendrapada. It has also been known as the Kendrapada Boita Bandhana Utchav ingratiation every year since 2005.
Tourist Places
Bhitara Kanika
Bhitarakanika is covered in deep mangrove forests and saline rivers. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 21 April 1975. It is known as a natural crocodile breeding ground. Other animals like deer, wild boar, monkeys, monitor lizards, pythons, and king cobra are also found here. The national park has an area of around 145 square kilometres. It is 160 kilometers away from the state capital of "Bhubaneswar".
Batighar is the location of the first lighthouse on the Eastern coast of India. It is situated on the bank of the Kharinasi River. The height of the lighthouse is 125 feet. Construction of the lighthouse was started on 6 December 1836 and it was lighted on 16 October 1837.
Kanika Palace is a massive palace constructed by the King of Kanika. It was constructed on an area of 4 acres of land and height of the structure is of 75 feet. It is situated in Rajkanika Block.
Aali Palace is situated near Aul Township. It is an ancient palace spread over 40 acres of land.