Explore Jajpur, a Timeless Town

The district takes its name from the headquarters town, Jajpur, which Jajati Keshari, the Somabanshi king, founded in the early 10th century. Since time immemorial, people have identified Jajpur with Viraja or Viraja Khetra. Devotees consider the place sacred to Viraja, the symbol of Shakti, and Varah, the symbol of Brahma or Purusha. It belongs to the traditional Pancha Khetras in Odisha that honor the Brahmanical tradition. As a seat of ancient culture and a Hindu shrine, the town once housed scores of ancient stone temples, much like Bhubaneswar.

But in and around the surviving temples and the temples built after the mass destruction, we come across a large number of sculptures ranging from the 4th century, which not only stand as the milestones of the art and architecture of the place, but also provide us with ample materials to reconstruct the cultural history of Odisha.

The iconographic features of Goddess Viraja support such a conclusion about its date. The Paralakhemundi copper palace of Prithivi Maharaja mentions Viraja as Viranja. Historians ascribe the date of this place to the 6th century AD. Although composed in the 3rd century, the Mahabharata mentions Viraja and the sacred Baitarani in the 114th chapter of its ‘Vana Parva’, where the five Pandava brothers took a holy dip with the saint Lomash. So, the origin of the Goddess can be traced back to the 3rd century.

However, a new political situation developed with the rise of the Bhaumakaras in 736 AD. The Bhaumakara empire extended from the Ganges in the North to the Mahendra mountain in the South. The Bhaumas ruled for over two centuries with their capital at Guheswar Patak in Viraja Khestra. Khijinga Mandal of the Bhaumas comprised modern Mayurbhanja, the eastern part of Keonjhar, some portion of Dhenkanal, and the modern Jajpur and Bhadrak districts. Though a great deal of geographical, political, and social changes have taken place since then, the cultural ties of the region are still conspicuous, as the people of the region still perform their social functions and rituals in accordance with Viraja Panjika, which the learned astrologers and scholars (Pandits) of Jajpur approve. Broadly speaking, Odisha’s cultural landscape was mainly organized into two units, one centered around Viraja Khetra and the other around Shrikhetra. As in Puri, there was also the Mukti Mandap and Pandita Sava at Jajpur, and the ruins still bear testimony to it.

The two powerful dynasties, Bhaumas and Somavansis, reigned over the whole land mass of modern Odisha for almost four centuries from the 8th to the 11th century and saw the formative period of life and culture of the Odishan people. The period is indeed a remarkable epoch.

Buddhism and Jainism still flourished in Odisha, as recorded by Hieun Tsang, the famous Chinese pilgrim who visited Puspagiri, Bihar, near Jajpur in 639. Tantrayan Sprang upon the decadence of Buddhism towards the 8th Century.

The Somabansi King Jajati Keshari made Jajpur his capital and performed the historic Dasaswamedh Yajna in the 10th century. Jajpur served as the capital for two important dynasties and played a significant role in the blending of various religions that flourished in Odisha.

Geographical Location

Jajpur, with a total area of 2899 sq km, lies between 20º 30′ and 21º 10′ north latitude and 85º 40′ and 86º 44′ east longitude. The district has a total population of about 19 00 054 (according to the 2001 census).

• Boundaries: To the south of the district flows the river Baitarini and the districts of Keonjhar and Bhadrak. Cuttack lies to the south, and Dhenkanal lies to the east. Kendrapara district borders it on the west.
• Climate and Temperature: The climate of Jajpur district is normal. Located at an average height of 331 metres above sea level, the district receives an average rainfall of about 1014.5mm. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 38 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius, respectively. Overall, the climate of the district is neither hotter nor cooler.
• Rivers/Lakes: The Major rivers that flow through the district include Baitarani, Kani, Kharasrota, Budha, Badagenguti, Brahmani, Kelua, and Birupa.

How to reach there?

Jajpur is a historic place of pilgrimage, lying 92 km from Cuttack and 125 km from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. NH-5 provides a well-connected route to the district headquarters. The best way to reach Jajpur is by road. Biraja temple, one of the oldest in Jajpur district, stands 6 km from Jajpur town. Railways connect Jajpur with all the major cities of the state.

Where to stay?

Although there are no big star hotels around Jajpur for a luxurious stay, many good hotels offer affordable accommodation here.