Jajpur (Odisha) District Profile

Jajpur district is located in the eastern region of the state. It was a sub-division of the erstwhile Cuttack district and was formed as a separate district vide Notification No.DRC-44/93-14218 dated 27.03.93 of Government of Odisha. Jajpur is the headquarters town of the district and abounds in many relics of the past. It is a place of pilgrimage and is popularly known as “Birajakshetra”. Goddess Biraja is the presiding deity of the town as well as of the district. Jajpur was the ancient capital of Orissa under the Bhaumakar kings and was famous for centuries as Jajanagar and finds its place in the travelogue of the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang as a flourishing city of trade and commerce in the 7th century A.D. This place has its unique importance in India as Navigaya Kshetra where Pinda is offered for the salvation of the ancestors. Otherwise known as Baitarani Tirtha, Jajpur is highly acclaimed in many scriptures of our country. The shrines of “Sweta-Varah” (the white bear incarnation of Lord Bishnu) and “Sapta Matruka” (the seven mothers) along with numerous shrines have made Jajpur a Tirtha par excellence.

 It is now an area of archeological wealth, including the famous Saktipitha of the Goddess Biraja, as well as the shrines of the Goddess Biraja (Durga), Sveta Baraha (incarnation of Laod visnu as the white boar), Sapta Matruka, and a host of other religious figures, all located along the bank of the River Baitarani. Ashokajhar, Chandikhol, Chhatia, Gokarnika, Kuransa, Mahavinayak, Patharajpur, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Satyapira, Singhapur, Vyas Sarobar, and Baruneswar Pitha are some of the destinations that attract tourists to the district.

The district of Jajpur extends from 85040’ East longitude to 860  44’ East longitude and from 200  43’ north latitude to 210  10’ north latitude. Bhadrak and Kendujhar bound it on the north, on the east by the district Kendrapara, on the south by the district Cuttack and on the west by the district Dhenkanal.

The climate of Jajpur District is normal as per Indian standards. All the seasons arrive in the District at their usual time. The District’s average height from the sea level is 331 mts and its average rain fall is 1014.5 mm. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 38 degree C and 12 degree C respectively. Overall, the climate of the District is neither hotter nor cooler.