Balasore (Oriya: ବାଲେଶ୍ଵର) (also known as Baleshwar) is a strategically located city in the state of Orissa, about 194 kilometres (121 mi) north of the state capital Bhubaneswar, in eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balasore district. It is best known for Chandipur beach. It is also the site of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program's Integrated Test Range, located 18 km. south of Balasore. The Defence Research and Development Organisation developed many different missiles such as Nag, Brahmos, Agni missile among others here. The lingua franca is Oriya.
History:
The English settlement of Balasore, formed in 1642, was an early trading port for British, French and Dutch ships in the early age of Enlightenment and became a colonial part of first Danish India, later British India.
In 1763 Balasore became a Danish possession, governed from Tranquebar, as part of Danish India. Due to the shallowness of its bay, the trading post was abandoned, leaving behind only a small settlement in the area. On 7 November 1845, all Danish India was sold to the British, who made it part of British India. Since the beginning of the 20th century Balasore, as a strategic point, interested revolutionaries
Geography:
Balasore is a city in the North of Orissa. It is located at the south eastern part of the India. The city is surrounded by West Bengal in the north,and the Bay of Bengal to the East. Balasore is located at 21°30`N, 86°56`E. Balasore surrounds an area of 3076 k.m.
Geographically, Balasore or Baleshwar comprises three distinct regions of North-Western Hill ranges, Coastal Area and inner alluvial belt.
Balasore is also known " The city of Land on Sea Shore" or " City of Sand"
Balasore is famous for its forests and mines. This district is noted for the Budhabalanga River and 3824 Feet high Mountain Mahagiri.
Balasore, the coastal district of Orissa is crisscrossed with perennial and estuarine rivers because of its proximity to the sea. Two important rivers of Orissa, namely :- Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha pass through this district from west to east before surging into the Bay of Bengal. The irrigation system in Balasore district is very much widespread.
Demographics:
The population in 2011 is 156430 and is the 7th most populous city in Orissa. As of 2001 India census, Baleshwar had a population of 106,032. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Baleshwar has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is the most literate town of Orissa.
Overview:
Balasore is a place of scenic beauty and a major tourist attraction, also because of its historical monuments, such as various temples in the area. There are a few hill ranges in the region too. It is 207 km north-east of Bhubaneswar by road.
Balasore Town has some good Hotels which provide decent accommodation with all Luxrious Facilities/amenities. (Hotel Hari Plaza, Barjorjis Bhojan, Sawarnachuda, Kalinga, Panchjania, Panthaniwas, Draupadi, Toronto, Ramya, Suraj, Dk Lodge and many more projects are in pipe line)
People in Balasore usually prefer spicy and juicy food. The speciality of Balasore is an Indian Curry that is only available in Balasore its called (Chandini). People visiting Balasore should try this dish in any of the good restaurants available in the town. Visitors can also try the Kashmiri Nan and Chena Puru/Chena Muri.
Balasore has been in use from 1989, but unlike Sriharikota, it is not used for launching satellites. The rocket launching site at Balasore is situated in a place named Chandipur. Chandipur is located on the Bay of Bengal. The Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Balasore is responsible for carrying out tests for various missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, etc.
Transport:
Railway Station:
Balasore Railway Station falls en route on the main line connecting Chennai to Kolkata. National Highway-5 runs through Balasore, and National Highway-60, which connects Balasore to Kolkata, is a four lane express way.
Air:
Nearest Airport from Balasore is Bhubneswar and Kolkata a ride of approximately 3 and half hours.
Places of interest:
Missile launch in DRDO, Chandipur:
Chandipur-on-sea is a sea resort famous for its mile long shallow beaches. It is a unique beach where the tide comes to the shore only four times a day, at fixed intervals. At a distance of 30 k.m. south-west, there lies Panchalingeshwar, a scenic spot high on a mountain. The presiding Siva there can't be seen, rather, one has to feel by touching the statue which is submerged under the flowing fountain. About 33 km south-west of Balasore, there is 'Santaragadia' is a semi town where 'Biseswar temple' is situated in the hill, covered by hills on its sides. Near to this place, there is 'Khulia Village' which is a settlement of aboriginal peoples staying in a scenic village surrounded by hills and fountains from all sides. Around 30 km south-east of Balasore, there is a port named 'Dhamra'.
Bhusandeswara Temple
Kshirachora Gopinatha Temple, situated at Remuna, approximately 7 km from the main town of Balsore, was built by the Great King Langula Narasimha Dev who also built the notable Temple at Konark. Khirochora Gopinath Temple is notable for its mythological story about how it was built there. The Biranchinarayan Temple, Palia, "AstaDurga", "Bhudhar Chandi" are some other temples located in that region.
Jagannatha Temple Nilagiri
There is a Jagannatha Temple in Nilagiri which is one of the prominent Jagannnath temples of Orissa. Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshiped here. Every year Ratha Yatra is observed with all the cults of the gods.
Panchalingeswara temple is scenic picnic spot in Baleswar which is located 30 km from Baleswar. This is famous both for Panchalingeswara temple and the picnic spot nearby. There is a state tourism Pantha Nivas in Panchalingeswara for the tourists coming from outside. Panchalingeswara is surrounded by thick greenery and hillocks. Branches of the natural spring flow through the hill range which add more attraction to this place.
Bhujakhia Pir, situated at sunhat at the heart of the city is the tomb of sufi saint Aasthana Sharif Hazrat Pir named as Bhujakhia Pir.The shrine of Baba Bhujakhira Pir of Balasore stands as a symbol of harmony between Muslim and Hindu. During the occasion of Urs, Crowd gathers at shrine comprises both Hindu and Muslims. This is an age-old tradition here.The legend tells that Aasthana Sharif Hazrat Pir, name afterwards as ‘Bhujakhia Pir’ had come to Orissa in the 16th century and devoted himself to the service of mankind, especially to the service of Cholera victims. The Pir was much fond of ‘Bhuja’ (Puffed rice), and he is remembered as Bhujakhia Pir. Since after his demise also he is remembered with respect and the shrine remained as place of worship for both communities since centuries.
Gandhi Smurti Bhawan
It was the birthplace of linguist and novelist Fakir Mohan Senapati, creator of Oriya script and rebel against the British Raj, and poet Kabibar Radhanath Ray, noted for his poems on the beauty of Chilika Lake and rebel against the British Raj. He is born in Kedarpur (soro) near to village Budei.
Education:
Colleges and Universities:
- Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore
- RJ School of Management Studies, RJ Vidya Vihar, Balasore
- Balasore College Of Engineering And Technology, Sergarh, Balasore
- Academy of Business Administration
- Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore
- Kuntala Kumari Sabat Mahavidyalaya
- Ramarani Institute of Technology,Balasore
- [SatyaSai Engineering College,Srikona,Balasore]
- [ [Balasore School Of Engineering]]
- Sagar college of +2science
- Srinix College Of engineering
- Modern Engineering And Management Studies
- Vijyanjali Intstitute Of Technology
- Balasore Law College
Schools:
- Christian High School
- St.Vincent's Convent School
- Balasore Zilla High School
- DAV Public School
- Public High School
- Balasore Police High School
- Town High School
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Balasore
- St.Vincent's Convent School
- Maharshi Vidya Mandir
- Sovarampur High School
- Modern Public School
- Modern Industrial Training Center, Sunhat
- Sahada High School, Sahada
