Baripada

Baripada is a city and a municipality in Mayurbhanj district in the state of Odisha, India. Baripada is the district headquarter of Mayurbhanj. It is a place to stay and tour Mayurbhanj region. This region is home to Similipal, one of the most important wildlife parks of India. The national park comprises lush valleys, forest lands and scores of ancient temples. Rathyatra is one of the main attractions of Baripada. Baripada hosts the second most popular Rath Yatra of Odisha after Puri. Baripada is the home of the Mayurbhanj Chhau dance, an ancient martial dance form. The 5th Battalion of OSAP is at Rangamatia. Mudhi Mansa is a local delicacy which can pamper the taste buds during the stay at Baripada.HistoryBaripada was the capital of the Bhanj dynasty that ruled Mayurbhanj State since the 15th century. The ruins of the temples and palaces built then can be found at Haripur about 16 km southeast of Baripada. Among the ruins, the Rasikaraya temple and the Durbar hall of the Bhanja kings are the most significant and visited by tourists. The Collectorate Building, Maharaja Krushnachandra High School and the Maharaja Purnachandra College in Baripada are also great examples of Bhanja architecture.GeographyBaripada is at. It has an average elevation of 36 metres (118 feet). The city lies along the Budhabalanga River.EducationBaripada is the seat for North Orissa University at Takatpur. It is home to the Maharaja Purna Chandra Junior College and to the MPC Autonomous College. The erstwhile Mayurbhanj Palace building houses are Maharaja Purna Chandra Junior College with more than 2,000 students and Government Women's College with about 500 students. The newly built Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical college started its classes from September 2017. It is located in Rangmatia(8 kms from the main town)