Rayagada Odisha Explore Tribal Culture

Rayagada is the district headquarter of Rayagada located in the state of Odisha. The place is located in the southwestern part of Odisha also the place shares the borders with Andhra Pradesh.

Nagavali River Flows through the Rayagada district headquarters of the district of Odisha. The region has been home to several tribes. Each with its unique culture and traditions.

The region is blessed with abundant natural beauty. The region is deeply rooted in its indigenous tribal communities. The region is mainly famous for the tribal community such as Kondhs, and soura which have preserved their ancient traditions and rituals.

The region celebrates the regional festival called Adivasi Mela which provides them the opportunity to showcase their customs, music, and dance.

This hidden gem provides calming retreat away from the chaotic life of cities, allowing travelers to reconnect with nature and experience the rich cultural diversity of the place. Rayagada promises an unforgettable experience that is sure to rejuvenate the body mind and soul.

The major crops grown in this region are cash crops, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and paddy. The region is well known for its vibrant flora and fauna, including some rare species of animals and plants.

Quick Summary of Rayagada

Facts About  Nayagarh, Odisha
Name of Place	Nayagarh
Type of City or Place	District Headquaters
District	Nayagarh
Current DM / Collector of District	Shri Rabindra Nath Sahu, IAS
State	Odisha
Administrative Structure	Nayagrah District HQ
	1 Subdivions/12 Tehsils/8 Blocks
Pin Code	752069
Subdivisions Details	1 sub divison
Tehsil Details	12 Tehsil
Block Details	8 blocks
Railway Station Available	Available
Nearest  Railway station	Nayagarh Town Railway Station
No of Trains (Up/ Down)	From Bhubaneswar 3
Airport Available	Doesn’t have it’s own airport/airstip
Nearest Airport	Biju Patnaik International airport, Bhubaneshwar
Distance from State Capital	84.8 KM
City/ Town Population	17,030
District Population	9,62,789
University in Town/ City	GIET University, Gunupur
Medical College	No Medical College in district
Eng College	3
Other Degree Colleges	21
CBSE/ ICSE Private Schools	Kendriya Vidhalya The Cambridge School St.Xaviers Senior Secondry School
Govt Sr Sec School	Available
Apparels Brands Available	Trends, Peter England , Bazar India
QSR Brands Available	No
Major Retailers (National / International Chains only)	Peter England Showroom
	City Life Fashion Mall
	Bazar India
	Style Bazar
	Bazar India
	Day 2 Day Mall
Shopping Mall	Not Available
5 Star Hotels (National / International chain hotel)	No
No of Hotels listed on MMT/ Goibibo/ Booking.com	2
Recommended Hotels	Nayagarh Taj Hotel
	Gopinath Hotel
Private Banks	10
Government Banks	9
Famous Tourist Places	1. Gokulananda Park
	2. Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
	3. Udayapur Library
Famour Temples in City	1. Nilamadhev Temple
	2. Baba Ladukeswar Temple
	3. Dakhinakali Temple

Religion wise Population mix of Rayagada

Hindu	94.06%
Muslim	2.21%
Christians	2.93%
Sikhs	0.11%
Buddhist	0.04%
Jain	0.03%
Other	0.02%
Not available	0.61%

Sub-Division Of Rayagarh

There are 2 sub-divisions in the Rayagada district namely:

1. Rayagada
2. Gunupur

With its 11 blocks 15 Tahsils, 325 villages,17 police stations, and 180 village gram panchayats.

Weather of Rayagada

The best time to visit Rayadasa is during the winter months, from October to February. The period offers the most pleasant weather with comfortable and happening temperatures. The region receives a tropical climate with distinct seasons.

Some of the notable places to visit in Rayagada are:-

1. Chatikona Waterfall
2. Rayagada Fort
3. Laxminaryan Temple
4. Maa Majhighariani Temple
5. Hanging Bridge
6. Minajhola
7. Hatipathar

Famous Temples of Rayagada

The region has several renowned temples that hold religious and historical significance. Suggesting you a list of some famous temples that you can visit during your trip to Rayagada.

Maa Majhighariani Temple:- The temple is located at Majhighariani Hill, around 20 kilometers from Rayagada. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Majhighariani. The temple serves the mesmerizing view of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Laxminaryan Temple:- The temple is situated at a distance of 25 kilometers from Rayagada in the IMFA factory. The idol of Lord Narayan with his wife Goddess Laxmi is being established.

Kalyan Mandap:- The temple is located in Rayagada town and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple complex includes a marriage hall and a community gathering place.

Rama Temple:- The temple is located in Rayagada town and is dedicated to Lord Rama, who was an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple is beautifully designed with the scenes of Ramayana.

Hanuman Temple:- The temple is located in Chaulagai, a nearby village of Rayagada.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is a famous pilgrimage site that is being visited by many devotees.

Major Festivals of Rayagada

Some of the major events and festivals celebrated in Rayagada town, highlight the religious, cultural, and traditional diversity of the district. I have mentioned some major notable events below:-

Rayagada Mahotsav:- The festival is the annual mass culture celebrated in then Rayagada region. The festival is observed in the last three days of the year, in which the best tribal art and culture is being showcased.

Ratha yatra:-Also known as Chariot festival, celebrated in various parts of Odisha including, Rayagada. The festival shows Shree Jagannath’s annual journey from the main temple to the nearby temple. Devotees gather to pull the chariot chanting and singing and rejoicing, expressing their devotion to Shree Jagannath.

These festivals celebrated in Rayagada, created an atmosphere of joy, unity, and reverence providing glimpses into the vibrant culture of the region.

Budget hotels in Rayagada

Mentioning some budget hotels in Rayagada so that you can easily check out them as per your budget and convenience.

Hotel Ashok:- The hotel is located near Flyover, Panchayati Nagar, Madhusudan Nagar, Rayagada. The hotel provides basic amenities like a pool, free wifi, and a parking facility. The stay charge per day starts from Rs 590 and can vary as per your preference.

OYO Hotel Vamsi Krishna:- The hotel is located in New Colony, Rayagada. The hotel provides basic amenities like free wifi, free breakfast, air conditioning, a restaurant, room services, full-service laundry, and a parking facility. The stay charges per day start from Rs 848 and can vary as per your preference.

Hotel Jyoti Mahal:-The hotel is located on Convent Rd, New Colony, Rayagada. The hotel provides basic amenities like free wifi, free breakfast, air conditioning, a restaurant, room services, full-service laundry, an airport shuttle, and a parking facility. The stay charges per day start from Rs 1,225 and can vary as per your preference.

Premium hotels in Rayagada

Now, suggesting some of the premium hotels in Rayagada so that you can also have a look at these hotels before planning your trip

1. OYO Hotel Vamsi Krishna
2. Hotel Sai International
3. Hotel Lotus Paradise

Local Market of Rayagada

Some of the well-known markets in Rayagada where you can explore and experience the local shopping culture are:-

1. Rayagada under bridge morning market
2. Aambaguda Market
3. Roadside vegetable market
4. Brundabati Rayagada Mart
5. Sai Binayaka Marketing

Famous Food of Rayagada

Being a part of Odisha, Rayagada offers a delectable array of traditional Odia cuisine. Some famous food of Rayagada and the region are:-

1. Pakhala:- It’s a traditional food. It is made of fermented rice that is soaked in water and served with curries, Pickles, and fried fish. Especially enjoyed during summers.

• Santula:- It is a simple yet flavorful dish that is commonly prepared there. It is a mix of various vegetables, such as pumpkin, beans, and green leafy vegetables, cooked together with mustard oil and seasoned with a mix of five spices. Served with rice.

• Chhena Poda:- It’s a mouthwatering dessert that is loved there. It is made by caramelizing homemade cottage cheese with sugar, ghee, and cardamom, resulting in a rich, caramelized crust and soft, creamy interior.

• Pitha:- It comes in various forms and flavors. It is essentially a rice-based dumpling or pancake, either steamed, fried, or baked. Pitha can be sweet or savory, with popular varieties including Enduri Pitha, Arisa Pitha, and Poda Pitha.

Pure Veg Restaurant In Rayagada

Being a vegetarian, it becomes difficult to find out pure veg restaurants that offer vegetarian food. Listing down the name of restaurants for your convenience that serves vegetarian food:-

1. Neelachal Veg Restaurant
2. Tara Veg Hotel and Tiffin

Jain Restaurants In Rayagada

Finding Jain-specific restaurants in smaller towns like Rayagada may become a little challenging, as Jain cuisine is relatively niche. Mentioned below are some of the restaurants that offer Jain food and can prepare it on demand:-

1. Tara Veg Hotel and Tiffin
2. Neelachal Veg Restaurant

Shopping Malls In Rayagada

Here are some popular Shopping destinations in Rayagada:-

1. Style Bazaar
2. Tribal World
3. Rani Complex
4. Reliance Superstore
5. Saundarya
6. Trends

Retail Stores In Rayagada

Here are some common types of retail stores in Rayagada:

1. V Bazaar
2. Trends
3. Style Bazaar
4. Twills
5. Mi store

Multiplex In Rayagada

There is only one multiplex available in Rayagada which is VK Central. There are also some dedicated cinema halls like Uday Plaza, MuktaA2 Cinemas, and others.

Major Brands available In Rayagada

As a relatively small district, it may not have a wide range of major or international brands present in the region. Here are some of the brands and stores that you may come across in the region:-

1. For Faishon:- V Bazaar, Trends, Style Bazaar, Reliance Superstore, and Twills
2. For Electronics:- L.G, Samsung, Voltas, Haier,.etc
3. For Footwears:-Flite, Bata, Reliance, Relaxo, Etc
4. For watches:- Titan, sonata, fastrack,.etc
5. For Jewelry:- Sri Siva Shankar Jewelers, Shirdi Sai Jewelers, Kumar’s sunrise jewelers, etc
6. For Home Appliances:- Voltas, cello, Samsung, etc

Best Location For Business In Rayagada

The best location for doing business in Rayagada is the Rayagada bus stand area,

Rayagada town center, and Jaykaypur industrial area these are some prime locations for doing business. As it offers a central location with good accessibility and potential foot traffic.

Schools in Rayagada

Here are some prominent schools in Rayagada:-

1. Prasad Techno School
2. Sacred Heart School
3. St.Xaviers Senior Secondary School
4. Gayatri Model School
5. Swami Vivekananda School

Colleges In Rayagada

Below are some of the prominent colleges in Rayagada:

1. Rayagada Autonomous College
2. Gunupur Degree College
3. Gandhi Institute of Science and Technology
4. Majhighariani Institute of Technology and Science
5. UGMIT college, Rayagada

Hospitals In Rayagada

Some major hospitals present in Rayagada are:

1. Railway Hospital
2. District Headquarters hospital
3. First Aid Hospital
4. YR Rao Hospital
5. Naba Jeevan Nursing Home

Industries Or Factory In Rayagada

Some notable industries and factories are operating in the region. Some of them are:-

1. Utkal Alumina International ltd.
2. SRCC Polyfab Pvt Ltd.
3. A.k Engineering works
4. Tikiri Agro Craft Producer Company ltd
5. Odisii Coffee Pvt ltd.

Upcoming Project In Rayagada

Some major upcoming projects in Rayagada are:-

1. Implementation of lower Vansadhara irrigation scheme stage-1
2. Set up a green field integrated aluminum refinery

• Set up a solar power energy
• Set up an alumina complex
• Set up a thermal power plant

Major Agricultural Crops In Rayagada

Being an agrarian district in Odisha, it is known for its agricultural products. The region has a favorable climate and soil fertility enabling the cultivation of a variety of crops.

Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Rice
2. Maize
3. Paddy
4. Millets
5. Oilseeds
6. Vegetable
7. Pulses
8. Fruits

How To Reach Rayagada

Some general ways to reach Rayagada

1. By Air:- The nearest airport to Rayagada is Visakhapatnam Airport, which is approximately 187.8 kilometers away. Different flights are available like Indigo, Vistara, etc you can easily book your tickets from MakeMyTrip, Paytm, and other Platforms. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or cab, or either you can use public transport.

• By Train:- Rayagada has its railway station, well connected with the major cities of Odisha and other parts of the county. There are several trains including express and superfast trains operate to and from Rayagada. You can Book your tickets from www.irctc.com, MakeMyTrip, etc, and through other platforms as per your source and destination. After reaching the railway station, you can hire a taxi or cab, or either you can use public transport.

• By Road:- Rayagada is well connected to towns, cities, and neighboring states. NH 326 passes through the region making it easily accessible by road. State-Run buses and private buses are available to Rayagada and from major cities.

Distance from State Capital To Rayagada

The state capital is Bhubaneshwar and the distance between Bhubaneshwar to Rayagada is 378.0 kilometers.

Buses from State Capital To Rayagada

Bus facilities available from Bhubaneshwar to Rayagada are mentioned below:

1. Mahadev Bus Service

Departure time:-9:00P.M from Baramunda Bus stand Arrival time:-06:00A.M to Rayagada bus stand

Fair:- Rs 629 and can prefer according to your preference Time:- 9 Hours

• Sarala Bus Service

Departure time:-8:30P.M from Beramunda Bus stand(KHS) Arrival time:-4:30A.M to Rayagada bus stand

Fair:- Rs 539 and can prefer according to your preference Time:- 8 hours

• Suhane Travels

Departure time:-7:15 from Nakhara Bus stand Arrival time:-4:00 at Rayagada bus stand

Fair:- Rs 849 and can prefer according to your preference Time:- 8 hours and 45 minutes

More buses are available you can easily check out the tickets on www.Redbus.com, www.makemytrip.com, and several other platforms at your convenience.

Trains From State Capital To Rayagada

There are 2 trains available from Bhubaneswar to Rayagada railway station. Mention below are trains for your reference:

1. 18447- Hirakhand Express
2. 20837- Junagarh Road Express

These trains run daily you can easily book your tickets from www.irctc.com and other platforms

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