Angul
Angul is like a bridge between western and coastal halves of Odisha where the prehistoric and protohistoric relics are found in village Bhimakand, Kankili, Kulei, Samal, Sanakerjang, Kaliakata, Paranga, Kerjang, Tikarapara and Pallahara.The geographical location of Angul made the Bhanjas of Angulaka’pattana, the Sulkis of Kodalaka Mandala, the Nandodbhavas of Airavatta Mandala, the Tungas of Yamagartta Mandala rule over it. But all through the rules of different dynasties, Angul has retained her cultural identity which is much more prominent than its political establishments.
After independence Angul became one of the important district in the State of Odisha. Rich cultural heritage, cosmopolitan approach, different temples, natural beauty, dense forest, availability of raw materials in its abode make Angul a major district in 21st century.
Athamallik
The tradition regarding the foundation of Athamallik is that the area was divided the territory in 8 divisions, each under a Chieftain called as Mallik as a measure to suppress the unruly tribes. Hence, the Kingdom changed its name from Hondapa to Athamallik which means the land of 8 chieftains. In course of time his successor shifted the capital from Hondapa to Thakurgarh,Nuagaon and finally to Purunagarh (Kaintaragarh) . The palace records show that 42 Kings of this dynasty have ruled the estate. The Chief of Athamallik was officially known as Zamindar and was being addressed as Samanta. The chief of Athamallik was officially recognized as a Raja and he was allowed to have hereditary title of Raja. Devi maheswari is the deity of royal family of Athamallik.
The King appointed some deputy administrators for several area who were Khyatriyas and Athamallik was named after them.
- Sanjamura – Pandav Mallik
- Bamur – Rajendra mallik
- Mindol – Damodar mallik
- Jamudoli – Balaji Biswal
- Kaitragarh – Angada Garhtiya
Other three names are still unknown.
The hot spring at Deulajhari is one of the attractive place in this area. Goddess Maheswari is the present deity of Athamallik. Goddess Maheswari is worship with “Maheswari Tantra” and it is obe of the important tantric pitha of the area. God Dolagobinda is also worshipped near this temple. Apart from this, many God and Goddess like Rani Durga, Bandurga, Mahakali, Khambeswari, Narayani, Mahalaxmi, Mahakala and Bhairabi are also worshiped near this area.
Talcher
Talcher is situated on the bank of the river Brahmani and regarded as one of the major Gadjat area of our State. In the dense forest area during the earlier time, Boita Sabara were living peacefully. In the 14th century, Panchdiha Chasa who were mainly farmer community cane to this fertile area and started living here. The King of Talcher Padmanabha Birabara Harichandan who renamed the state as Talcher after the name of the family GoddessTaleswari. Padmanabha Harichandan is remembered as a pious ruler and is said to have constructed many temples in his state. There is a mythology behind the naming of Talcher. King Padmanava once going to the forest and reached in the area where present palace is situated. Near the Taleswari temple, King was decided to establish his capital. But the Khandual Zamindar opposed him. King was disheartened. But in the night whle sleeping, Goddess Hingula told him if the King started worshiping Goddeess Hingula and Goddess Taleswari, then he can win the fight against Khandual Zamindar. But the condition was that the area to be named as Talcher. King then worshipped both Goddess Hingula and Taleswari and won in the fight and named the area as Talcher. he established his capital there. Talcher is now one of the important industrial town of the district.
Pallahara
It is belived that Pallahara state was established by Satosh Pala before 18th century. Santosh while returning from Puri after pilgrimage, he was nominated to lead the Sabara, Kandha, Malhara, and Jhara people of Pallahara. At that time Pallahara or Palalahada was simply known as Lahada. Santosh stayed there and Pala Sabara had hided him under Pala gada”” while he tried to take control of the area from local tribes. Finally Santosah Pala and his supporters won the fight and establish his kingdom there. Santosh Pala changed his name as “Ganeswar pala”when he became King of Palalahada. After this as per the tradition whoever became king of Pallahada were known as Ganeswar Pala or Muni Pala. The royla family of this area was known as Pala family. Though Pala family estabslihed Palalahada, still SAbar community were also held equally responsible for establishment of Palalahada Kingdom.
