Jajpur (also known as Jajapur) is a city and a municipality in Jajpur district in the Indian state of Odisha. It was the capital of Odisha during the Kesari dynasty, later supplanted by Cuttack. Now, it is the headquarters of Jajpur district.
Etymology and names
Jajpur, the location of the ancient Viraja Temple, was originally known as Viraja. Other names of the city in the ancient texts include Viranja, Varanja-nagara, Varaha-tirtha. The Bhauma-Kara kings established their capital city of Guhadevapataka (or Guheshvarapataka), identified with modern Gohiratikar (or Gohiratikra) near Jajpur. The later Somavanshi kings moved their capital from Yayatinagara (modern Binka) to Guheshvarapataka, and renamed the city Abhinava-Yayatinagara ("the new city of Yayati").
Later, the Jajpur city came to be known as Yajanagara. According to one theory, this name is a corruption of "Yayatinagara". Another theory is that it derives from the Brahmanical sacrifices (Yajna) that became popular during the Ganga-Gajapati period (11th-16th century). In the Muslim chronicles such as Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi, the city's name was mentioned as "Jajnagar". Later, the suffix "-nagar" ("city") was replaced with the equivalent "-pur", and the city's name became "Jajpur".
History
Earliest account of Jajpur is part of the history of the Odisha. It was the capital of Keshari King Yayati Keshari in 473 CE. Accounts by Chinese travelers mention Jajpur as capital in 7th century. It has been a center of Tantrism. The budhhist kingdom of Bhauma Karas also kept Jajpur as their capital in 8th century CE. Many Buddhist structures have been unearthed in and around Jajpur that point to the Buddhist past of the town.
Demographics
As of 2011 India census, Jajpur had a population of 37,458. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Jajpur has an average literacy rate of 82%, greater than the national average of 65%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 76%. In Jajpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Politics
Current MLA from Jajpur Assembly Constituency is Pranab Prakash Das of BJD, who won the seat in State elections of 2009. He has elected as second time with a large vote margin. Previous MLAs from this seat were Parameswar Sethi who won this seat in 2004 and Suryamani Jena who won this seat in 2000 representing BJD and also in 1995 representing JD, Jagannath Mallik who won this seat representing JD in 1990 and also in 1985 and in 1977 representing JNP, and Niranjan Jena of INC(I) in 1980. Sri Pranab Prakash Das [MLA] Jajpur Assembly Constituency has been appointed as Ministers of State MoS (Ind) Energy and Information Technology. Sri Pranab Prakash Das [MLA] will also entrusted to oversee after Disability Welfare in the department of Women and Child Development as MoS
Colleges
N.C. Autonomous College, Jajpur Town
S G College, Kanikapada, Jajpur
V. N. Autonomous College, Jajpur Road
Schools
G. C. Highschool, Aunri, Jajpur
G. S. High School
Tourist Places
Maa Chandi of Chandikhol
CHANDIKHOLE CHANDI TEMPLE
Chandikhole is a town in Jajapur district, Odisha, India. The place has been named after Goddess Chandi worshipped.
Ashokjhar water fall at Sukinda
ASHOKJHAR WATERFALL
Ashokjhar is a tourist place situated in Sukinda Block .It is about 8 KM from Block Head Quarter.
Main Gate of Ratnagiri, jajpur
RATNAGIRI
Archaeological museum at Ratnagiri is one of the important site museums of Archaeological Survey of India.
Maa Biraja of Birajakhetra, Jajpur
BIRAJA KHETRA
Biraja Temple or Viraja Kshetra , is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Odisha.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jajpur
