Berhampur

Berhampur ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର Brahmapur
City
Brahmapur railway station in Berhampur
Nickname:  Silk City
Country	India
State	Odisha
District	Ganjam
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC)
• Mayor	K. Madhavi
• Municipal commissioner	Mrs. Anjana Panda
Area
• Total	86.82 km2 (33.52 sq mi)
Elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	355,823
• Rank	120
• Density	4,100/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Odia
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	760001–760010
Telephone code	0680
Vehicle registration	OR-07 OD-07
Website	www.berhampur.gov.in

Berhampur, also known as Brahmapur, is a municipal corporation located on the eastern coastline of Ganjam district of the Indian state of Odisha, about 169 kilometres (105 mi) south of the state capital, Bhubaneswar. It is one of the oldest and largest cities of Odisha. Nicknamed "The Silk City", it is famous for its silk saris, temples and unique culture. The population of the city is 355,823 as of the 2011 Census of India (provisional), making it the third most populous urban city in Odisha state and 122nd in India.

Etymology

"Berhampur" is the anglicised form of the city's original name (lit. "Home of Lord Brahma").

There have been several demands to change the English spelling of city's official name to "Brahmapur". In the 1990s, the Indian Railways accepted the city's traditional name "Brahmapur" for all its official purposes. Therefore, the city's railway station is known as Brahmapur railway station. However, the Odisha State government has not taken any steps to change the city's name in English. In the official records, the city has two names: "Berhampur" in English, and "Brahmapur" in Odia and Hindi. It's one of the biggest city of southern Odisha and called as Heart of South Odisha People.

Overview

Brahmapur is the primary railway head for nearby tourist destinations. It serves as a node for the nearby small towns and villages, so trade is predominant here. A majority of the people are self-employed in various businesses of different scales. Brahmapur is well known for its intricately designed silk saris (Berhampuri patta), handloom cloth and jewellery shops. There is another type of patta available, called Bomokei patta, named after Bomokei, a nearby village. It is famous for its excellent work in making of brass metal fish (Pital). Brahmapur is famous for its footpath food. It is heaven for the Foodie.

Demographics

As per the 2011 Census of India (provisional), the population of Brahmapur is 355,823, of which 185,584 are males and 170,239 are females. The effective literacy rate of Brahmapur is 90.04%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Male and female literacy rates are 93.83% and 85.92%, respectively. 8.2% of the population are children aged 0–6 years. The adult and child sex ratios are 917 and 898 females per 1000 males, respectively. Brahmapur is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Gopalpur sea beach/port and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Asika.

See also: List of cities in Odisha

Administration

The city is administered by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC). This organization earlier was a municipality from 1867 until 29 December 2008. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of South zone is located at Brahmapur and covers the undivided Ganjam, Koraput, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts.

Utility services

The BMC provides civic services to the city. Garbage collection has been privatized in 20 out of 40 wards.

There are many mobile phone service companies who operate their GSM and CDMA networks in the city. There are many landline companies that provide commercial and domestic broadband internet services in the city.

A survey has been done to assess the nature of solid waste generated in the city which would help in the designing of a solid waste management plant proposed to be established near Chandania Hill on the outskirts of Brahmapur. International Financial Corporation (IFC), is providing technological support for the project.

Potable water to the city is supplied by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. The main source of water, the River Rushikulya, is colloquially known as "Ganga of Ganjam". It flows about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the city and drains into the Bay of Bengal near Gopalpur port. There are a large number of tanks and lakes in and around the city that provide storage.

The Southern Electricity Supply Company of Orissa Limited (SOUTHCO) was incorporated on 11 November 1997 to manage electricity supply to southern Odisha, consisting of the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, and parts of Puri district, with its headquarters at Brahmapur. The area experiences scheduled and unscheduled power cuts, especially during the summer, due to excess consumption demands.

The Odisha State Government has proposed to have a passport service center (seva kendra) in Brahmapur.

Culture

Berhampur is one of the oldest and most prominent settlements between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar. The city is famous for the shops in Bada Bazaar, Annapurna Market and Bhapur Bazaar.

Theatre has been very prominent since the late 1930, and was the main source of entertainment until the advent of motion pictures. Ganjam Kala Parishad and Prakasam Hall, located here, are some of the oldest drama halls in India. The oldest theatre in the history of Odisha was the Sri Sitaram Vilas Talkies (SSVT, established in the year 1927) which was closed down following severe damage by a super cyclone on 29 October 1999.

Berhampur is very famous for its papadum, aachar (pickles) and various kinds of badis. Berhampur is well known for its intricately designed silk saris and handloom cloth and hence is known as the Silk City. It is also a big market place for fruits especially mangoes as they arrive from the orchards of nearby Andhra Pradesh state.

Night life in this town comes alive with some glitter and bustling shops around Annapurna Market, some market complexes down the market street and Ramlingam Tank road, where people sit there and enjoy the evening. The streets around Goutam Cinema Hall are famous for street-side food, though hygiene of the food can be questionable.

Western-style dress has gained greater acceptance among men, although traditional dress like the dhoti and kurta are seen during festivals or other religious occasions. Many women normally wear a sari or a shalwar kameez, though western attire is becoming popular among younger women.

There are many temples in Berhampur, including Lord Sidha Vinayaka Temple, Lord Nilakantheswara Temple, Lord Sri Radheshyam Sunder Temple, Bhairabi Temple, Taratarini Temple, Venu Gopalaswamy Temple, and Budhi Thakurani Temple.

Festivals

The people of Berhampur celebrate all the major festivals of Odisha, like Rath Yatra, Durga Puja, Diwali, Kumar Purnima or Gaja Laxmi Puja, Manabasa Gurubar, Raja Sankranti, Makar Sankranti, Bishuba/Pana Sankranti or Oriya New Year, Dola Yatra or Holi, Chandan Yatra, Gamha Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan, Kartik Purnima, Nabanna, Janmastami, Ram Navami, Saraswati Puja, Ganesh Puja, Ugadi, and others. Some festivals are unique to the City, like Sharad Purnima or Kumara Purnima. In Kumar Purnima, all the girls do Janiusa Puja and pray to Tulasi Maa for blessing them with a good life partner. Every two years, a festival is held in honor of the main deity of the city, Thakurani Maa and the festival is known as Thakurani Jatara/Yatra. It is said that Goddess Thakurani Maa come to their parent's home during the holidays for some days from her in-laws home. Sitala Shashti Jatra is celebrated during the month of June every year to mark the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Also The "Kandhei Jatra" (Festival of toys) is celebrated every year which is unique to the city.

The other communities of the city such as Telugus, Marwaris, Punjabis, Bengalis and Gujaratis celebrate their festivals along with the major festivals of the city.

Transport

Berhampur is considered as the gateway to southern Odisha, and has a well-developed transportation network. Now there are a large no. of city buses to cater to the needs of Berhampur. The newly introduced city buses ply from Berhampur to nearby places like Chatrapur, Hinjilicut and Gopalpur.

Road

Berhampur city is connected with National Highways NH-5 (Chennai–Kolkata), NH-59 (Gopalpur–Ahmedabad) and NH-217 (Gopalpur–Raipur) and other cities and towns of Odisha. The three-wheeler auto taxis are the most important mode of transportation in this city. Taxis also ply on the city's roads. The Ganjam Urban Transport Services Limited (GUTSL) with joint partnership with Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) have come up with an agreement, valid for one year, to run a city-bus service for Berhampur to urban centres on its periphery (Chatrapur,Gopalpur, and Hinjli) on February 27, 2014.

Rail

Brahmapur railway station is situated on the East coast railway line which is a major route connecting the two metros Kolkata and Chennai of India. It is directly connected to New Delhi, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cuttack, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Puri, Raipur, Sambalpur, Vishakhapatnam, and many more cities of India. Cuttack – Berhampur connectivity (DMU) is popular connectivity to reach Cuttack.

Air

The nearest Airports are Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar (169 km) and Visakhapatnam Airport, Visakhapatnam (256 km). Rangeilunda airstrip is located at about 9 km east of the city and was built by the British during World War II. It is adjacent to the Berhampur University.

Sea

The city is served by two ports, Gopalpur Port and a new satellite port at the Bahuda Mouth (Muhan), operated by Paradip Port Trust (PPT).

Media

Electronic media

Berhampur has a full-fledged All India Radio Station which broadcasts FM radio on 100.6 MHz in Greater Berhampur region (BCGH-Berhampur, Chhatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut). Also there is a high power transmitter of (6 KW) Doordarshan which telecasts Odia language programs. U-TV, previously known as B TV, is the local channel which broadcasts the daily local news.

Print media

There are many print media houses in Berhampur. The oldest Odia daily Dainik Asha, The Samaj, Dharitri, The Sambad, Odisha Bhaskar and Anupam Bharat are published from Berhampur.

Health care

Government / society-owned hospitals

MKCG Medical College and Hospital- It is a combined medical college and hospital and one of the three government medical colleges in Odisha. There are many famous hospitals such as Apollo Hospital, City Hospital, Janana Hospital, Red Cross Hospital, Sahara Dipeta square, Amit Hospital, Canal Street, Gate Bazar; Sriram Hospital, Aeshrat Nursing Home, Escorts Diagnostic, Kamapalli, Ruby Eye Hospital, Govinda Bihar etc.Ruby Eye Hospital

Education

The oldest Municipal School, Government Queen of the Mission's High School,Government High School – MKCG Medical Campus, Girls High School, K. C. Town High School, City High School are probably among the oldest schools in India. Prominent lawyers like G. L. Narasimham, Rajaguru, G. L. Jagannadham, and others are still considered prominent legal experts by the lawyers in and around Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

The city is also a major center of education in south Odisha. The city is the home to 9 engineering colleges, 11 Polytechnic colleges, 14 ITI’s (as of 2011) and the number is growing every year. The city is also home to many tutorials and coaching institutes who prepare students for various entrance exams. Real Estate have also emerged as a big player in Brahmapur urban area. Recent times have seen retail chains such as Vishal Mega Mart, The Planet, Bazar Kolkata, Reliance, The World, etc. opening outlets in Brahmapur.

St. Vincent's Convent School [[1]] is one of the best schools in Brahmapur. Followed by, DAV School and De Paul School.

There are many major educational institutions in Brahmapur and following are some of the reputed institutions: Berhampur University, Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College and Hospital, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences(CPS), Khallikote Government College, Government Engineering School (Polytechnic), Parala Maharaja Engineering College(PMEC), National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Vignan Institute of Technology and Management(VITAM), Roland Institute of Technology (RIT), Sanjaya Memorial Institute of Technology (SMIT) and Gandhi Institute for Industrial Technology(GIIT. The city has highest number of engineering colleges after the state capital of Bhubaneswar. Many students come here to prepare for engineering and medical entrance examinations especially from southern and central region of Odisha.

General education

Universities

• Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar & NBSP;– The Berhampur University came into existence on 2 January 1967, being inaugurated by Dr. A. N. Khosla, the then Governor of Odisha and the first Chancellor of the University. The University was later shifted to the present site known as Bhanja Bihar, named after the celebrated poet of Odisha, Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja. Spreading over an area of 250 acres (1.0 km²) the university is twelve kilometers and five kilometers away from Brahmapur City and sea beach of Gopalpur respectively.
• The Khallikote University- The present Khallikote Autonomous College is upgraded to a Cluster university.
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Brahmapur - Starting the academic session in 2016-17

==

The following are the noted Government Run High School in the City:

• Kendriya Vidyalaya [2] (Central School) (CBSE)
• M.K.C.G. Medical Collage Campus High School (1972)(One of Best Govt School in Odisha)
• City High School (The Oldest School of City)
• Queen of the Mission's High School (Founded in 1947)
• KC Town High School,
• V.V.Giri Girl's High School
• Govt Girl's High School
• Mother Sarojini Giri's High School.
• University Higher Secondary School
• Saheed Lakhmana Nayak Municipal High School and many more.

Private Run Schools are also in city with both adopted to either State Board, CBSE or ICSE. Some of the noted schools are

• De Paul School [3]
• Dayanand Anglovedic Public School, DAV
• KC Public School, Tata Benz Square.
• Saraswati Sishu Biday Mandir, (Neelkanatha Nagar, Ramahari Nagar and Gajapati Nagar.)
• St. Vincent’s Convent School [4],
• Matrusri Anglo Vedic School

Colleges:

Most of the CBSE and ICSE afflitiated Schools have classes up to intermediate beside the following Govt Colleges for Intermediate study in Science, Commerce and Arts from CHSE, Odisha. 

• Khallikote Autonomous Collage. (Proposed to be Cluster University)
• Shasi Bhusan Rath Women's College.
• City College.
• Binayak Acharya College
• Berhampur University Higher secondary School.

Engineering

Many engineering colleges are also present like

1. Parala Maharaja Govt. Engineering College(A Government & constituent college of B.P.U.T.)
2. National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)
3. Roland Institute of Technology Surya Vihar (RIT)
4. Sanjay Memorial Institute of Technology (SMIT), Chandipadar
5. Vignan Institute of Technology and Management [5] (VITAM), Bhairavi, Mantridi village, Berhampur
6. Gandhi Institute of Industrial Technology, Golonthara, Berhampur
7. Gandhi Polytechnic, Golonthara, Berhampur
8. Rahul Institute of Engineering and Technology, Golonthara junction, Berhampur.
9. Kalam Institute of TechnologyKIT (KIT)

Medical, pharmacy, and nursing

MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur and many more under this category include Biju Patnaik Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kaviraj Ananta Tripathy Sharma Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Brundaban Nayak Medical College & Hospital (in progress by SMIT Group) etc.

Others colleges are also present in various fields such as College of Fisheries(O.U.A.T.), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ankushpur (Ratanpur Farm), Berhampur [6], Army Air Defence College (AADC), J.N. Tata Technical Education Center, Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), Academy of Technocrats for the IT courses like BCA, BES & BBA under Berhampur University, DISHA College of Management & Technology (BCA & BBA under Berhampur University, Distance Programs under Punjab Technical University, Karnataka State Open University, Manomaniam Sundaranar University) [7], Multi-skill Development Centre (MDC) (Upcoming) at Berhampur next year in association with German technological expertise aids.[8], Regional Forensic Science Laboratory [9], Orissa Christian Theological College.

Industries

Berhampur region is the hub of industrial activities in southern Odisha. Industrial clusters include granite processing units, Cashew nut processing, rice mills, and fabrication/ handloom unit industries are popular in this region. Some major industries located in Berhampur region are:

• Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a unit of Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. Established in the year 1986. (Products: Ilmenite, Sillimanite, Zircon, Garnet, Rutile, and Monazite :Chemicals: Tri Sodium Phosphate, Thorium Nitrate, Mixed Rare Earth Chloride & NGADU).
• Jayshree Chemicals Limited (JCL), a S. K. Bangur group company. Established in the year 1967. (Products: Caustic soda, Hydrochloric Acid, Sulphur Dioxide Gas and Chlorine)
• Virat Crane Agro Tech (Pvt.) Ltd. Established in the year 1997.
• Railway wagon factory, Sitalapalli, Berhampur (Work in progress)
• Titanium Oxide Plant (Planned)
• Gopalpur Industrial Park by TATA — High Carbon Ferrochrome Plant, Rebar Mill, and Desalination plant (Planned)[10]

Economy

Software industry Many software companies have set up their centres as Berhampur offers opportunities associated with Grade II and grade III cities for BPO and software companies. The third software park STPI- Berhampur of the state and 51st in the country, was inaugurated on August 20, 2010, at Berhampur.

Sports

Berhampur has produced some of the best weight-lifting and boxing players for India at the International level including present day Indian champion in Commonwealth Games Gold medalist winner Katulu Ravi Kumar. Veer Hanuman Club of Berhampur has produced international weight-lifters like Bijay Kumar Satapathy, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, and Tikina Gopal. Bijay Kumar Satapathy, is also an Arjuna Award winner and had grabbed the Silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games held in Australia, and gold medal in the 1981 Mini-Commonwealth Games. Chandra Sekhar Sahu, an employee of the Indian Railways, had clinched a Gold medal in the SAARC sports meet in 1990. Similarly, Tikina Gopal had also won Silver and Bronze medals in the Junior and Senior Asian Championship, while Ranu Mohanty, a girl from the city won medals in the International event of Power-lifting. Cricket, Volley, Basketball and Football (Soccer) are the other popular sports. Sarathi Sahu had won a medal in the state level cricket matches.

Stadiums

Berhampur has a National level stadium which has hosted several Ranji Trophy matches. The city has produced many reputed Ranji players in the recent times.

• Berhampur Stadium (Barracks)
• Khallikote College Stadium
• Veer Hanuman Circus and Physical Institute (VHCPI)- Indoor Stadium

Notable people

• V. V. Giri, former President of India
• P. V. Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister of India
• Binayak Acharya, former Chief Ministers of Odisha
• Biswanath Das, freedom fighter and former Chief Ministers of Odisha
• Kota Harinarayana, scientist & father of India's Light Combat Aircraft
• Sanjukta Panigrahi, Odissi dancer
• Katulu Ravi Kumar, weightlifter
• W. V. V. B. Ramalingam, freedom fighter

Nearby attractions

• Bi-Annual Thakurani Yatra – The Festival of the Goddess : This welcomes the goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temporary abode for the biannual Thakurani Jatra (festival) late at night. The hereditary head of the festival, who is also regarded as the head of the weaver Dera community of the city, Desibehera, dressed in his traditional attire, visits the Budhi Maa Thakurani temple to invite the goddess to her parental abode at his home on Saturday afternoon. His wife also accompanies him, and they make offerings at the Kalika temple. Rituals to welcome the deity for the festival started at the temporary temple built at Desibehera street from evening with the Changudi Puja. After these rituals, flowers are carried from Desibehera's house to the Budhi Thakurani temple. Fallen flowers are carried as representative of the deity to Desibehera Street in a large decorated procession at night. The Thakurani Yatra is celebrated in different parts of Ganjam district. One such major biennial Thakurani Yatra is Lanjipalli Thakurani Yatra.
• Gopalpur Beach : This is 16 km from the city and the Gopalpur is a retreat for sun, sea and sand lovers. At one time it was a busy seaport and it still displays the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty. There are various town buses that run from Old Bus stand to Gopalpur. It is quite convenient to drive to Gopalpur on ones personal vehicle. Gopalpur once used to be a bustling place with tourists. There are many good hotels like Oberoi Palm Beach resort. It is a lesser known fact that, Oberoi Palm Beach resort was the first property to be acquired under the Oberoi Group brand. Gopalpur has an old light house, and a small fisherman's cove. The Gopalpur Beach Festival is also held here.
• See also: Gopalpur-on-sea travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Taratarini Temple – The Shakti Pitha

This is one of the oldest pilgrimage place of mother goddess and amongst the four major ancient Adi Shakti centers in India. The mythological texts recognize four major Shakti Pithas (centers), like Bimala, Taratarini, Kamakshya and Dakhina Kalika, which originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga.

Rooted in the hoary past, mentioned in the Puranas, the Tantras and as the main seat of Tantric cult for thousands of years and center of Shakti worship since time immemorial, this hill Shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine of Mata Sati) and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of about 6000 years.

• Ballipadar : It is famous for black bucks.
• Badagada : It is famous for the Jagnath temple,Maa Phulakasini Temple and near by hillocks. It is about 78 km from Berhampur and daily busses are plying from Berhampur to Badagada.
• Sri Sri Sri Sidhibinayakya Pitha : This temple is centrally located in the city near Giri Road, which will be one of the largest Ganesh Temple in Odisha. The temple work is completed.
• Mahurikalua : It is a forested hilly area where Goddess of Shakti Maa Thakurani is worshiped. It is about 30 km from Berhampur. During the time of Sankranti festival people in large numbers gather to worship.
• Kalua Jatra : The Kalua jatra festival begun in Gosani Nuagaon area of the city. This festival would continue for 15 days till next full moon's day which is celebrated as Kumar Purnima in the Odisha state.
• Dhabaleshwar beach : Dhabaleswar is a quiet and secluded beach close to Gopalpur beach. The famous pilgrim center, Dhabaleswar, with its sand-bleached Shiva temple and the Dhabaleswar island are the nearby attractions.
• The Chhatrapur Port Area
• Siddha Bhairavi: The place is named after the presiding deity goddess Maa Bhairabee at the remote village of Mantridi. Carved in crude fashion, the icon (one-legged goddess with four hands) was discovered and enshrined in a newly adorned temple in 1937. According to legend, fisherman and sailors used to worship the deity for blessings before commencement of their journey. Maa Bhairabee nowadays has become an important Shakti Pitha venerable for the fisherman community that live in nearby villages. Tourists from almost all parts of southern Odisha as well as northern Andhra Pradesh visit this holy shrine everyday. The holy days on which most of the devotees assemble before the deity to offer their prayers are on Sankranti days of the Hindu calendar and on all Tuesdays.
• Taptapani: Taptapani (Hot-Water), as the name suggests, is famous for its hot springs. Nestled at about 1,800 feet (550 m) above sea level, this spot is 56 kilometres away from the city's railway station. The sprawling Panthanivas is the only shelter for tourists at Taptapani. The cottages overlook a pristine valley, and the dining hall is strategically placed between two crests of mountain fold. A few minutes walk from here will take you to Kandimata Mandir, where the locals bathe in the spring before offering their daily prayers. There is also a deer park maintained by the forest department.
• Bala Kumari : The temple of Balakumari can be reached by climbing 1,240 steps and is dedicated to the Goddess Durga.
• Chilika Lake : Chilika is India's biggest inland lake, spread over 1,100 square kilometers stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through a narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water. Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
• Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple : Buguda is a small town in Ghumusar Subdivision of Ganjam district. It is famous for the temple of Biranchinarayan. The temple was built by King Srikara Bhanja, who ascended the throne of Ghumusar in 1790 CE.
• Kulada : Kulada is famous for the Goddess Bagh Devi. It is also said to be the birthplace of the great Oriya poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. It is situated in the northwest of Ganjam District, with a ruined fort, the river Mahanadi flowing in the east, and dense forest lies on the west side of the ruined fort.
• Panchama : Panchama is a small village famous for the temple of Panchama Ganesh, or Siddhi Binayaka, as it is locally known. Tradition says that the Gajapati King Purushottamadeva (15th century) on the way to his conquest of Kanchi recovered the image in the hallow of two trees of Vara and Aswastha and paid his homage to the image after its consecration.
• Narayani : Narayani is 80 km from Berhampur, and located on the top of the Bhalleri hills. The temple of Goddess Narayani (Durga) is surrounded by captivating natural scenery of dense sal and mango grooves. It is one of the most famous Shakti peetha and Tantra peerha of the district, situated at the border of Ganjam and Khurda district.
• Potagarh : This is a historical fort built by Britishers in the 18th century. It is situated close to river Rusikulya and is surrounded by a moat. The remnants of majestic fort houses and a buried tunnel specks, the melody of glorious past of Ganjam city, which was cursed by a dreadful epidemic plague in the year 1815 CE.
• Ujaleswar : The shrine of Ujjaleswar, 19 km from Digapahandi and 45 km from Berhampur, near Ghodahada Dam, was developed from a cave temple, on a hillock which is approachable by steps. A huge stone shadowing the deity forms the back side of the temple, which has been also chiseled to steps for facilitating a circumambulating around the shrine.
• Aryapalli : The beach at Aryapalli is 32 km from Berhampur and 8 km from Chhatrapur and Berhampur.
• Mahendragiri : The hill Mahendragiri, 5,000 feet (1,500 m) high, is in the Parlakhemundi subdivision of the district of Gajapati. It is associated with mythological stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and has interesting archaeological remains. Sivaratri is the main festival.
• Sonepur : Sonepur beach is on the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border along the river Bahuda; on the other side is the beach Pati Sonepur.
• Galleri and Baibelli : These villages belong to Ghumsar region of the Ganjam District. These villages are thought of to be the origination place for Danda Jatra. Danda Jatra are ritualistic performances held during the month of Chaitra for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. This is considered to be the one of the traditional form of worship. The performers showcase their performances in different villages. The performances are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali, which are symbolically represented by a Danda (a Pole), decorated with multi-coloured clothes. The participants showcase various items from their repertoire chiefly among them being Pani Danda, Agni Danda, Dhuli Danda etc. The closing ceremony is known as Meru Yatra, which is observed on the day of Maha Vishuba Sankranti.
• Bankeswari : Bankeswari is a beautiful and scenic spot located on the Kerandimala hill ranges on the Eastern Ghats. It is located about 10 km. from the junction near Digapahandi on the Berhampur – Digapahandi highway. This is mountainous area and has a dense forest cover. The view from the hills is exotic and refreshing and has many pristine streams.

Politics

Current M. P. (Member of Parliament) of Berhampur Parliamentary Constituency is Siddhanta Mahapatra of BJD, elected in the year 2009, 2014. Current MLA from Berhampur Assembly Constituency is Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chau Patnaik of BJD, who won the seat in the state elections of 2014, 2009, 2004 and 2000 and also as JD candidate in 1995. Berhampur Corporation comes under four Assembly segments i.e., Berhampur old town, Gopalpur, Chatrapur and Digapahandi. Berhampur is part of Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency.