Karanjia

Karanjia
Karanjia
Town
	Karanjia Location in Odisha, India Karanjia Karanjia (India)
	Coordinates: 21°47′N 85°58′E / 21.78°N 85.97°E
Country	India
State	Odisha
District	Mayurbhanj
Elevation	389 m (1,276 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	22,865
Languages
• Official	Odia
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	757037
Telephone code	06796
Vehicle registration	OD-11
Website	www.karanjianac.in

Karanjia is a town and a Municipality in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, about 221 kilometres (134 mi) north of the state capital Bhubaneswar. It is the sub-divisional headquarter of Panchpir sub-division and a NCA in Mayurbhanj district. It is bounded on its South-East by Deo river which forms the natural district border for Mayurbhanj.

History

The Panchpir subdivision in Mayurbhanj district has a historical legacy dating back to the 9th century when it emerged as the administrative center of the Mayurbhanj state. Throughout its history, Karanjia has served as a modest administrative hub within the subdivision. In response to population growth, it was officially designated as municipality. with 18.94 km² area and is divided into 15 wards in 1973, incorporating nine neighboring villages: Karanjia, Rairangpur, Polasia, Girima, Jodideuli, Karadia, Sorubali, Ankura, and Niunti.

In 2024, Karanjia NAC was upgraded to Municipality status.^[2]

Demographics

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1981	14,910	—
1991	17,623	+18.2%
2001	21,441	+21.7%
2011	22,865	+6.6%
Source: Census of India^[3]

As of the 2011 Indian census^[4] Karanjia had a population of 22,865. Males constitute 49% of the population, females 51%. Karanjia has an average literacy rate of 83.35%, higher than the state average of 72.87%. Male literacy is 89.10%, and female literacy is 77.76%. 10.45% are under 6.

Religion

It hosts a shrine to Maa Ambika. The other major temples are Jagannath temple, Shyamarai Temple, Purneshwar Shiva temple, Maa Mangala temple, Shyam Baba Temple, Rani Sati temple, Barkhanda temple of Gadsahi, Bamanashala, Sri Ganesh statue, Thakur Ankulchandra temple, Satyasai temple, Rameswar Baba Shiva Temple and Brameswara Mandir Karadia.

The mosque is one of the oldest in Mayurbhanj.

The famous shrine of 8th century Kichakeshwari temple, Khiching along with ancient ruins of forts and temples are situated 27 km from town.

Karanjia is known for its Dola Yatra and Mela that is celebrated in falgun month of Odia Panjika (calendar). It is a century-old festival of this locality.

Attractions

Bhimkund is a natural water tank situated 40 km from Karanjia. Simlipal National Park, is a nearby tiger reserve 40–50 km from town. Maa Tarini Temple,^[5] Rani Sati Mandir, Brameswara Mandir, Lord Jagannath Temple, Ramtirtha waterfalls, Sanaghagara Waterfall are located near the town.

Maa Kichakeshwari Temple is located nearby in Khiching. Kichakgarh and Viratgarh are other attractions there. Khiching is flanked by Kantakhairi and Khairibhandan rivers.

Education

Schools

More than 20 schools operate in Karanjia, including:

Ananda Marga Gurukul
Vikash Convent School, Karanjia
Saraswati Sishu Vidya Teertha)
D. M. Public School
DAV Public School
Karanjia Govt. High School
Karanjia Govt. Girls' High School
Khajuri Sagar School
Similipal English Medium School
Sovaniya Sikhyashram
Vivekananda Public School
Karadia Ug. Me. School
St Xavier School
Girima U.G.U.P. School, Dolpadia
Odisha State Brigade Public School (O.S.B.P.S.)

ANKURA, KARANJIA College':

Karanjia (Auto) College, Karanjia
Panchpir Women's College, Karanjia
Similipal +2 Residential College
Karanjia Industrial Training Institute
Maa Mangala College of Pharmaceutical Sciences^[6]

Politics

Karanjia is part of Keonjhar (Lok Sabha constituency).^[7]

The current MLA is Basanti Hembram. She won the seat in State elections of 2019 as a candidate of Biju Janata Dal by defeating the candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Karanjia is part of Keonjhar Loksabha constituency. The MP is Chandrani Murmu who won it by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Ananta Nayak.