Athamallik-Pilgrimage of Nature

ATHAMALLIK

HISTORY

The origin of the state is obscure. Tradition states that the founder of the family, Pratap Dev, came to Puri and quarrelled with the Raja, who put to death two of his seven brothers. The survivors fled to Bonai and established themselves there. Pratap Dev next proceeded to Baudh and thence to Athmalik, of which he took possession after killing the Dom Chief. He established a village named Pratappur and declared himself as the Raja of the area. He subsequently divided the territory into 8 divisions, each under a Chieftain, called Malik, as a measure to suppress the unruly tribes. Hence, the Kingdom changed its name from Hondapa (Handpa) to Athamalik which means the land of 8 chieftains. In the 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 in succession from the time of Pratap Deo. Raja Laxmidhar Deo, who ruled from 1785 to 1802, threw off allegiance to Baudh and declared himself as an independent ruler in Athmalik. In the treaty engagement of 1804, it is mentioned as a tributary of Baudh, but was treated as a separate state in the sanad granted to the Raja in 1894. The Chief of Athmalik was officially known as Zamindar and was addressed as Samant. In 1874, the chief of Athmalik was recognized as ruler, and he was granted the hereditary title of Raja. Predecessor state founded in antiquity, the modern Princely State came into being in 1874. Rulers were...

RAJABATI ATHAMALLIK

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1.Jogendra Samant (1874 - 1877)

2.Mahendra Deo Samant (4 Feb 1877 - 190.)

3.Bibhendra Deo Samant (190.- 3 Nov 1918)

4.Kishor Chandra Deo Samant(b. 1904) (3 Nov 1918 - 15Aug 1947)

1. Raja JOGENDRA DEO SAMANT

1st Raja of Athmalik 1874/1877, born 1821, married and had issue.(GA) He died 4th February 1877.

2. Maharaja MAHENDRA DEO SAMANT

2nd Maharaja of Athmalik 1877/1902, born about 1848, succeeded 4th February 1877 (GA) , he was granted the title of Maharaja in 1890 as a personal distinction, in recognition of his good administration of the state; he married and had issue.

3. Raja BIBHUDENDRA DEO SAMANT

3rd Raja of Athmallik 1902/1918, established a number of Primary Schools during his benevolent rule; he married 1stly, a Princess of Patna, married 2ndly, a Princess of Tarala, and had issue,(GA) three surviving sons and three daughters. He died 1918.

4. Raja KISHOR CHANDRA DEO SAMANT

4th Raja of Athmallik 1918/19xx , born 10rd November 1904, succeeded 3rd November 1918, Investiture held on 24th December 1925, educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur; M.L.A. (Orissa), after the death of the late Raja Saheb, Col. Cobden Ramsay, the Commissioner and Political Agent, took control of the royal properties, as the Heir was a minor and he appointed a superintendent for management of royal affairs along with education and up-bringing of the young prince.(GA) The Raja was responsible for the construction of Primary Schools, a Girls’ School, the temple of Maheswari, bridges on the road from Kaintaragarh to Boinda, improvements in the road from Kaintaragarh to Kiakata, a road from Kaintaragarh to Durha, Kacheri road and many big tanks.(GA) He devoted himself to the task of bringing all round development to the state. He had brought about many administrative and taxation reforms, the whole state being administered in 4 praganas and two sub-divisions namely Athamallik sadar and Kishorenagar; married 1stly, a Princess of Keonjhar, daughter of Raja Gopinath Narayan Bhanj Deo of Keonjhar, married 2ndly, Rani Srimanta

Maa Maheswari

Many years ago Maa Maheswari was situated in Deulajhari. King Gajapati was bring them from Jajpur and situate here. After some year the king of Athmallik was bring them to Purunagarh of Handpa and finally situate at Kaintragarh.

In 1921 the temple was created by the Government of British. 

Deuljhari
History says that the main temple was built by the King Kishore Chandra Deo of Kadmba destiny in the year 1936. Subsequently adjacent temples in the premises were built by other benevolent persons and devotees.
Mythologically, the place is related to the age of Tretaya in which the lord Rama along with Sita Devi and the younger brother Laxman worshiped Lord Shiva at this place in course of their fourteen years exile life. In the world of spiritualism the place is also viewed as the Adipitha of Lord Jagannath. But how and when this pitha became the Saivic place of worship is yet a topic of research among the spiritual fathers. Reach Deuljhari : Deuljhari is well communication by roads & railways from all over the state. It is 235 kms. from state capital Bhubaneswar, 85 kms. from the district head quarters Angul and 40 kms. from the national High way 55 connecting at Boinda.The nearest railway station is at Boinda that connects metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chenai.(G.A)


Binikeyi
Many year ago there was a temple in ‘’Binika’’.But after some years the Temple was deep in the river.The God of the temple was stay there.One day some people were bring them to the river side of athmallik.After some year, temple was made By People and it called God Binika’’ the place was popularty known as ‘’Binikeyi.Every year a Festival Or Binikeyi Jatra Obtain here..
The pitha of Goddess Binikei is another spot of tourist attraction in the Sub-division of Athamallik. The place is located on the bank of the river Mahanandi and is only 25 Kms. away from the Sub-divisional headquarters. The spot is the gateway to the famous Satakosia gorge in river Mahanadi. At the back of the temple stand the towering Panchadhara hills like a crown on the head of the deity.