Gajapati: Mahendragiri, Monasteries and Handicrafts

Mahendragiri gives Gajapati a distinctive character shaped by highland landscapes, sacred heritage and biodiversity. The region is also home to Jirang Monastery, the history of Chandragiri and crafts that include woollen carpets and traditional bamboo products. This offers more than one way to plan your trip: nature, pilgrimage traditions, monastic culture and the production of local goods are all aspects of Gajapati that may appeal to different interests.

Mahendragiri: Elevation, Ecosystem and Temples

Mahendragiri Hill is located in Gajapati district and reaches elevations of 700 to 1,501 metres above sea level. The hill complex has tropical shola, tropical evergreen, tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous microclimates. Its ecosystem includes 1,358 plant species. If you want to focus on nature and biodiversity during your trip, Mahendragiri offers a specific point of interest in Gajapati.

The ancient temples also shape the character of Mahendragiri. The Kunti Temple on the hill was designated a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. The temples are part of a sacred setting that attracts around 100,000 devotees each year to worship the deities of the hill. The protected temple and the pilgrimage tradition are both part of the region’s religious heritage.

Jirang, Chandragiri and Traditional Handicrafts

The Padmasambhava Monastery, popularly known as Jirang Monastery, is considered the largest monastery in eastern India. The Dalai Lama inaugurated it in 2010. Chandragiri was designated Camp No. 4 for the settlement of Tibetans. This history of the area adds another specific regional dimension to its monastic culture.

The handicrafts also vary considerably: the Tibetan Handicrafts Cooperative Society Ltd. in Chandragiri makes woollen carpets. Bamboo artisans in Jeerango and Chandragiri produce traditional household items such as baskets, Kulla, Jhudi and Doli. Textile crafts and bamboo working are thus two distinct handicraft traditions found side by side in Gajapati.

Palace, History and Other Landscapes

Brundaban Palace, now known as B N Palace, was built on the Mahendratanaya River. It is considered an example of India’s rich cultural heritage and its intricately crafted works. The region’s political history also has a clearly identified figure: Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo was the king of Paralakhemundi and Odisha’s first prime minister.

Another landscape attraction is Khasada Waterfall, near the town of Chandragiri in Gajapati district. In addition to temples, a monastery and handicrafts, your travel plans can therefore include a specific nature destination in the Chandragiri area.

Orissa in a Wider Context

In the wider travel destination of Orissa, Odissi dance represents another cultural tradition. It developed from the ancient Mahari dance tradition, performed by Devadasi dancers at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and was later developed into Odisha’s classical dance form. This regional context broadens the view beyond Gajapati’s attractions and history.

Discover more destinations: Jalara, Balasore, Kandhamal, Jagatsinghpur, Balangir, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Khordha.

View the broader travel overview: Odisha.