Kalahandi district

Kalahandi district (Odia: Kɔɭāhāṇḍi) is one of the 30 districts of Odisha in eastern India. The headquarters of this district is at Bhawanipatna. It has a population of 1,576,869, according to the 2011 census of India.

The history of the district dates back nearly 2,000 years, with evidence of advanced urban settlements, most notably at Asurgarh.The folk culture of Kalahandi has been shaped by mainstream Odia and tribal influences, including the Paraja and Kondha peoples, such as the Ghumura folk dance. It existed as a princely state from 1005, before its accession to India in 1948.

In 1967, Kashipur block was transferred to Rayagada district for administrative reasons. In 1993, Nuapada subdivision was carved out as a separate district. Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency) continues to constitute present Kalahandi district and Nuapada district together.

The economy of Kalahandi is primarily dependent on its mineral resources, mainly in the form of gemstones such as rubies, and bauxite processing and its extensive forests, covering nearly one third of the district. Waterfalls such as Phurlijharan and Dokarichanchara have begun to become a significant source of income through tourism.