Jajpur is a historic place of pilgrimage is located at a distance of 92Kms from Cuttack. Once upon a time Jajpur was the capital of Kalinga kingdom and had achieved the pinnacle of glory in archeological excellence. Jajpur is honoured for its natural resources, mines and industries. Situated on the bank of river Baitarani it has the sacred shrine of Goddess Biraja (Durga), Sveta Baraha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu as the white boar), Sapta Matruka and a host of other shrines. It is famous for Saktipitha of Goddess Biraja.
Jajpur district is spread over an area of 2887.69 Sq. Km. It is situated between 20°.30' - 21°.10' North Latitude and 85°.40' - 86°.44' East Longitude and at an average height of 331 meters from the sea level. The district receives an average rain fall of 1014.5mm. The district is inhabited by 1900054 people.
The district derived its name from the head quarters town of Jajpur. The town was established by "Jajati Keshari", who was the Somabanshi king in early 10th century. The district of Jajpur is surrounded river Baitarini and the districts Keonjhar and Bhadrak in the North., Cuttack district in the south, Dhenkanal in the east and Kendrapara district in the west.
Jajpur is well connected by Road and Rail with the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Jajpur is located 120 kms. away from Bhubaneswar.
The district of Jajpur constitutes of one Revenue sub-division, six Tahalsils namely Dharmasala, Jajpur, Bari, Sukinda, Darpan and Binjharpur ; ten blocks like Sukinda, Jajpur, Dharmasala, Bari, Binjharpur, Badachana, Rasulpur, Korei, Dasarathpur, Danagadi; two Urban Local Bodies like Jajpur and Vysanagar. The district has 1781 villages excluding the 39 villages that fall under the Municipalities and 280 gram panchayat.
The archaeological museum at Ratnagiri is one tourist places of district of Jajpur. The museum has 3400 listed antiquities out of which 220 are displayed in the various galleries. It has four big galleries in which the articles are exhibited. A large number of sculptures, votive stupas, inscribed slabs, terracotta seals, sculpture, sealings, shrines etc. are displayed in the museum.
