ANGUL

A bridge between western and coastal areas of Odisha where the prehistoric and protohistoric relics are found in village Bhimakund, Kankili, Kulei, Samal, Sanakerjang, Kaliakata, Paranga, Kerjang, Ogi, Tikarapara and Pallahara. The geographical location of Angul made the Bhanjas of Angulaka-pattana, the Sulkis of Kodalaka Mandala, the Nandodbhavas of Airavatta Mandala, the Tungas of Yamagartta Mandala rule over it. But all through the rules of different dynasties, Angul has retained her cultural identity which is much more prominent than its political establishments. The Bhaumakaras declined by the middle of the 10th Century AD when the eastern part of Odisha including the Dhenkanal region passed to the hands of the Somavamsis of South Kosala. The Somavamsis in their turn, were ousted by the Gangas and Odisha was occupied by Chodagangadedva some time before 1112 AD. The Ganga rule lasted as long as till 1435 AD when a new Solar dynasty founded by Kapilendradeva came to power. About the year 1533-34, Govinda Vidyadhar put an end to the Suryavamsi rule and started the rule of Bhoi dynasty, which lasted up to 1559 when Mukundadeva, belonging to the Chalukya family, forcibly occupied the throne. In 1568, the Afghans of Bengal invaded Odisha, and defeated and killed Mukundadeva after which Odisha came under their occupation. During all this period of dynastic changes, Angul played no remarkable role in history and this territory simply passed from one political authority to the other. During the rule of Suryavamsis and the Bhois & subsequently some new feudal states developed as self-contained political units. These are Angul, Talcher, Pallahara and Athamallik. Somanath Singh was the last king of Angul and he ruled for a long period of 33 years from 1814 to 1847 when he was deposed by Government. He was a spirited and a head-strong ruler and although ruled his territory with considerable efficiency, he incurred displeasure nor only among the neighbouring Feudatory Chiefs of Dhenkanal, Hindol, Daspalla, Baudh, and Athmallik but also among the British Officers by his head-strong dealings and outspoken nature. His State was confiscated by the Government in their Resolution, dated 16 September 1848. Angul thus passed under the direct rule of the British and was administered by the Superintendent of the Tributary Mahals, through the agency of an officer known as Tehsildar, who collected revenue and administered justice, until in 1891 when Angul was constituted a separate district. This district was formally formed out of the former undivided Dhenkanal district on the date of April 1, 1993 by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik.

The climatic condition of Angul is much varied. It has mainly 4 seasons. The summer season is from March to Mid June, the period from Mid June to September is the Rainy season, October and November constitute the post monsoon season and winter is from December to February. The best time to visit this district is during winter.

Rainfall The average annual rainfall of the district is 1421 mm. However there is a great variation of rainfall from year to year. The rainfall in the district during the last 10 years varied between 896 mm & 1744 mm. There are 70 rainy days on an average in a year, but it varies from 66 at Athamallik to 80 at Pallahara. The distribution of rainfall is also quite erratic causing wide spread drought year after year.2013 was marked by Cyclone Phailin that caused extensive rainfall resulting to floods.

Temperature There is a meteorological observatory in the district. The data of this observatory may be taken as representative of the meteorological condition of the whole district. The hot season commences by beginning of March. May is the hottest month with a mean daily maximum temperature at 44 degree Celsius. With the onset of monsoon, early in June day temperature drops appreciably. After withdrawal of monsoon by the 1st week of October both day and night temperature began to diminish steadily. December is usually coldest month of a year with a mean daily minimum temperature of 11 degree Celsius. In association with the passage of western disturbances across north India during winter months short spells of cold occur and the minimum temperature drops down to 10 degree Celsius. The lowest minimum temperature was 5.2 degree Celsius in Angul and neighborhood are hottest part of the district and have lower rainfall. The summer temperature has shown as increasing trend in recent past.

Winds Winds are generally light to moderate with some increase in force in the summer and southwest monsoon seasons. Winds usually blow from southwest and northwest directions in the monsoon. In the post monsoon and cold seasons winds blow between the west and north. In the summer months the winds become variable in direction.2013 cyclone Phailin rose wind speed gusts to 100kmph.

Air

No major airport is located in the town.A private Jindal's Airstrip handles the Air traffic.Nearby major Airports located at Bhubaneswar which is 143 km from Angul.

Rail

Angul Railway Station is on the Barang Jn.–Sambalpur section of Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line in the East Coat Railway Zone headquartered at Bhubaneswar.Important train routes to Ahmedabad,Amritsar, Visakhapatnam make it helpful for Angul citizens to commute to other parts of nation.

Road

Centrally located in the state of odisha it has well connectivity to other major cities.NH 55 connects Angul to cuttack at NH 5 in the east & sambalpur in the west .NH 23 connects to northern towns of Talcher & rourkela.Besides other major state highways have access to other important places.