Jajpur is the ancient city of Orrisa, which is believed to have once been the capital of the Kalinga Empire. Popularly known as “Biraja Khetra”, the district derives its name from the head quarters town Jajpur which was founded by "JAJATI KESHARI", the Somabanshi king in early 10th century. It was the capital of Orrisa under the Kesari dynasty until the 11th century, when it was supplanted by Cuttack.
Located on the banks of the Vaitarani River, Jajpur has the sacred shrine of the Goddess Birija (Durga), Sapta Matruka, Sveta Baraha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu as the white boar), and a host of other shrines , sculptures and beautiful sun pillars. Jajpur is dotted with many historic temples amongst which, Beleswar, ,Jagannath temple, Biraja temple Ram Mandir, Siddheswar temple, Dasaswamedha ghat , Baraha temple, Chhatiabata temple Kilateswar, and Baruneswar are noteworthy. Jajpur also has an ancient pillar called Shubha Stambha, which was erected in the Ashokan times.
Jajpur is an important pilgrimage destination in Orrisa. There are many hotels in Jajpur to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The hotels in Jajpur particularly cater to budget travellers looking for a cheap and comfortable accommodation. The economy hotels in Jajpur are mainly concentrated in the bustling markets and the area near to the bus terminal. Many of the hotels in Jajpur are located in the close vicinity to the famous tourist attractions, temples and shrines. The facilities available in the budget hotels in Jajpur are limited. There are few three-star and four-star hotels in Jajpur, which offer well-appointed accommodation with modern amenities such as attached bathrooms, colour television, telephone etc. The government-approved hotels of Jajpur also provide good accommodation options to guests at pocket friendly rates. |
