Surada

Surada is located at 19.76°N 84.43°E / 19.76; 84.43.[1] It has an average elevation of 84 m (276 ft).

It is situated at the North-Western border of Ganjam district on the confluence of river Rushikulya and Jarau, bounded by Dharakote, Bellaguntha, Bhanjanagar of Ganjam District and Daringibadi, Raikia of Kandhamal District.

The approximate area of Surada Tahasil (6 Revenue circles) is about 308.23 km², Surada Block (Panchayat Samiti) is 97,474.15 Hectares while area of Surada N.A.C is approximately 15.15 km² [2] Surada Block consists 26 Gram Panchayats with 270 villages in it, and Surada Town (N.A.C.) with 11 wards as an urban administrative body.

As of 2011 India census,[3] Surada had a population of 14,867. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Surada has an average literacy rate of 68.7%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 55.6%, and female literacy is 44.3%.

The name SURADA is derived from Sanskrit which is a combination of two words Sura + Adda which literally means The place of Devas.

This place was earlier known as Surada Gada (ସୁରଡ଼ା ଗଡ଼) under Khidisingi kingdom which includes present day Surada, Dharakote, Sheragada blocks of Ganjam district (also includes some parts of Mohana block of Gajapati district).

In 1476, Raja Baliar Singh divided the Khidisingi (Sorada) kingdom into four different states due to early demise of his elder son. Sorada Estate went to his third son, Raja Sandhadhanu Singh.

• Badagada – Raja Daman Singh (Baliar Singh's grandson from his eldest son)
• Dharakote – Raja Hadu Singh
• Sorada – Raja Sandhadhanu Singh (also known as Abhaya Pratap)
• Sheragada – Raja Parsuram Singh (Minor) (Represented by Raja Baliar himself).

When Britishers annexed over Surada they put this Zamindari under the administration of Madras Presidency which is mentioned in List of zamindari estates in Madras Presidency.

Now, former Badagada estate is under Surada Block and Dharakote, Sheragada are two separate blocks in Ganjam district.

• Sashibhusan Rath - Social reformer, Legislator, Founder of The East Coast, Dainik ASHA & The New Orissa newspapers.

• Ranganath Mohapatra - Inventor of Odia typewriter.

• Sitadevi Khadanga - Eminent dramatist, novelist.

Maximum summer temperature is 37 °C; minimum winter temperature is 17 °C. The mean daily temperature varies from 33 °C to 38 °C. May is the hottest month; December is the coldest. The average annual rainfall is 1250 mm and the region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October.

• State Bank of India, Surada
• Punjab National Bank, Surada
• Union Bank of India, Surada
• Utkal Grameen Bank, Surada
• Axis Bank, Surada
• Aska Central Co-operative Bank Ltd, Surada[11]
• State Bank of India, Badagada
• Bank of India, Badagada
• Union Bank of India, Badagada
• SBI ATM (1), Near SBI Surada
• SBI ATM (2), Near NAC Office Surada
• Axis Bank ATM, Surada
• PNB ATM, Surada
• HDFC ATM, Surada
• SBI ATM, Badagada
• Bank of India ATM, Badagada

• Tahasil Office[12]
• Judicial Magistrate's (1st Class) Court
• Panchayat Samiti (Block) Office[13]
• Block Education Officer's Office
• Notified Area Council Office[14]
• Special Planning Authority (Surada)[15]
• O.F.D.C. Office
• Sub-Divisional Office (Minor Irrigation)
• Sectional Office (Irrigation)
• Lift Irrigation Office
• Asst. Agriculture Officer's Office
• Asst. Executive Engineer's Office (National Highway Sub-division)
• Asst. Executive Engineer's Office (R&B Sub-division)
• Junior Engineer's Office (R&B)
• Public Wealth Department(P.W.D.) Office
• P.H.E.D Office
• Community Health Centre
• Child Development Project Office (ICDS Project)[16]
• Sub-Jail[17]
• Police Station
• Fire Station
• Forest Range Office
• Sub-Post Office
• Govt. Veterinary Hospital
• Sub-Registrar Office[18]
• Sub-Treasury Office[19]
• Sub-Divisional Office(Southco)
• Sectional Office(Southco)
• Asst. Engineer's Office(Southco)
• R.I. Office, Surada

• There are eight ancient Shiva temples around Surada. It is believed to be auspicious to do pilgrimage all in one day, known as Asta Sambhu Yatra especially on Monday's of Shravan month or in Kartika Purnima.
• Danda Nacha - Danda Nacha(Jatra) are ritualistic performances held during the month of Chaitra for a period of 13 days. This is considered to be one of the traditional forms of worship. The performers showcase their performances in different villages. The performances are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali, which are symbolically represented by a Agni Danda. The participants showcase various items Agni Danda & a Pole decorated with multi-coloured clothes. The closing ceremony is known as Meru Yatra, which is observed on the day of Maha Vishuba Sankranti, also celebrated as Odia new year.
• Surada Dam (Surada Ghai) - A Big water reservoir, popular as picnic spot. This dam was built in 1896. The water of Padma or Paatma river is reserved in it. At times, the water of this reservoir is channelised to Rushikulya river for irrigation. There is a children's park and a picnic spot at the adjacent site.
• Ratha Jatra - As the land of Lord Jagannath, everywhere in Odisha Ratha Jatra is celebrated.
• Kanta Pidha Jatra - An annual celebration of Goddess Kandhuni Devi of Surada spanning over the hindu month of Aswin.
• Kumar Purnima - Birthday of Lord Kartika. To celebrate this day, all wear new clothes, pray to Moon god and play cards from Dasahara to Kumar Purnami.
• Rushikulya River - One of many holy rivers for Hindus. Every year people celebrate Baruni Mohosava (birthday of Rushikulya). It originates from Rushi Hills of Kandhamal and the mouth of this river is at Puruna Bandha, Chhatrapur of Ganjam district. It is believed that Rushikulya is 100 years elder than river Ganga. It is mentioned in Hindu epics like Varaha Purana and Mahabharata.[20]

Surada is a part of Surada Assembly Constituency. Current MLA from Surada Assembly Constituency is Purna Chandra Swain of BJD, who won the seat in State elections in 2009, 2014 & 2019 thrice consecutively. Previous MLAs from this seat were Kishore Chandra Singhdeo (2004) of BJP, before that Usharani Panda of INC who won this seat in 2000, Ananta Narayan Singh Deo representing BJP in 1995 and representing JNP in 1977, Shanti Devi of JD in 1990, Sharat Chandra Panda of INC in 1985, and Gantayat Swain of INC(I) in 1980.

Biju Patnaik had elected from Surada constituency in 1957 state elections.[21]

Surada is a part of Aska (Lok Sabha constituency). [22]