Report by Manoranjan Routray, Koraput: PARAB-2012 would be launched from Ganesh Temple at Nandapur block on 14th October this year; it was decided in the general body meeting here at Koraput today.

The preparatory meeting for the celebration of the state level Tribal festival Parab was held under the chairmanship of the district magistrate & collector, Mr. Sachin R Jadhav, at the DRDA conference hall, Koraput today. The festival would come to an end with a three day long closing ceremony from 16th to 18th November at Koraput .While all the other programmes would be held as before.

Nandapur is a historic town in Koraput District of Odisha. It is a picturesque area with deep forests and surrounding hills. It was once the capital of the kingdom of Jeypore. Gadaba tribes are the prominent inhabitants.

Nandapur was ruled by Nanda Dynasty, hence the name. Many antiquity materials were excavated from Nandapur. Nandapur was influenced by the Jain culture, and now many ruins of temples and deities of Tirthankar are found here.

There are two ancient boulders on its northern part, one with beautiful sculptures and other with an image of elephant. Batrisa-Simhasana (throne with 32 steps) and the image of Ganapati (6 feet high) are worth visiting.