Kotpad, 20th Oct 2025: Kotpad, also known as Damayanti Nagar, is a remote town of Odisha that was once a prominent fort of the Jeypore Kingdom. The town was surrounded by historical water bodies such as Damayanti Sagar, Debanmunda, and Dianmunda Godiali. According to legend, King Nala of the Udra dynasty dug a reservoir here to alleviate the town’s water problems, but water did not appear even after excavation.
Following a divine dream, he was compelled to sacrifice his own daughter, Princess Damayanti, to resolve the issue. As soon as he offered his beloved daughter, a gushing stream of water sprang forth, and in that water, Damayanti attained eternal rest. This stream eventually formed Damayanti Sagar, which became the lifeline of Kotpad. To this day, many residents begin their daily routines using its pure, crystal-clear water — from bathing to religious and domestic purposes.
After Kotpad received NAC (Notified Area Council) status in 1960, the town progressed significantly. Electricity replaced kerosene lamps. Mud roads were upgraded to gravel and then to paved roads, and drainage systems improved. The town includes several localities like Karan Sahi, Belma Sahi, Brahmin Sahi, Kaliji Sahi, Mali Sahi, Mirgan Sahi, and Pathan Sahi — all known for peaceful coexistence without any communal tension, a harmony that continues to this day.
In the cultural sphere, traditional plays like “Bhakta Prahlad” from Belma Sahi, “Vaishalini Haran” from Karan Sahi, and “Banasura Badh” from Baragad Sahi created waves not only in the undivided Koraput district but were also performed in Madhya Pradesh.
In sports, Kotpad earned a distinct place in the state. Famous athletes like the late **Sharata
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