Subarnapur District, also called Sonepur District or Sonapur District, is an administrative district in Odisha state in eastern India. The town of Sonpur is the district headquarters. Sonepur is known as the Mandiramalini town (city of temples) of Odisha with more than hundred temples. The people of the Sonepur region are referred to as Sonepuria. From ancient times, Sonepur is considered as a holy city.
History
In the 8th century CE, the region was known as Swarnapur and was rules by vassal lords of the Bhaumkaras of Tosali. The region was then ruled by the Somavamsis and eventually became one of two capitals of the Somavamsis. Around the 10th and 11th centuries, the region was called Pashima Lanka or Western Lanka.[2] The evidence for these names comes from a Somavamsi prince of the region called Kumara Someswaradeva who issued a copper plate charter in the late 10th century which identified him as the ruler of Paschima Lanka.[3] Historically, the presiding deity of the region was the goddess Lankeswari.[4] At some point during Somavamsi rule, the region was given its current name, Subarnapur. It was formally established as a district in 1993.[citation needed]
According to the 2011 census, Subarnapur district has a population of 610,183,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Montenegro[7] or the US state of Vermont.[8] The district is the 512th most populous in India out of a total of 640.[1] The district has a population density of 260 inhabitants per square kilometre (670/sq mi).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade of 2001–2011 was 20.35%.[1] Subarnapur has a sex ratio of 959 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 74.42%.[1] 8.18% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 25.60% and 9.37% of the population respectively.[9]Hinduism is the predominant religion, practiced by 99.19% of the population.[10]
Subarnapis home to a wide variety of cultural heritage, arts, and crafts. The Sonepur area specializes in textiles and terracotta, Tarbha and Binka produce brass metal works, Ullunda is home to a tradition of stone carving, and Dunguripali produces Paddy crafts.[citation needed]
Subarnapur is home to the poet and prophet Mahima Dharma. The district is also known for "Danda-nata", a religious folk tradition which is native to the area.[12]
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