Boudh district is an administrative and municipal district in the state of Odisha. Its district headquarters are located in the city of Bodh. The discovery of Buddhist artifacts in Boudh has led historians to believe that it was an important center of Buddhism. Boudh was a powerful kingdom during the first half of the 17th century CE, with the territory of Sooner remaining under its direct administration. During this period, the Chauhan rulers of Sambalpur had already established their supremacy over almost the entire western Orissa.
The name Boudh (or Baudha) originates from its deep historical association with Buddhism, deriving from ‘’Buddha’’ meaning the ‘’awakened one. The name directly reflects the area’s rich Buddhist past, with sites like Dambarugada known as a center for Tantric Buddhism where philosophers stayed and composed texts.
From the 2nd century AD up to a period of one thousand years, Boudh was an important seat of Buddhism and a district survey of Shaivism and Shakti cult in the country. It has approximately 1182 to 1186 villages, spread across 3 blocks and overseen by 69 gram panchayats, with the official government site citing 1182 villages and a district survey mentioning 1186.
According to Buddhist belief, enlightenment is the experience of true reality, an ‘’awakening ‘’ through which one could comprehend the true nature of things. It is a renowned center for crafts such as its old age stone and wood carving, which can be seen through the various temple complexes, and its tradition of rich textiles.
