Baripada is the 446th most populous city of India with a total population of 1,09,743. Baripada is a part of the Mayurbhanj district and the highest employment in Mayurbhanj district is in the sectors of Food, Glass/Ceramics, Engineering, Forest and Wood based industries and other household industries. 66% of the workforce is employed in the Agricultural Sector, 25% in the Industrial Sector and the remaining 9% are Household workers. The major exportable item is Cables. The city lies along the Budhabalanga River. The major field crops in the district are Paddy, Blackgram, Maize, Horsegram, Arhar, Groundnut and Greengram. Fruits like Mango, Guava, Lime Sapota and Litchi are also produced. Baripada was the capital of the Bhanj dynasty that ruled Mayurbhanj State since the 15th century. The ruins of the temples and palaces built then can be found at Haripur about 16 km southeast of Baripada. Among the ruins, the Rasikaraya temple and the Durbar hall of the Bhanja kings are the most significant and visited by tourists. The Collectorate Building, Maharaja Krushnachandra High School and the Maharaja Purnachandra College in Baripada are also great examples of Bhanja architecture. This region is home to Similipal, one of the most important wildlife parks of India. The national park comprises lush valleys and forest lands. Rathyatra (Chariot Festival) is one of the main attractions of Baripada.
