Kendrapada is called the 'Tulsi Kshetra' (Land of Holy Basil) of
Orissa. Epics tell us that
Lord Balram killed Kenderasura, married his daughter Tulsi and settled here. A grand car festival is held here annually which draws huge crowds. The district is famous for its spinning mills. Kendrapada District has an area of 2,546 sq km, supporting a population of 1.3 million. It receives an average rainfall of 150 cm.
The
Gobari is the major river flowing through Kendrapada. Aul, Bhitarkanika, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangamal and Tamala Sasan are the famous tourist places.