Bonaigarh

The primary language spoken is Odia. Secondary languages in the region include Sundargadi and Bonaigadia.

During the British Raj, Bonaigarh was the capital of Bonai State. It was one of the princely states of the Chota Nagpur States belonging to the Eastern States Agency.[1]

Bonaigarh is located at 21.75°N 84.97°E / 21.75; 84.97.

Bonaigarh is situated beside the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela National Highway via Talcher, Pallahara, Barkot. From Barkote it is only 55 km. Though there is no train link to Bonaigarh, frequent buses are plying from Rourkela and Barkote. Once or twice in a day, buses are plying from Kuchinda, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar.

There is no railway station in Bonaigarh for less than 10 km. However, Rourkela Railway Station is the major railway station 52 km near to Bonaigarh.

Buses are well connected to Bonaigarh from various places. For example, Rourkela is connected by Sainath bus, Falak Travels, Raahi Travels, Dildar Travels, Rakesh Travels, Tarini Travels, and Sarala Travels. Deogarh, Barkote, Angul, Swastiratha, and Sundergarh are by Sainath bus and Rakesh Coach (Rakesh Travels) and Sambalpur. Two private night riding buses named "Sarathi" and "A-ONE" run to Bhubaneswar, which is the capital of Odisha via Talcher and Cuttack.

Khandadhar Waterfall

Bonaigarh is famous for an annual festival known as "Chaitra Mela", which starts during mid-April and continues up to mid-May every year. A goddess known as "Maa Basuli" is worshiped by the local folks for the relevant period along with many small temporary vending markets, circuses, rides, and Operas are found in the "Mela." Rath Yatra, Dussehra, Kantha Puja, Ramnavmi, Janmastami, Raja, Holi are the major festivals celebrated every year. During this time, Dussehra a goddess known as "Kanta Devi," is especially worshiped on the 9th day of the festival. Bonaigarh also has Muslim population who celebrate festivals such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha & Muharram together with the people from other religion.A very few Christian population is also found who normally visit Bonaigarh Catholic Church and celebrate festivals like Christmas & Good Friday also. Apart from various religious practices ,customs and traditions , Secularism is prevailed widely which keeps the people united in Bonai region.

In the education field, it is a growing town. Many doctors, engineers and lawyers, having reputed positions in different organisations of India and abroad are from this place. There are a number of schools and one college which is affiliated to Sambalpur University. But for higher education like Medical, Engineering, Law, Commerce, Business Administration etc. People are going out of town.

There are many crops like rice, corn etc., harvested during the year. Seasonal vegetables are also available throughout the year in a cheaper rate. Two villages named Talita and Bargogua are famous for producing cauliflowers and cabbages during the winter. There are two weekly markets held on every Monday and Thursday where many local things including fruits, vegetables, groceries ,utensils, potteries & plastics are traded between sellers and consumers.

It is also a good business center for the people here. There are 5 nationalized banks present here.

• STATE BANK OF INDIA, Bonai Branch (IFSC code - SBIN0001343)
• PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, Bonai Branch (IFSC code - PUNB0498600)
• PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, Banki Branch (IFSC code - PUNB0244500)
• STATE BANK OF INDIA, Gurundia Branch (IFSC code - SBIN0005900)
• AXIS BANK, Near Church Chowk, Deogaon
• CANARA BANK, Main road, Near post office square
• ICICI BANK LTD., Main road, Near church square

There is one government hospital named "Bonaigarh Sub-Divisional Hospital," situated in the jail road. People from all the nearby villages and blocks depend on this hospital. However, some private clinics and dispensaries also exist to treat the people.