Martial Tradition
Dhenkanal is the land of the heroes & the birth place of patriots. History of Dhenkanal is reverberated by the warcries of the valiant Paikas. Dhenkanal has witnessed many an ups & downs, bloody battles, sacrifices of her sons to keep the head high of their mother land. During the reign of Raja Trilochan Mahindra Bahadur, the ferocious Marathas under Chimanji Rao Bhonsle attacked Dhenkanal. A bloody battle was fought near village Motary in 1781 A.D. in which the Marathas were vanquished by the Paikas of Dhenkanal. The Maratha Army fled away in panic. In 1782 they regrouped & attacked Dhenkanal for the second time, but in vain. They were forced to sign a treaty at the point of showrd. Poet Brajanath Badajena has recorded the historical fact vividly in his book the “Samar Tarang”. The History of Dhenkanal is a saga of heroism of the Paikas. Till now the tradition is maintained by the Royal Dynasty. Thousands of Paikas flock together on the Dasahara at Kunjakanta to display their showrd manship.	VIM AND VALOUR PAIKA DANCE
ROYAL PALACE, DHENKANAL		DEVI MANDIR, DHENKANAL
BAJI ROUT MEMORIAL, DHENKANAL