First Sentence

"Situated in the South-western part of Orissa and surrounded by hills, rivers, and valleys, Kalahandi has magnifi cent natural and cultural resources. Before the merging of the princely states of Orissa with the union of India in 1948, Kalahandi was a princely state ruled by the Naga kings. In the ancient period, Kalahandi was a part of Mahakantara, Mahavana, South Kosala,and Trikalinga. Kalahandi was popularly known as Karunda mandala during the medieval period. Royal dynasties such as the Parvata Dvaraka, the Nalas, the Saravapuriyas, the Somavamsi, and the Gangas ruled over Kalahandi. The Naga dynasty was the last one to rule over it, as known from the pages of history."