Asika or Aska is a town and a Municipality in Ganjam district in the state of Odisha, India. Famously known as the Sugar city.

Geography

Asika is located at 19.6°N, 84.65°W. It has an average elevation of 30 metres (98 feet). It is situated at a distance of 40 km from Brahmapur on South, 35 km from Bhanjanagar on the North at the confluence of Rivers Rushikulya and Badanadi (Bara River).

Demographics

As of the 2011 Census of India, Asika has a population of more than 30, 000 as of 2024 hence make it the second largest city in terms of population Ganjam district after Brahmapur. Including Mukundapur CT more than 10,000 people are living in the satellite area of this town namely Kalasandhapur, Babanpur, Nuagam Baragam, and College Square. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Asika has an average literacy rate of 85.76%, higher than the national average of 72.87%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Asika (असिक) a Sanskrit - Prakrit word which means sharp dagger. The naming of this place is as such because of the nature of this land created in the shape of a dagger by the confluence of rivers Rushikulya and Badanadi. Due to its protective central location in Ganjam district earlier it was the district headquarter and had a military cantonment during British rule. On 24 February 2024, the Government of Odisha upgraded Asika NAC to be a Municipality. Asika ULB administratively divided into 18 Wards;

Industries

Asika Sugar Factory

Asika Sugar Factory established in 1824. It is one of the oldest in India and first of its kind in Asia. It was built by Minchin Saheb during British rule. Along with the factory at Nellikuppam near Cuddalore, it was managed by Parry & Co. The jaggery mill was started in 1848 as Asika Sugar Works and Distillery Ltd. by Parry and Co. (Madras). It met with huge losses for lack of supervision and other transport bottlenecks. Thereafter, Fredrick Josheph Vivian Minchin, the Book Keeper of Biny & Co. purchased the factory and with the new Sugar Technology obtained from Germany, he redesigned and rebuilt the factory in 1856. Asika Co-operative Sugar Industries employ more than 35000 families.

Tourist Attraction

There are many peacock reserves found near Asika at Cheramaria, Nalabanta, Pakidi Hill, Karnoli and Khandadeuli area. Blackbucks too are frequently found in the western region of Asika. There are many mandirs situated at the top of small hills in the periphery making it an ideal spot for picnic. Maa Kankan Devi Mandir is one of them.

Religious Places

Baisakhi Jatra of Maa Khambeswari in Asika held in Hindu month of Chaitra every year. Lots of devotees come for their children's well being by donating their hairs. Many folk dances and dramas are presented in roadside during the festival.

Climate and regional setting

Maximum summer temperature is 34 °C; minimum winter temperature is 23 °C. The mean daily temperature varies from 33 °C to 38 °C. May is the hottest month; December is the coldest. The average annual rainfall is 1250 mm and the region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October.

Education

Colleges

Schools

Financial Institutions/Banks

Transport

Road

Asika is connected with National Highway 59 (India) (Khariar – Brahmapur), National Highway 326 (India) and National Highway 157 (India) (Purunakatak – Asika) which connect Asika to other cities and towns of Odisha.

Rail

Air

Port

Politics

Aska (Vidhan Sabha constituency) includes Asika Municipality Asika block and 12 GPs (Subalaya, Kaniari, Barida, Paikajamuna, Sunapalli, Sialia, Nandiagada, Borasingi, Ambapua, Baliasara, Bolasara and Sunarijhola) of Kabisuryanagar block. The current MLA from Asika Assembly Constituency is Shree Saroj Kumar Padhi of BJP. Previous MLAs from this seat was Smt. Manjula Swain from 2019 to 2024 of BJD, Debaraj Mohanty of the BJD in 1914, Duti Krushna Panda of CPI in 1990, Raghaba Parida who won representing INC in 1985 and as a candidate of the Indian National Congress in 1980, and Harihar Swain of JNP in 1977. Asika is part of Aska (Lok Sabha constituency).