Every place has an origin story behind its name. Khordha, earlier pronounced Khordha, is famous for its brave Paikas and their rebellion against the Britishers. Many remote areas of Khordha also show the same passion and temperament as the mainland district. My father hails from a small village known as Damanbhumi. This place also embodies the Khordha people’s rebel spirit.
I discussed the topic with my dad over a cup of tea. When I asked, my dad explained the name of our village. According to him, the area was barren and surrounded by jungle over a century ago. Not many people knew of the place. A group of travelers found it while they were roaming. They were searching for a place to settle. They had grown tired of aimlessly traveling from one place to another.
Upon arrival, the travelers were in shock. They saw an astonishing sight: a pigeon sitting over a hawk. The hawk is generally an aggressive bird that preys upon other birds and insects, often intimidating them before making a kill. The Pigeon is the most peaceful bird known to humankind. Under normal circumstances, the Pigeon stays indoors, hidden, and avoids conflicts. Meanwhile, the hawk lingers above the ground, watches everything, and then takes a plunge at the appropriate time.
However, the Pigeon had aggressively beaten the hawk in that place and was sitting on its chest like a king. It was a spectacle to see. The travelers discussed the situation and decided on the place’s name. Daman means dominate, and bhumi means place. So, they decided to name the place Damanbhumi. They sensed a holy blessing in the place, something magical.
The travelers settled down in Damanbhumi. The early inhabitants of Damanbhumi prospered, and gradually, other people joined them. Over generations, linguistically, the pronunciation of the name Damanbhumi has degenerated to Damanbhuin. Nevertheless, it was the story of the naming behind Damanbhumi.
The Witty Stride 