Parlakhemundi is an ancient town and a municipality in Gajapati district in the Indian state of Odisha. Majority of the people in the town speak Odia. The town and the District share its boundaries with Andhra Pradesh. Pathapatnam town in the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh is considered as twin town to Paralakhemundi due to its close proximity. Both towns are separated by the Mahendra Tanaya River..As of 2001 India census,[1] Parlakhemundi had a population of 42,991. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Parlakhemundi has an average literacy rate of 69%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 61%. In Parlakhemundi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Paralakhemundi has an estimated population of 1,00,000 in the year 2011.[citation needed] Majority of the people are Hindu; Christians being the second largest religious community.
