[9] Baripada became the headquarters of the state (now district) at the end of the 18th century during Sumitra Devi's rule, succeeding its earlier status in Haripur.

However, it was initially documented as Burpuddah by Major James Rennell of the East India Company in his renowned 1779 Atlas, well before it assumed the role of the state headquarters.

Baripada was linked to Rupsa in Balasore district through a narrow gauge line known as the Mayurbhanj State Railway in the first decade of the 20th century.

According to the 2011 census, in Baripada town, Hindus comprised the majority at 109,732, followed by Muslims at 5,241, Christians at 650, Sikhs at 130, Buddhists at 14, Jains at 20, and unclassified sects at 805, while 257 did not state their religious affiliation.

Baripada is home to many forest-based products such as timber, but due to heavy deforestation the sawmills were banned within a 25 km radius.

Baripada is the second place, after Puri, where the tradition of Ratha Yatra (Car festival of Lord Jagannath) began.

Baripada's Ratha Yatra is popular for its unique tradition of allowing only women to pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra.

Barehipani (400 m) and Joranda (150 m) waterfalls are visitor attractions, and the Ramtirtha Crocodile Rearing Centre is located in nearby Jashipur.

Built on river Palpala over 205 km2 area, the irrigation project remains defunct for the last 20 years due to lack of renovation.

The Project was undertaken during the rule of Maharaja Shri Ramchandra Bhanjdeo and the then State Engineer Jarnold Martin Loe had constructed the dam at Baldiha, 28 km (17 mi) from Baripada town.

According to legend, the king of Somavanshi dynasty was affected by leucoderma and his whole body resembled with white patches like in a water melon ('kakharu' in Oriya).

Haripur, earlier known as Hariharpur, was founded by Maharaja Harihar Bhanj in 1400 CE and remained as the capital of Bhanja Dynasty before it shifted to Baripada.

Baidyanath Bhanj, another ruler of the dynasty built a magnificent brick temple in honour of his tutelary God Rasika-raya.

The pottery fragments found with Neolithic implements speak of settlements in the late Stone Age in Mayurbhanj district.

There is connectivity to Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Keonjhar, Balasore, Angul, Bolangir, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jamshedpur, Kharagpur, Ranchi and Kolkata from here.

It is home to the Maharaja Purna Chandra Junior College which provides higher secondary education in Humanities, Science, and Commerce stream to more than 2000 students.

It is also home to the Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College, Baripada which is one of oldest higher educational institutes in odisha and provides graduate, and postgraduate level academics in various disciplines to around 7000 students.

[26] The newly built Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital started its classes from September 2017.

The Baripada Rath Yatra, renowned as the second most significant after Puri's, boasts a unique tradition: only women pull the chariot of Devi Subhadra.

[27] The origin of this tradition can be traced to the mid-1950s when a female devotee sustained serious injuries while attempting to touch the chariot ropes.

Moved by this incident, a compassionate individual proposed to the district administration that women should exclusively pull Devi Subhadra's chariot.

Consequently, thousands of devotees assembled on Bada Danda, the grand road leading to the Haribaldev Jew temple, to participate in the chariot procession of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.The chariot-pulling unfolds over two days.

Throughout these two days, only women are involved in pulling the Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra, with a large number participating annually.

Baripada city enjoys a well established urban forest and a green zone for joggers at Palabani, located on its outskirts.

It houses approximately 12,000 trees, including sal, mahogany, akashia, and neem, planted strategically to provide space for jogging.

This project exemplifies a successful collaboration between different entities, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation and community well-being.

The urban forest at Palabani not only enhances the ecological balance of the Baripada city but also provides a valuable recreational resource for local residents, promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a greater appreciation for nature.

GEDCOL has achieved a significant milestone in the state's renewable energy sector by commissioning this 1 MW solar power plant on 12 May 2023.

Plans are envisioned to upgrade the renewable energy facility to cater the growing urban power demands of Baripada city.

[29][29] The Baripada stadium has produced international athletes including Purnima Hembram, Jauna Murmu, Jabamani Soren who have brought many laurels to the State.