Orissa, India

Odisha

General Information
Name
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type	State
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates	20.9517° N, 85.0985° E
Map
Population
Total	41,974,218
Density	per km²
Area
Total	155707 km²
Land	km²
Water	km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC
DST	UTC

Odisha (formerly known as Orissa) is an Indian state located on the eastern coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the 8th largest state by area and the 11th largest by population. The state is known for its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, and diverse ecosystems.

History

Odisha has a long and storied history, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the prehistoric era. The region was known as Kalinga in ancient times and was a significant kingdom in the Indian subcontinent. The Kalinga War, fought between the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka and the state of Kalinga, was a pivotal event in Indian history, leading to Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.

In the medieval period, Odisha was ruled by several dynasties, including the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which constructed the famous Konark Sun Temple. The region came under British control in the 19th century and was part of the Bengal Presidency until it became a separate province in 1936.

Geography

Odisha is bordered by the states of West Bengal to the northeast, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south. The state has a diverse geography, with a coastline of about 485 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, fertile plains, and mountainous regions.

The Mahanadi River is the largest river in Odisha, and the state is also home to several other rivers, including the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Subarnarekha.

Culture

Odisha is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which includes classical dance forms such as Odissi, one of the eight classical dance forms of India. The state is also famous for its traditional music, handicrafts, and festivals such as Rath Yatra in Puri.

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.

Economy

The economy of Odisha is diverse, with agriculture, mining, and manufacturing being the major sectors. The state is rich in mineral resources, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, and chromite, which contribute significantly to its economy.

Odisha has also been focusing on developing its IT and service sectors, with Bhubaneswar emerging as an IT hub.

Education

Odisha has a number of prestigious educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, and Utkal University. The state government has been working to improve the quality of education and increase literacy rates.

Also see

• Bhubaneswar
• Puri
• Konark Sun Temple
• Odissi
• Jagannath Temple