| State
of India - Orissa |
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 QUICK
FACTS Climate
(Degree C.): Summer
- Max: 47, Min: 27,
Winter - Max: 16,
Min: 5 | Best Season:October
- March | Languages
Spoken:Oriya, Bengali,
Hindi and English
| Capital:Bhubaneswar
Overview:
Also known as the
heart and soul of
India, Orissa is a
place that will make
you feel as if you
are in heaven. With
a charming mix of
sea, lake, wild life,
tribal culture and
not to mention, temples
and monuments of different
religions, Not only
does the bracing and
invigorating climate
of Orissa add freshness
to the soul, its beaches
too add a slice of
serenity in environs
that are conducive
to introspection and
conviviality. Orissa
has such beaches where
the waves speak volumes.
One can spend hours
soaking in the sun,
surfing or just frolicing
in the lovely blue
waters. Orissa offers
a heady mix to the
discerning travellers.
Geography
of Orissa:
Bordered by West Bengal
in the northeast,
Jharkhand in the north,
Andhra Pradesh in
the south, Chattisgarh
in the west and Bay
of Bengal on the east.
Mahanadi Brahmani,
Baitarani, Subarnarekha,
Rusikulya and the
Budhabalanga rivers
flow across this region
and creating a large
delta, which is very
fertile. The voluminous
seas and the hilly
terrains of the Eastern
Ghats play a pivotal
role in shaping the
weather of Orissa.
 History
of Orissa:
Orissa was known as
Kalinga, during the
early times. Kalinga
is known to be a powerful
kingdom since the
early times of Kurukshetra
battle. A tour to
Orissa would take
you to the land of
one of the goriest
battles (the war of
Kalinga) of Indian
history, which led
to the transformation
of Ashoka the conqueror
into the greatest
benevolent monarch
of the world. Ashoka
who was the follower
of Buddha, led Buddhism
spared over Kalinga
and was later accepted
as a state religion.
Kharavela, in the
second century AD
established a strong
rule here, followed
by the Guptas in the
4th century AD. Upto
10th century Orissa
witnessed the rule
of the Bhaumakara
dynasty, followed
by the Soma dynasty.
In the 11th - 12th
century, the Gangas
became prominent here.
In the 13th and 14th
century the rule was
passed on to the Muslims
Sultanate which lasted
till 1568. This was
followed by the rule
of the Mughals which
lasted till the death
of Aurangzeb which
led Mughal power to
decline passing on
the rule to Nawab
of Bengal. His rule
lasted till 1803 AD
when the Marathas
were suppressed by
the diplomatic treaties
of the East India
Company. The state
of Orissa attained
its present status
in the year 1949.
 Tourist
Places of Orissa:
Orissa is home to
a rich culture and
heritage. Travel to
Orissa to see the
ancient Indian architecture
culminated to the
creation of wonderful
Sun temple in Konark,
Lingraja temple, Mukteshwar
temple in Bhubaneswar
and Jagannath Temple
in Puri. You may choose
to let your hair own
in Chandipur or Gopalpur
on sea, or spot a
white tiger in Nandankanan.
Events like the holy
Jagannath Rath yatra
in Puri, attract a
large number of devotees
every year. Chilka,
Asia's largest brackish
water lake, not only
provides a haven for
millions of birds,
but is also one of
the few places in
India where one can
view dolphins. The
lush green forest
cover of Orissa plays
host to a wide variety
of flora and fauna.
 Fairs
& Festivals of
Orissa:
Orissa being a land
of ancient and sacred
temples, there are
a large number of
fairs and festivals
celebrated in the
state. There are festivals
relating to each religion,
tribal festivals and
festivals relating
to Lord Jagannath,
and many seasonal
exhibitions and fairs
as well as special
festivals such as
the Konark Dance Festival,
Dola Purnima, Rajarani
Music Festival, the
Puri Beach Festival
etc. Out of all the
festivals celebrated
in Orissa, Rath Yatra
- a grand procession
carried out in the
honour of the presiding
deity of Puri is celebrated
here with great enthusiasm.
Durga Puja and Kali
Puja are the two major
festivals of the Orissa.
Cuisine
in Orissa:
Cuisine of Orissa
is simple and delicious.
Rice is the staple
food for the people
of Orissa. A large
number of people practice
vegetarianism because
of their deep religious
nature. A significant
proportion of people
relish sea foods like
fish, prawns, crabs
and lobsters which
are found in plenty
along the coast. Curd
and coconut milk find
great use in the diet
of the people. People
are also very much
fond of sweets and
many of the recipes
are popular all over
the country. Chhenna
Jalebi, Enduri Pitha
and Chittau Pitha
are the famous sweet
dishes of people of
Orissa.
Shopping
in Orissa:
The state of Orissa
is deeply rooted with
a great aesthetic
sense and craftsmanship,
which reflects in
their handicrafts
and handlooms. All
the Oriya craft forms
are available in abundance
in the local markets
of its major cities
which is the best
place to shop for
mementoes and souvenirs.
While shopping in
Orissa you can opt
to buy wall hangings
of Pipli to the exquisite
silver filigree work
of Cuttack, intricate
paintings from Raghurajpur
to the glorious hand
woven fabrics from
Sambalpur. Also not
to be missed is Ikkat
saris, Woven fabric
with appliqué
work, tie and dye,
Silver works, Patta
Chitra, Stone utensils,
Metal crafts, Palm
leaf painting. Images
of Gods and goddesses.
can be picked up from
Puri, Bargarh and
Cuttack. |
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