Interesting facts about Odisha State in INDIA

Facts about Odisha

The tribal state of India, Odisha is all about nature vistas drenched into history. Visit here and get amazed by the incredible architecture of this state. Odisha houses some of the most pristine rivers, immaculate beaches, serene temples, foaming lakes and cascading waterfalls here which are enough to keep travellers hooked to this state forever. This is perhaps the best place to experience the vibrancy of tribal people leading a simple life away from the modern world. Foodies get to relish some of the newest flavours cooked using local ingredients in Odishan kitchens.

Here are the top places to visit in Odisha:

Bhubaneswar

Often termed as the Temple city of India, Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, brings to you a melange of ancient monuments and contemporary edifices. It is said that the city was once home to over 2000 temples. When Muslim invaders came to Bhubaneswar, many of them were destroyed. However, some of the prominent ones like Lingaraja temple still stand till date. Temples of Bhubaneswar flaunt a distinct Kalinga style of architecture. One can also spot numerous Buddhist sites here as the city once had influence of Ashoka who introduced Buddhism here after The Kalinga War. Some of the must visit temples of Bhubaneswar include Parasurameswara Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Lingaraja Temple and Astasambhu Siva Temples.

Cuttack

Cuttack is rightly called the business capital of Odisha. The city is the proud owner of some of the most ancient monuments like Barabati Fort built in the 14th century. Kataka Chandi Temple of Cuttack is also worth exploring due to its attractive Gajpati dynasty architecture. Those having keenness for wildlife must check out the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary housing endangered and massive saltwater crocodiles, White crocodile, Indian Python, etc. History devotees can visit Netaji Birth Place Museum exhibiting photographs, antiquities and furniture which were once used the Bose Family.

Sambalpur

Sambalpur is renowned for being blessed by the goddess Sambaleshwari as her shrine Samalai Gudi is here. Sambaleshwari temple holds great importance among religion enthusiasts. It was raised by Chauhans during the mid-16th century. Maa Ghanteswari Temple is another frequented spiritual place here where thousands of bells catch your attention. For spending some moments of peace, Pradhan Path Falls, around 100 km from Sambalpur, is a great place.

Puri

The ancient temple town of Puri is more popularly known as Jagannath Puri. The city has its mentions in the ancient Hindu texts of the Puranas. It is one of the seven holy cities in India and is a part of the Char Dham. The Jagannath Temple here is visited by uncountable pilgrims every year to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. The temple houses a wooden state of Lord Vishnu which is replaced every 12 years. Puri Ratha Yatra is an ideal time to visit this temple which showcases huge chariot march with music and dance. Puri Beach is the second most visited place in Puri where locals and travellers flock in good numbers. Other than these, one can also explore Gundicha Ghar Temple, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary and Atharnala Bridge here.

Konark

The only thought of Konark evokes images of Sun Temple. This masterpiece was raised by King Narsimhadeva I of the Ganga Dynasty. Its construction flaunts shape of a chariot with pillars and wheel. Archaeological Site Museum of Konark brings you close to the Indian history with 4 different galleries exhibiting sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, etc. Konark houses a hidden gem called Kuruma located just 8 kilometres from the famous Sun Temple. This town has its mentions in several Buddhist texts from Asoka and Ceylon.

Rourkela

Rourkela is the second biggest city in the state flourishing with dense forests and some remarkable looking temples. Its list of spiritual places like Vedavyas Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple and Rani Sati Temple is fascinating. Darjeeng is a beautiful spot for the devotees of blissful nature and pristine ambience.

Food

Odia cuisine is known for its healthy nature as less oil and less spice is used during the making process. Rice is the staple food of this region. Some of the commonly used ingredients include plantains, jackfruit, and papaya. Khichdi (main bhog to Lord Jagannath) is cooked in every household. Chungdi Malai (creamy prawn curry) is loved for its rich flavours and mild spices. Macha Ghanta is made by locals during Dussehra as a Prasad for Goddess Durga.  Chhena Poda, state’s very own cheesecake, is believed to be Lord Jagannath’s favourite sweet. Rasabali made with cardamoms soaked in flavoured milk is also served to deity during auspicious events. 

Shopping

The state gifts you with never ending range of mementoes and souvenirs. Pick from beautiful silver filigree work of Cuttack, gaily wall hangings from Pipli, elaborate paintings from Raghurajpur and woven fabrics from Sambalpur. Odisha is also known for textiles with Applique work, traditionally woven fabrics, Ikkat fabric and handcrafted items. Dhokra work on metal and wood also remains a must buy here.

Little more astonishing facts about Odisha:

1. Odisha is very ancient & the oldest rocks (from Mayurbhanj) date back to3 billion years (Our planet is believed to be 4.5 billion years old).

2. Chandragupta Maurya was hesitant for 60 long years to attack Kalinga(old name of Odisha) as the Kalinga army of 60,000 managed to annihilate one lakh enemy soldiers, a quarter of the empire’s army.

3. Over 62 distinct tribal groups live in Odisha, each one with its own culture and traditions different from the other side.

4. At Puri Jagannath  temple kitchen, 7 pots are kept  one on top of another and cooked on firewood. In this process the contents in the top pot get cooked first & then the bottom one.

5. Jagannath temple is one among char dham considered in India.

6. The Jagannath temple kitchen is reputed to be the largest kitchen in the world, with 400 cooks working around 200 hearths to feed over 10,000 people each day.

7. The quantity of cooked food inside the Temple remains same for the entire year. But that same quantity of prasadam can feed few thousand people & 20 lakh people, Still it won’t get wasted.

8. Odisha became the first state in the country to launch special drives toregister migrant labourers working in different states.

9.Odisha became the first state to enact the Lokayukta Bill law after the central act was passed in Parliament.

10. Rasagolla, famous sweet originated in Odisha.

11. The Chandipur Beach is a hide and seek beach of Odisha that appears and disappears with every high and low tide to approximately 5 kms.

12. Bhubaneswar, the capital city was the home of over 600 magnificent temples in medieval times. It is called the “temple city” of India. The only city in the world with such highest number of temples inside.

13. World’s highest electrified track ( at a height of 7.45 metres for running of Double Stack Container (DSC) goods trains ) is situated at Odisha in Jakhapura-Daitari section.It is constructed by East Coast Railway of Odisha. Second to this is in China is 6.6 metre and 7.1 metre in USA.

14. The Sinhala (people of Sri Lanka) are named after Raja Jai Sinha, an ancient Oriya king.

15. A 23-feet giant Estuarine crocodile in Odisha has been crowned theworld’s largest.

16. Largest Brackish Water Lagoon. Chilka lake in Odisha, the largest water body in Asia, has an area of 916 sq km now. It used to be 1, 165 sq km.

17. Odisha is popular for having 3 mass nesting beaches of rare Olive Ridley Sea Turtles including world’s largest nesting ground of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, Lepidochelys Olivacea. Largest wetland of Asia (Chilika) now designated as a Ramsar site in Orissa.

18. The largest Lion Safari of India, and the only White Tiger Safari in the world, are located in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

19. Hirakud Dam, the fourth largest in the world, is situated at Sambalpur Western Odisha.

20. Odisha hosts the largest arribada, the turtle nesting ground, in the world.

21. Odisha – highest producer of hematite ore. Odisha has 25% of Hematiteore of India.

22. World’s largest egg, with approximate dimension of 13 inches and width of 9.5 inches is of the gigantic herbivorous flightless elephant bird (zoologically termed as Aepyornis maximus) that lived last till 1650 AD, is preserved at Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhubaneswar.

23.Michelle Obama, wife of the President of USA, dress designer was none other than an Odia.

24.Konark temple, built in 13th century, has 12 pair of wheels which are uniquely designed and has scientific significance. One can calculate the precise time of the day by just looking at the shadow cast by these spokes.

25. The Leaning Temple of Huma, situated near Sambalpur in India is theonly leaning temple in the world.

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