ORISSA

Orissa : Orissa is a maritime state, on the east coast of India lying between 17°49' - 22°34' North Latitude and 81°27' - 87°29' East Longitude. It is also a riverine state, as a large number of small and big rivers flow through it into the Bay of Bengal.

A land with a glorious past and by nature endowed with sea beaches, rivers, lakhs, hills and forests. Orissa possesses exquisite temples, ancient monuments and excellent handicrafts. It is a land which has a great history. Waves of civilization have passed. It has seen great rulers like emperor Ashoka, the Chedi King Kharavela, emperor Samudragupta, and king Mahasivagupta Yayati of the Samavamsi dynasty. Orissa was under the Mughal empire from 1592 to 1751 A.D. and under the Marathas till the British took it in 1803 A.D. It was separated from Bihar and was made a separate Province in 1936. In 1949, the Princely States of Orissa were completely merged with the State of Orissa.

Orissa has a rich folk tradition, Jainism and Buddhism had flourished in Orissa. It developed a distinct classical dance form - the Odissi. Among the folk dance of Orissa, Chhau has earned enormous acclaim. Orissa has the world famous Sun temple at Konark. Puri's famous shrine Lord Jagannath's temple is one of India's four holiest places - 'Chaar Dham'.

State Government : http://www.orissa.gov.in

Capital :	Bhubaneshwar
Area :	155,707 square Kilometers
Population :	36,804,660 (2001 census)
Literacy :	63.08% (2001)
Language :	Oriya, Hindi
Roads :	222,407 Kms
Railways :	2,190 Kms
Airport :	Bhubaneshwar, Raurkela.
Seaport :	Paradwip
Climate :	Summer (49° - 27° C), Winter (16° - 5° C), Monsoon : July to October
Best Season :	October to March
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://www.orissatourism.gov.in
	Balangir : Temples. Baripada : Ancient Forts, Temples, tribals. Brahmapur : Handicrafts, Handloom silks. Baudh : Temples, Buddhist period excavations. Bhubaneshwar : A temple City (Over 500 temples), Museums [Atri (40 Kms) : Hot springs Temples. Dhauli (8 Kms) : emperor Ashoka's Rock Edicts. Khandagiri (6.5 Kms) : Jain caves with carvings. Nandankanan Sanctuary (20 Kms) : Modern Zoological Park (November - February). Sisupalgarh (5 Kms) : Excavations. Udayagiri (18 Kms) : Buddhist caves with carvings.] Chandipur : Beach. Chilika Lake : Island dotted lake, Holiday (Winter) resort, Boating, Fishing, Birdlife. Cuttack : Ancient Capital, Handicrafts, Gateway to Tribal territories, Fort, Muslim shrine, State's major commercial centre. Deogarh : Pradhanpat waterfalls. Gopalpur-on-Sea : Beach resort. Hirakud : Dam-site holiday resort, Fishing. Jijpur : Temples, Pilgrim centre. Jeypore : Old Palaces, Antiques, Tribals, Handicrafts. [Bogra (14 Kms) : Waterfalls. Koraput (21 Kms) : Forests, Tribal villages, Pilgrim centre. Gupteswar (50 Kms) : Forest pilgrim centre.] Joshipur : Entry to Simlipal. [Kiching (45 Kms) : Ancient Capital, Temple, Museum.] Kantilo : Temples, Temple festivals. Kapilas : Temples, Hindu pilgrim centre. Kendujhargarh : Hill station. Konark : Temples with exquisite carvings, the 13th century 'Black Pagoda' is one of the marvels of India, Archaeological Museum, Beaches. Paradwip : Largest Port of India. Phulabani : Tribal area, Picnic spot. [Chakapad : Temple.] Puri : One of the four most Holy places of pilgrimage in India, Temples, excellent Beaches, Handicrafts. Ranipur-Jharia : Temple ruins. Ratnagiri : Buddhist sculpture, Excavations, also neighbouring Lalitgiri and Udayagiri peaks for more of the same. Raurkela : Steel Plant, Maidina Dam and Khandadhari Waterfalls are nearby, Picnic spots, Parks. Sambalpur : Temples, Sambalpuri Textiles, Handicrafts. [Huma (20 Kms) : River-side picnic spot, Temple.] Simlipal : National Wildlife Park, Waterfalls (October - June). Sonepur : Temples, Handloom silks. Tatapani : Hot springs, Spa, Picnic spot. Tikarpara : Crocodile Sanctuary. Ushakothi : Gorges, Wildlife Sanctuary (October - May).
Festivals :	Makar Sankranti (January), Maha Shivratri (February / March), Holi (March), Chandan Yatra (May / June), Puri Car Festival (June / July), Dussehra (October), Diwali (October / November).