20 Interesting Facts About Odisha You Must Know

The eastern Indian state of Odisha, previously known as Orissa, is located on the Bay of Bengal. It is in the northeastern part of the country and is well-known for its numerous old Hindu temples and rich tribal cultures. You can find hundreds of temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, including the exquisitely sculpted Mukteshvara. Moreover, the sacred Bindusagar Lake is the focal point of the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple complex. The history and environment of this state of India are the main topics of the Odisha State Museum. Here are some interesting facts about Odisha.

Amazing Fun facts about the state

1. Bhubaneshwar is the capital city of Odisha.
2. Odisha got its name from the Odia language spoken in the region.
3. The total area of the state is approximately 155,707 square kilometres.
4. The state shares a coastline of about 480 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal.
5. The borders of the state include the northeast by West Bengal, to the north by Jharkhand, to the west by Chhattisgarh, and to the south by Andhra Pradesh.
6. Major cities such as Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, and Sambalpur are part of the 30 districts of the state
7. With its own distinctive dance forms like Odissi and traditional dances like Sambalpuri, the state boasts a rich cultural legacy.
8. Odisha is well-known for its temples, one of which is the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which is considered to be one of the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage destinations.
9.   Many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be found in the state, such as Chilika Lake, Simlipal National Park, and Bhitarkanika National Park.
10. The Sun Temple located in Konark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a famous temple in Odisha.
11. Odisha is renowned for its handicrafts, especially its appliqué and Pattachitra paintings.
12.  Archaeological evidence indicates that human occupancy in the region dates back to prehistoric periods, indicating the state’s extensive history.
13. Mauriyas, Kalingas and Gangas are some of the dynasties that have ruled over Odisha.
14. It is well known that the Odishan Kalinga War turned Emperor Ashoka into an advocate of Buddhism and nonviolence.
15. In the early 18th century, the British East India Company built its first trading port in Odisha.
16. Because Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other prominent Indian independence movement figures were from Orissa, the state was heavily involved in the struggle.
17. 17. The state of Odisha has a strong sports culture and is known for its passion for hockey and cricket.
18. 18. Millions of devotees go from all over the world to Puri for the Rath Yatra event, which is centred around the great procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
19. Olive Ridley sea turtles nest on the beaches of Gahirmatha and Rushikulya in Orissa.
20. 20. Odisha is one of the largest producers of rice in the country.

Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about Odisha. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs.