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Odisha

Odisha is a state in eastern India, renowned for its ancient temples, rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, tribal traditions, classical dance, wildlife sanctuaries, and scenic coastline along th…

5Districts
29Destinations listed
BhubaneswarCapital
Oct – FebBest time

About Odisha

Odisha is a state in eastern India, renowned for its ancient temples, rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, tribal traditions, classical dance, wildlife sanctuaries, and scenic coastline along the Bay of Bengal. The state is one of India's most important spiritual and cultural destinations, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.

Odisha is home to iconic landmarks such as Jagannath Temple, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark Sun Temple, the vast Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, and the biodiverse Bhitarkanika National Park. The state is also the birthplace of the classical dance form Odissi.

History

  1. Odisha has a history spanning over 3,000 years and was known in ancient times as Kalinga.
  2. The historic Kalinga War (261 BCE), fought between Ashoka and the kingdom of Kalinga, profoundly influenced Ashoka, leading him to embrace Buddhism and spread its teachings across Asia.
  3. The region later flourished under powerful dynasties such as the Mahameghavahanas, Eastern Gangas, Gajapatis, and Somavamsis, who built many of Odisha's magnificent temples.
  4. During British rule, Odisha formed part of the Bengal Presidency before becoming a separate province on 1 April 1936, making it the first Indian state created on a linguistic basis.
  5. After India's independence, Odisha became one of the constituent states of the Republic of India.

Geography

Odisha is located in eastern India and shares borders with:

  1. West Bengal
  2. Jharkhand
  3. Chhattisgarh
  4. Andhra Pradesh
  5. Bay of Bengal (east)

The state covers an area of approximately 155,707 sq km.

Odisha features a diverse landscape of coastal plains, rolling hills, dense forests, river valleys, wetlands, and beaches. Its coastline stretches for about 485 km along the Bay of Bengal. The state experiences a tropical climate with hot summers, a monsoon season from June to September, and mild winters.

How to Reach

By Air

Major airports include:

  1. Biju Patnaik International Airport
  2. Veer Surendra Sai Airport (Jharsuguda)
  3. Jeypore Airport
  4. Rourkela Airport

Regular domestic flights connect Odisha with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, and several other Indian cities. Bhubaneswar also offers limited international connectivity.

By Rail

Major railway stations include:

  1. Bhubaneswar Railway Station
  2. Puri Railway Station
  3. Cuttack Junction
  4. Sambalpur Junction
  5. Rourkela Junction
  6. Balasore Railway Station
  7. Berhampur Railway Station

Odisha has an extensive railway network with direct trains connecting it to major cities across India.

By Road

Odisha has a well-developed road network connected through several major National Highways, including:

  1. NH 16
  2. NH 18
  3. NH 26
  4. NH 49
  5. NH 53

Regular government and private buses operate between major cities, towns, and neighboring states, making road travel a convenient option for visitors.

Destinations in Odisha (29)

Nearby states to explore

State

Jharkhand

Ranchi 343 km away
State

West Bengal

Kolkata 365 km away
State

Chhattisgarh

Raipur 449 km away
State

Bihar

Patna 593 km away
State

Tripura

Agartala 686 km away
State

Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati 690 km away