Odisha (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା) pronunciation (help·info) (previously known as Orissa) is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of ancient republican nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC, that led to a turning point in the Emperor's life when deeply saddened by the bloodshed he embraced Buddhism in search of inner peace.The modern state of Odisha was establi...
more
Odisha (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା) pronunciation (help·info) (previously known as Orissa) is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of ancient republican nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC, that led to a turning point in the Emperor's life when deeply saddened by the bloodshed he embraced Buddhism in search of inner peace.The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936 as a province in British India, and consists, predominantly of Odia speakers. 1 April is therefore celebrated as Utkal Divas (Odisha Day).
Odisha is the ninth largest state by area in India, and the eleventh largest by population. Odia is the official and most widely spoken language. Odisha has a relatively unindented coastline (about 480 km long) and lacks good ports, except for the deepwater facility at Paradip. The narrow, level coastal strip, including the Mahanadi River delta supports the bulk of the population. The...
less