Odisha is located on the east coast of India facing the Bay of Bengal. It was created on 1st April 1936 during the British Period. The foundation day of Odisha, also known as Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated every year on the first day of April. The term “Utkala” that appears in our National Anthem denotes this region. Odisha is surrounded by West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. The Capital city, Bhubaneshwar, is the largest city. The Odissi classical dance form is world famous besides fold dances such as Chhau, Chaiti Ghoda, etc. |
Lesser Known Facts
- It was initially named ‘Utkala’ as, justifying the Sanskrit term, it was a land of majestic art and crafts where some of the finest artisans settled down.
- Around 2000 years ago, the land was home to tribes of civilized, urbanized and cultured people, who resided in Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput regions with Asurgarh as their capital. This was way before Odisha became the core of Samrat Ashoka’s Kalinga.
- The land is mentioned in Ramayan and Mahanbharata as Kantara which altogether included Kalahandi, Koraput and Bastara.
- Records from 4th century point out that Odisha, the then ‘Indravana’ was a vessel of precious stones and gems of the Mauryan empire.
- After separation from Bihar, Odisha became the first independent state that was formed on linguistic basis.
- Newly formed Odisha had six districts- Cuttack, Puri, Baleswar, Sambalpur, Koraput and Ganjam.
- It was established at Kanika Palace in Cuttack.
- John Austin Hubback became the first Governor of the independent province of Odisha.
- The initial capital of the state was Cuttack. Later, Bhubaneswar was declared the state capital.
- Utkal Divas is also known as Vishuva Milan.
On April 1, 1936, Odisha became a separate province, after a long struggle of over three centuries. The formation of Orissa province under the British rule, separated from Bengal and Bihar, marked the beginning of a new journey for the state. Odisha Day, also known as Utkal Divas and Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated on April 1 every year in memory of all the struggle that went into gaining a separate political identity for the state that was once part of Kalinga ruled by emperor Ashok, and later by Kharavela, remembered as a conqueror and the champion of Jainism, before Mughals invaded and wrested it.
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