Odisha, Oriya, or Orissa, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936 at Kanika Palace, Cuttack, as a province in 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, however Sambalpuri/Kosali is spoken in most part of Western Odisha. Odisha has a relatively unindicted 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 interior of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated. Deomali at 1672 m is the highest point of the state.

Places of Interest

Chandipur: Chandipur (16 kms) away from Balasore Railway Station on Howrah-Madras line of South Eastern ( S.E.) Railways annique beach where the sea water recedes about 5 kms during low-tide and advances to the shore line again during high-tides each day. An ideal beach resort of Orissa.

Konark: Renowned for its magnificent sun temple, which was constructed by Narasinha Deva of Ganga dynasty of Orissa in mid 13th century, Konark is also a lovely beach resort. It is easily approachable from BhubanesHwar-64 kms & Puri-32 kms by coaches and tourist cars. Regular bus services including conducted sightseeing tours are available for Konark from Bhubaneshwar and Puri.

Similipal: Thick and green forests, extensive grassy lands and meadows, cloud kissing peaks, precipitous and sparkling waterfalls, meandering rivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeing deer and flying squirrels, talking myna and dancing peacocks et al make Similipal a dreamland of Nature in the wilderness and an irresistible destination.

Puri: Puri city in Orissa is looked upon as the Tirthraj. The supreme pilgrim centre (Tirthraj) among all pilgrim centers in India. It is a belief that if a person dies in Puri he is released for good from the cycle of births and gets himself merged in the body of the Almighty. He does not undergo rebirth. According to tradition Puri was once a thickly wooded hill inhabited by the Sabaras (Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric linguistic family). The sunny beach at Puri is one of the best in the world. Watching the sunrise in Puri early in the morning by the blue sea away from the cacophony is itself an experience which needs. It is one of the most popular sea-side resorts where visitors from all parts of the globe come to relax.

Jhumpura: Jhumpura is a census town in the Kendujhar district (also known as Keonjhar district) of the coastal state of India, Orissa. The Indian census report, which came out in 2001 states that Jhumpura, had a small population of 5265. Males account for 52% of the population and females account for the remaining 48%. In Jhumpura, 13% of the population is less than six years of age. The average literacy rate of this census town is 68%, which is higher than the national average literacy rate, which is 59.5%. Out of it, the male literacy rate of Jhumpura is 75% and the female literacy rate is 61%.