Key Facts
Located in Eastern India.
8th largest state by area and 11th largest by population.
Neighbors West Bengal and Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south.
Ancient kingdom of Kalinga, invaded by Mauryan emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE (won back by King Kharavela).
First state to enact the Lokayukta Bill law.
World’s highest electrified track (Jakhapura-Daitari section).
Home to the world’s largest 23-feet Estuarine crocodile.
Largest Brackish Water Lagoon, Chilka Lake, in Asia.
Popular for having three mass nesting beaches of rare Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
Largest wetland of Asia (Chilika) designated as a Ramsar site
Home to the largest Lion Safari and the only White Tiger Safari in the world.
Hirakud Dam, the fourth largest in the world, located in Sambalpur, Western Odisha.
Notable historical figures Deomali, the highest peak in Odisha, part of the Eastern Ghats.
Odisha is the highest producer of hematite ore in India.
Puri Temple is a unique pilgrimage site with Folk, Shaiva, Sakta, Vaishnava worship.
River Mahanadi originates from the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh
Udaygiri and Khandagiri hills in Bhubaneshwar have 33 sandstone caves.
Wheeler Island has been renamed as Abdul Kalam Island.
Odia Language received Classical language status in 2014.
Pattachitra, a unique form of folk painting.
Notable temples : Rajarani Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Biraja Temple, Kichakeswari Temple, Sun Temple at Konark, Jagannath Temple at Puri, Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar.
State Animal State Bird State Tree State Flower Sambhar Blue Jay Indian Roller Ashwatha (Peepal) Ashoka
Tribes Juang, Kol, Holva, Bhunjia, Parenga, Sabar, Paroja, Bhumia, Khond, Santhals, Savaras, Gonds, Bondas (62 Tribes)
Festivals Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra, Ratha Yatra, Chaitra Parva (Chhou dance), Bali Yatra of Cuttack
Rivers Rivers with sources outside the state: Subarnarekha, Brahmani, Mahanadi Rivers with sources inside the state: Budhabalanga, Baitarini, Salandi, Rushikulya Rivers with sources inside Odisha but flow through other states: Bahudu, Vansadhara, Nagavali Rivers with sources inside Odisha, tributary to rivers flowing through other states: Machkund, Sileru, Kolab, Indravati
Lakes Chilka Lake (endangered Irrawaddy dolphins), Ansupa Lake, Sara Lake, Kanjia Lake (Sweetwater lakes)
Waterfalls Barehipani, Joranda (Similipal), Sanaghagara, Badaghagara, Khandadhar (Banei), Khandabaladhar, Rabandhara, Kentamari, Putudi
Protected Areas Bhitarkanika National Park (large population of salt-water crocodiles), Simlipal National Park, Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha (Marine) Wildlife Sanctuary (world’s largest nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles), Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, Khalasuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
Ramsar Sites Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chilika Lake
Mangrove Bhitarkanika, Chilika, Dharma, Mahanadi, Subarnarekha
Minerals Iron ore, chrome ore, manganese ore, limonite, Aluminium and alumina, Ferro-manganese, Keonjhar, chromite, Quartzite, Bauxite, Gold, Pyrophyllite, and Limestone, etc. It contains a fifth of India’s coal, a quarter of its iron ore, a third of its bauxite reserves, and most of the chromite.
Dances Ghumura Dance, Chhau dance, Jhumair, Mahari dance, Dalkhai, Gotipua, Odissi classical art forms
GI Tags Kandhamal Haladi, Odisha Rasagola, Orissa Pattachitra, Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree & Joda, Habaspuri Saree & Fabrics, Bomkai Saree & Fabrics, Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics, Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics, Ganjam Kewda Flower & Rooh, Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics, Khandua Saree and Fabrics, Pipli Applique Work, Orissa Pattachitra, Konark Stone carving, Orissa Ikat, Kotpad Handloom fabric.
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