Description

Odisha earlier known as Orissa, is a state of India which is located in eastern side of India. It is surrounded by the states of West Bengal to the north-east. Chhattisgarh to the west and north-west, Jharkhand to the north and Andhra Pradesh to the south. Capital of Odisha is Bhubaneswar. Chilika Lake is a saline water lagoon situated on the eastern coast of Odisha. Birds from places like Baikal Lake, Caspian Sea, other parts of Ladakh, South-East Asia, Central Asia, Himalayas and Russia, wander to the lagoon in winter.

CLIMATE OF ODISHA
Orissa experiences 4 meteorological seasons - south-west monsoon season (June to September), winter (January to February), north east monsoon season (October–December) and pre-monsoon season (March to May), However, locally the year is divided into 6 traditional seasons (or rutus) - Hemant (winter), Sharad (autumn), Sisira (cool season), Barsha (rainy season), Basanta (spring), and Grishma (summer).

TOURISM OF ODISHA
Jagannath Shrine, Puri is around 200 feet tall whereas Lingaraja Shrine of Bhubaneswar has 149-foot high and directs the skyline. Konark Sun Temple, the major shrine of the sacred Golden Triangle exists today, and it is still incredible in size. It stands out as a work of art in the structural design of Odisha. Sarala Shrine, considered as one of the most religiously prominent expressions of Shaktism is situated in the region of Jagatsinghpur. It is also a main tourist spot and one of the sacred site in Odisha. Maa Tarini Shrine located in Kendujhar region is also a prominent religious site. Daily thousands of coconuts are given by disciples to Maa Tarini for accomplishing their wishes.

Diverse Landscape of Odisha - from the wooded Eastern Ghats to the fertile river basin has proven perfect for development of distinctive and compact environments. This produces treasure troves of ecology that are fascinating to several nomadic varieties of reptiles and birds. Bhitarkanika National Park is well-known for its 2nd major mangrove ecosystem. The bird sanctuary in Chilika Lake (Biggest Salty Water Lake of Odisha) and the waterfalls and tiger reserve in Simlipal National Park are vital components of eco-tourism in Odisha, organized by Tourism of Odisha. Daringbadi, popularly known as Kashmir of Odisha, is a hill station in the Kandhamal district of Odisha. Chandipur, a peaceful and calm site, is un-popular among tourists. 

NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES OF ODISHA

• Simplipal National Park
  Simlipal National Park is a protected tiger reserve and wildlife area situated the northern division of Mayurbhanj district. It has 1080 species of plants, comprising 93 orchids. The sal tree is the main tree species there. The park has around 54 animals, comprising Indian elephant, jungle cat, Indian leopard, sambar deer, Indian bison, Indian giant squirrel, wild boar, common langur, four-horned antelope, Bengal tiger, and barking deer. There are about 302 species of birds in the park, like the Malabar pied hornbill, grey hornbill, Indian pied hornbill and common hill myna. It also has about 58 species of reptiles, prominent among them are the tricarinate hill turtle and king cobra. There is also a mugger crocodile breeding program in adjacent Ramtirtha.
   
• Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary
  Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary is a sheltered region close to the capital city, Bhubaneswar.
   
• Bhitarkanika National Park
  Bhitarkanika National Park is situated in Kendrapara region. The Gahiramatha seashore in Bhitarkanika is the major nesting place of the world for olive ridley sea turtles. Other main nesting grounds for the turtle in Odisha are Rushikulya, in Ganjam region, and the mouth of the Devi river. The Bhitarkanika sanctuary is also famous for its huge population of salt-water crocodiles. In winter, the sanctuary is also visited by nomadic birds. Among the species of birds spotted in the sanctuary are Indian cormorant, purple heron, sarus crane, black-crowned night heron, darter, Oriental white ibis and grey heron. The endangered horseshoe crab is also seen in this area.

CULTURE OF ODISHA

• Cuisine
  The State has a cookery custom across centuries. The kitchen of the Jagannath Shrine, Puri is supposed to be the biggest in the world, with 1,000 cooks, working around 752 wood-burning clay firesides called chulas, to feed more than 99,99 people daily. The sugary sweet Pahala rasgulla prepared in Odisha is famous all over the world. Chhenapoda is other main sweet cuisine of Odisha, which initiated in Nayagarh. Except these Pakhala is considered as traditional food of every Odia family. Aloodum dahibara of Cuttack, Mudhi mansa of Baripada, Chhena jhilipi of Nimapada, a variety of pancakes prepared during carnivals are some important cuisine of Odisha. Dalmaa and Santula are some of the cuisine of Odisha.

• Dance
  Orissi music and dance are traditional forms of art. Odissi is the oldest surviving type of dance in India on the basis of archaeological facts. Orissi has a extensive, constant custom of 2,000 years, and is stated in the Natyashastra of Bharatamuni, probably written c. 200 BC. But, the dance form almost became vanished during the British period, only to be revitalized after the sovereignty of India by some sages. The variety of dances comprises Mahari dance, Chhau dance, Gotipua, and Ghumura Dance.

HOW TO REACH ODISHA
Odisha has a network of railways, roads, seaports and airports. Bhubaneswar is linked by network of rail, road and air with the rest of India. Some highways are getting extended to 4 tracks. Plans for metro rail linking Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar, a journey of around 28 km, have also commenced.

• By Rail
  Major cities of Odisha are linked to all the main cities of India by means of regular and weekly trains. Most of the railway network in Odisha lies under the influence of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) with headquarters at Bhubaneswar and some divisions under South Eastern Railway and South East Central Railway.
   
• By Air
  Odisha has a total of 16 helipads and 17 airstrips. Air Odisha, is the sole air charter company of Odisha which is situated in Bhubaneswar. Other Airports of Odisha are - Jharsuguda Airport at Jharsuguda, Berhampur Airport at Brahmapur, Rourkela Airport at Rourkela, Jeypore Airport at Jeypore, Charbatia Air Base at Cuttack, Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar, Savitri Jindal Airport at Angul, Hirakud Airstrip at Sambalpur, Utkela Airstrip at Bhawanipatna.
   
• By Seaports
  There are many Sea Ports in the extensive seacoast of Odisha. Prominent Seacoasts of the state are Port of Paradip, Port of Subarnarekha, Port of Chandipur, Port of Dhamara, Port of Astarang and Port of Gopalpur.