Thread by @SadaaShree

Wishing all a Happy #UtkalaDibasa . Odisha a state where I spent 4 years of my life, and of which I have some great memories.I created this map that shows the year of district formation. Thread here exploring the culture, history, heritage of the state.

Fun fact- My blog's name has a connection with Odisha in a way. You can check out here why #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/his…

So what makes Odisha's history and culture unique compared to other parts of India? One of the reasons is it’s geography itself, flanked by the Bay of the Bengal on one hand, and the Eastern Ghats on the other side, with the Chota Nagpur plateau in between. #UtkalaDibasa

Odisha is a link between the Northern and Southern parts of India, thus inheriting certain common characteristics of both regions.Having passed, through different rulers, Odisha, ended up experiencing various cultures. #UtkalaDibasa

After Ashoka’s invasion, and the Kalinga War, the Buddhist influence was strong here, and that accounts for the large number of Buddhist sites. Similarly with the decline of Magadha, Kharavela assumed full power, and he promoted Jainism on large scale here. #UtkalaDibasa

The latter Ganga and Gajapati dynasties, promoted Hinduism, in order to wean away people from Buddhism. Add to it elements of Tantric, Shakta tradition. #UtkalaDibasa

So what you have in Odisha is a culture, that is predominantly a mix of Buddhist, Jaina, Vaishnava, Shaivite, Shakta traditions, with an influence of Tribal culture too. #UtkalaDibasa

The combination of sea, hills, forest, plateau, has given rise to a culture, that has it’s own unique characteristics. It’s coastline, and a rich maritime tradition in ancient times, has seen something like the Bali Jatra commemorating it. #UtkalaDibasa

It turns an entire town Bargarh into an open air theater, during Dhanu Jatra to enact the story of Krishna and Kansa. #UtkalaDibasa historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/dha…

One of the major factors in the evolution of Odiya culture has been the tribal influence.The state has a large tribal population, with around 62 tribes, in around 13 categories scattered all over the city. This tribal influence is felt in every aspect of Odisha culture.

The best example is the Jagannatha Ratha Yatra, where the Lord is believed to be in the form of Nila Madhava, a tribal deity worshiped in the hills. And it accounts for the rather peculiar shape of the idol, in a more animist form. #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2005/07/25/pur…

One of the bloodiest and largest battles ever in history, between Ashoka and the people of Kalinga. In ancient times, Kalinga had a thriving port trade, due to it’s coastline. #UtkalaDibasa

Also a relatively open culture, a uniform civil code and a people who valued their freedom. They were under the Mauryan empire, during the rule of the Nandas, but after their overthrow, they broke away. #UtkalaDibasa

The conquest of Kalinga became imperative for the Mauryan rulers to assert their political prominence, and also gain access to sea trade. The task was taken up by Ashoka, who vowed to completely subjugate the people of Kalinga if needed be. #UtkalaDibasa

In one of the bloodiest wars ever fought, an estimated 200,000 people died in Kalinga, mostly civilians. The province of Kalinga was plundered and looted, there was devastation all around. #UtkalaDibasa

Kharavela, one of the greatest rulers of the Mahameghavana Dynasty, he became the ruler of Kalinga at age of 24. His 14 year reign, is considered a golden period of sorts in the history of Odisha. #UtkalaDibasa

He successfully invaded the territory of the Satavahana ruler Satakarni I, conquered Rajagriha( now Rajgir), repulsed a Yavana invasion. He chased the Yavanas out of Mathura, then a major cultural center. #UtkalaDibasa

He also conquered Magadha, and bought back the statue of Rishabanath, that was taken away by Mahapadmananda. Apart from his military achievements, he was also renowned as a great builder, patron of art and culture. #UtkalaDibasa

He completely rebuilt the capital Kalinga Nagari after a storm destroyed it. He was known to arrange large performances of dance and music for the people. Jainism flourished in Odisha under his reign, and it would soon become an integral part of it’s culture. #UtkalaDibasa

Eastern Ganga Period between 1078–1434, Founded by Anantavarman Chodaganga, this was one of the greatest dynasties ever in India. Their capital was at Srimukhalingam( now in Srikakulam dt of Andhra Pradesh). #UtkalaDibasa

One of their greatest achievements would be the construction of the Sun Temple at Konark, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2005/07/22/kon…

Anantavarman is also credited with building the famous Puri Jagannatha Temple.

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Trade and commerce flourished in this period, and the rulers were able to successfully defend their kingdom from Muslim attacks. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, visited Odisha under their reign, and noted that Buddhism was widely practiced here. #UtkalaDibasa

The Gajapati Kingdom( 1434-51), Established by Kapilendra Deva, after the fall of the Eastern Gangas, it was one of the largest empires ever, stretching right up to Bidar down South. #UtkalaDibasa

It was a golden period of literature, with Odiya poet Sarala Dasa, writing the Mahabharata in Odiya. At their peak, the empire extended from the Hooghly to the Cauvery, possessing vast tracts of land, along the entire Eastern Coast. #UtkalaDibasa

It was the time, when Vaishnavism flourished in Odisha, due to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as well as the expansion of the Jagannatha Tradition. #UtkalaDibasa

The Paika Revolt by Jaya Krushna Rajguru Mahapatra, in 1804, the first uprising against the British, which was ruthlessly put down. #UtkalaDibasa

Veer Surender Sai’s rebellion against the British in 1857 at Sambalpur, which was again put down. #UtkalaDibasa historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/vee…

The formation of the Utkala Sabha in 1882, which began the process of uniting all Odiya speaking territories. #UtkalaDibasa

Noted revolutionary Bagha Jatin, died in an encounter with the British near Balasore on September 10, 1915. #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/bag…

Biju Patnaik’s daring rescue of Indonesian PM Sutan Sjharir on July 22, 1947 in a flight, from Dutch captivity, remains one of the most memorable event ever. #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/bij…

Fakir Mohan Senapati, writer, poet, social reformer and philosopher, one of the foremost intellectual minds of Odisha. His novels Chha Mana Antha Guntha, Manu and Prayaschita explore the social realities of Odisha during the 18th and 19th centuries. #UtkalaDibasa

Radhanath Ray along with Fakir Mohan Senapati, fought for the preservation of Odia language. Famous for his Kavyas like KedarGauri, Nandikeshwari, Chilika. Introduced many new forms into Odia literature like blank verses, satire. #UtkalaDibasa

Another of the great intellectual minds of Odisha, was Gopabandhu Das, popularly called Utkala Mani. Inspired by Deccan Educational Society in Maharashtra, he started the Satyabadi Bakul Bana Bidyalaya near Puri. #UtkalaDibasa

Though Andhra Pradesh is my Janmabhoomi I always regarded Odisha as my Karmabhoomi, it was where my career took a turn for the better, it is a state to which I have been drawn again and again by destiny, and which I have learnt to accept. #UtkalaDibasa

Many people visiting Odisha, generally restrict themselves to the Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark triangle. With a lineage of tolerant rulers, the state saw the flourishing of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism as well as a whole lot of tribal cultures too. #UtkalaDibasa

Puri, Cuttack and Balasore are Odisha's oldest districts formed in 1828. While Puri is more known for Jagannatha Temple and Konark Sun Temple, the district itself is Odisha's cultural heartland. #UtkalaDibasa

The beautiful applique work of Pipili
The village of Raghurajpur near Puri housing artisans who practice their craft.
Satpada Lagoon where Chilika Lake meets Bay of Bengal, famous for it's Dolphins.
The temple of Sakshigopal between Puri and Bhubaneshwar.
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Cuttack is one of India's oldest inhabited cities, the birth place of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, his home Janakinath Bhavan is now a memorial. The Mahanadi River, it's exquisite Filigree work.
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Cuttack is also famous for the Bali Jatra, celebrated during Kartika Maasa honoring Odisha's rich maritime tradition. And the Satkosia Gorge on the Mahanadi river. known for it's wildlife.
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Chandipur Beach near Balasore, during low tide, the sea here actually recedes a large distance back, and you can actually walk into it. Indian Army's missile testing range is also located here.
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Ganjam was formed in 1936, one of Odisha's largest districts even now, Berhampur known as Silk City, the lovely beach town of Gopalpur , which also has a naval base, Taptaparini famous for it's hot water springs.
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Chilika Lake, the largest inland water lagoon in India, famous for it's aquatic life, and migratory birds.
Watching this lake from the train, as it just skirted alongside the edges, memorable experience.

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Koraput district was formed in 1936, and was Odisha's largest dt, before it was sub divided into Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nowrangpur. Duduma waterfalls is one of those places to be visited.
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Also the Gupteshwar Cave Temple located in a thick forest, with it's naturally formed Shiva Lingam, a must visit.
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One more aspect of Odisha is the Shakti worship here, two Adi Shakti Peethas are located in this state.
Maa Vimala in Puri Jagannatha Complex.
Maa Tara Tarini in Ganjam dt.
#UtkalaDibasa

Maa Biraja Temple at Jajpur is one of the Maha Shakti Peethas.
Also you have Maa Samaleswari(Sambalpur), Katak Chandi(Cuttack), Ramachandi(Konark), Maa Sarala.
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And the Chausathi Jogini temple at Hirapur near Bhubaneshwar, a very unique structure, featuring statues of around 64 Joginis, arranged in a circle. #UtkalaDibasa

Sambalpur dt formed in 1948 is named after Maa Samaleswari, it's patron deity. It is famous for the elegant Sambalpuri Sarees, that actually originated in Bargarh, that was created as a separate dt later in 1993. #UtkalaDibasa

Bargarh also has the Nrusinganath Temple at the foothills of the Gandhamandhan Hills where Shree Vishnu is worshipped as Marjari Keshari, his feline form. #UtkalaDibasa

Kapilash Temple, located near Dhenkanal in a very thick forest, is worth a visit. You could either trek 1352 steps, through a thick jungle or take the winding ghat road. It's believed to be the site of Kapila Maharshi's Ashram. #UtkalaDibasa

Mayurbhanj district formed in 1948, is famous for it's Chau dance as well as the Simlipal National Park, one of the famous Tiger Reserves. #UtkalaDibasa

Indralath Temple in Bolangir district, it's believed Indra worshipped Shiva here, which accounts for it's name. This is a brick temple built around 10-11th century during reign of Somvamshi rulers.
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Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri, located in Jajpur district are famous for their Buddhist monuments. #UtkalaDibasa

Bhitarkanika in Kendrapada district, is famous for it's mangrove forests and crocodiles, worth a visit, one of the great eco spots in India. #UtkalaDibasa

Adjoining to Bhitarkanika is Gahirmatha Beach, where Olive Ridley Turtles congregate in large numbers during November primarily for mating and laying their eggs here. #UtkalaDibasa

The Ajaikapada Bhairava temple, located in Jagatsinghpur district, has Shiva standing just on one feet, which also accounts for it's name. The original temple was destroyed during Muslim invasions and it was subsequently rebuilt later. #UtkalaDibasa

Daringbadi, in Kandhamal's district is a charming hill station off the beaten track, relatively unexplored. #UtkalaDibasa

The massive Lingaraja Temple a wonderful specimen of Kalinga architecture, it's towering spire dominating the skyline of Bhubaneshwar. Vaise there is a legend, that the city remains as long as the temple stands. #UtkalaDibasa

Bhubaneshwar itself gets it's name from one of Shiva's names, Tribhubaneshwara, Lord of the 3 worlds. It's also called as Ekamra, as Shiva is believed to have meditated under an Ekamra tree here. #UtkalaDibasa
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/bhu…

While Odissi is well known, the state has a lot of other dance forms too, two well known ones are Gotipua that narrates the story of the young Krishna and Mahari patronized by Ganga rulers. #UtkalaDibasa

Odisha is a state, that is in festival mode, for all 12 months of the year, as the popular saying goes "bara masa tera parva". It has the grandest Durga Puja celebrations especially in Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar. #UtkalaDibasa

Kumar Purnima- Celebrated in first Purnima of Ashwin month, when young unmarried girls pray for a husband.
As also Vasanta Panchami, Nuakhali, Ratha Saptami.
#UtkalaDibasa

Raja Parba- Basically celebrated in middle of June, for 3 days, meant for girls and women to enjoy, through games and swings. It is primarily meant to worship Bhu Devi, Mother earth, and signifies the begining of the crop season too. #UtkalaDibasa

This thread is not an exhuastive one on Odisha, I shared whatever I could recollect. It's a humble tribute to my Karma Bhoomi where I spent 4 years of my life, and to it's warm hearted people. Wishing a Happy #UtkalaDibasa and thanks for following this patiently.