Capital  Bhubaneswar

Area
1,55,707 sq km. Divided into 28 districts. Orissa has a lovery seacoast. Hills run north to south. The biggest river is Mahanadi, the longest Dam of India and the fourth largest dam in the world the Hirakud, is on this river, Lake Chilka is the largest Saltwater Lake

Towns  Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri and Sambalpur

Population
3,16,59,736

Density  2021 Per sq. km.br>
Language  Oriya

Literacy  48.55% (Men 62.37%, and Women 34.4%)

Agriculture   Over 80% of the people are dependent on agriculture, Rice, Oilseeds, Pulses, jute, sugarcane, coconut, turmeric are important crops. Lac is an important forest product of the ‘Kusum’ tree The People make ‘beedies’ from tendu leaves.

Minerals  Iron ore, manganese, dolomite, limestone, graphite, fire clay and bauxites. Rourkela has a big steel plant.

Industries  Rourkela has the biggest Steel Plant. Other industries are explosives, heavy machine tools, paper, fertilizers, electronics and coach repair factories.

Roads 1,96,0231 km.

Airport  Bhubaneswar

The Temple City of India
Orissa can be aptly named as a 'Land for all Reasons'. The wonderful land of fascinating beauty situated on the coast along the Bay of Bengal. Endowed with nature's bounty: a 485 km stretch of coastline, the forest-clad blu hills of Eastern Ghats with rich wildlife, Orissa is dotted with exquisite temples, historic monuments as well as pieces of modern engineering feat. The land while retaining its pristine glory also offers the visitors modern amenities. Bhubaneswar the city of temples, Puri the city of Lord and the sea, and the Black Pagoda at Konarak constitute the golden triangle of tourism. There is a fascinating spectrum on offer for the visitor - historic architecture and monuments; great Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Shrines; a fantastic range of handicrafts and hand woven textiles; a distinct cuisine, art, dance, music many types of flora and fauna and the great Chilika Lake with its migratory birds and many kinds of fish. The lush green beauty of Orissa's countryside- freely sprinkled with rivers- is framed by long stretches of beaches, most of which are still unspoilt. People of Orissa rejoice in fairs and festivals. The Car Festival of Puri, Dance Festival of Konarak, and Baliyatra of Cuttack are unique in character.

Ethnic Arts and Crafts
A visitor cannot miss the rich handicrafts and handloom textiles heritage that the state boasts of. Especially noteworthy is the art of silver filigree work that has reached in making jewellery, tiepins, cuff links, picture-frames and handbags. On the other hand are the weavers of sambalpur, creating colorful saris and Ikat fabrics in a style unique to themselves. The technique involves both the skills of paintings and craftsmanship. Pipli, a small town between Bhubaneswar and Puri, is famous for its appliqué work out of which the craftsmen create colourful bags bedspreads and garden umbrellas. Stone carving is widely practiced in and around Puri though there are other smaller centres as well.

Cuisine
The most popular is fish of both salt water and fresh water. Cakes (Pithas) of powdered grams, like Chakuli, Kakara, Monda, Arisa etc. are also popular. Other delicacies include crabs at Rambha, Pomfrets in Puri, hilsa at Chandipur and lobsters at Paradeep. Popular sweet are the brown rasogolla and Chhenapodapitha, made of cottage cheese.

Fairs and Festivals
A visit to Orissa will never be complete without witnessing its fairs and festivals. Besides Holi, Dhussera and Diwali, which are shared by the rest of India, there are numerous other festivals exclusive to Orissa and having their own unique myths behind them. Through this chapter we present some of the major Fairs & Festivals of Orissa and you are welcome to enjoy them

Makar Mela ( January )
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with gusto in mid- January when the sun enters the orbit of capricon. Sun God is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all.

Mahasivaratri ( February- March)
The festival " Shiva's Great Night" falls on the 14th day of the dark half Phalgun and is observed by devotees all over the country. Devotees keep fast and perform puja throughout the night and keep a vigil to witness the sacred lamp on the temple top.

Dola Purnima ( March- April)
Dola, popularly known as Holi is the most popular and colourful festival of Orissa, celebrated on Phalgun Purniuma and a day succeeding. Based on the romantic plays of Radha and Krishna, people converge on the streets with their idols on gaily decorated 'Vimans' singing devotional songs in their praise and throwing colour powders and waters on each other.

Ratha Yatra ( June- July)
Ratha Yatra, known as car Festival is the grandest of all festivals in Orissa. It is the sacred journey of Lord Jaganath with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the main Jaganath Temple to another shrine called 'Gundicha Mandir' for nine days. It begins from the 2nd day of the bright half of 'Asadha' which falls in June- July every year. Thousands and thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad throng on that day at Puri to pull the sacred Charoits.

Beach Festival ( February 5- 9)
Puri the abode of Lord Jagannath is a wonderful beach resort for leisure tourists. It is known for its thirteen major festivals of Lord Jagannath celebrated every year. But the new Tourist Festival known as " Puri Beach Festival" held from 5th- 9th November each year has come to limelight in recent times.

Konark Festival ( December 1- 5)
A festival of classical dance forms performed by the celebrated dancers of the country on the Open Air Auditorium set amidst the casuarinas grove with the Sun Temple a World Heritage Monument at the back drop. During the festival evenings the atmosphere is surcharged with rhythmic dancing beats and melodious tunes.

Climate Tropical Climate

TEMPERATURE

Season	Summer	Winter
Max	40' C
Min		17' C

Season:

Summer Season:	March to June
Rainy Season:	July to September
Winter Season	October to February

Best Season: September to March

Clothing: Lightweight/ cotton clothing for Summer and Rainy Season. Warm Garments for Winter.

Religion: Orissa is a secular state with a harmonious blending of all major religions.