Orissa  *

 

 

    The Land of the Utkal people was known as Kallinga in ancient times. It was part of the Maurya empire in the 3^rd Century B.C. It was here that Ashoka experienced a change of heart and embraced the creed of non-violence. The stone pillar inscription at Dhauli near the site of Buddhist caves at Udayagiri and Khandgiri, testifies to this historic event.

 

    Kalinga reclaimed its independence and glory under King Kharavela in the 2^nd Century B.C. However it passed into obscurity after his death, and the territory was annexed into the Gupta empire by Samudragupta. The imperial successors to the Guptas - Shashanka, and Harsha continued to enjoy sovereignty over it. It was only in the eighth Century that the region could have a dynasty of its own - the Guptas. It was Mahashivgupta - the second in the line who is credited with the construction of the magnificent Jagannath temple at Puri - famous for its annual charriot - car procession.

 

    Another king in this line Narsimhadeva is reputed to have built the awe inspiring sun temple at Konarak - the massive structure is conceived as a giant chariot transporting the Sun God across the skies. The twelve wheels represent the months in a year and the seven horses yoked to the vehicle symbolize the seven days in the week. Named the Black Pagoda by early Europeans this has been declared a world heritage site. Other magnificent temples dotting the Orissa landscape are the massive Lingaraja temple and the gem like Mukteshwar shrine at Bhubaneshvar which is at times called the cathedral city of India.

 

    From the 14^th Century it was ruled by successive Muslim rulers and became a part of the Mughal empire under Akbar the Great. After the decline of the Mughals, it fell under the control of the Marathas who held sway till their defeat at the hands of the British who assumed power in 1803. Orissa was designated a separate province in 1936. The princely state of Orissa merged within the Indian union in 1949 and the state was formed in that year.

 

    Orissa is an agricultural economy with 87.46 per cent of its population dependent on it. Rice, pulses, oilseeds, jute, sugar cane, coconut and turmeric are important crops. Orissa contributes 10 per cent of the total output of paddy in the country. Forest cover is nearly 37 per cent of the total land area.

 

    In recent years some progress has been made towards industrialization. There is an integrated steel plant at Rourkela, a heavy water project at Talchar, an Aluminum Complex at Koraput and a fertilizer plant at Paradip. Major thermal electric plants are at Talchar, Hirakud and Chiplima. Cuttack is the commercial hub and so is the twin city of Bhubaneshvar. Orissa is renowned for its delicate silver filigree, and applique work and ikat textile in cotton and silver.

 

    Orissa is the cradle of Odissi - arguably the most lyrical form of classical Indian dance - that evolved over millennia in the temple courtyards. Among the folk dances, Chhau (of Mayurbhanj) performed after donning masks, is exceptionally striking.

 

    For the nature lover there is the Chilka - the largest brackish water inland lake in Asia - covering an expanse of 1100 square kilometres. The largest Lion Safari - the only place with the white tiger on view - is located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Hirakud on Mahanadi is the fourth largest dam in the wold and is another tourist draw.