Rediscovering the old state of Odisha, where splendid monuments and sculptures, golden beaches, swift rivers, azure lakes, roaring waterfalls, verdant hills and wildlife parks beckon a growing number of visitors In the popular perception, the eastern seaboard state of Odisha (pop. 40 million) known mainly for the Puri Jagannath and Konark Sun temples and ancient cultural landmarks is a distant place, situated somewhere out there in the great Indian outback. Formerly, the epicentre of the historic Kalinga kingdom of Emperor Ashoka, Odisha with its 4,000 stunningly-crafted monuments, famed archaeological sites, early Jain cave temples, Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, mosques, forts, palaces and splendid colonial architecture, is re-impacting itself upon the national consciousness as a tourism destination. Little is known about the state’s early history except that the region was originally inhabited by Buiya and Gond tribals. Circa 400 BCE the region was united under the Kalinga dynasty which established a fiercely independent kingdom. In 260 BCE Emperor Ashoka (232-273 BCE) of the neighboring Mauryan empire based in Pataliputra invaded and subdued Kalinga after a long and bloody war of conquest. The conquest of Kalinga was a turning point for Ashoka, who, anguished by the horror and destruction of the war, converted to Buddhism and established one of the most peaceful and prosperous kingdoms in Indian history. Later in the second century, the Kharavela dynasty established strong rule over the region and built numerous temples. From 400-1000 AD the region was administered by the Gupta, Bhaumakara and the Soma dynasties followed by the Gangas (1100-1200). During the late 13th century, the Delhi sultanate established suzerainty over the region and continued to rule until 16th century, when it was conquered by the Mughals. Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the Nawab of Bengal took over and ruled the state till its cessation to the British East India Company in 1803. It was only in 1949, two years after India attained independence, that Orissa state was constituted. The name was changed from Orissa to Odisha, and its language from Oriya to Odia, in 2011, after the Alteration of Name and 113th Amendment Bills, were passed in the Parliament in 2010. In the new era of incremental domestic and international tourism, Odisha’s kaleidoscopic culture, splendid architecture, monuments and sculptural art, as also its golden beaches, swift rivers, azure lakes, roaring waterfalls, verdant hills and wildlife parks have begun to attract a growing number of visitors. Bhubaneswar The state’s capital, Bhubaneswar — its landscape studded with over a hundred ancient temples — is the gateway to the cultural wealth of Odisha. The city (pop. 929,000) derives its name from the Sanskrit word Tribhuvaneswara, synonymous with Lord Shiva. Against this multi-hued tapestry of history and the soaring sandstone spires of old Bhubaneswar, a new capital has taken shape. The modern architectural designs of present-day Bhubaneswar contrast in sharp relief with the old city. Nevertheless, mindful of its unique status, Bhubaneswar is a calm, progressive city, comfortably linking the old and new. Renowned for its…
