“The Soul of Incredible India”

Odisha is the land of cryptic wonders renowned all over the world for its culture, historical sites, monasteries, wildlife and handicrafts. Throughout the year, this land is visited by numerous tourists from all over the globe to witness its natural beauty. Located in the south-eastern coast of India Odisha is surrounded in the east and north-east by West Bengal, in the north by Jharkhand, in the west and north-west by Chhattisgarh and in the south by Andhra Pradesh. Established on 1st April 1936, Orissa is one of the top destinations for tourists. The state was a part of the ancient Kalinga region and thus it has a deep significance in history. Invaded by the Mauryan king of Magadh, Ashoka in 261 BCE, this was the sight of the Great Kalinga War. The people of Kalinga lost this war which brought huge destruction of life and property. It is said that, it was this terrible war that forced Ashok to give up war and turn to Buddhism. Odisha is spread across 155,820 sq. km (60,160 sq mi) of area and is ranked the 9th largest state of the country of India. The state is divided into 30 districts that are well-governed by the District Collectors or District Magistrates. Bhubaneswar is the capital and also the largest city of the state. Cuttack, Brahmapur, Puri, Rourkela and Sambalpur are the other major cities of Odisha. The famous port of the state, Paradeep is outnumbered with numerous beach resorts and hotels that offer world-class accommodation to travelers. These are loved by tourists for their tranquility and serenity that takes one away from the chaos of the city. The Hirakund Dam Built on the Mahanadi River is the largest dam in the world that covers space in the Guinness book of records. The western and northern portions of the state are covered by the Chota Nagpur plateau, while the coastal region is adorned with alluvial plains of the Mahanadi, Brahmani, and Baitarani rivers.