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OrissaOrissa (ଓଡ଼ିଶା) is a state situated in the east coast of India. Orissa is bounded on the north by Jharkhand, on the north-east by West Bengal, on the east by the Bay of Bengal, on the south by Andhra Pradesh and on the west by Chhattisgarh. The Eastern Ghats range and the Chota Nagpur plateau occupy the western and northern portions of the state, while fertile alluvial plains occupy the coastal plain and the valleys of the Mahanadi, Brahmani , and Vaitarani rivers, which empty into the Bay of Bengal. These alluvial plains are home to intensive rice cultivation.
GeographyThe capital of Orissa is Bhubaneswar, otherwise referred to as the Land of Temples, with about 1000 temples. The city of Puri is nearby on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Puri is a famous holy city and site of the annual festival of Lord Jagannath called Ratha Yatra. It is situated on the eastern coast and is among the poorest States of India. It has a population of 32 million with a very high percentage of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes, approximately 40% of the total population. The rate of growth in Orissa has been abysmally poor in comparison with the national average, for instance; in the 1990s Orissa's rate of growth was 4.3% in comparison to the national average of 6.7%. The agricultural sector accounts for 32% of the GSDP and 62% of the total employment, there is a stagnation in per capita income in the past two decades. Around 17.5 million people live below the poverty line. Poverty is significantly worse in the western and southern districts of the state. The literacy rate is 50% and the rate of literacy is even worse in case of Adivasis (Tribals) and Dalits. History and CultureOriya is the State's official language. The state has a opulent cultural heritage. Orissa is one of the eastern states of India. The region, earlier known as the kingdom of Kalinga was scene of the bloody war fought by king Asoka the Great of Magadha. A list of various dynasties that ruled Orissa from 3rd Century B.C. is given below.
Natural AreasChilka Lake, a brackish water coastal lake on the Bay of Bengal, south of the mouth of the Mahanadi River, is the largest coastal lake in India. It is protected by the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, which harbors over 150 migratory and resident species of birds. PopulationAbout 87% of the population live in the villages and one third of the rural population does not own any land other than homesteads. The small marginal farmers who constitute around 80% control only 47% of the land. Medium and large farmers who constitute 5% control 24% of the land. The Adivasis constitute 24% of the population, belonging to 62 different ethnic communities. Their traditional livelihood revolves around the forest ecosystem. Over the years collection of forest produce, hunting and persuasion of other traditional ways of living have become increasingly difficult, influencing socio-cultural life. Issues with modernisation such as mining and industrial activities, construction of dams, roads, railways have not only caused environmental hazards but have displaced the Adivasi communities. The loss of access to forest produce and the lack of bargaining power in marketing the commodities and forest produce they have for fair prices has left the Adivasi communities virtually bankrupt. The Dalits who comprise 16% of the total population frequently suffer from deprivation and ignominy. For historical reasons, most of the Dalits are landless and depend on various service occupations, petty business and crafts for their livelihood. They are among the worst hit communities as a result of ecological degradation and issues with caste discrimination. The infant mortality rate of 97 remains highest in India. In terms of infrastructure Orissa is impoverished with regards to railways, telecommunication, literacy and irrigation coverage. Only 20% of the road network is paved and more than half the population does not have access to bus facilities within two kilometres of their homes. In rural areas more than 65% of the population have no access to safe drinking water and around 96% do not have sanitation facilities. In these areas, over 82% of families do not have electricity and over 87% live in temporary houses. To add to the aforesaid, Orissa faces frequent natural diasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts as a combination of both natural and man-made causes. Religion, Temples, and Festivals
Jagannath Temple(12th Century A.D.) at Puri is Famous for Rathyatra (Car Festival).Every year millions of devotees come to Puri during the Rathyatra.It is a festival during which Jagannath along with his brother Ballabhadra and sister Subhadra come out of the temple to meet their devotees. Charchika MandirMaa Charchika's Mandir is situated on Ruchika parbat near the Renuka river. It is considered as one of the most beautiful places of Orissa, where religion and nature intermix with each. It is situated in a place called Banki which is 52KMs away from Orissa's business capital Cuttack and 60 km from political capital Bhubaneswar. Another important picnic spot is Sunadei temple on the bank of river Mahanadi. During winter season many migratory birds visit mahanadi - which is in its largest width near the Sunadei Temple. PoliticsEconomyInformation Technology
Heavy Industry
Agriculture
Fishery
EducationOrissa is the home of many colleges and universities including: Universities
Management Colleges
Athgarh GS College, Athgarh Engineering Colleges
Medical Colleges
Ayurvedic Colleges
Homoeopathic Colleges
Districts
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