Essence of Life: Utakala Divas - A Day to reverberate Glory of our Great Motherland....Odisha..

Bande Utkala Janani – ( Glory to Maa Utkala !!)

On April 1, 1936, Odisha became a separate province, after a long struggle of over three centuries. The formation of Orissa province under the British rule, separated from Bengal and Bihar, marked the beginning of a new journey for the state.

Odisha Day, also known as Utkal Divas and Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated on April 1 every year in memory of all the struggle that went into gaining a separate political identity for the state that was once part of Kalinga ruled by emperor Ashok, and later by Kharavela, remembered as a conqueror and the champion of Jainism, before Mughals invaded and wrested it.

Utkala Dibasa: History and significance

According to historians, Orissa was originally inhabited by tribes that lived in its hills and plains. Later, it became part of Kalinga, the ancient kingdom that Magadh King Ashoka invaded in 261 BC to expand Mauryan rule. The ‘Great Kalinga War’ famous for the bloodblath it saw was eventually won by Ashoka, though he could not enjoy his victory and soon embraced Buddhism.

Apart from the Great Kalinga War, recorded history had few references of the kingdom until King Kharavela’s rule began. In fact, Kalinga under Kharavela had managed to avenge the Maurya invasion by defeating Magadh. Historians say Kharavela, besides being known for establishing Kalinga as a mighty political state of India, is also credited with laying the foundation for Orissa’s fame as a land of art, architecture and sculpture.

Gajapati Mukunda Deva was the last Hindu King of Odisha, who was defeated by the Mughals in 1576. In 1803, the British took over the reins of the state, dividing it into several administrative units. The northern and western districts became part of Bengal Presidency. Later, the coastal region was made into the Province of Bihar and Orissa.

Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das founded a Odia social and cultural organisation named Utkal Sammilani in 1903 to unite all Odia. A revolution was started by them which continued for three decades under the leadership of Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkala Mani Gopabandhu Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandita Nilakantha Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Basudeba Sudhaladeba, Radhanath Ray, Bhubanananda Das, A. P. Patro and many others with the support of the public.

Finally, British gave up and accepted Odisha as a province of India ruled by them. It was 1st April 1936 when Odisha entered in state list of INDIA with 6 districts only. Now we got 30 districts.

Unfortunately, he (Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das) passed away on 1934, 2 years before he could witness his dream.

The state’s name was changed from Orissa to Odisha on 24 March, 2011, after Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, gave its nod to the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010 and the Constitution (113th Amendment) Bill. The Lok Sabha, the lower house, had passed the bill and the amendment to change the name of the state from Orissa to Odisha, and that of its language from Oriya to Odia, on November 9, 2010.

Why Odisha - what we should know ?? why should we be proud off ??

Odisha has surprises at every corners..which the world is yet to explore

What you get only in Odisha ?

Olive Ridley Nest at Arribada, Gahirmatha Beach, Rusikulya – The only place in India where they come every year

Odisha Pegion Post Service – One of the last surviving Pegion Maling Service – Angul & Cuttack

Lasgest costal lagoon – Chilika and second largest in World

Sambalpuri Hadndloom – Hand Woven Sarees and Dress material

Irrawaddy dolphin ( rare species) found in Bharmhagiri, Chilika Lake

Pattachitra - A traditional painting done on palm leaves

Top tourist attractions

Shree Jagannath Dham – Among one of the four Dhams in India

Asia’s Largest Earthen Dam – Hirakud

Konark Sun Temple, Puri – World Heritage Site

Daringhbadi – Kashmir of Odisha

Jirang – Odisha’s little Tibet

Unique Odia Cuisnes

Pakhala - Pakhala is rice which is fermented overnight with water and consumed with an assortment of fried vegetables and fish.

Dalma - Dalma is dal (lentil) cooked with an assortment of vegetables and spices.

Dahibara Aloodum

Pitha - Pitha is essentially cereal based steamed cake. It’s the food for any occasion from the perspective of an Odia household. The dish has many variants and much sought after amongst them are ChakuliPitha, PodaPitha, Monda etc.