Orrisa - ranks 11th in population and 9th in area. Perpetually washed by the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, it lies on the east coast with a coastal length of 482 kms. It is bounded by West Bengal and Bihar on the north, Andhra Pradesh on the south, the Bay Of Bengal on the east and Madhya Pradesh on the west. Orrisa is a coastal state with 6 of its 30 districts situated on the cpast of Bay of Bengal. It contains exquisite temples, superb monuments, inviting beaches, enchanting wildlife and natural landscapes. It is a must on the itinerary of any tourist visiting India. Orrisa is the best of ancient and modern India where people share a strong sense of holiness, a sense of belonging with their beautiful land and their enduring links with the past. Located on the eastern coast of India, Orrisa is still largely unexplored and a fascinating state to visit. Blessed with a long and beautiful coastline that is dotted with golden beaches and gentle sunshine, it provides excellent opportunities for easy relaxation. Be it the orientalist, with his avid taste for architectural monuments and historical sites, the adventurist - the Bubhaneshwar, Puri, and Konark circuit provides an ideal package.
The tropical state of Orrisa lies along the eastern seaboard of India, on the Bay of Bengal. Its main attractions are what the tourist authorities called the Golden Triangle, means the temples of capital Bhubaneshwar, the long sandy beach at Puri and the majestic Sun Temple at Konark. Also popular these days are the Adivasi (tribal) areas of the southwest and the national parks to the north. The sun temple at Konark has acted as a beacon for sailors for nearly a millenium while the architecturally astonishing temples of Bhubaneshwar and Puri have drawn pilgrims ibn their millions from across India. The fertile delta on which the modern capital, Bhubaneshwar stands was witness to an important historical event some 2000 years ago. It was here the great Indian Emperor Ashoka remounced his warring ways after the massacre in battle of Kalinga. He embraced Buddhism and was chiefly instrumental in taking it to the world.
Orrisa is predominantly rural with fertile green coastal plains rising to the hills of the eastern ghats. The state is also rich in minerals and a big exporter of of iron ore. Orrisa's economy is often distabilized by natural disasters, although flooding in the Mahanadi delta, which used to occur regularly, has been much reduced by the building of Hiraskud Dam near Sambalpur. Orrisa is also a great place to pick up souvenirs. Orrisa's beautiful hills are home to the exotic tribal people who form about 25% of the population and are as such untouched by the progress of line. Inland Orrisa's beautiful hills, home to tribal people are among the densely populated and most densely forested regions of India.
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Facts And Figures of Orrisa
