Odisha is a state in eastern India whose name has seen many variations in spelling over the years. In 2011, the Indian government officially changed the English spelling from "Orissa" to "Odisha." The correct pronunciation of the state's name is /əˈdɪsə/, with stress on the first syllable. The "d" is pronounced as a voiced dental fricative /ð/, like the "th" in "this," while the second "i" is pronounced as a short "i" sound /ɪ/. The spelling change represents a significant step in recognizing and respecting the linguistic and cultural identity of the people of Odisha.
Odisha, also known as Orissa, is a state located on the eastern coast of India. It is one of the 28 states of India and was formed on April 1, 1936. Odisha has a rich historical and cultural heritage and is renowned for its temples, art, craft, and traditions.
Geographically, Odisha is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal on the east and is bordered by the states of West Bengal to the northeast, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south. The state covers an area of approximately 155,707 square kilometers (60,119 square miles).
The population of Odisha, as per the 2011 census, is over 41 million people. The official language is Odia, and the majority of the population practices Hinduism. Odisha has a diverse landscape, comprising coastal plains, fertile river valleys, rolling hills, and forested areas. The state is also rich in mineral resources, particularly coal, iron ore, and bauxite.
Odisha is famous for its numerous ancient temples, such as the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Sun Temple in Konark, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, and many more. These temples showcase the magnificent architecture and artistic brilliance of the region.
Apart from its cultural heritage, Odisha is known for its handicrafts, including Patta paintings, stone and wood carvings, textiles like bomkai and sambalpuri sarees, and appliqué work. The classical dance form of Odissi originated in this region and is recognized worldwide for its grace and sophistication.
In recent years, Odisha has made significant progress in various sectors, including agriculture, industry
The etymology of the word "Odisha" can be traced back to the Sanskrit term "Utkala", which means "land of excellence" or "land of virtuous people". Over time, the name evolved into "Oddiyana" in Tibetan and "Odra" in ancient language. Eventually, it became "Orissa" during the British colonial era. In 2011, the state government of Orissa officially changed the English spelling of the state to "Odisha" to reflect the correct pronunciation of its name in the local language, Odia. The word "Odisha" has been in use since then.