Odisha Day or Utkal Divas is celebrated on 1st April 2023

Odisha Day or Utkal Divas 2023

Odisha Day or Utkal Divas is a significant day for the people of Odisha, India as it marks the formation of the state on April 1, 1936. Every year on this day, the state celebrates with cultural programs, parades, and flag hoisting ceremonies. Community leaders and politicians give speeches highlighting the state’s achievements and history. This event provides the opportunity for the people of Odisha to come together and celebrate their cultural heritage and progress made by the state. Odisha, also known as the Land of Lord Jagannath, is famous for its scenic seas and ancient temples, such as the Jagannath Puri Temple and the Sun Temple of Konark, which attract tourists. This year, on April 1, Odisha will celebrate its 88th foundation day.

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History of Odisha

Odisha, also known as Orissa, is a state in eastern India with a rich history dating back to ancient times. The earliest evidence of human habitation in the region dates back to the Stone Age, with archaeological sites such as Golbai Sasan providing evidence of early settlements.
In the 3rd century BCE, the region was ruled by the powerful emperor Ashoka, who is known for his conversion to Buddhism and his role in spreading the religion across the Indian subcontinent. Following the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the region came under the control of various dynasties, including the Satavahanas, the Ikshvakus, and the Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty.
During the medieval period, Odisha was ruled by various Hindu dynasties, including the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which oversaw a period of cultural and artistic development. The state was also an important center for the spread of the Bhakti movement, with saints such as Jayadeva and Ramanuja contributing to the development of the tradition.
In the 16th century, Odisha came under the control of the Mughal Empire, and later the British East India Company. The state played an important role in the Indian independence movement, with leaders such as Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, and Biju Patnaik contributing to the struggle for freedom.
After India gained independence in 1947, Odisha became a state on April 1, 1936, and has since emerged as a center for industry, agriculture, and tourism. The state has a rich cultural heritage, with a vibrant arts and crafts tradition, ancient temples, and festivals such as the Rath Yatra in Puri attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Here are some important dates in the history of Odisha:

261 BCE: Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Emperor, conquered the region and established a government in Tosali.
3rd century CE: The Kalinga War between the Mauryan Empire and the Kalinga kingdom, which is modern-day Odisha.
6th century CE: The Eastern Ganga dynasty established its rule over Odisha, which lasted until the 15th century.
13th century CE: The construction of the Sun Temple in Konark.
16th century CE: Odisha came under the rule of the Mughal Empire.
1803 CE: The British East India Company took control of Odisha after defeating the Marathas.
1827 CE: Establishment of the Orissa Medical School, which is now known as the SCB Medical College and Hospital.
1876 CE: Formation of the Utkal Sabha, a political organization that fought for the rights of Odia people.
1936 CE: Odisha became a separate state on April 1, with the passing of the Government of India Act, 1935.
1950 CE: The Jagannath Temple Act was passed, which gave control of the temple to the state government.
2019 CE: The Indian government declared Odisha as the first “open defecation free” state in the country.