# Odiapedia

> Odiapedia is a free, bilingual encyclopedia of Odisha — the Odia language, history, culture, festivals, food, people, districts and travel — written from cited sources.

Odiapedia covers Odisha (formerly Orissa), an Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, and the Odia (Oriya) language. Articles open with a direct answer, list quick facts, and cite their sources. Pages are reviewed and dated; legends are labelled as tradition. Please cite the specific article URL you use.

## Key reference pages
- [Odisha at a glance](https://odiapedia.com/history/odisha-at-a-glance): quick facts, figures and state symbols
- [Odia language](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-language): overview, speakers, script, classical status
- [Odia calendar](https://odiapedia.com/calendar): live panjika (tithi, nakshatra, Odia month) and festival dates
- [Districts of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/districts): all 30 districts
- [Odisha GI tags](https://odiapedia.com/culture/odisha-gi-tags): Geographical Indication products of Odisha
- [Travel in Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/travel): destination guides and itineraries
- [Library](https://odiapedia.com/library): free, public-domain PDFs of Odia literature and books on Odisha
- [Editorial policy](https://odiapedia.com/about/editorial-policy) · [Cite Odiapedia](https://odiapedia.com/about/cite-odiapedia)

## Travel
- [Best Time to Visit Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/travel/best-time-to-visit-odisha): The best time to visit Odisha is October to March. Month-by-month weather, IMD rainfall normals, festival highlights, and when to visit the coast, hills and parks.
- [Bhitarkanika National Park Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/bhitarkanika-national-park): Bhitarkanika National Park travel guide: mangrove boat safaris, saltwater crocodiles, the May to July closure, best time to visit and how to reach.
- [Bhubaneswar Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/bhubaneswar): Bhubaneswar travel guide: Old Town temples, Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves, Dhauli, Nandankanan, best time to visit, how to reach and local food.
- [Chandipur Beach Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/chandipur): Chandipur in Balasore is Odisha's 'vanishing sea' beach, where low tide exposes up to 5 km of seabed. Best time, how to reach, food and nearby places.
- [Chilika Lake Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/chilika-lake-travel-guide): Chilika Lake travel guide: Satapada dolphin boat trips, Mangalajodi and Nalabana birding, Kalijai island, best time to visit and how to reach Barkul, Rambha.
- [Cuttack Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/cuttack): Cuttack travel guide: Odisha's 'Silver City' and former capital, with Barabati Fort, Netaji Birth Place Museum, filigree, Bali Jatra, food and how to reach.
- [Daringbadi Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/daringbadi): Daringbadi, the 'Kashmir of Odisha', is a hill station in Kandhamal at about 915 m. Best time, how to reach via Brahmapur, sights, food and tips.
- [Diamond Triangle: Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri](https://odiapedia.com/travel/diamond-triangle-ratnagiri-udayagiri-lalitgiri): Odisha's Diamond Triangle of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri is a cluster of excavated Buddhist sites near Cuttack and Jajpur. History, museums, travel tips.
- [Gopalpur-on-Sea Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/gopalpur-on-sea): Gopalpur-on-Sea travel guide: the old port town's beach, 1871 lighthouse beacon, best time to visit, how to reach via Berhampur, food and nearby trips.
- [Hirakud Dam Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/hirakud-dam): Hirakud Dam near Sambalpur is a 4.8 km earthen dam on the Mahanadi, opened in 1957. Viewpoints, Ramsar reservoir, best time, how to reach, nearby sights.
- [How to Reach Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/travel/how-to-reach-odisha): How to reach Odisha by air, rail and road: Bhubaneswar and regional airports, main railway junctions, national highways, and getting around by bus.
- [Konark Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/konark): Konark travel guide: visiting the UNESCO-listed Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga beach, Konark Dance Festival dates, best time to visit and how to reach from Puri.
- [Koraput Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/koraput): Koraput travel guide: Deomali, Duduma waterfall, Sabara Srikhetra, tribal heritage, best time to visit, how to reach via Jeypore or Koraput rail, and local food.
- [Koraput Tribal Heritage Itinerary: Koraput, Jeypore, Deomali, Kotpad and Onukudelli](https://odiapedia.com/travel/koraput-tribal-heritage-itinerary): A 4-day responsible-travel itinerary for Koraput, Jeypore, Deomali, the Kotpad weavers and the Onukudelli weekly market, with current guidance on PVTG areas.
- [Odisha 3-Day Itinerary: Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark](https://odiapedia.com/travel/odisha-3-day-itinerary): A practical 3-day Odisha itinerary covering the Golden Triangle of Bhubaneswar, Konark and Puri, with day plans, approximate distances and temple rules.
- [Odisha 5-Day Itinerary: Golden Triangle, Chilika and Craft Villages](https://odiapedia.com/travel/odisha-5-day-itinerary): A 5-day Odisha itinerary covering Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark, Chilika Lake at Satapada and the craft villages of Raghurajpur and Pipili, with practical tips.
- [Odisha 7-Day Itinerary: Temples, Chilika and Bhitarkanika](https://odiapedia.com/travel/odisha-7-day-itinerary): A 7-day Odisha itinerary combining Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark with Chilika Lake and the mangroves of Bhitarkanika, plus a Satkosia alternative.
- [Odisha Buddhist Trail Itinerary: Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Lalitgiri and Langudi](https://odiapedia.com/travel/odisha-buddhist-trail-itinerary): A 2 to 3 day Odisha Buddhist trail from Bhubaneswar to Dhauli, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri, Ratnagiri and Langudi Hill, with distances and museum closure days.
- [Puri Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/puri): Puri travel guide: Jagannath Temple entry rules, Golden Beach, best time to visit, how to reach from Bhubaneswar, local food and nearby day trips.
- [Raghurajpur Heritage Crafts Village](https://odiapedia.com/travel/raghurajpur): Raghurajpur travel guide: Odisha's heritage crafts village near Puri for pattachitra, palm-leaf engraving and gotipua dance, with tips on visiting and buying.
- [Satkosia Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/satkosia): Satkosia travel guide: the Mahanadi gorge, Satkosia Tiger Reserve nature camps at Tikarpada and Chhotkei, best time to visit and how to reach from Angul.
- [Similipal National Park Travel Guide](https://odiapedia.com/travel/simlipal-national-park): Similipal (Simlipal) National Park travel guide: open season, entry gates, permits, waterfalls, best time to visit and how to reach Baripada and Jashipur.

## Culture & Festivals
- [Bali Jatra, Cuttack](https://odiapedia.com/culture/bali-jatra): Bali Jatra is Cuttack's annual fair on the Mahanadi, starting on Kartika Purnima, that recalls Odisha's old sea trade with Bali, Java and Sumatra.
- [Biraja Panjika - The Odia Almanac Named for Goddess Biraja](https://odiapedia.com/culture/biraja-panjika): Biraja Panjika is a widely used printed Odia almanac named after Goddess Biraja of Jajpur, giving tithis, festival dates and muhurta.
- [Boita Bandana](https://odiapedia.com/culture/boita-bandana): Boita Bandana is the Odia ritual of floating small lamp-lit boats at dawn on Kartika Purnima to honour the sadhabas, Odisha's ancient sea traders.
- [Bomkai Saree](https://odiapedia.com/culture/bomkai-saree): Bomkai saree is a GI-registered Odisha handloom from Bomkai village in Ganjam and Subarnapur, known for extra-weft temple borders and motifs.
- [Chandan Yatra, Puri](https://odiapedia.com/culture/chandan-yatra): Chandan Yatra is the 42-day summer festival of the Jagannath Temple, Puri, beginning on Akshaya Tritiya, with boat rides on Narendra tank.
- [Chhau Dance - The High-Energy Martial Art Dance of Mayurbhanj](https://odiapedia.com/culture/chhau-dance): Discover the powerful and vibrant Chhau dance of Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Learn about its martial arts origins, unique lack of masks, elaborate costumes, and cultural significance.
- [Danda Nacha - The Sacred Folk Dance Festival of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/danda-nacha): Danda Nacha (Danda Nata) is a 13- to 21-day folk ritual of Ganjam and southern Odisha, performed in Chaitra in devotion to Lord Shiva, with dance, fire and water rites.
- [Dhanu Jatra of Bargarh](https://odiapedia.com/culture/dhanu-jatra): Dhanu Jatra is an 11-day open-air theatre festival in Bargarh, Odisha, where the whole town becomes Mathura and a Kansa actor rules the streets.
- [Dhokra Craft of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/dhokra-craft): Dhokra is the lost-wax brass casting practised by traditional metalsmiths in Odisha and eastern India, used for figures, lamps and ornaments.
- [Dola Purnima (Dola Yatra)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/dola-purnima): Dola Purnima (Dola Yatra) is Odisha's spring swing festival of Radha-Krishna on Phalguna Purnima, with vimana processions, abira and Dola Melana.
- [Durga Puja in Odisha - A Divine Celebration](https://odiapedia.com/culture/durga-puja): Discover how Durga Puja is celebrated in Odisha with unique traditions, community pandals, and the special significance of Dussehra in Odia culture.
- [Ghumura Dance](https://odiapedia.com/culture/ghumura-dance): Ghumura is the folk dance of Kalahandi, Odisha, performed by men wearing the ghumura, a drum made from an earthen pot. It was once linked with war music.
- [GI Tags of Odisha: Complete List](https://odiapedia.com/culture/odisha-gi-tags): Complete list of Odisha's Geographical Indication (GI) tags – handloom, handicraft, agricultural and food products – checked against the GI Registry.
- [Gotipua Dance - The Precursor to Odissi](https://odiapedia.com/culture/gotipua-dance): Discover the acrobatic and deeply spiritual Gotipua dance of Odisha. Learn the history of young boys dressing as female dancers to praise Lord Jagannath, a direct precursor to the classical Odissi dance.
- [Jagannath Panjika - Odia Almanacs of the Puri Tradition](https://odiapedia.com/culture/jagannath-panjika): Jagannath Panjika: the name given to Odia almanacs that follow the Puri (Jagannath temple) tradition of reckoning tithis, festivals and auspicious times.
- [Khandua Silk](https://odiapedia.com/culture/khandua-silk): Khandua is a GI-registered ikat silk from Nuapatna and Maniabandha in Cuttack district, Odisha, traditionally linked to Lord Jagannath and the Gita Govinda.
- [Konark Dance Festival](https://odiapedia.com/culture/konark-dance-festival): The Konark Dance Festival is a five-day classical dance festival held each December beside the Konark Sun Temple, organised by Odisha Tourism.
- [Kotpad Handloom](https://odiapedia.com/culture/kotpad-handloom): Kotpad handloom is a naturally dyed cotton textile woven by Mirgan weavers of Koraput, Odisha, and was Odisha's first GI-registered product (2005).
- [Kumar Purnima - The Festival of Unmarried Girls](https://odiapedia.com/culture/kumar-purnima): Kumar Purnima is the Odia festival on Ashwin full moon when unmarried girls worship the moon and Kumar (Kartikeya), offer chanda chakata and play games.
- [Makar Sankranti - The Sun Festival of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/makar-sankranti-en): Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival in Odisha celebrating the Sun's transition into Capricorn. Learn about the rituals, traditional Pithas, famous melas, and cultural significance.
- [Manabasa Gurubara - Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi](https://odiapedia.com/culture/manabasa-gurubara): Discover Manabasa Gurubara, the month-long Odia tradition where women worship Goddess Lakshmi every Thursday of Margashira month with beautiful rituals.
- [Nuakhai - The Harvest Festival of Western Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/nuakhai): Explore Nuakhai, the most important festival of Western Odisha celebrating the new rice harvest with family reunions, traditional food, and cultural programs.
- [Odia Parba 2026 - Celebrating Odisha in the Heart of Delhi](https://odiapedia.com/culture/odia-parba-en): Experience the grandeur of Odia Parba 2026 in New Delhi. Discover the dates, venue, cultural highlights, authentic food, and rich heritage of Odisha being showcased at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
- [Odissi Dance - The Classical Art Form of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/odissi-dance): Explore Odissi, one of India's eight classical dance forms originating from the temples of Odisha, known for its sculptural poses and lyrical movements.
- [Palm-Leaf Engraving (Tala Pattachitra)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/palm-leaf-engraving): Palm-leaf engraving, or tala pattachitra, is Odisha's art of incising images and text on palm leaves with an iron stylus, centred on Raghurajpur near Puri.
- [Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuva Sankranti)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/pana-sankranti): Pana Sankranti, or Maha Vishuva Sankranti, is the Odia New Year in mid-April, marked with bela pana, Hanuman worship, Jhamu Yatra and Danda Nacha.
- [Pattachitra - The Ancient Scroll Painting of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/pattachitra): Pattachitra is the GI-tagged traditional cloth painting of Odisha, centred on Raghurajpur near Puri, depicting Jagannath and Hindu mythology.
- [Pipili Applique Work - Odisha's Vibrant Patchwork Art](https://odiapedia.com/culture/pipili-applique): Discover the colorful world of Pipili Applique (Chandua) work from Odisha. Learn about its traditional roots in the Jagannath Temple, the intricate stitching techniques, and its modern applications.
- [Prathamastami](https://odiapedia.com/culture/prathamastami): Prathamastami is the Odia festival for the eldest child on Margashira Krishna Ashtami, with aarti, gifts from the maternal uncle and enduri pitha.
- [Raja Parba - The Festival Celebrating Womanhood](https://odiapedia.com/culture/raja-parba): Discover Raja Parba, a unique three-day festival in Odisha celebrating the Earth's menstruation and honoring womanhood with swings, games, and traditional delicacies.
- [Rath Yatra - The Grand Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath](https://odiapedia.com/culture/rath-yatra): Discover Rath Yatra, the world-famous chariot festival in Puri where millions gather to pull the massive chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
- [Sabai Grass Craft](https://odiapedia.com/culture/sabai-grass-craft): Sabai grass craft is the handmade basketry and décor of Mayurbhanj, Odisha, woven by rural women from the fibre of sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata).
- [Sambalpuri Dance (Dalkhai and Folk Forms)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/sambalpuri-dance): Sambalpuri dance is the umbrella name for Western Odisha's folk dances such as Dalkhai, Rasarkeli and Karma, performed to the dhol, nisan and mahuri.
- [Sambalpuri Saree - The GI Tagged Handloom Heritage of Western Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/culture/sambalpuri-saree): The Sambalpuri saree is a GI-tagged bandha (ikat) handloom from western Odisha. Learn the technique, motifs, varieties like Pasapali and Bapta, and how to buy authentic.
- [Sitala Sasthi, Sambalpur](https://odiapedia.com/culture/sitala-sasthi): Sitala Sasthi is the festival of Shiva and Parvati's wedding, celebrated grandly in Sambalpur in Jyeshtha, with local families acting as the divine parents.
- [Snana Yatra (Deba Snana Purnima)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/snana-yatra): Snana Yatra is the bathing festival of Jagannath and his siblings in Puri on Jyeshtha Purnima, with 108 pots of water and the elephant-form Hati Besha.
- [Tarakasi – Cuttack Silver Filigree](https://odiapedia.com/culture/tarakasi-silver-filigree): Tarakasi is the silver filigree craft of Cuttack, Odisha, made from fine twisted silver wire. It became the GI 'Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi' in 2024.
- [The Golden Triangle of Odisha - Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konark](https://odiapedia.com/culture/golden-triangle): Explore the Golden Triangle of Odisha: the temple city of Bhubaneswar, the sacred Jagannath Puri, and the architectural marvel of the Konark Sun Temple. A guide to Eastern India's most popular tourist circuit.
- [Utkal Divas (Odisha Day)](https://odiapedia.com/culture/utkal-divas): Utkal Divas, or Odisha Day, on 1 April marks the formation of Odisha as a separate province in 1936, the result of a movement led by Madhusudan Das.

## History
- [Chilika Lake - Asia's Largest Brackish Water Lagoon](https://odiapedia.com/history/chilika-lake): Discover Chilika Lake, the breathtaking lagoon home to migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins, and the sacred Kalijai Temple.
- [Eastern Ganga Dynasty](https://odiapedia.com/history/eastern-ganga-dynasty): The Eastern Ganga dynasty ruled Kalinga and Odisha from the 11th to the 15th century CE, building the Jagannath Temple at Puri and the Konark Sun Temple.
- [History of Odisha - A Brief Overview](https://odiapedia.com/history/odisha-history-brief): Explore the rich history of Odisha from the ancient Kalinga Empire through medieval kingdoms to modern statehood, spanning over 2,500 years of civilization.
- [Jagannath Temple Puri - The Sacred Abode](https://odiapedia.com/history/jagannath-temple): Discover the history and significance of Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the four sacred Char Dhams and home to the divine trinity of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
- [Kharavela](https://odiapedia.com/history/kharavela): Kharavela was a Jain king of Kalinga, usually dated to the 1st century BCE, known from the Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar.
- [Konark Sun Temple - The Architectural Marvel](https://odiapedia.com/history/konark-sun-temple): Explore the magnificent Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed as a giant chariot of the Sun God, showcasing Odishan architectural brilliance.
- [Lingaraj Temple - The Pride of Bhubaneswar](https://odiapedia.com/history/lingaraj-temple): Explore Lingaraj Temple, the magnificent 11th-century Shaiva temple and the largest in Bhubaneswar's temple city.
- [Maritime History of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/history/odisha-maritime-history): Ancient Kalinga traded across the Bay of Bengal with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. What archaeology and texts show, and what rests on tradition.
- [Nabakalebara](https://odiapedia.com/history/nabakalebara): Nabakalebara is the ritual renewal of the wooden deities of the Jagannath Temple, Puri, held in years with an extra month of Asadha. The last was in 2015.
- [Odisha at a Glance](https://odiapedia.com/history/odisha-at-a-glance): Odisha quick facts: capital Bhubaneswar, formed 1 April 1936, renamed from Orissa in 2011, 155,707 sq km, 41.97 million people, 30 districts.
- [Sambalpur History - From the Chauhan Dynasty to the City of Textiles](https://odiapedia.com/history/sambalpur-history): Explore the rich history of Sambalpur, Odisha — from the Chauhan dynasty and Veer Surendra Sai's revolt to Hirakud Dam and Sambalpuri culture. A comprehensive guide to western Odisha's cultural capital.
- [The Kalinga War – A Turning Point in History](https://odiapedia.com/history/kalinga-war-en): Discover the history of the Kalinga War, the fierce battle fought on the banks of River Daya that transformed Emperor Ashoka from a conqueror to a messenger of peace.
- [The Paika Rebellion of 1817 - Odisha's Armed Revolt Against the British](https://odiapedia.com/history/paika-rebellion): Learn about the Paika Bidroha of 1817, an armed uprising by the traditional militia of Khurda, Odisha, against the oppressive British East India Company.
- [Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves - Ancient Jain Rock-Cut Architecture of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/history/udayagiri-khandagiri): Explore the 2nd century BCE Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Discover their Jain heritage, King Kharavela's reign, Hathigumpha inscription, and architectural significance.

## Food
- [Chhena Gaja](https://odiapedia.com/food/chhena-gaja): Chhena gaja is an Odia sweet of fresh chhena and semolina shaped into rectangles, fried and soaked in sugar syrup until a sweet crust forms.
- [Chhena Jhilli - The Golden Sweet of Nimapara, Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/food/chenna-jhilli): Chhena Jhilli is a fried chhena sweet soaked in sugar syrup, associated with Nimapara on the way to Konark, Odisha. Learn its making, history and how it differs from Rasagola.
- [Chhena Poda - The Caramelized Cheese Cake of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/food/chhena-poda): Learn about Chhena Poda, the iconic baked cheese dessert from Odisha with a caramelized crust, and discover its origin story and how it's made.
- [Dahibara Aloodum](https://odiapedia.com/food/dahibara-aloodum): Dahibara aloodum is Cuttack's signature street food: urad dal vadas soaked in tempered curd water, served with spicy potato curry and ghuguni.
- [Dalma - Odisha's Signature Temple Lentil Dish](https://odiapedia.com/food/dalma): Discover Dalma, the iconic Odia lentil and vegetable stew. Learn the authentic recipe, its role in Jagannath Temple Mahaprasad, nutritional benefits, and why Dalma is the soul of Odia cuisine.
- [Famous Foods of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/food/famous-foods): Discover Odia cuisine, from the Jagannath Temple Mahaprasad and pakhala to dalma, seafood and GI-tagged sweets like Odisha Rasagola and Rasabali.
- [Khaja of Puri](https://odiapedia.com/food/khaja): Puri khaja is a crisp, layered pastry soaked in sugar syrup, sold around the Jagannath Temple and offered as dry Mahaprasad.
- [Machha Besara (Odia Mustard Fish Curry)](https://odiapedia.com/food/machha-besara): Machha besara is the classic Odia fish curry, usually made with rohu, cooked in a sharp sauce of ground mustard, garlic and chilli.
- [Mahaprasad of Jagannath Temple, Puri](https://odiapedia.com/food/mahaprasad): Mahaprasad is the sanctified food of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, cooked in earthen pots on wood fires and shared by devotees at Ananda Bazar.
- [Odia Pitha: A Guide to Odisha's Traditional Rice Cakes](https://odiapedia.com/food/odia-pitha): A guide to Odia pithas (arisa, kakara, manda, enduri, chakuli and poda pitha), how each is made and the festivals they belong to.
- [Pakhala Bhata - The Fermented Rice Staple](https://odiapedia.com/food/pakhala-bhata): Discover Pakhala Bhata, Odisha's beloved summer dish of fermented rice in water, served with fried fish, vegetables, and celebrated on Pakhala Dibasa.
- [Rasabali - The Divine Sweet of Kendrapara](https://odiapedia.com/food/rasabali): Discover Rasabali, the incredibly delicious traditional Odia sweet from Kendrapara. Learn how these deep-fried chhena patties soaked in thickened, sweetened milk are made and offered at the Baladevjew Temple.
- [Rasagola - The Sweet that Belongs to Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/food/rasagola): Rasagola is Odisha's chhena sweet linked to the Jagannath Temple's Niladri Bije ritual. 'Odisha Rasagola' received a GI tag in July 2019.
- [Santula](https://odiapedia.com/food/santula): Santula is a light Odia mixed-vegetable dish, boiled or lightly sauteed with a panch phutana tempering and very little oil or spice.

## People
- [Baji Rout](https://odiapedia.com/people/baji-rout): Baji Rout (1926–1938) was a 12-year-old boatman from Dhenkanal, Odisha, shot by police in 1938; he is remembered as India's youngest martyr.
- [Bhima Bhoi](https://odiapedia.com/people/bhima-bhoi): Bhima Bhoi was a 19th-century Kondh poet-saint of the Mahima Dharma movement in western Odisha, author of Stuti Chintamani.
- [Biju Patnaik - The Legendary Leader of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/people/biju-patnaik): Discover the extraordinary life of Biju Patnaik, freedom fighter, daring pilot, industrialist, and two-time Chief Minister who shaped modern Odisha.
- [Fakir Mohan Senapati - Father of Modern Odia Literature](https://odiapedia.com/people/fakir-mohan-senapati): Learn about Fakir Mohan Senapati, the revolutionary writer who pioneered realistic Odia prose and is celebrated as the father of modern Odia literature.
- [Gangadhar Meher](https://odiapedia.com/people/gangadhar-meher): Gangadhar Meher (1862–1924) was an Odia poet from Barpali, known as Swabhaba Kabi (poet of nature) and author of the kavya Tapaswini.
- [Gopabandhu Das - Utkalmani, the Jewel of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/people/gopabandhu-das): Discover the life and legacy of Gopabandhu Das, the 'Utkalmani' — poet, freedom fighter, social reformer, and founder of The Samaja newspaper. A complete guide to Odisha's most beloved leader.
- [Gopinath Mohanty](https://odiapedia.com/people/gopinath-mohanty): Gopinath Mohanty (1914–1991) was an Odia novelist, author of Paraja and Mati Matala, and the first Odia writer to win the Jnanpith Award (1973).
- [Jayadeva](https://odiapedia.com/people/jayadeva): Jayadeva was the 12th-century Sanskrit poet of the Gita Govinda, a love-devotional poem on Radha and Krishna sung daily at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
- [Kelucharan Mohapatra - The Maestro of Odissi Dance](https://odiapedia.com/people/kelucharan-mohapatra): Explore the life of Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legendary guru who revived and systematized Odissi dance, making it internationally renowned.
- [Madhusudan Das - Father of Odia Nationalism & First Odia Advocate](https://odiapedia.com/people/madhusudan-das): Learn about Madhusudan Das, the 'Madhu Barrister' — Odisha's first graduate, a pioneering lawyer and legislator, and champion of a separate Odisha province. A comprehensive guide to his life and legacy.
- [Pathani Samanta - The Barefoot Astronomer of Odisha](https://odiapedia.com/people/pathani-samanta): Discover the genius of Pathani Samanta (Chandrasekhar Singha Samanta), the 19th-century Odia astronomer who accurately measured celestial bodies using simple bamboo instruments.
- [Radhanath Ray](https://odiapedia.com/people/radhanath-ray): Radhanath Ray (1848–1908), honoured as Kabibar, was an Odia poet who pioneered modern Odia poetry with works such as Chilika and Kedara Gauri.
- [Rama Devi Choudhury](https://odiapedia.com/people/rama-devi): Rama Devi Choudhury (1899–1985), known as Maa, was an Odisha freedom fighter, Gandhian social reformer and Bhoodan worker.
- [Sarala Das](https://odiapedia.com/people/sarala-das): Sarala Das was the 15th-century poet of the Odia Mahabharata, revered as the Adi Kabi (first poet) of Odia literature.
- [Upendra Bhanja](https://odiapedia.com/people/upendra-bhanja): Upendra Bhanja was an Odia poet of the late 17th and early 18th century, called Kabi Samrat, known for Baidehisha Bilasa and ornate riti-style kavya.
- [Veer Surendra Sai](https://odiapedia.com/people/veer-surendra-sai): Veer Surendra Sai (1809–1884) was a Sambalpur prince who resisted British rule for decades, fought in the 1857 revolt and died a prisoner at Asirgarh.

## Language
- [Common Odia Greetings and Phrases](https://odiapedia.com/language/common-greetings): Learn essential Odia greetings, phrases, and expressions to connect with Odia speakers and understand the warmth of Odia culture.
- [Dialects of Odia](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-dialects): The main Odia dialects – Kataki, Baleswari, Ganjami, Sambalpuri (Kosli), Desia and Sundargadi – where they are spoken and how they differ.
- [History of the Odia Script - From Brahmi to Classical Language](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-script-history): Trace the evolution of the Odia script from ancient Brahmi inscriptions through palm-leaf manuscripts to its recognition as a classical language. A complete guide to one of India's oldest scripts.
- [Milestones of Odia Literature - From Sarala Das to Modern Writers](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-literature-milestones): Explore the major milestones of Odia literature spanning over 1,000 years — from Sarala Das's Mahabharata to Pratibha Ray's Jnanpith. A comprehensive timeline of Odisha's literary heritage and key authors.
- [Odia Alphabet & Script - The Beautiful Curvilinear Writing](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-alphabet): Learn about the Odia script, its unique rounded letters designed for palm leaf writing, and the complete alphabet with pronunciation guide.
- [Odia as a Classical Language](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-classical-language): Odia was declared a classical language of India in 2014, the sixth to receive the status. Dates, criteria, benefits and the 2024 expansion to 11 languages.
- [Odia Language](https://odiapedia.com/language/odia-language): Odia is an Eastern Indo-Aryan language, official in Odisha, with 37.5 million first-language speakers (Census 2011); classical since 2014.

## Learn Odia
- [Lesson 1: The Odia Alphabet](https://odiapedia.com/learn/alphabet): Learn the Odia vowels and consonants with pronunciation guide and practice tips.
- [Lesson 3: Essential Greetings](https://odiapedia.com/learn/greetings): Master common Odia greetings and polite expressions for everyday conversations.
- [Lesson 4: Everyday Phrases](https://odiapedia.com/learn/phrases): Learn practical Odia phrases for daily life - shopping, eating, directions, and more.
- [Odia Numbers: Counting from 1 to 100 and Beyond](https://odiapedia.com/learn/numbers): Odia numbers with numerals (୧ ୨ ୩), words and pronunciation: 0 to 30, the tens up to 100 (ଶହେ), and hundred, thousand, lakh and crore. Free beginner lesson.

## About
- [Corrections Policy](https://odiapedia.com/about/corrections-policy): How to report an error on Odiapedia and how we review, correct and record changes to our articles.
- [Editorial Policy](https://odiapedia.com/about/editorial-policy): How Odiapedia researches, sources, reviews and updates articles about Odisha and the Odia language, and how we keep editorial content independent.
- [How to Cite Odiapedia](https://odiapedia.com/about/cite-odiapedia): Citation formats (APA, MLA, Chicago) for Odiapedia articles, plus guidance for students, researchers, journalists and AI tools.
- [Privacy Policy](https://odiapedia.com/about/privacy-policy): What information Odiapedia collects, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.
- [Sponsorship, Advertising & Affiliate Policy](https://odiapedia.com/about/sponsorship-policy): How Odiapedia earns money — travel planning, curated products and labelled sponsorships — and the rules that keep the encyclopedia independent.
- [Terms of Use](https://odiapedia.com/about/terms): The terms for using Odiapedia, including how you may quote and re-use our content and the limits of the information we provide.
- [What is Odiapedia](https://odiapedia.com/about/what-is-odiapedia): Odiapedia is a small, independent online encyclopedia about Odisha and the Odia language: its history, culture, food, people and places.

## Optional
- [Full index with facts and FAQs](https://odiapedia.com/llms-full.txt)
- [Sitemap](https://odiapedia.com/sitemap.xml)