# The history of Odisha begins in the Lower Paleolithic era, as Acheulian tools dating to the period have been discovered in various places in the region.[1] The early history of Odisha can be traced back to writings found in ancient texts like the Mahabharata, Maha Govinda Sutta and some Puranas. The region was also known to other kingdoms in region of East Indies due to maritime trade relations.
In 1568 CE, considered a pivotal point in the region's history, the region was conquered by the armies of the Sultanate of Bengal led by the iconoclast general Kalapahad. The region lost its political identity and the following rulers of the region were more often tributary lords than actual kings. By 1593, Odisha had passed completely to the Mughal Empire and became part of the Bengal Subah. After
* TOURIST PLACES-
BEACHES
Puri Beach (Puri)
Chandrabhaga Beach (Konark,Puri)
Talasari Beach (Baleswar)
Chandipur Beach (Balasore)
Aryapalli Beach (Chatrapur)
WATERFALLS
Duduma (Koraput)
Sanaghagara Waterfall (Kendujhar)
Badaghagara Waterfall (Kendujhar)
Barehipani Waterfall (Mayurbhanj)
Joranda Waterfall (Mayurbhanj)
MUSEUMS
Odisha State Museum (Bhubaneswar)
Netaji Birth Place Museum (Bhubaneswar)
State Tribal Museum (Bhubaneswar)
Regional Museum of Natural History (Bhubaneswar)
Kala Bhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum (Bhubaneswar)
HILL STATIONS
Daringbadi: Kashmir Of Odisha (Kandhmal)
Dumuriput: A Quaint Village (Koraput)
Taptapani: Enjoy Hot Springs (Ganjam)
Mahendragiri: Second-Highest Peak Of India (Gajapati)
GARDENS
Ekamra Kanan (Bhubaneswar)
State Botanical Garden (Nandankanan)
Biju Patnaik Botanical Garden (Bhanjannagar)
Kelucharan Park (Bhubaneswar)
AMUSEMENT PARK-
Ocean World Water Park (Gangeswar)
Wonder World Water Park and Resort (Balia)
Pratyush Ocean World (Puri)
Blue Splash Water Park (Beldal)
CAVES
Nayakpada Cave (Birigarh)
Khandagiri Caves (Bhubaneswar)
Pandava Bakhra Caves (Chakuleswar)
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary (Koraput)
Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary (Puri)
Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary (Angul)
RELIGIOUS PLACES
Shri Jagannatha Temple (Puri)
Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar)
Ghanteswari Temple(Chipilama)
Emami Jagannath Temple (Balgopalpur)
ISKCON Temple (Bhubaneswar)
NATIONAL PARKS
Bhitarkanika National Park (Kendrapara)
Similipal National Park (Mayurbhanj)
VALLEYS
Daringbadi (Kandhmal)
Mahendratanaya River Valley (Kamalakheta)
Koraput Valley (Koraput)
Gandhamardan (between Balangir and Bargarh)
FORTS
Raibania Fort (Raibania)
Barabati Fort (Cuttack)
Khordha Fort (Khordha)
Amarabati Fort (Chhatia)
Kolabira Fort (Kolabira)
*LANGUAGES SPOKEN-
1) Odia
*TRADITIONAL ATTIRE-
1) The dhoti created in Odisha is unique in that it has a gorgeous brick-coloured border and the rest of the material is white.
Dhoti
2) There is a special place in the hearts of women of Odisha for this attire because Lord Jagannath is also decorated with this saree.
Khandua Saree
* CUISINE-
Pakhala-The Coolest Food Of Odisha
Pitha -The Food For The Occasion
Sijha Manda
The Mahaprasad
Dalma-The Wholesome Food of Odisha
* FAMOUS FESTIVAL-
Durga Pooja
It is celebrated in the month of Ashwin or Kartik, (September or October as per the English calendar). The streets and lighted up and Pandals are decorated to set the spirit of festivity among the people. The huge idols of Durga Maa along with two other avatars of Maa Laxmi and Maa Saraswati are immaculate in the Pandals. The chants of Mantras and morning and evening Artis can be heard to mark the grand celebration of this festival. Durga Pooja is celebrated for three – four days in Orissa and holds an important significance for the Hindu devotees.
Durga Pooja
* TRADITIONAL SPORT-
Chaki Khela
The game is played with one stick and a round-shaped ball (made of sleeper) between two teams, comprising seven to nine players in each team.
