The State Symbols of Odisha

The state of Odisha was formerly known as Orissa. It is located in the northeast of the country. Bhubaneshwar is Odisha’s state capital. It shares a boundary with Jharkhand to its north and West Bengal to its northeast. This article will inform its reader of facts about this state, like the state bird of Odisha, the state animal of Odisha, and other information about the state. 

Odisha has the Bay of Bengal to its east and the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to its south. The state is located in a climatic region known as tropical wet-dry.

The forest cover in this state comes to around one-third of the total area. The population here is primarily rural. Around three-fifths of the population is engaged in agriculture. One-third of the total land area of Odisha is covered by cultivated land. This article will not just talk about the state bird of Odisha but also the state sweet, animal, and state symbol of Odisha.

State Symbol

A state symbol represents the quality of the state. This symbol presents the image of a state. Odisha uses a circular seal symbol, representing a warrior and a horse statue at the temple of Konark Sun. The lion capital of Ashoka is the crest of the emblem. This symbol is a representation of Odisha’s professional and cultural artwork.

State Bird

The state bird of Odisha is the Indian roller. The Indian roller is well known for its bright colours and aerobatic displays that can be seen during the breeding season.

The national bird of Odisha can be identified by its pinkish throat and face and a brown back and head. The tail and wings of the bird are dark blue. The state bird of Odisha is mostly seen in West Asia and the Indian subcontinent. These birds can be commonly seen on roadside wires and trees. They are also very common in scrub forests and grasslands. Indian rollers feed mainly on insects like beetles.

State Animal

Like all the states of India, Odisha has its state animal. The sambar deer is the state animal of Odisha. These deer are dark or light brown and have a slightly yellowish or greyish tinge. Sambar deer are known for their coat and antlers that are rugged. They also have a unique stout that adds to their appeal. They have a long tail for a deer, which is white underneath and black on top. They have strong and long legs, which are a dark brown above, and the inner parts are pale in comparison.

State Sweet

Rasgulla is a sweet that is loved all over India and worldwide. It is a syrupy sweet dish that is very popular in the Indian subcontinent. Rasgulla is made of chhena and semolina dough, which is then cooked in sugar syrup. This sweet is Odisha’s traditional sweet. It is an age-old sweet dish that is part of a ritual in which Lord Jagannath offered rasgullas to Goddess Lakshmi to appease her for leaving her behind during the Rath Yatra. 

State River

Mahanadi is a major river in Odisha. It flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha and merges with the Bay of Bengal at the False Point through different channels. It is about 858 km long and has a drainage area of around 51000 square miles (estimated). It is formed due to various mountain streams. This river is also known for the Hirakud Dam, which has several hydroelectric generators. The Mahanadi River is considered one of the most active rivers that deposit silt in the Indian subcontinent.

State Dance

Odisha is also famous for its traditional dance of Odissi. This dance form originated in the Hindu temples of the state and is an important ancient dance form. The dancer expresses sign language, gestures, and religious stories that make it unique and interesting. It includes beautiful expressions that enchant its viewers. This dance form is full of emotions, from devotion to pride and ecstasy to soulfulness.

Odissi can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text of Natya Shastra, which dealt with various performing arts. 

Conclusion

Like all the Indian states, Odisha, too, is unique. The state symbol, the national bird of Odisha, animals, sweets, and dance are all ways to express that uniqueness. This article specified why Odisha is unique and known for its beauty. Everything about Odisha attracts visitors from all over the country: the state bird of Odisha, the state animal, and everyone’s favourite, the state sweet.

The various state symbols were also stated: Odissi, the Mahanadi River, Sambar deer, Indian roller, and our personal favourite, the rasgullas. The article also detailed the history and emotions linked to the state of Odisha.