Utkal Diwas / Odisha Day

Utkal Diwas / Odisha Day

Utkal Diwas or Odisha Dibasa is celebrated on 1 April in Odisha in memory of the formation of the state as a separate province on 1 April 1936. Odisha became a state after so many hard works and sacrifices by some great people of Odisha. It is a day for all Odiya to make a promise to do something for our motherland. Not only in Odisha but Utkal Divas is celebrated in many cities and neighborhoods in India and in foreign countries, where people from Odisha reside.

History of Utkal Diwas 

In ancient times the region of Orissa was the center of the Kalinga kingdom, although it was temporarily conquered (c.250 B.C.) by Asoka and held for almost a century by the Mauryas. With the gradual decline of Kalinga, several Hindu dynasties arose and built temples at Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konark. After long resistance to the Muslims, the region was overcome (1568) by Afghan invaders and passed to the Mughal empire.

Suggested Read: Konark Sun Temple

After the fall of the Mughals, Orissa was divided between the Nawabs of Bengal and the Marathas. In 1803 it was conquered by the British. The coastal section, which was made (1912) part of Bihar and Orissa Province became the separate province of Orissa in 1936. In 1948 and 1949 the area of Orissa was almost doubled and the population was increased by a third with the addition of 24 former princely states. In 1950, Orissa became a constituent state of India.

Suggested Read: Odisha, Orissa – Culture and Tradition

Celebration of Utkal Diwas 

The day is celebrated as State Holiday in Orissa. On this occasion, various cultural evenings, seminars, competitions are organized in different parts inside and outside the State.

Thousand of shops and Jhankis make this festival more beautiful. There is a competition being arranged by popular local politicians like a fireworks competition. Oriya communities all over the world also celebrate wherever they are.

Suggested Read: Interesting Mysteries Of Puri Jagannath Temple

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Simmi Kamboj

Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. She had a passion for writing about India's lifestyle, culture, tradition, travel, and is trying to cover all Indian Cultural aspects of Daily Life.