Orissa is a fascinating land on the east coast of India rich in tradition, art and culture, history and natural beauty. Sharing the boundaries with West Bengal & Bihar on the north, Andhra Pradesh on the south, Madhya Pradesh on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, the land is regarded as the holy abode of the Lord of the Universe. The land is rich in history and had taken active role in shaping the history of India since long. Many ancient and architecturally marvelous temples and historical monuments bear testimony to this age-long heritage and attract tourists and historians from all over the world. The naturally beautiful beaches of Orissa offer a wonderful resort to tourists from around the world. Orissa is the land of Festivals and everyone is welcome. Apart from the general festivals celebrated throughout the country Orissa celebrates some special festivals with equal pomp and glory. The Rath Yatra or the Car Festival is the most famous attracting crowd from the world over in search of the sacred pilgrimage. The Government of Orissa has also arranged some annual festivals for tourists to discover and enjoy the rich Utkal heritage through cultural performances by some of the famous exponents of Orissa Culture. The Beach Festival organized by the Orissa Government, Department of Tourism is an International event that attracts culture-loving people from all over the world.

The land of temples, Orissa

Beautiful specimens of architecture adorn the land of Orissa. Among the most famous temples are Lingaraj, Mukteswara and Rajarani temples of Bhubaneswar, the Sun temple of Konark, the Jagannath temple of Puri. The magnificent Lingaraj temple, 147ft. high from the plinth, was built by Lalatendu Keshari of Somavamsi dynasty in 617-657 A.D. The Sun temple in Konark was constructed by the most powerful Ganga king, Narasingha Deb-I, in 1238-1264 A.D. The ancient, holy temple of Jagannath in Puri was initially built by Yajati Keshari of Keshari dynasty, but the present-day temple was rebuilt in the 12th century by Chodaganga Deb of Ganga dynasty. Some argue a successor, king Anangabhima Deb-III, completed the temple. Other well-known temples include Samaleswari in Sambalpur, Thakurani in Berhampur, and Chandi mandir of Cuttack. See a dancing, sculpted figurine from the Sun temple of Konark here.

Ancient Culture, Rich Legacy

Handicrafts Of ORISSA: A Language In Timeless Harmony Orissa is a veritable museum of India's sculptural and artistic heritage, and a place like no other, a glowing green jewel of a state. The artists of Orissa still live and work in remote tribal habitations, small villages, and traditional pilgrimage towns throughout the state. Entire communities are devoted to the making of bell-metal wares, the painting of brilliant Patta-chitra pictures, the etching of palm-leaf manuscripts, the casting of metal sculptures, the fashioning of silver jewellery, Filigree (Tarakasi) , the carving of stone, the working of wood, the stitching of applique (chanduas (canopies)), and, of course, the weaving of Orissa's spectacular, gorgeous Ikkat silks and cottons. These contemporary guardians of an ancient traditions can often be found in small houses set in lanes or villages devoted to their art form, welcoming visitors graciously, accepting, as usually innocently, their talent as a gift from God.

Historical Monuments

The Kalinga war between the Kalinga empire (in the BC's and which covers large part of present day Orissa) and the Mauryan emperor Ashoka was fought close to Bhubaneswar. After the war Ashoka renounced violence and spread the message of Buddhism. There are a few Buddhist remains and edicts in Orissa that date back to this period. Main among them are the edicts in Dhauli (in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar), the remains in Lalitgiri, Udaigiri and Ratnagiri, and an Ashokan rock edict in Jaugarh (near Chilika). Jain caves dating back to 2nd century BC can be found in Udaigiri and Khandagiri (now inside the city of Bhubaneswar). The excavated fortified city of Sishupalagarh near Bhubaneswar is believed by some to be the headquarters of emperor Kharavela.

Tribal Heritage

In India there is an amalgam of 437 tribes, and in Orissa the number is sixty two. According to 1991 Census, in Orissa the total strength of tribal population is approximately seven million which constitutes 22.21% of the total population of the State.

Linguistically the tribes of India are broadly classified into four categories, namely (1) Indo-Aryan speakers, (2) Dravidian speakers, (3) Tibeto-Burmese speakers, and (4) Austric speakers. ln Orissa the speakers of the Tibeto-Burmese language family are absent, and therefore Orissan tribes belong to other three language families. The Indo-Aryan language family in Orissa includes Dhelki-Oriya, Matia, Haleba, Jharia, Saunti, Laria and Oriya (spoken by Bathudi and the acculturated sections of Bhuyans, Juang, Kondh, Savara, Raj Gond etc.). The Austric language family includes eighteen tribal languages namely, Birija, Parenga, Kisan, Bhumiji, Koda, Mahili Bhumiji, Mirdha-Kharia, Ollar Gadaba, Juang, Bondo, Didayee, Karmali, Kharia, Munda, Ho, Mundari and Savara. And within the Dravidian language family there are nine languages in Orissa, namely, Pengo, Gondi, Kisan, Konda, Koya. Parji, Kui, Kuvi and Kurukh or Oraon.

The tribes of Orissa though belong to three linguistic divisions, yet they have lots of socio-cultural similarities between them. These commonalities signify homogeneity of their cultures and together they characterise the notion or concept of tribalism. Tribal societies share certain common characteristics and by these they are distinguished from complex or advanced societies. In India tribal societies had apparently been outside the main historical current of the development of Indian civilization for centuries. Hence tribal societies manifest such cultural features which signify a primitive level in socio-cultural parameter. 

Habitat

A major portion of the tribal habitat is hilly and forested. Tribal villages are generally found in areas away from the alluvial plains close to rivers. Most villages are uniethnic in composition, and smaller in size. Villages are often riot planned at all.

Economy

Tribal economy is characterized as subsistence oriented. The subsistence economy is based mainly on collecting, hunting and fishing (e.g., the Birhor, Hill Kharia), or a combination of hunting and collecting with shifting cultivation (e.g., the Juang,, Hill Bhuyan, Lanjia Saora, Kondh etc.) Even the so-called plough using agricultural tribes do often, wherever scope is available, supplement their economy with hunting and collecting. Subsistence economy is characterized by simple technology, simple division of labor, small-scale units of production and no investment of capital. The social unit of production, distribution and consumption is limited to the family and lineage. Subsistence economy is imposed by circumstances which are beyond the control of human beings, poverty of the physical environment, ignorance of efficient technique of exploiting natural resources and lack of capital for investment. It also implies existence of barter and lack of trade.

Considering the general features of their (i) eco-system, (ii) traditional economy, (iii) supernatural beliefs and practices, and (iv) recent "impacts of modernization", the tribes of Orissa can be classified into six types, such as: (1) Hunting, collecting and gathering type, (2) Cattle-herder type, (3) Simple artisan type, (4) Hill and shifting cultivation type, (5) Settled agriculture type and (6) Industrial urban worker type. 

Each type has a distinct style of life which could be best understood in the paradigm of nature, man and spirit complex, that is, on the basis of relationship with nature, fellow men and the supernatural.

 (1)     Tribes of the first type, namely Kharia, Mankidi, Mankidia and Birhor, live in the forests of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts, exclusively depend on forest resources for their livelihood by practicing hunting, gathering and collecting. They live in tiny temporary huts made out of the materials found in the forest. Under constraints of their economic pursuit they live in isolated small bands or groups. With their primitive technology, limited skill and unflinching traditional and ritual practices, their entire style of life revolves round forest. Their world view is fully in consonance with the forest eco-system. The population of such tribes in Orissa though is small, yet their impact on the ever-depleting forest resources is very significant. Socio-politically they have remained inarticulate and therefore have remained in a relatively more primitive stage, and neglected too. 


(2)     The Koya which belongs to the Dravidian linguistic group, is the lone pastoral and cattle-breeder tribal community in Orissa. This tribe which inhabits the Malkangiri District has been facing crisis for lack of pasture.


(3)     In Orissa Mahali and Kol-Lohara practise crafts like basketry and black-smithy respectively. The Loharas with their traditional skill and primitive tools manufacture iron and wooden tools for other neighboring tribes and thereby eke out their existence. Similarly the Mahalis earn their living by making baskets for other communities. Both the tribes are now confronted with the problem of scarcity of raw materials. And further they are not able to compete with others, especially in the tribal markets where goods of other communities come for sale, because of their primitive technology.


(4)     The tribes that practise hill and shifting cultivation are many. In northern Orissa the Juang and Bhuyan, and in southern Orissa the Kondh, Saora, Koya, Parenga, Didayi, Dharua and Bondo practice shifting cultivation. They supplement their economy by foodgathering and hunting as production in shifting cultivation is low. Shifting cultivation is essentially a regulated sequence of procedure designed to open up and bring under cultivation patches of forest lands, usually on hill slopes.


In shifting cultivation the practitioners follow a pattern of cycle of activities which are as follows: (i) Selection of a patch of hill slope or forest land and distribution or allotment of the same to intended practitioners (ii) Worshipping of concerned deities and making of sacrifices, (iii) Cutting of trees, bushes, ferns etc., existing on the land before summer months, (iv) Pilling up of logs, bushes and ferns on the land, (v) Burning of the withered logs, ferns and shrubs etc. to ashes on a suitable day, (vi) Cleaning of the patch of land before the on-set of monsoon and spreading of the ashes evenly on the land after a shower or two, (vii) Hoeing and showing of seeds with regular commencement of monsoon rains, (viii) Crude bunding and weeding activities follow after sprouting of seeds, (ix) Watching and protecting the crops, (x) Harvesting and collecting crops, (xi) Threshing and storing of corns, grains etc., and (xii) Merry-making. In these operations all the members of the family are involved in some way or the other. Work is distributed among the family members according to the ability of individual members. However, the head of the family assumes all the responsibilities in the practice and operation of shifting cultivation. The adult males, between 18 and 60 years of age under-take the strenuous work of cutting tree, ploughing and hoeing, and watching of the crops at night where as cutting the bushes and shrubs, cleaning of seeds for sowing and weeding are done by women.


Shifting cultivation is not only an economic pursuit of some tribal communities, but it accounts for their total way of life. Their social structure, economy, political organization and religion are all accountable to the practice of shifting cultivation.


In the past, land in the tribal areas had not been surveyed and settled. Therefore, the tribals freely practiced shifting cultivation in their respective habitats assuming that land, forest, water and other natural resources belonged to them. The pernicious, yet unavoidable practice of shifting cultivation continues unchecked and all attempts made to wean away the tribals from shifting cultivation have so far failed. The colonization scheme of the State Government has failed in spirit.


In certain hilly areas terraces are constructed along the slopes. It is believed to be a step towards settled agriculture. Terrace cultivation is practiced by the Saora, Kondh and Gadaba. The terraces are built on the slopes of hill with water streams.


(5)     Several large tribes, such as, Santal, Munda, Ho, Bhumij, Oraon, Gond, Mirdha, Savara etc. are settled agriculturists, though they supplement their economy with hunting, gathering and collecting. Tribal agriculture in Orissa is characterised by unproductive and uneconomic holdings, land alienation indebtedness, lack of irrigation facilities in the undulating terrains, lack of easy or soft credit facilities as well as use of traditional skill and primitive implements. In general, they raise only one crop during the monsoon, and therefore have to supplement their economy by other types of subsidiary economic activities. 


Tribal communities practising settled agriculture also suffer from further problems, viz: (i) want of record of right for land under occupation, (ii) land alienation (iii) problems of indebtedness, (iv) lack of power for irrigation (v) absence of adequate roads and transport, (vi) seasonal migration to other places for wage-earning and (vii) lack of education and adequate scope for modernization.


(6)     Sizable agglomeration of tribal population in Orissa has moved to mining, industrial and urban areas for earning a secured living through wage-labour. During the past three decades the process of industrial urbanization in the tribal belt of Orissa has been accelerated through the operation of mines and establishment of industries. Mostly persons from advanced tribal communities, such as Santal, Munda, Ho, Oraon, Kisan, Gond etc. have taken to this economic pursuit in order to relieve pressure from their limited land and other resources.


In some instances industrialization and mining operations have led to uprooting of tribal villages, and the displaced became industrial nomads. They lost their traditional occupation, agricultural land, houses and other immovable assets. They became unemployed and faced unfair competition with others in the labour market, Their aspiration - gradually escalated, although they invariably failed to achieve what they aspired for. Thus the net result was frustration. 


The overall kinship system of the tribes may be label led as tempered classificatory. In terminology the emphasis lies on the unilinear principle, generation and age. Descent and inheritance are patrilineal and authority is patripotestal among all the tribal communities of Orissa.


Among the tribes there is very little specialization of social roles, with the exception of role differentiation in terms of kinship and sex and some specialization in crafts, the only other role specializations are Head-man, Priest, Shaman and the Haruspex. 


There is very little rigid stratification in society. The tendency towards stratification is gaining momentum among several settled agricultural tribes under the impact of modernisation. The tribes of Orissa are at different levels of socio-economic development.


The position of priest, village headman and the inter-village head-man are hereditary. The village headman is invariably from original settlers' clan of the village, which is obviously dominant. Punishments or corrective measures are proportional to the gravity of the breach of set norms or crime, and the punishments range from simple oral admonition to other measures, such as corporal punishments, imposition of fines, payment of compensation, observance of prophylactic rites and excommunication from the community. Truth of an incident is determined by oath, ordeals and occult mechanism.


As regards the acquisition of brides for marriage, the most widely prevalent practice among the tribes of Orissa is through "capture", although other practices, such as, elopement, purchase, service and negotiation are also there. With the passage of time negotiated type of marriage, which is considered prestigious, is being preferred more and more. Payment of bride-price is an inseparable part of tribal marriage, but this has changed to the system of dowry among the educated sections.


The religion of the Orissan tribes is an admixture of animism, animalism, nature-worship, fetishism, shamanism, anthropomorphism and ancestor worship. Religious beliefs and practices aim at ensuring personal security and happiness as well as community well-being and group solidarity. Their religious performances include life-crisis rites, cyclic community rites, ancestor and totemic rites and observance of taboos. Besides these, the tribals also resort to various types of occult practices. In order to tide over either a personal or a group crisis the tribals begin with occult practices, and if it does not yield any result the next recourse is supplication of the supernatural force.

Crisis Rites

As most of the tribes of Orissa, practice agriculture in some form or the other, and as rest others have a vital stake in agriculture, sowing, planting, first-fruit eating and harvest rites are common amongst them. Their common cyclic rites revolve round the pragmatic problems of ensuring a stable economic condition, recuperation of the declining fertility of soil, protection of crops from damage, human and live-stock welfare, safety against predatory animals and venomous reptiles and to insure a good yield of annual and perennial crops.


The annual cycle of rituals commence right from the initiation of agricultural operation, for instance, among the Juang, Bhuyan, Kondh, Saora, Gadaba, Jharia, Didayee, Koya and Bondo, who practice shifting cultivation. The annual cycle begins with the first clearing of hill slopes during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) and among others it starts with the first-fruit eating ceremony of mango in the month of Baisakh (April-May). All the rituals centering agricultural operation, first-fruit eating, human, live-stock and crop welfare are observed by the members of a village on a common date which is fixed by the village head-man in consultation with the village priest. 


Thus the ideological system of all the tribes surrounds supernaturalism. The pantheon in most cases consists of the Sun God, the Mother Earth and a lower hierarchy of Gods. Besides there are village tutelaries, nature spirits, presiding deities and ancestor-spirits, who are also propitiated and offered sacrifices. Gods and spirits are classified into benevolent and malevolent categories. A peculiarity of the tribal mode of worship is the offering of blood of an animal or a bird, because such propitiations and observance of rites are explicitly directed towards happiness and security in this world, abundance of crops, live-stock, plants and progenies. Sickness is not natural to a tribal, it is considered as an out-come of the machination of some evil spirits or indignation of ancestor spirits or gods. Sometimes, sickness is also considered as the consequence of certain lapses on the part of an individual or group. Therefore, riddance must be sought through propitiation and observance of rituals. 


Among all the tribes conformity to customs and norms and social integration continue to be achieved through their traditional political organizations. The tributary institutions of social control, such as family, kinship and public opinion continue to fulfill central social control functions. The relevance of tribal political organization in the context of economic development and social change continues to be there undiminished. Modern elites in tribal societies elicit scant respect and have very little followings. And as the traditional leaders continue to wield influence over their fellow tribesmen, it is worth-while to take them into confidence in the context of economic development and social change.


Travel Heritage


It is truly said by a German traveller "want to see real cultural india visit Orissa-India is the best kept culture secrets from the outside world.sprawled along the eastern coastline, bordering the limpid waters of the Bay Of Bengal, this ancient land lies amidst stunningly beautiful environs of the verdant mountains of the Eastern Ghats, still a relatively rural culture, where villages stalk their history and cultural tradition from the pre-christian era, Orissas urbanization has not broken its linkages with the richness and complexity of its traditional heritage.


HOARY PAST:-Orissa is the most exotic eastern Indian state with its territory formed a part of the ancient kingdom of kalinga of "MAHABHARATHA"fame.Ashok, the mauryan king of Magadha invaded as the great battle of kalinha causing a greater change in the heart of Ashok , then in his empire. This was the last war fought by hin after values of peace and non-violance.The ancient state rose to prominence as a kingdom under" Kharavela" a great conqueror half of 1st century B.C.poems in the stone:-Romancing the stone .....if any one understood the joyous meaning of the phrase, it was the Oriyas.Orissas unique temple architecture flamed in to a glorious construction of the self to godhead in a heady display of extravagant expression through some iof the most exotic delineation of religious architecture in the world. From the towering heights of the great "Jagannath Temple & Lingaraj Temple"to the windswept ruin of Konark Temple anchored in the white sands..the narvels,sheer extravaganza of poetry in stone. Orissan temple architecture holds a magnetic appeal that lies in its indigenous glory.Orissa with its tribal dominated eastern plates, has been able to preserve much of its in an environment natural to its wonders. In the last few decades the veil has been ripped off the tribal heartland of Orissa. Tourist, Anthropologists, Missionaries,Government Agencies,Ethnic curio seekers-they have all from time to time, tried to penetrate the mystery that surrounding the Adivasis(Tribal) Of Orissa.Orissa is rich on its varied wildlife.It is famous for its rare breed of white tigers and has an abundance of other fanual varieties huddled in its many wildlife park & sanctuaries.Rooted in the custom, tradition and utility,the Orissan crafts man is the vibrant link in an unbroken chain.It is internationally famous for her unique handlooms that textiles, applique work, flourishing art forms include Patta cloth paintings, palm leaf manuscripts, brass & Bellmetal work,stone sculpture,silver filigree carved & painted wooden images lacquerware,and a famous Dhokra metal casting.

Business Travel

Conference Facilities

Orissa is fast emerging as a favoured location for Corporate conferences and getaways. With facilities in place to host conferences for up to 4000 persons at a time in a single venue, it is no wonder that many of the premier organizations and associations of the country are looking at Orissa to host their board meetings, AGM's, sales conferences, annual conference, product launches etc.

Accommodation

In Bhubaneswar alone, there are more than 80 hotels offering around 2700 rooms catering to all tastes and budgets. Among these, nearly 1700 rooms are in the Medium Spending and High Spending categories. Puri, the tranquil sea side resort has more than 60 hotels catering to Medium and High Spending categories with more than 2000 rooms available.

Facilities


All modern facilities required for corporate conferences are available on hire including LCD and Overhead Projectors, state of the art Audio & Video equipment, computers, high speed Internet connections etc.


Shopping & Sightseeing

Orissa has an unfair advantage -  its unique location and heritage. Puri with its luxurious beach and the famous Jagannath temple, the World Heritage site of the Sun Temple at Konark, the largest brackish water lake of Asia, Chilka, the world famous Nandan Kanan zoo, Dhauli, the site of the historic Kalinga war that changed the course of Indian history where Asoka the Great renounced the path of war and embraced Buddhism are all within a radius of a couple of hours drive. In Bhubaneswar, visitors can visit the Khandagiri & Udaygiri caves, marvel at the ancient temples (more than 200 temples stand of the 2000 odd that were originally present) including the imposing Lingaraja temple that towers over its surroundings and Mukteswara, often called the gem of Orissan temple architecture. In addition, there are a large number of parks and gardens including the Indira Gandhi park in the centre of the city. It was at this location that the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi gave what was to be a prophetic speech, saying that if she was killed, from each drop of her blood would rise a hundred other Indira's. Tragically, she was assassinated the very next day.

Boasting of a plethora of handicrafts and handlooms, Orissa is virtually a treasure trove of gifts and mementos. The wide variety of items ranging from exquisite silver filigree work to the bright appliqués, from the exclusive Odissi sarees to the little brass knickknacks cast by tribals using the lost wax technique, ensure that visitors return home with plenty of souvenirs along with happy memories of their trip to Orissa.


Entertainment


Orissa is land with a rich cultural heritage and there are a number of classical and folk performances that are unique to this place such as the graceful Odissi and the vigourous Chhau. In addition, there are a large number of restaurants catering to every type of taste and budget as well as pool parlours, discotheques and yes, even a golf course!

Cultural Heritage

Orissa unfolds the panorama of a civilization which runs through millennia from the days of Mohen-Jo-Daro. A home of some major ethnic groups and tribes; a meeting ground of numerous people, of cults, a land of spiritual inspiration for others, a center of attraction for rich culture and heritage, and above all, a state where history maintained an unbroken continuity through bright or dark days since the time of King Ashoka Such a panorama was multicoloured and multifaceted.Because of its making and splendour, every part of Orissa offered its gifts. Mahabharata described Orissa as a land inhabited by the Rishis. Brahma Purana called it as a country of & quot; the blessed and adorned with all virtues & quot;.Geography not only caused Orissa to be a meeting ground of primary races and cultures but also made it the gateway of India for farther Asia. Orissa played a vital role in the history of India , namely a role to synthesize ancient racio-religious traits and a role to spread Indian culture across the eas.With legacies of a memorable past, the government of Orissa now looks ahead with pride and confidence for a future of its own linked with the destiny of the rest of India.