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Odia people

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Odias" redirects here. For other uses, see Odia.

Odias
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଲୋକ
Odiā Lōka
Total population
40 million
Regions with significant populations
 India38,033,000 (2021)
 United Kingdom170,000[1]
 Australia130,000 [2]
 Germany80,000 [3]
 New Zealand40,000[4]
Languages
Odia
Religion
Predominantly:
Hinduism
Minorities:
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan people , Bonaz people
This article is part of a series on
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Lord Jagannath

The Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ), formerly spelled Oriya, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Indian state of Odisha who speak the Odia language. They constitute a majority in the eastern coastal state, with significant minority populations existing in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.[5]

History

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Main article: History of Odisha

Ancient period

Udaygiri and Khandagiri Cave - 1

According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.[6]

According to some scriptures (Mahabharata and some Puranas), a king Bali, the Vairocana and the son of Sutapa, had no sons. So, he requested the sage, Dirghatamas, to bless him with sons. The sage is said to have begotten five sons through his wife, the queen Sudesna.[7] The princes were named Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Sumha and Pundra.[8] The princes later founded kingdoms named after themselves. The prince Vanga founded Vanga kingdom, in the current day region of Bangladesh and part of West Bengal. The prince Kalinga founded the kingdom of Kalinga, in the current day region of coastal Odisha, including the North Sircars.[9]

The Mahabharata also mentions Kalinga several more times. Srutayudha, the king of Kalinga, son of Varuna and river Parnasa, had joined the Kaurava camp in the Kurukshetra War. He had been given a divine mace by his father on request of his mother, which protected him as long he wielded it. But, Varuna had warned his son, that using it on a non-combatant will cause the death of the wielder himself. In the frenzy of battle, harried by Arjuna's arrows, he made the mistake of launching it at Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, who was unarmed. The mace bounced off Krishna and killed Srutayudha. The archer who killed Krishna, Jara Savara, and Ekalavya are said to have belonged to the Sabar people of Odisha.[10]

In the Buddhist text, Mahagovinda Suttanta, Kalinga and its ruler, Sattabhu, have been mentioned.[11]

In the 6th century sutrakara (chronicler), Baudhayana, mentions Kalinga as not yet being influenced by Vedic traditions. He also warns his people from visiting Kalinga (among other kingdoms), saying one who visits it must perform penance.[12]

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar.

Medieval period

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The Shailodbhava dynasty ruled the region from the sixth to the eighth century. They built the Parashurameshvara Temple in the 7th century, which is the oldest known temple in Bhubaneswar. The ruled Odisha from the 8th to the 10th century. They built several Buddhist monasteries and temples, including Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Baitala Deula. The Keshari dynasty ruled from the 9th to the 12th century. The Lingaraj Temple, Mukteshvara Temple and Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar were constructed during the Bhauma-Kara dynasty.[13] They were introduced as a new style of architecture in Odisha, and the dynasty's rule shifted from Buddhism to Brahmanism.[14]

Undivided Odisha and Bihar states.

Modern period

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Odisha remained an independent regional power until the early 16th century. It was conquered by the Mughals under Akbar in 1568 and was thereafter subject to a succession of Mughal and Maratha rule before coming under British control in 1803.[15]

In 1817, a combination of high taxes, administrative malpractice by the zamindars and dissatisfaction with the new land laws led to a revolt against Company rule breaking out, which many Odias participated in. The rebels were led by General Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Mohapatra Bhramarbara Raya.[16][17]

Under Maratha control, major Odia regions were transferred to the rulers of Bengal that resulted in successive decline of the language over the course of time in vast regions that stretched until today's Midnapore district of West Bengal.[18][better source needed]

Odisha became a separate province and the first officially recognized language-based state of India in 1936, after the amalgamation of the Odia regions from Bihar and Orissa Province, Madras Presidency and Chhattisgarh Division was successfully executed. 26 Odia princely states, including Sadheikala-Kharasuan in today's Jharkhand, also signed a merger with the newly formed state, while many major Odia-speaking areas were left out due to political incompetence.[19]

Communities

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Utkala Khandayat

The Odia people are subdivided into several communities such as the Brahmin, Karan, Kayastha, Khandayat, Gopal, Kumuti, Chasa, Bania, Kansari, Gudia, Patara, Tanti, Teli, Badhei, Kamara, Barika, Mali, Kumbhar, Siyal,[20] Sundhi, Keuta, Dhoba, Bauri, Kandara, Domba, Pano,Hadi.[21]

Culture

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Main article: Culture of Odisha

Religion

gita govinda manuscript

In its long history, Odisha has had a continuous tradition of dharmic religions especially Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga (India) made Buddhism a principal religion in the state which led to the establishment of numerous Stupas and non religion learning centres. During Kharavela's reign Jainism found prominence. However, by the middle of the 9th century CE there was a revival of Hinduism as attested by numerous temples such as Mukteshwara, Lingaraja, Jagannath and Konark, which were erected starting from the late 7th century CE. Part of the revival in Hinduism was due to Adi Shankaracharya who proclaimed Puri to be one of the four holiest places or Char Dham for Hinduism. Odisha has, therefore, a syncretic mixture of the three dharmic religions as attested by the fact that the Jagannath Temple in Puri is considered to be holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

Presently, the majority of people in the state of Odisha are Hindus. As per the census of 2001, Odisha is the third largest Hindu-populated state (as a percentage of population) in India. However, while Odisha is predominantly Hindu it is not monolithic. There is a rich cultural heritage in the state owing to the Hindu faith. For example, Odisha is home to several Hindu saints. Sant Bhima Bhoi was a leader of the Mahima sect movement, Sarala Dasa, was the translator of the epic Mahabharata in Odia, Chaitanya Dasa was a Buddhistic-Vaishnava and writer of the Nirguna Mahatmya, Jayadeva was the author of the Gita Govinda and is recognized by the Sikhs as one of their most important bhagats. Swami Laxmananda Saraswati is a modern-day Hindu saint of Adivasi heritage.

Architecture

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Main article: kalinga architecture
700 CE Mukhalingeswara Temples Group, Kalinga architecture, Mukhalingam, Andhra Pradesh - 111
Mukteswar Temple (Kalinga Architecture)
Udayagiri Caves - Hathi Gumpha
Stone wheel engraved in the 13th century built Konark Sun Temple in Orissa, India

The Kaḷinga architectural style is a style of Hindu architecture which flourished in the ancient Kalinga previously known as Utkal and in present eastern Indian state of Odisha. The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. The former two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temples while the third is mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples. The Rekha Deula and Khakhara Deula houses are the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.

This article is part of a series on
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Cuisine

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Main article: Cuisine of Odisha
Chena poda a sweet delicacy from Odisha.

Seafood and sweets dominate Odia cuisine. Rice is the staple cereal and is eaten throughout the day. Popular Odia dishes are rasagolla, rasabali, chhena poda, chhena kheeri, chhena jalebi, chenna jhilli, chhenagaja, khira sagara, dalma, tanka torani and pakhala.[22][23]

Festivals

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Main article: Festivals of Odisha

Ratha yatra

Rath Yatra festival in Puri ,Odisha.

A stunning example of Kalinga architecture is the Jagannath Temple, which was constructed in the twelfth century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The goddesses Subhadra, Balabhadra, and Lord Jagannath reside in this hallowed shrine. The festival of Ratha Yatra, which draws pilgrims and visitors from all over the world, is closely linked to the history of the Jagannath Temple.

Ratha yatra festival in Puri by Fegursson.

A wide variety of festivals are celebrated throughout the year; There is a saying in Odia, ‘Baarah maase, terah parba’, that there are 13 festivals in a year. Well known festivals that are popular among the Odia people include the Ratha Yatra, Durga Puja, Rajo, Maha Shivratri, Kartika Purnima, Dola Purnima, Ganesh Puja, Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra, Makar Mela, Chhau Festival, and Nuakhai.[24]

Religion

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Lord Jagannath with his siblings.

Odisha is one of the most religiously and ethnically homogeneous states in India. More than 94% of the people are followers of Hinduism.[25] Hinduism in Odisha is more significant due to the specific Jagannath culture followed by Odia Hindus due to independent rule of Odia Hindu kings. Hinduism flourished in the eastern coastal region under patronage of the Hindu kings: arts, literature, maritime trade, vedic rituals were given importance. The practices of the Jagannath sect is popular in the state and the annual Ratha Yatra in Puri draws pilgrims from across India.[26]

Notable people

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See also: List of people from Odisha

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Odias in the UK". Times Now. 21 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Census shows Indian population and languages have exponentially grown in Australia". SBS Australia. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  3. ^ Baumann, Martin. "Immigrant Hinduism in Germany". Harvard University.
  4. ^ "New Zealand". Stats New Zealand. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  5. ^ Minahan, James (2012). Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781598846591.
  6. ^ Miśra, Sudāmā (1973). Janapada State in Ancient India. Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana.
  7. ^ Patil, Rajaram D. K. (1973). Cultural History From The Vayu Purana. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe. ISBN 978-81-208-2085-2.
  8. ^ "History of Odisha", Wikipedia, 3 December 2024, retrieved 9 December 2024
  9. ^ "History of Odisha", Wikipedia, 3 December 2024, retrieved 9 December 2024
  10. ^ Pati, Rabindra Nath (2008). Family Planning. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-313-0352-8.
  11. ^ Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra (2006). Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty. Cosmo Publications. ISBN 978-81-307-0291-9.
  12. ^ Chatterjee, Suhas (1998). Indian Civilization and Culture. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-083-2.
  13. ^ Smith, Walter (1994). The Mukteśvara Temple in Bhubaneswar. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 27. ISBN 978-81-208-0793-8.
  14. ^ Smith 1994, p. 26.
  15. ^ GYANENENDRA NATH MITRA (25 December 2019). "Book by British ICS officer covers 'Orissa' as a whole". dailypioneer. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  16. ^ Sayed Jafar Mahmud (1994). Pillars of Modern India 1757-1947. APH Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-7024-586-5. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  17. ^ "'Paika Bidroha' to be named as 1st War of Independence - NATIONAL - The Hindu". The Hindu. 23 October 2017.
  18. ^ Sengupta, N. (2011). Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-81-8475-530-5.
  19. ^ Sridhar, M.; Mishra, Sunita (5 August 2016). Language Policy and Education in India: Documents, contexts and debates. Routledge. ISBN 9781134878246. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  20. ^ Indian Antiquary: A Journal of Oriental Research in Archaeology, History, Literature, Languages, Folklore Etc. Education Society's Press. 1884.
  21. ^ Nab Kishore Behura; Ramesh P. Mohanty (2005). Family Welfare in India: A Cross-cultural Study. Discovery Publishing House. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-81-7141-920-3.
  22. ^ "Cuisine Of Odisha". odishanewsinsight. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Odia delicacies in Bengaluru's first 'Ama Odia Bhoji' to tickle taste buds". aninews. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  24. ^ "The tenacious people of Odisha". telanganatoday. 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Lord Jagannath's Rathyatra as a Marker of Odia Identity". thenewleam. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.

[1]

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Odia people.
  1. ^ Miśra, Sudāmā (1973). Janapada State in Ancient India. Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana.
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