“Of all the regions on earth, Bharata Khand is the most distinguished. And of all the countries of Bharata Khand, Utkala boasts the highest renown. Its whole extent is one uninterrupted tirtha. Its happy inhabitants live secure of reception into the world of spirits. Those who can even visit it, and bathe in its sacred rivers, obtain remission of their sins though they weigh like mountains. Who shall describe adequately its sacred streams, temples, kshetra, fragrant flowers & fruits of exquisite flavor, all the merits, and advantages of a sojourn in such a land? What necessity indeed can there be for enlarging in the praises of a region, which the Devatas themselves delight to inhabit?” – Kapila Samhita.

“In Utkala (Orissa) there is a kshetra of Lord Krittivasa (Shiva). It removes all sins, and such regions are extremely rare. It has a crore of Shivlings. Is equal in merit to Varanasi. Known as Ekamra, it has eight principal tirthas.” – Brahma Purana.

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The region of the present Odisha (earlier Orissa), with varying geographical limits, was variously known as Kalinga, Odra, or Utkala during the ancient and medieval periods. The earliest reference of Kalinga is found in Ashoka’s edicts, Kandhar edict of Shar-i-kuna, and Shahbazgarhi edict. These edicts mention the war of Kalinga and its subsequent inclusion into the Mauryan empire. This war was in the latter half of the third century BCE. The conquest of Kalinga is one of the most important episodes in Ashoka’s life. It is believed that after witnessing the bloodshed in this battle, Ashoka turned towards Buddhist faith and dharma or religious victory.

The earliest reference of Odra is found in the Book VI of Pliny’s Natural History. It mentions a nation, Oratae, whose king had only ten elephants but a large infantry. It also mentions two tribes, Monaedes and the Suari, whose domain was Mount Maleus. Cunningham identifies Oratae with Odra, mount Maleus with Mahendra and Monaedes, and Suaris with Munda and Suar tribes. On Xuanzang’s travels, Cunningham mentions that Wu Ch’a of Xuanzang was Odra. The origin of the word Odra is not very certain. However, the widely accepted theory is that the name was derived from the race inhabiting the region. Mitra mentions Oda race who inhabit various parts of Orissa and are the descendants of the aboriginals.