Orissa is an attractive treasure house of cultures and customs, religions and traditions, languages and literature, art and architecture, scenic beauties and wildlife .

            Orissa lies on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal . The state once formed a part of Kalinga kingdom which is best known in ancient history for its brave resistance against the invasion of the Mauryan King Ashoka in the 3^rd century B.C., who ultimately conquered it .That the emperor turned to Buddhism and peace after witnessing the bloodshed in this war is well known. This also formed the turning point in the history of Orissa giving a boost to art and architecture in the ancient kingdom.

            The ancient state rose to prominance as a kingdom under Kharavela, a great conqueror and patron of Jainism, in the second half of the 1^st centure B.C. Other great rulers were the kings of the Kesari dynesty and the Eastern Ganga dynasty who were also great builders.