Odisha General Knowledge Questions and Answers

Odisha General Knowledge (GK) for Competitive Exams


📍 Basic Information

CategoryDetails
State NameOdisha
Formation Date1 April 1936 (as Odisha Province)
CapitalBhubaneswar
Largest CityBhubaneswar
Official LanguageOdia
State AnimalSambar Deer
State BirdIndian Roller
State TreeAshoka
State FlowerAshoka Flower
Number of Districts30
Lok Sabha Seats21
Rajya Sabha Seats10
State CodeOD

🗺️ Geography of Odisha

FeatureDetails
Total AreaApprox. 155,707 sq. km
Area Rank in India8th Largest State
CoastlineAlong the Bay of Bengal
Major RiversMahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha
Major LakeChilika Lake (Largest coastal lagoon in India)
Highest PeakDeomali
ClimateTropical Monsoon
National ParksSimilipal, Bhitarkanika

🏛️ History of Odisha

TopicDetails
Ancient NameKalinga
Famous Ancient WarKalinga War (261 BCE)
Famous Emperor AssociatedAshoka
Medieval KingdomGajapati Dynasty
Temple Architecture StyleKalinga Style
State Name ChangedFrom Orissa to Odisha in 2011

🏭 Economy & Industry

SectorDetails
Main OccupationAgriculture
Major CropsRice, Pulses, Oilseeds
Mineral ResourcesIron Ore, Coal, Bauxite, Chromite
Major IndustriesSteel, Aluminum, Power
Major Steel PlantRourkela Steel Plant
PortsParadip Port

🌿 Wildlife & Environment

NameLocationFamous For
Similipal National ParkMayurbhanjTigers & Biosphere Reserve
Bhitarkanika National ParkKendraparaSaltwater Crocodiles
Chilika LakePuriMigratory Birds
Satkosia Tiger ReserveAngulTiger Habitat

🎭 Culture & Festivals

FestivalSignificance
Rath YatraAnnual chariot festival in Puri
Durga PujaMajor Hindu festival
Raja FestivalCelebration of womanhood
NuakhaiHarvest festival of Western Odisha
Konark Dance FestivalClassical dance festival

🏙️ Important Cities & Their Importance

CityKnown For
BhubaneswarTemple City of India
CuttackSilver Filigree Work
PuriJagannath Temple
RourkelaSteel Plant
SambalpurHirakud Dam

🏆 Important Personalities from Odisha

NameKnown For
Biju PatnaikFormer Chief Minister
Naveen PatnaikPolitical Leader
Jayanta MahapatraPoet
Guru Kelucharan MohapatraOdissi Dancer
#Question (English)Answer (English)
1What is the capital city of Odisha?Bhubaneswar
2Which river is the lifeline of Odisha?Mahanadi River
3Who is known as the ‘Father of Odisha’s Constitution’?Bansidhar Panda
4What is the state tree of Odisha?Banyan Tree
5Who was the first Chief Minister of Odisha?Harekrushna Mahtab
6Which famous temple is located in Puri, Odisha?Jagannath Temple
7Which famous beach is located in Odisha and is known for its scenic beauty?Puri Beach
8Which festival is considered the most important festival of Odisha?Rath Yatra
9Which ancient university is located in Odisha?Utkal University
10In which district is the famous Chilika Lake, a Ramsar Wetland, located?Khurda District
11What is the main language spoken in Odisha?Odia (Oriya)
12What is the state animal of Odisha?Sambar Deer
13What is the famous dance form originating from Odisha?Odissi
14Which famous temple in Odisha is dedicated to Lord Shiva?Lingaraj Temple
15Which city is known as the ‘Temple City’ of Odisha?Bhubaneswar
16What is the famous fort in Odisha associated with Kalinga War?Dhauli Hill Fort
17What is the state bird of Odisha?Indian Roller
18What is the famous fair held annually in Odisha, associated with Lord Jagannath?Rath Yatra
19Which district is known for its famous ‘Kondh’ tribal culture in Odisha?Kalahandi District
20Which is the highest peak in Odisha?Deomali
21What is the famous cuisine of Odisha?Dalma (a traditional lentil dish)
22Which city in Odisha is known for the Nandankanan Zoological Park?Bhubaneswar
23In which district is the famous Simlipal National Park located?Mayurbhanj District
24What is the main agricultural product of Odisha?Rice
25Which famous freedom fighter from Odisha was known for his role in the Quit India Movement?Subhas Chandra Bose
26What is the major source of income for the people of Odisha?Agriculture
27What is the name of the famous beach in Odisha that is known for its calm waters?Gopalpur Beach
28Who is the famous poet of Odisha who wrote the Odia version of the Bhagavad Gita?Sarala Das
29Which state does Odisha share its border with to the east?West Bengal
30Who was the famous ruler of Odisha in the Kalinga dynasty?Ashoka
31Which river originates from the state of Odisha and joins the Bay of Bengal?Mahanadi River
32What is the name of the traditional handloom fabric of Odisha?Ikat
33In which city is the famous Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves located?Bhubaneswar
34Which ancient battle was fought in Odisha between Ashoka and the Kalinga forces?Battle of Kalinga
35Which popular wildlife sanctuary is located in Odisha?Chilika Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
36Which is the oldest church in Odisha?St. Mary’s Church, Cuttack
37What is the name of the famous temple located in the city of Konark?Konark Sun Temple
38Who is the famous industrialist from Odisha, also known as the ‘Steel King’ of India?Bansidhar Panda
39What is the traditional dish of Odisha made of rice, lentils, and vegetables?Dalma
40What is the famous festival of Odisha dedicated to Lord Shiva?Mahashivaratri
41What is the total number of districts in Odisha?30 Districts
42Which famous river in Odisha is a major tributary of the Mahanadi River?Brahmani River
43In which year did Odisha become a state of India?1936
44What is the famous traditional art of Odisha known for its colorful paintings?Pattachitra Art
45Which temple in Odisha is one of the Char Dhams of India?Jagannath Temple
46Which animal is Odisha’s state animal?Sambar Deer
47In which district is the famous Lingaraj Temple situated?Khurda District
48What is the name of the famous festival of Odisha which celebrates the harvesting season?Nuakhai
49What is the name of the sanctuary in Odisha that is famous for its saltwater crocodiles?Chilika Lake Sanctuary
50Which language is spoken by the majority of people in Odisha?Odia (Oriya)
51In which year did the famous Kalinga War take place?261 BCE
52Which district of Odisha is famous for the temples of Khiching?Mayurbhanj
53Which national park in Odisha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?Simlipal National Park
54What is the state dance form of Odisha?Odissi
55Which river forms the natural boundary between Odisha and Chhattisgarh?Mahanadi River
56What is the traditional craft of Odisha that involves weaving cotton and silk textiles?Ikat Weaving
57Who was the last ruler of the Kalinga dynasty in Odisha?King Kharavela
58What is the name of the famous dance festival that takes place annually in Odisha?Konark Dance Festival
59What is the name of the famous wildlife sanctuary in Odisha known for its elephants?Rajiv Gandhi National Park
60Which temple in Odisha is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Puri?Jagannath Temple