The Odras were mentioned along with the Vangas, Angas and Paundras as bringing tribute for Yudhishthira for his Rajasuya sacrifice (3,51).
The Bhagbata Purana mentions Odra, among the six sons of Dirghatamas by queen Sudesna with the Pundrakas, Dravidas, Kambojas, Sakas, Yavanas etc.
Prof B.C Majumdar observs ".. the hilly country lying between Kalinga and Dakshina Kosala was the Odra land."
Other historians opine that Odra comprised undivided Midnapur, Balasore, Cuttack, Ganjam & Puri districts .
At the advent of fifteenth century A.D poet Sarala dasa made udisa as Orissa synonymous with Odra rastra which became Odisha rajya during Gajapatis.