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

Srutayudha, the king of Kalinga, son of Varuna and river Parnasa, had joined the Kaurava camp in the Kurukshetra War.

The archer who killed Krishna, Jara Savara, and Ekalavya are said to have belonged to the Sabar people of Odisha.

They built several Buddhist monasteries and temples, including Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Baitala Deula.

[13] They were introduced as a new style of architecture in Odisha, and the dynasty's rule shifted from Buddhism to Brahmanism.

[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.

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

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.

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.

[22][23] Ratha yatra A stunning example of Kalinga architecture is the Jagannath Temple, which was constructed in the twelfth century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.

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.

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.