Orissa

The people of the state of Orissa in India are simple and unpretentious. The state has some breathtaking beaches, fine lakes , thick natural forests with wildlife. The forests of Sunabeda-Khariar is Habitat for Tigers. This Sanctuary has long term conservation potential and has shown a healthy increase in tiger numbers since 1995. The forests are also inhabited by extremely rare wild buffalo. The Bubalus bubalis who are on the verge of extinction . They enter Orissa from the Udanti and Sitanadi forests in Chattisgarh. Given that this species is in central India, protecting Sunabeda is of vital national importance.The Sun Temple in Konark is one of the well known tourist attractions of Orissa. The temple was built in 1278 AD by King Narasimha Deva. It is one of Indias grandest temples. Orissa is famous for the the Kalinga war which was the first and last war of Emperor Ashoka where he himself declared that the conquest through dharma was the real conquest than the conquest through violence. The terrible killings and bloodshed in the war caused Emperor Ashoka to convert to Buddhism. Orissa also boasts of many important sites for Buddhism such as Lalitagiri, Udayagiri, Ratnagiri and Ranipur Jharial. Recently in the news 10 Buddhist stupas and inscriptions indicating Lord Buddha's visit. to the Kalinga have been found in archaeological excavations in Jaipur district in Orissa. Emperor Ashoka built the 10 stupas in the Kalinga. Some of the atrocities in the news in the region has been due to the Graham Staines Murder Case and Child torture case.