Odia communities across the country will celebrate Utkala Dibasa on April 1, 2018 to mark the formation of the state, Odisha (earlier known as Orissa) as a separate province on the same date in 1936. This is why Utkala Dibasa is also known as Odisha Day. Individuals will gather in public spaces to commemorate this historical day. And the celebration is not just limited to India. Odia people staying oversee also hosts special gatherings in the memory of Utkala Dibasa 2018. And Twitterati too is marking this auspicious day wishing each other with a hashtag; #UtkalaDibasa which is on trend. As Odia people is rejoicing in Odisha Day, let us know the history to how they how the state of Odisha was formed.

The foundation day of Odisha is celebrated across India on April 1 every year after it was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province in 1936.

History & Significance of Utkala Dibasa 2018

Odia community lost its political identity completely in 1568 following the defeat and demise of the last king Mukunda Dev. The main revolution in this separate state continued for three decades from the very day of the formation of Utkala Sammilani tha led to the foundation of a separate Odisha Province. Utkal Sammilani is an Indian social culture organization. It was founded in Odisha (then Orissa) in 1903 by Madhusudan Das who was the first graduate and advocate of the sate and continues till the present time. The movement continued, turned more intense under the leadership of Madhusudan Das, Utkala mani Gopalbandhu Das, Shree Ram Chandra, Pandita Nilakantha Das and many other activists with the support of public.

It was finally on April 1, 1936 Odisha (then Orissa) was formed and became a separate province. Odisha is officially the first state of India to be formed on language basis. The newly formed state at that time consisted of 6 districts with its capital Cuttack. Bhubaneswar replaced Cuttack as the capital in 1949 and it has now 30 districts within it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to the people of Odisha.

On the occassion of Utkala Dibasa, here are some tweets shared by the users with #UtkalaDibasa.

Watch the beautiful sight totally in the celebratory mood!

And like we said, Odia people staying oversee also hosts special gatherings. 

A beautiful sand art!

The people of Odisha celebrate Utkala Dibasa with much zeal every year on April 1. Thousands of shops and the streets are decorated making the festival more beautiful. Local politicians also organizes several competitions especially fireworks competition in the state. Families on the other hand arrange different cultural programs and prepare several mouthwatering and special feasts to celebrate Utkala Dibasa.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2018 09:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).