On the occasion of Orissa Day or Utkal Divas, Odisha celebrates this day in the memory of the formation of the state as a separate province in 1936. After losing its political identity completely in 1568, efforts resulted in the formation of a politically separate state under British rule on a linguistic basis.
The main revolution in this separate state continued for three decades from the very day of formation of Utkal Sammilani that led to the foundation of a separate Odisha Province.

Why is Utkal Day celebrated?
In the ancient times, Orissa was the center of Kalinga kingdom, although it was temporarily conquered (250 B.C.) by King Asoka and Maurya held it for nearly a century. As the Kalinga kingdom declined, many Hindu dynasties arose and built temples at Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konarak. Later in the year 1958, Afghan invaders passed the state to the Mughal empire. After the fall of the Mughals, Orissa was divided between the Nawabs of Bengal and the Marathas. In 1803, the British conquered Orissa.

In the year 1912, the coastal section was separated from Bengal and made into the province of Bihar and Orissa. Later in 1936 on April 1, the new province of Odisha was formed after a battle of nearly 350 years.

On November 9, 2010, Parliament of India renamed Orissa as Odisha and Oriya language as Odia.

Celebrations:
Thousands of shops and Jhankis make this festival more beautiful. There are competitions arranged by popular local politicians like fireworks competition. One can enjoy these fireworks displays which make the sky all the more stunning.On that day all across the country, the family of odiyas arranges different cultural programs like the sing-song program, etc. Utkal Divas the day of remembrance for all odiyas helps everybody to be united.