Orixa, Orissa, Oddiyana, and Odisha

Saturday, 31 August 2024

Orixa, Orissa, Oddiyana, and Odisha

Odisha, a state in Eastern India, has had many names and references in the past.

We have discussed some of them in this post-

Utkala, Kalinga, Orissa - Some Names of Odisha -

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2018/04/utkala-kalinga-orissa-some-names-of.html

ORIXA

"Orixa" is another name of Odisha.

It is shown in the following map of 1711 by Samuel Thornton-

Source: themaphouse.com

https://www.themaphouse.com/artworks/127505-samuel-thornton-a-new-chart-of-the-coast-of-orixa-1711/

And this is not the only map with Orixa.

In the following map of 1744, "Orixa" is mentioned too:

Source: Maps-Prints.com-

https://maps-prints.com/antique-maps-india-ceylon/3834-antique-map-of-choromandel-golconda-and-orixa-by-baldaeus-1744.html

"Description: Antique map titled 'Regionum Choromandel, Golconda (..).' Handsome map of Choromandel, Golconda and Orixa, published in 'The True and Exact Description of the Most Celebrated East - India Coast of Malabar and Coromandel as also of the Island of Ceylon' by Philip Baldaeus (first printed in 1672), part of 'A Collection of Voyages and Travels, some now first printed from original manuscripts others now first printed in English', printed in 1744 for Henry Lintot and John Osborn. This map originates from Churchill's 'A Collection of Voyages and Travels, some now first printed from original manuscripts others now first printed in English', printed in 1744 for Henry Lintot and John Osborn.
Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Philip Baldaeus' after an anonymous artist."

ORISSA

"Orissa" was chosen as the name of the state.

Then, the name "Orissa" was changed to "Odisha" in 2011.

However, many continue to use the old spelling- "Orissa".

We still need to inform all that-

"Spellings are Odisha, Odia, and Odissi" - https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2019/04/spellings-are-odisha-odia-and-odissi.html

ODDIYANA

The place name Oddiyana/Uddiyana is actually modern-day Odisha.

However, the place "Oddiyana" is believed by many to be Swat Valley, Pakistan.

It is of great significance as Oddiyana is the birthplace of Guru Padmasambhava, regarded as the Second Buddha.

Guru Rinpoche or #Padmasambhava, also known as the Precious Guru, is a central figure in #Tibetan Buddhism. #Padmasambhava means 'Lotus-born', which refers to Guru Rinpoche's birth from lotus in the land of #Oddiyana.

He was a tantric #Buddhist Vajra master from medieval #India pic.twitter.com/YbD8lkUCHW
— Tibetan history in Pictures (@HistoryTibetan) October 3, 2023

#Padmasambhava also known as #GuruRinpoche (Precious Guru) and the Lotus from Oḍḍiyāna, It was a tantric Buddhist Vajra master from medieval India who taught Vajrayana in Tibet (circa 8th – 9th centuries). pic.twitter.com/yyLpIg7lWs
— Dan Rice Von Tanaka (@VonTanaka) June 16, 2024

Some are aware that the place Oddiyana is modern-day Odisha-

Padmasambhava (Born from a Lotus), also known as Guru Rinpoche, Precious Guru & the Lotus from Oḍḍiyāna (Odisha/ Odissa/ OrishA) was an Tantric Buddhist Master from India o taught Vajrayana. In the 8th century constructed the Samye Monastery, the 1st Buddhist monastery in Tibet pic.twitter.com/yfhaabjnsk
— Hiddeπ Amur∆Ka: Thr𓂀ce (G)REatEST ॐ (@AmurakaHidden) July 21, 2021

However, the general misconception is that Oddiyana refers to the Swat Valley in Pakistan.

Many believe that Guru Padmasambhava was born in Pakistan.

But, now this misinformation is getting challenged.

Nope. Gandhara Buddhism wasn’t Vajrayana. Gandhara Buddhism was primarily associated with the Sarvastivada school of early Buddhism. Vajrayana developed very later.
— Catposting (@Catpostingg) August 26, 2024

A well-researched book published by B.K.Publishers and written by researcher and writer Sri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik throws more light on Guru Padmasambhava with information, images and links and references that clearly state that Oddiyana/Uddiyana is Odisha, India.