Orissa is a state of rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its costumes also. The craftsmen of Orissa have passed their exquisite arts from generation to generation. They have made Orissa famous across the world for its handlooms. Orissa has the tradition of creating unique sarees from handlooms; sarees which can easily pass of as great pieces of art.

Orissa sarees have a close association with Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Orissa sarees have extensive usage of black, white, red and yellow colour, which are the colours found on the Jagannath's idol. The motifs found in these sarees such as lotus, conch, wheel, etc. share a close similarity with the idol of Jagannath.

The handloom sarees of Orissa can be broadly classified into four groups. They are ikat, bomkai, bandha and pasapalli. The ikat sarees are made in deep colours like blue, majenta, red, with ikat or tie and dye patterns on them. They are beautiful and eye-catching. Traditionally, the women of Orissa dress in sari with ikat patterns. These types of sarees are made at Nuapatna, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Bargarh.

The paintings are done on tussar silk also. Sambalpur and Cuttacki sarees of Orissa are famous across the country and the motifs printed on these sarees by the process of tie and dye also make for unique aesthetic expressions of Orissa's craftspersons. When at Orissa, you are sure to get floored by the bomkai sarees. However, over the years, the bomkai sarees have undergone a vast change. Nowadays, vegetable dyes are being replaced with chemical dyes. Bomkai sarees are marked by the intricate embroidery works in the border and pallu.

Then there are heavy Berhampuri silks, with their plain narrow borders. The pasapalli saris have black and white squares on them, which is the replica of chessboard. Golden threads are used to enhance the pattern in the cotton and tussar silk saris. All these sarees weave a culture of exclusivity and elegance into the costumes of Orissa. The private enterprises and the weaving co-operatives are doing a flourishing business in Orissa. The Sambalpuri is a well-known handloom society in Orissa.

The state of Orissa is also known for its silver filigree jewellery, which can make for an elegant style statement in this age of loud fashions. Orissa has a sizeable population of the tribals, and their colourful dresses and jewellery are also an integral part of the costumes of Orissa. Wearing them can give you the feel of wearing a slice of Orissa's primeval culture.

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