Formerly in the pre-Muslim period, painting on the walls of the temples received special encouragement. The temple walls were found to have been decorated with painting by the management, and well-to-do persons also had interest in decorating their domestic buildings. While painting on palm leaf and cloth was popular, painting on paper in Orissa was a phenomenon which received impetus only during and after the Muslim rules in Orissa.

Orissa is a land of temples. In the pre-Muslim period, Hinduism in its various creeds and forms was manifested in the construction of many temples where the worship was performed by the devoted Hindus.