Fairs and Festivals in Odisha

Popular Festivals of Odisha

Over the centuries Odisha has been home to several religions and various sacred places that are steeped in history.

It's not surprising then that it's also home to several fairs and festivals starting from music and dance festivals to tribal festivals and more.

The fairs and festivals of Odisha are so famous that each year thousands of devotees and tourists flock to the state to either participate or witness in these events. Some even plan a festival tour that encompasses most, if not all, of the favored festivals here.

A festival in Odisha is directly a spiritual event and a well-liked one also. Whether it's summer or winter, you'll always find something happening in Odisha.

The festivals of Odisha are varied in form and function; they will be about folklore, religion, agriculture, the turning of the seasons, tradition, and even the classical dance of Odisha, making all a must-see. albeit you cannot attend all, there are some prominent festivals that you simply wouldn't want to miss.

Since Lord Jagannath is that the premier deity worshipped within the state, it's no surprise that an outsized number of festivals are dedicated to him.

Top Fairs and Festivals in Odisha

Prominent among these is that the festival that's famous everywhere India and attracts devotees and tourists in thousands: The Puri Rath Yatra. In fact, for many, Odisha is nearly synonymous with this festival.

The Shakti cult is additionally a serious part of the cultural tapestry in Odisha. Naturally, this ensures that the Hindu festival of Durga Puja and Kali Puja is celebrated annually with great gusto.

Head to the state during the months of September and October and you too are going to be infected with joy and enthusiasm that these festivals generate within the population.

If you are looking for something more along the lines of art, Odisha won't disappoint you there either. Head to Chandrabhaga Beach near Konark and prepare to be amazed at the stunning displays of sand sculptures during the International Sand Art Festival.

Konark is additionally where you would like to be, not only to marvel at the stunning architecture of the Temple but also to require within the grace and wonder displayed during the Konark Dance Festival which attracts classical dancers from all Indian disciplines - from Kathak to Manipuri.

The sheer number of cultural festivals and fairs in Odisha provides it a singular and truly colorful identity. you'll find that any vacations to the present state are memorable experiences; the festivals, the fairs, the colors, and therefore the joy only serve to reinforce the experience.

Popular Festivals of Odisha

Durga Puja

Durga Puja may be a popular festival in Odisha, is widely known to worship the Goddess of Power and War, the Goddess Durga, and to celebrate women's power.

The festival takes place within the month of Aswin or Kartik i.e. September or October per annum consistent with English calendar. During this Hindu festival, devotees totally immerse themselves in Durga puja festivity for ten days. Among all cities, Cuttack celebrates the Durga Puja in a major way.
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Konark Dance Festival
Konark Dance Festival is a five-day celebration ranging from 1st December till 5th December.

During these five days, renowned dancers from everywhere the country come to showcase their talent at the Konark Natya Mandap. the most aim of organizing this dance festival is to introduce the planet to traditional Indian dance forms and its diverse culture.

Rajarani Music Festival

Rajarani Music Festival is widely known from 18th January to 20th January per annum, the festival is simply how to cherish the kind which has been the soul of the eastern state. Music enthusiasts and artists from across the world come to Odisha to relish the heartwarming beats of the Odissi Music, and that is the rationale why it's one among the highest festivals of Odisha.

Using the backdrop of Rajarani Temple which finds its place within the Temple city of India Bhubaneswar, the festival is simply a way for devotees to return here on a spiritual vacation, seek blessings and also rejuvenate within the classical sort of music.

Mukteswar Dance Festival

The Mukteshwar Dance Festival concentrates exclusively on Odissi dance. It features solo, duet, and group Odissi performances by young and senior artists. Reputed troupes from Odisha et al.

in India perform at the festival. It takes place within the courtyard of 1 of Bhubaneswar's most prominent and well-preserved temple complexes that are quite 1,100 years old. The Mukteshwar temple is one of the littlest and most compact temples in Bhubaneshwar.

Puri Beach Festival

Celebrated within the month of November, Puri beach festival organized at the shore of Puri graces and occupies the guts of travelers for five long days.

The festival gives you an opportunity to explore the nuances of the inhabitants of Puri, Odisha, who display a radical attitude towards changing environs and are yet deeply religious and conservative at the bottom.

With a backdrop of temples, of which the Lord Jagannath Temple dominates the skyline, the Puri Beach may be a showcase for Odisha's and India's reservoir of talent.

From cultural events, classical and folk dance performances, sand sculptures, handicrafts, and food festivals to rock concerts, DJs, beach parties, and fashion shows; Puri Beach Festival has all the ingredients to determine it as a world festival.

International Sand Art Festival

International Sand Art Festival may be a popular festival associated with Sand Art and Tourism organized by Odisha Tourism from 1st December to 5th December at Konark, Odisha, India. Many sand artists from India and from other countries are participating in this competition.

As this is often a world level event so thousands of individuals from everywhere the planet are coming to ascertain this festival, but most of the population belongs to Odisha and India. For the peoples those love sand art they visit this International Sand Art Festival per annum and luxuriate in here by seeing the making process of sand art.

Ekamra Utsav

Ekamra Utsav is widely known per annum in Bhubaneswar, dedicating to Lord Shiva, it's a full ten-days event. This festival in Odisha is widely known at Janata Maidan of Bhubaneswar city within the first week of November per annum. Ekamra Utsav is an occasion that specializes in multiple disciplines thus getting to boost Odisha's rich textile industry and cultural heritage within the most colorful way.

Budhi Thakurani Yatra

Maa Budhi Thakurani Temple is found near the large Bazar of Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha.

The presiding deity of the temple is especially worshiped by a weaver community-Dera. aside from the religious significance, the temple is extremely much famous for hosting one among the most important festivals of southern Odisha - Thakurani Yatra.

This month-long celebration is observed every two years within the Hindu month of Chaitra(April-May). As per the historians, the celebration of this beautiful starts from the day of Mahashivaratri.

Rath Yatra
Ratha Yatra may be a major Hindu festival related to Lord Jagannath held at Puri in India during the months of June or July.
The Puri Rath Yatra is world-famous and attracts not only from India but also from the various parts of the planet.

Rath Yatra, in other words, the Chariot Festival is that the only day when devotees who aren't allowed into the temple can get an opportunity to ascertain the deities. This festival may be a symbol of equality and integration.

The 3 deities, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are worshiped within the temple, on this festival they're taken to the streets of Puri in order that everyone can have the fortune to ascertain them. the three deities make an annual journey to their aunt's temple(Gundicha Temple), 2 km far away from Lord Jagannath temple.

Chhau Festival

The Chhau Festival may be a significant festival for the people of Odisha, which continues for 3 successive days. The Festival is observed by the Bhuiyans Tribe in numerous areas of Odisha, particularly in Koraput, where the celebration is praised with the foremost extreme intensity.

The celebration is essentially appended to Mayurbhanj Chhau, an interesting move sort of Odisha. It includes artists wearing covers called Chhau which originate from the word Chhaya, signifies shadow. Thus the dance form suggests twiddling with the shadow.

Performers wear vibrant costumes and play mythical characters or historical characters. Chhau may be a vivacious sort of martial dance & dramatization prevalent within the Chotanagpur level range of Eastern India.

Ganesh Puja
The 10-day festival that marks the start of the festive season in Odisha celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Ganesh Puja was celebrated with religious fervor across Odisha. This festival is widely known with religious fervor across the state. Mostly all educational institutions were decked up for the celebration.

Nuakhai
Nuakhai, because the name, suggests that Nua means New and Khai means Food. So, the festival of Nuakhai maybe a festival to celebrate newly harvested food by the farmers. within the future at some point after the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi it's celebrated especially in the Western a part of Odisha with much pomp and jubilation.

People staying in distant lands come to their native places, wear new clothes, and offer prayers before God and eat delicious foods prepared from the newly harvested crops.

Chatar Jatra

Chatar Jatra may be a traditional festival celebrated by the people of Kalahandi District, Odisha. The festival is being celebrated during the Mahastami of Durga puja festival; the ritual practice of Khonds Nabakalevar is additionally performed during the festival.

To please Maa Manikeswari, a tribal dance is performed, which is understood as Ghumura dance. Ghumura may be a traditional dance and a heritage of Kalahandi district, it's a dance performed with a standard instrument Ghumura Veer Badya.

Saraswati Puja
This Puja is widely known per annum on the fifth day of the Indian month Magh, the primary day of spring.
Saraswati puja is widely known throughout the Odisha and India. The Goddess of data is revered among the scholars and learned who strictly follow all the rituals to worship her. The festivities that accompany Saraswati puja may be a part of the social celebrations.

Pushpanjali(offering of flowers alongside mantras) are offered. Bright Palash flowers are offered which is a neighborhood of worship. children enjoy the day with one another. Cultural programs are staged in the dark. The Goddess who is that the patron of music, culture, and learning is revered by singers and musicians with great devotion.

Prathamastami

Prathamastami falls on the Ashtami Tithi(8th day) of Krushna Paksha in Odia month of Margashira(November-December). Folklore has it that on today Krishna and Balaram visited maternal aunt Raja Kansa wearing new clothes and were honored in a similar manner. Interestingly, it's a festival that's all for the firstborns.

Prathamastami may be a rite held in Odisha for the life and prosperity of the eldest child who is obtainable a lighted lamp ovation by the senior female relatives followed by elaborate rituals.

Kumar Purnima

Lord Kumar Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was born on this pious day. Hence the name Kumara Purnima. Apparently, he was excellent looking and therefore the most eligible bachelor within the kingdom of gods.

Therefore, maidens celebrate this festival and perform rituals, aspiring for a husband, as handsome as him.
Maidens awaken much before sunrise, bath, and obtain dressed to perform the Janhi Osa where they provide to the sun god, a palmful of Khae with Janhi(striped gourd), Cucumber, Banana, Coconut, Gua(betel nut), etc. referred to as Anjuli.

They also lighten a Diya and perform a puja to pay reverence to the Almighty for an appropriate bridegroom. an equivalent ritual is performed within the evening, but with Chanda chakata.

Places To Visit Near Bhubaneswar:

Dhauli Hills, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves, Bindu Sarovara, Nandan Kanan Zoological Park , and Temples of Mukteswar.

Lingaraj Temple, Brahmeswara, & Parasurameswara, ISKCON Temple, Raja Rani Temple, Odisha State Museum, Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefact.
Ram Mandir, Ekamra Kanan, Chausath Yogini Temple, Kedar Gauri Temple, Biju Patnaik Park, and Regional Museum of Natural History.

Deras Dam, Vaital Deul Temple, Nicco Park, Pathani Samanta, planetarium, and Ocean World Water Park.