The Odisha culture and customs heavily emphasize festivals. Odisha celebrates much more than simply Rathyatra, despite the common misconception that it is the sole event for which the state is known. To have a truly unique experience, it is necessary to know exactly what activities take place during such festivals.
You need to confirm their importance and impact on the customs and cultures of the concerned parties. We’ll lay them out for you so you can better understand and comprehend the festivities in Odisha. In this post we will acknowledge all the 8 most popular festivals in odisha.
One of the significant festivals in Odisha is the one that is being observed here. Durga Puja and the people of Odisha place great importance on the celebration, just like Durga Puja does for Bengalis. The celebration honors the triumph of good over evil and takes place in the months of Ashwin and Kartik, in September or October.
The occasion for the event is Durga Maa’s victory over Mahisashur, which symbolizes her might. In addition to the enormous idols of Durga Maa, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakhsmi, Lord Ganesha, and Karthik are housed in the pandals that line the streets. The streets are illuminated throughout with glittering lights.
When Celebrated: October
Location: All Over Odisha
What To Expect: Goddess Is Worshipped As Durga, Lakshmi, And Sarasvati
In addition to Durga Puja, Ratha Yatra, also known as the chariot festival, is a crucial occasion in Odisha. Many people travel to Odisha to enjoy the event because it is so well-known throughout the nation and, occasionally, the entire world. The event is held on a full moon night during the Jyestha month. Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are honored at the event. On that day, the Sudarshan chakra and their statues are brought outside for a bath in Puri, Odisha. A fortnight, or 14 days, is the length of the celebration for the such holiday. Several customs and religious rituals following customs observe the holiday.
When Celebrated: June
Location: Puri, Odisha
What To Expect: God Chariots March
The Chhau festival is another significant and widely observed festival in Odisha that is unavoidable. In Odisha, the Bhuiyan tribes celebrate this holiday over three days. The Chhau dance performance by the people of Odisha is the most significant aspect that distinguishes it from the others, despite everything else. For those who don’t know, Chhai dance is a traditional type of dance that incorporates martial arts techniques and elements of folk dance. To increase the excitement of the dance, even more, the Chhau dancers wear masks & traditional clothing.
When Celebrated: June
Location: Mayurbhanj District
What To Expect: Singing, Dancing, Splendid Feasts
Kalinga Mahotsav is another well-known holiday that people in Odisha observe. Even though you probably don’t know much about it, the festival’s origin story has many meanings. Before the Ashoka era, a significant portion of Odisha was called Kalinga, where many martyrs were killed, and their deaths were witnessed. To celebrate the triumph of peace over conflict, the Kalinga Mahotsav was established. Several martial disciplines are commemorated throughout the event to honor the accomplishments of the Mauryan dynasty martyrs.
When Celebrated: January-February
Location: Bhubaneswar
What To Expect: Singing, Martial Dance
The SitalsasthiFestival, celebrated in the style of a carnival, is a well-known holiday despite having a rather unusual name. Lord Shiva and Parvati’s union is honored during the carnival or festival. All the Shiva temples in Odisha commemorate this festival, one of the most well-liked ones. When Shubha Panchami falls in a Jyestha month, the festival is observed on that day. Frequently, it is also a time of celebration to mark the arrival of the monsoon season and the conclusion of the summer season. Mostly the western region of Odisha is where it is observed.
When Celebrated: May
Location: Keonjhar district, Odisha
What To Expect: Celebrated As The Marriage Of Shiva And Parvati
Due to the importance of dance as a cultural art form in Odisha, the Konark Dance Festival is a notable annual event. The festival’s primary objective is to gather all significant and well-known performers from around the globe onto a single platform. All classical dance performers receive notoriety globally thanks to the art form. In Odisha, the holiday is observed for four days. Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and other widely recognized dance styles are performed at the festival.
When Celebrated: December
Location: Sun temple in Konark
What To Expect: Traditional Dance
The longest celebration in Orissa, called the Gandhalepana Yatra, is held at the Jagannath temple in Puri. Worshiping the gods with water mixed with sandals is a traditional part of the 42-day festival. In the customary watercraft called “Chapa,” the deities are removed from the temple for one sacred patron. To resemble a swan in the water, the boats are typically exquisitely adorned in red and white. The grand festival’s completion is celebrated at Puri’s Shiva or Vishnu temples. As part of the celebration of this important Orrisa festival, thousands of pilgrimages congregate.
When Celebrated: December
Location: Jagannatha in Puri
What To Expect: Water Sports, God Worship
According to the Odia Calendar, Mahabisuva Sankranti is observed in April to usher in the new year. Pana Sankranti is another name for the celebration. To symbolize the rain, Pana, a beverage made of Misri and water, is draped over the Tulsi plant. Additionally, called Pana Sankranti, the celebration.
For farming & agricultural endeavors in Orrisa, this event is particularly favorable. Hanuman, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu get special offerings on this day. Devotees visit the Devi temples and offer prayers for a prosperous future. Over the tulsi plant is hanging pana, a beverage made of misri and water that symbolizes rain.
When Celebrated: April
Location: All over Odisha
What To Expect: Offerings To Hanuman, Lord Shiva
If you’re thinking of visiting Odisha, we advise going during one of the festivals so you can take in the local customs and culture. Given that those times of year are busy, it is highly advised that you do all your preparation in advance to avoid having to pay surge fees. Therefore, if you are considering a trip to Odisha, be sure to time it to coincide with these festivals. We hope you must have acknowledged everything regarding 8 most popular festivals in Odisha.
