Festivals are exciting times for everyone. We look forward to having fun, getting together, and there is merriment all around. These are the times, when we step out of regular boredom and have a time of life.
Festivals of Odisha are magnificent and joyous occasions. They beautifully depict our traditions and are worth cherishing. For Odisha its famously said that its a land of “baraah masi terah parba” , which means in 12 months people of Odisha celebrate 13 festivals. With every district having its own local festival, it is difficult to summarize all the festivals in this article. However, here are some of the most significant festivals that are celebrated with much mirth and merry in our state:
Raja
Celebrated during the onset of monsoons, its a festival for which young girls of Odisha wait eagerly.They dress up in new clothes, joyfully swinging and singing with friends and family. The colourful festival is native to Odisha, and is not celebrated in any other state across India. It is believed that during these days, mother Earth menstruates, which puts all the agricultural activities to a halt for about three days. Paying an ode to womanhood, the celebration is marked by young unmarried girls putting jewelleries, applying alta or mehendi in their hands and feet, and taking a break from their regular household work. They are treated no less than a princess during the three-day Raja festival!
Ratha Yatra
One of the most significant festivals of Odisha, Rath Yatra is celebrated globally, with millions of devotees actively participating in pulling the divine chariots carrying Lord Jagannatha, his older brother Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Celebrated with pure devotion and love, the festival lasts for about 14 days, commemorating Lord’s journey to his aunt’s house, a.k.a the Gundicha temple, which is another major source of attraction for the tourists in Puri. The three chariots, namely Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Langaladhwaja, are pulled by sevaks, with loud chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ heard across miles.
Durga Puja
Vibrant and festive, Durga Puja in Odisha is celebrated with the same extravaganza as in West Bengal. Joy and fun spark as divine rhythms of dhak and surreal sounds of conch echo everywhere. Exquisite pandals are seen in every corner, especially in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, with artistic statues of Goddess Durga, also called ‘Medho’ in Odia attract several devotees to seek Maa’s blessings. Streets are lit with twinkling lights, and hustle bustle prevails, just to see Maa. As the nine-day festival comes to an end, Devi bids adieu to her devotees, with a promise to return next year.
Makar Mela
Makar Sankranti, the diversely celebrated harvest festival of India, has unique traditions in Odisha too.
The day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya, when people of Odisha prepare a special dish called Makara Chaula, prepared with harvested rice, banana, coconut, sesame, jaggery, and chhena. People offer prayers to Lord by taking holy dip in sacred water bodies. Kite flying is another integral part of the celebrations. Among several indegenous tribes, lighting bonfires and merrily dancing is a spectacular way of welcoming the new year.
Dola Purnima
The festival of colours, Holi, is celebrated as Dola Purnima in Odisha. It is observed for six days, marking the swing festival of Lord Krishna and Radha. During these six days, several deities, especially Lord Krishna are taken on a procession, which is an enthralling sight to see. Carried on palanquins, the procession is a delightful sight with drummers, pipers, and musicians leading it to each and every household offering bhoga to the deities. The procession comes to an end with the deities swinging together.
Chandan Yatra
Out of all the festivals of Odisha, this is the longest one and lasts for about 42 days. It falls on the same day as Akshay Tritiya, when a paste of sandalwood and water are applied on the deities. The day is considered highly auspicious as it marks the beginning of the construction activity of the three raths for the Rath Yatra. Divided into two parts- Bhitar Chandan Yatra and Bahar Chandan Yatra, each phase is observed for 21 days.
Maha Vishuba Sankranti
Also known as Pana Sankranti, it is offically the Odia New Year festival. Many visit temples to offer prayers and several take a dip in holy water. People participate in traditional dances with full enthusiasm, welcoming the Odia new year with pomp and gaiety.
A special drink called Pana is prepared in every household. A healthy mixture of fruits, bel, milk, cashew, grated coconut and chhena makes for the perfect summer coolant, which is essential during peak summers. Let’s enjoy these exciting festivals with our loved ones and bring more positivity into our lives.
Festivals are exciting times for everyone. We look forward to having fun, getting together, and there is merriment all around. These are the times, when we step out of regular boredom and have a time of life.
Festivals of Odisha are magnificent and joyous occasions. They beautifully depict our traditions and are worth cherishing. For Odisha its famously said that its a land of “baraah masi terah parba” , which means in 12 months people of Odisha celebrate 13 festivals. With every district having its own local festival, it is difficult to summarize all the festivals in this article. However, here are some of the most significant festivals that are celebrated with much mirth and merry in our state:
Raja
Celebrated during the onset of monsoons, its a festival for which young girls of Odisha wait eagerly.They dress up in new clothes, joyfully swinging and singing with friends and family. The colourful festival is native to Odisha, and is not celebrated in any other state across India. It is believed that during these days, mother Earth menstruates, which puts all the agricultural activities to a halt for about three days. Paying an ode to womanhood, the celebration is marked by young unmarried girls putting jewelleries, applying alta or mehendi in their hands and feet, and taking a break from their regular household work. They are treated no less than a princess during the three-day Raja festival!
Ratha Yatra
One of the most significant festivals of Odisha, Rath Yatra is celebrated globally, with millions of devotees actively participating in pulling the divine chariots carrying Lord Jagannatha, his older brother Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Celebrated with pure devotion and love, the festival lasts for about 14 days, commemorating Lord’s journey to his aunt’s house, a.k.a the Gundicha temple, which is another major source of attraction for the tourists in Puri. The three chariots, namely Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Langaladhwaja, are pulled by sevaks, with loud chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ heard across miles.
Durga Puja
Vibrant and festive, Durga Puja in Odisha is celebrated with the same extravaganza as in West Bengal. Joy and fun spark as divine rhythms of dhak and surreal sounds of conch echo everywhere. Exquisite pandals are seen in every corner, especially in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, with artistic statues of Goddess Durga, also called ‘Medho’ in Odia attract several devotees to seek Maa’s blessings. Streets are lit with twinkling lights, and hustle bustle prevails, just to see Maa. As the nine-day festival comes to an end, Devi bids adieu to her devotees, with a promise to return next year.
Makar Mela
Makar Sankranti, the diversely celebrated harvest festival of India, has unique traditions in Odisha too.
The day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya, when people of Odisha prepare a special dish called Makara Chaula, prepared with harvested rice, banana, coconut, sesame, jaggery, and chhena. People offer prayers to Lord by taking holy dip in sacred water bodies. Kite flying is another integral part of the celebrations. Among several indegenous tribes, lighting bonfires and merrily dancing is a spectacular way of welcoming the new year.
Dola Purnima
The festival of colours, Holi, is celebrated as Dola Purnima in Odisha. It is observed for six days, marking the swing festival of Lord Krishna and Radha. During these six days, several deities, especially Lord Krishna are taken on a procession, which is an enthralling sight to see. Carried on palanquins, the procession is a delightful sight with drummers, pipers, and musicians leading it to each and every household offering bhoga to the deities. The procession comes to an end with the deities swinging together.
Chandan Yatra
Out of all the festivals of Odisha, this is the longest one and lasts for about 42 days. It falls on the same day as Akshay Tritiya, when a paste of sandalwood and water are applied on the deities. The day is considered highly auspicious as it marks the beginning of the construction activity of the three raths for the Rath Yatra. Divided into two parts- Bhitar Chandan Yatra and Bahar Chandan Yatra, each phase is observed for 21 days.
Maha Vishuba Sankranti
Also known as Pana Sankranti, it is offically the Odia New Year festival. Many visit temples to offer prayers and several take a dip in holy water. People participate in traditional dances with full enthusiasm, welcoming the Odia new year with pomp and gaiety.
A special drink called Pana is prepared in every household. A healthy mixture of fruits, bel, milk, cashew, grated coconut and chhena makes for the perfect summer coolant, which is essential during peak summers. Let’s enjoy these exciting festivals with our loved ones and bring more positivity into our lives.
