Festivals of Orissa, Orissa Festivals, Fairs & Festivals in Orissa, Famous Festivals in Orissa.

This section on Festivals of Orissa features religious and cultural festivals in Orissa, India. Orissa Fairs and Festivals Guide.

Apart from the popular Rath Yatra, Puri Beach and Konark Dance festivals that Orissa is known for, there are several other religious and cultural festivals woven into Orissa''s cultural fabric. The fusion of the Aryan, Dravidian and tribal cultures in Orissa has led to a festival or a fair being celebrated almost every month, involving large scale participation from the masses.

Makar Mela - Makar Sankranti marks the movement of the Sun towards
the Northern Hemisphere, and the Sun God is worshipped with traditional
fervour and gaiety on this day which falls on the 14th of 15th of January
every year. The Chilka Lake attracts a large number of pilgrims who make
offerings to the Goddess Kalijai.

Magha Saptami - Chandrabhaga in Konark and Khandagiri near
Bhubaneswar attract the largest crowds on the 7th day of the "Magha''
month which falls sometime in January/February. Devotees pray to Surya, the
Sun God on this auspicious day for good health and general well-being.

Dola - The Holi festival celebrates spring on the full moon day of
the Hindu month of Phagun. The idols of Krishna and Radha are carried on the
shoulders by devotees to the accompaniment of devotional hymns. Holi
rejoices the colours of life, and the splash of ''abir" and "gulal",
the traditional colours, add to the merry making and festivities across
Orissa. Cattle are also bathed, anointed with the traditional vermilion, and
offered a feast on the occasion.

Chaitra Parba - is a 2 day folk festival held on the 10th and 11th
of April celebrated by the Santhal tribe of Mayurbhanj district with the "chhow"
war dance performed over three days. The fishing folk engage in the horse
dance as they move in groups through the streets.

In South Orissa, the "dandayatra" dance is performed by a group
of 13, who fall in tune to the steps of their leader, the "pata bhokta"
who wields a "danda" or stick. Lord Shiva''s blessings are invoked
by childless couples on this auspicious day.

Coastal Orissa worships "Shakti" the Goddess on Chaitra Parba and
devotees offer penance by walking on a bed of thorns.

Ashokashtami - The Chaitra month, which falls in April, celebrates
the car festival at the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar on its 8th day. The
rath, or chariot, moves to the Rameswar Temple for a 4-day stay.

Sitalasasthi - The marriage of the divine couple, Shiva and Parvati, is
celebrated with traditional splendor in Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur on the
fifth night of Jyestha, which falls during May-June.

Raja Parba - The onset of the monsoon is celebrated in rural Orissa,
with young girls dressed in their finery laying the mood for the 3-day
festival which symbolizes fertility. Enjoyed with traditional delicacies
like the "pita", Raja Parba concludes with the fields being
ceremonially ploughed after a 3-day break for the festival.

Bali Yatra - Reminiscing its historical links with Bali, Java and
Sumatra, the banks of the river Mahanadi in Cuttack come alive with clay
lamps placed in banana bark boats on the full moon day of the Kartik month
in November/December.

Dhanu Yatra - The "bow" ceremony attended by Lord Krishna
at Kansa palace in Mathura is brought to life at Bargarh town in Western
Orissa during this festival conducted over 7-10 days in December/January.
The annual enactment of this mythological event attracts thousands of
visitors.

Mahasivaratri - The auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva is
celebrated on a grand scale at the Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar and other
Shiva temples across Orissa during February/March.

Tribal Festivals - Every 26th January, a week long Tribal Fair is
held in Bhubaneswar. A similar tribute to tribal culture is paid at the
Tribal Festival in Koraput every November. Baripada hosts the Chhow Festival
in April while Sambalpur holds the annual Folk Dance Festival in January.

Dance and Music Festivals - The Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar
offers a divine backdrop for the annual music extravaganza patronized by
eminent artistes, instrumentalists and vocalists held in February/March.

The Kalinga Mahotsav showcases the martial dances in Dhauli, and
the more sublime versions of dance, commemorating the victory of peace over
war. The base of Emperor Ashoka''s Peace Pagoda is a befitting venue for the
event.

Puri''s Shreekshetra Utsav is fortnight long event displaying Oriyan
art and culture represented by the local handloom, cuisine, colours, music,
and the beautiful sand art.

Ekamra Utsav - For 15 days in January, the Mukteswar Temple in
Bhubaneswar offers a trip down heritage lane with regular performances of
the traditional Odissi dance, displays of Orissa''s handicrafts, and
conventional Oriya cuisine



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