Odisha:– The Unique Destination To Enjoy Fairs And Festivities

Odisha is the land of numerous religions, ancient temples, local shrines, tribes and full of sacred places.

The state is also considered to be unique as it observes more than 13 festivals in 12 months.

As per studies- “The festivals of Odisha are designed in such a manner that it has relevance with science,

spiritualism, history, mythology etc.

Though the state is considered as a place of diversity in culture and tradition but generates a tighter bond through

the festival celebration.

People of Odisha celebrates one or more festival in every month by performing some special ritual

attached to each of it.

These fairs and festivals give an opportunity to enjoy and have fun away from the regular hectic life.

Let's know more about the major festivals and fairs in Odisha.

Every festival centers around seeking blessings of God , distributing sweets, decorating houses, wearing new clothes,

music, dance and feasting.

Though the reason of celebration varies but it makes the environment so alive and full of enjoyment throughout

the year.

Among the major festivals Car Festival or Ratha Yatra and Durg Puja or Dussehra is very famous in Odisha.

Car Festival or Ratha Yatra

Ratha Yatra is celebrated in honor of Lord Jagannath in Odisha on the 2nd day of dark fortnight (Asadha Sukla

Dutiya) usually falls in June/July month.

This festival is the holiest for devotees where the disciples of all over the world comes to get the blessings of Lord

Jagannath.

The festival celebration involves huge chariot transportation of deities from their aboard to their aunt's

place.

Durg Puja or Dussehra

This festival is celebrated in the month of Ashvin or kartik & usually falls on october.

This is a 10 day long festival where goddess Durga is worshiped in different Pandals or Shakti Pithas.

This festival also symbolizes as the commemoration of good over evil.

The Durga Puja of Cuttack is famous for its usage of silver and gold tarakasi (filigree) work on the crown of the idols

and also on the pandals.

On the last day of Dusshra, crowd takes the idols out in extravagant processions for Idol immersion in the Kathajodi

river.

Except these, some other festivals are celebrated so joyfully by Odisha people. Like Dewali, Holi, Maha Shivratri, Kumar

Purnima, Raja Parba etc.

A brief about the Fairs that celebrated in Odisha

:- Konark Dance Festival :- Puri Beach Festival :- Kalinga Mahotsava :- Chandan Yatra :- Snana Yatra :- Bali Yatra

:- Konark Dance Festival

The festival is celebrated from 1st - 5th December every year where the eminent classical dancers present live performances on different types of classical dances like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak etc..

Puri Beach Festival

The Puri Beach Festival is arranged by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha.

The festival represents beauty, charm and fun-loving spirit in the form of different events like fashion shows to rock shows.

:- Kalinga Mahotsava

Kalinga Mahotsav is also called the National Festival of Martial Dance is celebrated to pay tribute to the Kalinga.

The festival shows the vibrant traditions of martial art of India through dance and music.

:- Chandan Yatra

The festival is related to Lord Jagannath and celebrated in the month of Vaishakha and continues for 21 days.

:- Snana Yatra

The festival is celebrated in the month of June or Jyastha and also popularly known as the "Deba Snana Purnima”.

In this festival the deities are taken out from the temple and bathed with 108 pitchers of water drawn from a well near

the Northern Gate of Lord Jagannath Temple.

:- Bali Yatra

The fair is celebrated during the month of November to commemorate the glorious past of commercial voyages to the islands of Bali and Sumatra on Mahanadi River Bank at Cuttack .

The fair lasts for 10-12days where the different types of handicraft products are available for sale.

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