Odisha festival are traditional way of showcasing its vibrant traditions which enjoy a rich cultural shade woven into a sea of festivals that reflects its deep-rooted heritage, folklore, and Heartfelt spirit. These Odisha festivals not only showcase Odisha’s cultural diversity but also celebrated religious occasions.
The festival celebrated in the state not only showcases its vast culture and traditions but also attracts millions of devotees and tourists, highlighting Odisha’s Religious Significance. During the festivals, we get a chance to see the artistic idols, cultural performances,s, and vibrant pandals making the festival a visual delight.
The festival not only their Cultural diversity but also makes them unite and show how the local and tribes of the state come together to celebrate the festivals and enhance their dignity. The festivals Unerscores the states’s heartfelt connection to its heritage, offering a glimpse into its
Sprites past and present. With each and every festival celebrated there embody different dimensions of life, Culture, and faith, The state stands as the epitome of India’s diverse Celebratory Spirit and soul.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in January
Rajarani Music Festival
Rajarani Music Festival is a great Music Festival celebrated in January from the 18th to the 20th of January annually. This festival is a great way to cherish the art form of the eastern state.
This great festival is celebrated for three days every year on the premises of Rajarani Temple. The Rajarani Music Festival always encourages and gives our musical heritage the platform to fascinate the audience during the festival. Rajarani Temple is located in Bhubaneswar and is devoted to Lord Shiva. Bhubaneswar is the place of origin of this great Music Festival.
Mukteswar Dance Festival
Mukteswar Dance Festival is a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Mukteshwar temple is the venue of the annual Odissi dance festival known as Mukteswar Dance Festival which is organized by the state tourism and cultural departments every year in the middle of January month.
The event is organized to showcase the cultural heritage of Odisha to the world and to provide a platform for established and young dancers to show their talent which is held every year from 14th Jan to 16th Jan. The event was first started in 1984 and from 2004, this great event has been celebrated every year in Mukteshwar Temple.
Makar Mela
Makar Mela also known as Makar Sankranti is an important festival of Odisha celebrated every year. During this great festival people of Odisha offer prayers and food to the Sun God and seek blessings for a healthy and prosperous life. This festival is devoted to Hindu Sun God also known as Surya as agriculture is not possible with Sun. As the Sun god is also responsible for the harvest. People thanks Sun God for food.
According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated in the month of Magha. Makar Mela is celebrated around the middle of January i.e. on the 14th of January or the 15th of January. Great fairs are organized in many parts of Odisha during the Makar Mela celebration. People from many parts of India visit Odisha to visit this popular fair.
The new rice is also worshiped as the main food by Indians. The harvested rice is put in heaps in the villages and worshiped. This festival also marks the end of the winter season and the start of the summer season.
Saraswati Puja
It is celebrated on the 5th day of Magh month. It is also known as Vasant Panchami. It is one of the major festivals in Bhubaneswar. Although it is celebrated throughout Odisha. Goddess Saraswati is worshiped during the festival. It is celebrated to seek the blessings of Maa Saraswati so that children and students can improve their education, wisdom, knowledge, and in art.
At first, a Kalash is established for her. Before worshiping Devi, Lord Ganesha, Vishnu, and Shiva are also worshiped. Pushpanjali is offered to the Goddess. A palash flower is one of the unique features of the puja. Children also perform cultural programs in the evening.
Mahamela
There are four Mahamela in Odisha, Joranda Mela, Adivasi Mela, Bihan Mela, and Bali Yatra all are famous Mahamela celebrated in Odisha.
Joranda Festival
Joranda festival is celebrated in Dhenkanal, Odisha. Joranda Mela is celebrated on Magh Purnima Day in February Month. And continues for three days. In this festival, Mahima Gosain’s Samadhi Pitha is worshiped. It is mostly celebrated in the Sun Temple of Joranda. A havan is offered as a prayer to Goddess.
Bihan Mela
Bihan Mela is celebrated in Nayagarh District. Bihan mela is a festival of farmers which is also known as the seed festival. They harvest and cultivate crops.
Adivasi Mela
Adivasi Mela is celebrated in Bhubaneswar. Adivasi Mela is celebrated in January and February. It is a way of empowerment of tribals. There are lots of tribal crafts, handmade crafts are displayed in the Mela.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in February
Kalinga Mahotsav
Kalinga Mahotsav is a great event celebrated every year for two days and is celebrated during February and March in Dhauli, which is located near Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha state of India.
Kalinga Festival is a renowned festival in Odisha also known as the National Festival of Martial Dance. Martial art dancers from all over India come to Orissa to take part in this stunning festival.
During its celebrations, live performances of martial dance forms are observed by the people of Odisha and from all parts of the country who visit Dhauli during Kalinga Mahotsav. Some of the Popular martial dance forms performed in this festival include Thang Ta of Manipur, Kalaripayattu of Kerala, and Chhow and Paika of Orissa. In this great event, artists show their skills with sticks, swords, and various acrobatics concentrating their mind and body.
Maha Shivratri Festival
Maha Shivratri is celebrated every year on the 13th night of the 14th day of the new moon in Phalgun month. Two main Shivaratri puja are held in the Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar and in the Hatkeshwar Temple of Atri, which is nearer to Krodha town. Lokanath temple of Puri is also famous for this festival. Mahendragiri, Gupteshwar, and Kapilas are some places where Shivaratri is famous in Odisha.
It is believed that on this great night, lord Shiva performed Tandav Nritya. This is celebrated to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and to honor him.
Devotees keep fasting and do puja throughout the whole night of Shivaratri.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in March
Dol Purnima
Dol Purnima or Holi Festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalgun Month which is in February or March. The festival is typically celebrated for six days.
Holi is also celebrated as the victory of God over evil powers. Krishna is said to have applied “Abir” to Radha. Therefore, people apply Abir or color to other people as a symbol of unity, friendship, and love.
Dol Purnima is a very famous and unique festival in Harirajpur, Odisha. They celebrate Dol Melana. They organize a big fair and almost 28 villages take part in that festival. They carried deities from 80 villages in the procession. Fireworks are another significant celebration here. Read More about Dol Purnima
Chhau Festival
Chaitra Parva also known as the Chhau Festival is celebrated every year a few days before the Maha Vishuba Sankranti Day. Chhau festival generally falls between the 20th – 30th of March every year.
The festival is celebrated by the Bhuiyan tribe located in different parts of Orissa. This is the main festival of Baripada City which is the headquarter of the Mayurbhanj district.
This is a popular and awaited festival that lasts for three days and is considered complete entertainment that involves various singing, dancing, dance dramas, hunting, and splendid feasts. The main attraction of this popular festival is the local dance of tribes of Mayurbhanj district. Chhau is the main festival of Jharkhand but it is also celebrated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Read more…
Hingula Yatra
This is the major festival of Angul, Talcher. The festival is celebrated in the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra Month (March-April) on the fourteenth day. And it is celebrated for nine days. This is also known as Patua Yatra.
Devi Hingula is the symbol of fire and energy. It is celebrated to worship Devi Hingula in the belief that it will eliminate evil powers.
Hingula Yatra started on the day of Vishuba Sankranti. A fire is set up to worship. And every day more coal is added to the fire. And on the last day of the festival th,e fire increases to the equal height of the ppatera There is a procession of devotees headed to the main temple, and it is accompanied by kirtan, Patua, and by devotional songs. Read more….
Ashoka Ashtami
It is a significant puja which is celebrated in the Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar. It is celebrated on the Ashtami or the 8th day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. It continues for 7 days.
It is celebrated to show gratitude to nature. On this day Lord Rama got the blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvati after seven days of Puja, to defeat Ramavan. This day is dedicated to celebrating the victory of Lord Rama.
On this day, the main deity of Lord Lingaraj, Chandrasekhar is taken out in a chariot and a long procession takes the chariot to the Rameswaram Temple. In some places, this festival is celebrated as a car festival.
Tara Tarini Mela
Tara Tarini Mela is also known as Chaitra Mela. It is celebrated in Ganjam district Odisha. It falls on Chaitra Month. Every Tuesday of Chaitra Month Tara Tarini mela is celebrated, and the third Tuesday is a grand celebration. It is one of the biggest fairs in Odisha.
It is celebrated when all devotees come to darshan Maa Tara Tarini, twin sisters of Goddess. And to offer prayers to them.
Khichudi Bhog is offered to the Goddess. At this time temple is open from 5 AM to 11 Pm. On this day, all people are allowed to see Garbha Griha, and temple authorities also arrange buses for the Mundan ritual.
Note:- Tara Tarini Mela is celebrated from mid march to mid-April
Odisha Festival Celebrated in April
Budhi Takurani Yatra
Budhi Thakurani yatra also known as Ghata yatra is one of the popular festivals celebrated in Berhampur city and Southern Orissa. This festival is celebrated every alternate year during the month of Chaitra (March/April) when the Goddess Budhi Thakurani returns home. The great temple of Goddess Budhi Thakurani is located in Berhampur city of Odisha. It is believed that the Goddess returns to her father’s home every alternate year like a daughter returns to her father’s house after marriage. The festival lasts for a month and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.
Goddess Budhi Thakurani is considered the ista devi of Berhampur. Brahmapur always possesses a safe feeling under the blessing of Maa Budhi Thakurani. Therefore, the people of the city worship Goddess Budhi Thakurani Maa and have a strong belief in the Goddess as their Surakshya Kabacha that she will safeguard people with her blessings. During this festival, the Goddess showers her blessings and love to the people.
During these days the whole town is decorated to welcome Goddess Budhi Thakurani. The giant images of different goddesses and mythological figures displayed on Raths and folk dance forms performed during this festival are the chief attraction of this great festival. Read More…..
Chaitra Parva
Tribal people “Koya” in Koraput and Baripada Odisha celebrate this festival, which is also known as the Bija Pandu festival. It is celebrated every year for 7 days from 9th to 15th April.
It is an agricultural festival. Goddess Earth is being worshiped in this festival so that good harvest can be cultivated.
Palla Daskathia Folk dance and Mayurbhanj Chhau dance are major attractions of this festival. This involves songs, dramas, and entertainment. Paddy seeds are offered to the Goddess as a symbol of a good harvest. Men go fishing and hunting at the time of the festival as a ritual. And women sing and dance during this time. Read more…..
Odisha Festival Celebrated in May
Chandan Yatra
Chandan Yatra is a major festival that continues for 42 days celebrated every year in Puri. The festival is also known as Gandhalepana Yatra. This Yatra is considered one of the longest festivals celebrated at Jagannath temple in Puri, India.
This great festival of Lord Jagannath falls in April- May and according to the Hindu calendar on Akshaya Tritiya i.e., the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of the Odia month of Baisakha. The construction of the chariots for the great Ratha yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple begins on this auspicious day.
Chandan Yatra means Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit Language and is celebrated in two parts: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana.
This great festival is celebrated by worshiping the deities by mixing sandal paste in water. Read more…..
Odisha Festival Celebrated in June
Puri Beach Festival
The Puri Beach Festival is a great festival celebrated annually in the coastal city of Puri in Orissa. This great event is celebrated every year in June for about five days. The beautiful beach of Puri is the venue of this festival.
It is a delightful celebration. In recent years, the beach festival has gained much popularity. Puri beach festival has become an event which is attended by tourists from all over the country.
The festival has lots of amusing events like artistic programs, exhibitions, fashion shows, succulent cooking, thrilling sports, etc. the venue of this festival is on the shores of Puri.
The festival provides an occasion to show their talent and the prosperous cultural heritage of Orissa. Read more about Puri Beach Festival
Rath Yatra
Ratha Yatra also known as Gundicha Yatra or the Festival Of Chariots or the car festival is the most popular festival of Odisha which is celebrated in the whole world. The Ratha yatra is dedicated to Lord Jagannath who is considered as the Lord of the Universe, as per Hindu traditions.
The festival is celebrated around the world, but the most famous and largest celebrations take place at the Jagannath Temple, the famous temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri, India.
According to the Hindu calendar, the festival begins on the second day of Shukla Paksha, usually during June or July in the English calendar.
In this great festival, The deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra (his brother), and Subhadra (his sister) are transported through Chariot from their main temple in Puri to his garden palace in the countryside, the Gundicha Temple which is considered their Masi Maa Temple, which is 2 km away from the Jagannath Temple. The idols remain at the Gundicha Temple for seven days and are then returned to the temple in Puri. Read More about Rath Yatra
Savitri Amavashya
Savitri puja is a religious festival of the Western Odisha towns of Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh. “Savitri Vrat” falls on the last new moon day (Amavashya) in the lunar month of Jyestha.
Savitri Amavasya is the festival to celebrate selfless love and devotion to his husband and to show the pure bond in their married life.
Before sunrise women eat light veg meals. And after that, they do nirjala fast for the whole day up to sunset. Women offer prayers to the banyan tree and Then they tie sacred white, red, or yellow ties around the tree and perform the ritual of “Parikrama”.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in July
There is no information available about festivals celebrated in the month of July
Odisha Festival Celebrated in August
Sheetal Shasti
Sital Sasthi is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Odisha. According to the Hindu calendar, Sital Sasthi is observed on the sixth day of the Jyestha month during the Shukla Paksha.
The festival is more popular in the Sambalpur district of Orissa because this district had a history of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Worship. This festival is celebrated for a week and is considered one of the special festivals that highlight the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
This festival is usually celebrated in the form of a grand carnival. Artists from different states participate in these great celebrations. Shital Shasti is also known as Sambalpur Carnival, which is a popular event that attracts thousands of tourists from all over India and also from abroad. Events like folk music, dance, etc.. are the chief attraction of this great festival.
Gamha Purnima | Rakhi Purnima
Gamha Purnima or Rakhi Purnima is a popular Hinduism festival celebrated every year on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar in the month of Shravana which falls in July or August.
This festival is observed as a great festival of brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters of all ages tie the rakhi around the wrists of their brothers and pray for their well-being and success also brother promises to take care of and always protect their sisters. Sisters receive gifts from their brothers on this auspicious day and invest in their brothers with responsibility for their care and protection.
The concept of this festival mainly depends on protection. Gamha Purnima marks the unmatched bond of love, care, and respect between brothers and sisters.
Janmashtami
Janmastami is a significant festival of Puri Jagannath Temple and Iskcon. It falls on the Ashtami or 18th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhradya.
On this sacred day, Lord Krishna was born. So the day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna.
Rituals like Ras Leela, Khakis, and Dahi Handi all are celebrated. Servitors offer Kalash Puja after drawing a picture of the birth of Lord Krishna by Chitrakar. Then they worship and offer lotus to the deity of Nawagarh. Lord Krishna is worshiped in Jhoola and decorated with flowers. Panti Prasad and Jedua Bhogs are special prasad offered to deities.
Note:- The festival is celebrated sometimes in the month of September as well
Odisha Festival Celebrated in September
Ganesh Puja
Ganesh Puja is one of the most popular and important festivals of Hinduism celebrated all over the country. This is a 10-day festival that marks the birth of elephant-headed Lord Ganesha who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati who is considered as the god of wisdom and good fortune.
This great festival begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar and in September according to the English calendar.
In Odisha, During this festival, People bring idols of Lord Ganesha to their homes and observe fasts, prepare many delicious sweets, pray to the Lord Ganesha for good health, wealth, and prosperity, and observe rituals during this festival, and thousands of pandals are created across the state decorated beautifully and idols of Lord Ganesha are worshiped there. Read more….
Nuakhai
Nuakhai is a harvest festival celebrated in Odisha every year. Nuakhai is a festival celebrated to mark the harvest of new rice paddies. People across Odisha celebrate this great festival. Nuakhai is celebrated on another day of Ganesh Chaturthi, and it is one of the most awaited festivals by the people of Odisha as agriculture is the main occupation for the people of western Odisha. The festival is celebrated by offering Nabanna to Goddess Samaleswari.
Nuakhai is made up of two words, Nua and Khai. Nua means new, and Khai means food. The festival means celebrating the season’s new rice harvested by hard-working growers. The people living in the western part of Odisha celebrate this festival with great excitement and joy. People used to wear new clothes on this occasion which are made of Sambalpuri fabrics. People enjoy the festival by distributing rice grains among themselves and also offering prayers to mother earth for providing food.
Khudurukuni Osha
Bhalukuni Osha or Khudurukuni Osha is celebrated all over Odisha. Bhubaneswar is famous for this festival. It is celebrated on Sundays of Bhadra Month after the full moon day of Sravana.
In this festival, Maa Mangala is worshiped. It is celebrated to seek blessings of well-being, good health, and prosperity of their brothers. This is a symbol of the pure relationship between brothers and sisters.
Young girls offer prayers to Lord Sun after taking a bath by small mounts, Bhaluka. These are made of clay on the side of rivers. They draw Alpana in front of the Goddess and stitch garlands. All rituals are done in the evening.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in October
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a popular festival of Hinduism that is celebrated every year to worship the Goddess Durga who is well known as Goddess of Power and War, and to celebrate Naari-shakti (women’s power). According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated during the month of Aswin or Kartik i.e. the month of September or October every year.
This great festival marks the appearance of Goddess Durga, the main goddess of this great festival along with Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Laxmi, and Goddess Saraswati.
This popular festival is continued for ten days and on the tenth day of Durga Puja which is known as Dussehra the idols of the Hindu Goddess Durga along with other many other Gods and Goddess including Shiva, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Saraswati, and Lakshmi, and the Shaitan Mahishasura, is immersed in ponds and rivers marking the end of the festival. On the day of Dussehra, the statue of Evol Ravana is destroyed to mark the victory of good over evil. Read more…
Chatar Jatra
Chatar Jatra also known as Chatar Yatra is a popular traditional festival celebrated by the people of Kalahandi District of Orissa, India every year.
The festival is dedicated to Maa Manikeswari who was the family goddess of the Kalahandi King’s family. This festival is celebrated on the Maha Ashtami of the famous Durga Puja celebration.
On this famous day, Maa Manikeswari returns from Jenakhal to her main temple known as Garbhagriha on the auspicious day of Maha Ashtami in the middle of midnight, at the exact time when Ashtami ends and Navami enters. The main temple of Maa Manikeswari is located around 3 km from the alma mater. Read more….
Kumar Purnima
Kumar Purnima falls on the full moon day of the month of Aswin. It is a harvest festival. It is also the start of 11 days of Gajalaxmi Puja. It is celebrated across the whole of Odisha.
Unmarried girls celebrate this puja to worship Lord Kartik, and to seek handsome and perfect husbands like him.
Anjuli Teka is the morning ritual of the festival where girls offer Anjuli to the sun seven times with Lia from the Kula, coconut, banana, apple, etc. And keep fasting for the whole day up to the evening ritual of Chanda Chakata. Where girls watch “Unila Janha” or the just risen moon. And they offer Chanda Chakata.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in November
Ekamra Utsav
Ekamra Utsav is one of the major festivals of Bhubaneswar, which is organized to promote the rich cultural values and traditional heritage of Odisha. This festival is celebrated for a total of ten days, the festival is a multidisciplinary event that comprises of Folk Festival, Food Festival, National Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition.
Ekamra Utsav is celebrated every year in Bhubaneshwar which is the capital of Odisha to promote the rich cultural heritage of this state. Ekamra Utsav is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People enjoy this full ten-day event with great enthusiasm. The venue of this festival is Janata Maidan of Bhubaneswar city and this event is held in the first week of November every year.
Bali Yatra
Bali Yatra is India’s largest open-air trade fair, which is mainly celebrated in Cuttack. This festival continues for seven days straight, starting from the Kartik Purnima.
Bali Yatra is celebrated to honor or to give tributes to the sailors from ancient times of 4th BC who traded with the Island of Bali and other islands of Indonesia. And created history in trade,” Sea of Kalinga’s”.
People make “Boitas” as a memory of Kalinga’s Boitas by using paper, banana leaves and then decorate them with flowers. And also lighting those with lamps. They offer “ Boita Bandana” and perform the traditional song “Aa ka ma boi, pan gua thoi…” and perform folk dances. People also organize a grand fair “Pailashree Mela” ·Where More than 24 items are kept for display. And only this time Cuttack administration allows 1500 stalls of handicraft items in an auction. Read More
Diwali
Diwali or the festival of light is celebrated in the months of Ashwin and Kartik. It is a five days long celebration of Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, or Balipadyami, and the last day is Bhai Duj. Diwali is celebrated in unique rituals in the Jagannath Temple of Puri.
It is celebrated as Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day after fourteen years. So the day celebrates the victory of Lord Rama as a victory of light over darkness.
Pimpeii Kathi Daaka is a unique ritual of Diwali evening whereas Badabadua Daaka is celebrated in Jagannath temple on this day. Where people gather around tulsi plants and worship Goddesses. And also offer Bhog and burn jute. People also lighten up diyas, burn firecrackers, and decorate houses with rangoli.
Kali Puja
Kali Puja is a grand celebration of Bhadrak, Odisha. It is also famous in Basudebpur, Satya Nagar of Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Cuttack, and Kendrapara. It falls on the new moon day of Dipanita Amavasya in Kartik or Aswin month.
Devi Kali is worshiped in this Puja festival. It is celebrated just before the day of Diwali. Devi Kali is another form of Devi Parvati who defeated Daruka Asur. It is celebrated as a victory of good over evil powers. It is celebrated to murder all ego and negativity of human beings.
In the city, Bhadrak Charampa Bazaar is the major attraction of Kali puja. So many puja committees organize Kali Puja. And also, organize a Mela. The puja mainly takes place at night. People worship Goddesses with red hibiscus flowers.
Laxmi Puja
Laxmi Puja is celebrated as Gajalaxmi Puja in southern Odisha. Dhenkanal in Odisha is famous for Gajalaxmi Puja. It is celebrated for 11 days starting from Kumar Purnima, which falls on the full moon day of Sharad Purnima in Aswin month. Kendrapara is also famous for this Puja.
Devi Gajalaxmi is the most powerful form of Devi Laxmi. She is worshiped to fulfill the wishes of wealth. She is also the Goddess of cattle.
People organize a grand procession and also organize crackers competitions. Huge pandals are made all over Odisha. Girls and women do fasting and break after offering prasad to the moon. Puchi is a famous game played on this day.
Odisha Festival Celebrated in December
Prathamastami
On this day a special kind of ritual is celebrated in Jagannath Mandir, Puri. Prathamastami is celebrated on the eighth day of Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha of the month of Margasira (Agrahayan Month).
This is the day to pray to the Lord for the first child of the family, “Poudhan”. Mother and other family members pray for long life, wellness, and for prosperity for the elder child of the family.
On this day, new clothes, and sweets come from my maternal uncle’s house, also known as “Ashtamibandu ” for the firstborn. “Khadi-chuan” is another ritual of this festival. Arti to the eldest child is offered by the mother and maternal side’s relatives. And a special type of dish of Enduri peetha or haldi patra peetha is prepared.
Konark Dance Festival
Konark Dance Festival is a five-day dance festival held every year in the Sun temple located in Konark, Odisha in India. The Konark dance festival is celebrated from 1st December to 5th December and is devoted to Lord Surya, the Sun God of Hinduism is considered one of the great dance festivals celebrated every year in Odisha state.
During the Konark dance event every year in Konark, famous classical hop across the country travels to Konark to pay tribute to the Sun Temple which is a most popular temple located in Konark and is a masterpiece of Indian architecture.
The dance performances participate in the Natya Mandir which is a beautiful piece of Indian architecture where the walls are painted with beautiful cultural designs from the old times. Dance forms like Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Bharatanatyam are the principal seduction of this great festival. Read more……
International Sand Art Festival
The Festival is a very popular as well as a remarkable cultural event organized by the Orissa Tourism Department. The sand art festival is a part of the Konark Dance Festival celebrated at the same time as the Konark Dance Festival is celebrated from the 1st to 5th of December.
The great event is celebrated at Chandrabhaga Beach which is located about 3 km from Konark. The sand art Festival is an event for people having in love with sand creations and have an interest in creating art with sand.
It is one of the most important events which highlights Orissa’s culture and it’s a great tourism opportunity.
The International Sand Art Festival was first celebrated in 2015 on Chandrabhaga Beach, which is some distance from Konark.
The International Sand Artist Festival celebrates and showcases the beach trade created by several sand artists from India and many other countries. As many as 30 Indian and 10 foreign artists participate in this Competition-turned- great beach art festival. Read more…
Dhanu Yatra
Dhanu Yatra is a unique festival of Bargarh, Odisha. It takes a place in the Guinness Book as Asia’s biggest open-air theater. It is organized on the 6th day of Pousa month in December-January on the day of the full moon.
Dhanu Yatra is a celebration of the victory of God over evil powers. It is based on the basic story of the victory of Krishna against Kansa. The drama is played to remind the significance of the moral principles of Krishna’s work. It is celebrated to give tribute to Lord Krishna.
To celebrate the festival the whole Bragarh transformed into the historical town of Mathura. Jeera River transformed into Yamuna, Ambapali village into Gourapura. People also perform traditional “Sanchar” dance forms. Everyone dresses up as characters from historical stories in colorful costumes. People from the village as well as from the visitors take part in this drama. Read More……
Odisha Festival List
| Sr No. | Topics | Origin City | Celebrated in Cities Now | Date of celebration | Divoted To God | No of days Event |
| 1 | Durga puja | West Bengal | Odisha And other part of India | Oct 20th | Godess Durga | 10 |
| 2 | kalinga Mahotsav | Outskirts of Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Feb 10th | Lord Jagannath | 3 |
| 3 | Chandan Yatra | Puri | Puri, Vrindavan, Mayapur | May 23rd | Lord Jagannath | 42 days in puri, 21 days in vrindavan |
| 4 | Konark dance Festival | Konark | Konark | Dec 1st to 5th | Lord Surya | 5 |
| 5 | Rajarani music Festival | Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar | Jan 18th to jan 20th | Lord Shiva | 3 |
| 6 | Muskteswar dance Festival | Bhubaneswar | Bubaneswar | Jan 14th to jan 16th | Lord Shiva | 3 |
| 7 | Puri Beach Festival | Puri | Puri, Odisha | June 20th | Lotus feet of Sri sri jagannath | 5 |
| 8 | International Sand Art Festival | Konark, Chandrabhaga beach | Konark, Chandrabhaga beach | Dec 1 to 5th | Lord Jagannath | 5 |
| 9 | Ekamra Utsav | Bubaneswar | Bhubaneswar | First week of novemeber | Lord Shiva | 10 |
| 10 | Budhi Takurani Yatra | Berhampur | Berhampur | April 4th to may 1st | Goddess Budhi Takurni | 28 |
| 11 | Rath yatra | Puri | Puri Gujrat Nuapada Sambalpur Rayagada | June 20th | Lord jagannath | 9 |
| 12 | Chhau Festival | Mayurbhanj, Purulia district | Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha | March 28-30th | Lord shiva | 3 |
| 13 | Ganesh Puja | Pune | Maharashtra Goa Odisha Hubbali Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu Odisha Delhi Punjab | september 19th | Lord Ganesh | 10 |
| 14 | Nuakhai | Odisha | Western Odisha, chhattishgarh | september 20th | Goddess Samaleswari | 1 |
| 15 | Chatar Jatra | Kalahandi | Odisha | October 12th | Maa Manikeswari | 1 |
| 16 | Sheetal Shasti | Nandapada | Sambalpur district, Nandapada | August 22nd | Lord Shiva and Goddesss Parvarti | 5 |
| 17 | Gamha Purnima & rakhi Prunima | Puri | Across whole india execpt south region | August 30th | Lord Balabhadra | 1 |
| 18 | Makar Mela | Panauti | Andhra Pradesh Bihar Jharkhand Punjab Karnataka Jaipur Rajasthan uttar pradesh Odisha. | Jan 14th and 15th | Lord Surya | 4 |
| 19 | Hingula Yatra | Angul | Puri, Angul and some parts of Odisha | March 26th | Godess Durga | 9 |
| 20 | Bali Yatra | Cuttack | Cuttack | Nov 27th | Lord Kartikeswar | 7 |
| 21 | Ashoka Astmi | Bubaneswar | Tripura, Bhuba.neswar | March 29th march | Lord Shiva and Goddesss Parvarti | 7 |
| 22 | Chaitra Parva | Koraput | Mayrbhanj, Koraput | March 31st | Lord Shiva | 3 |
| 23 | Dhanu Yatra | Bargarh | Bargarh | Dec 27 /2022to Jan 6/2023 | Lord Krishna | 11 |
| 24 | Diwali | Ayodhya | Across whole india | Nov 12th | Goddess of wealth Maa Lakshmi and shree Ganesh | 1 |
| 25 | Kali Puja | Krishnanagar | Krishnanagr, Odisha, West Bengal,Bihar, Jharkhand | Nov 12th | Goddesss Kali | 1 |
| 26 | Dola Purnima/ Holi festival | Braj | Across whole india | March 8th | Lord Krishna | 2 |
| 27 | Janamashtmi | Mathura | Mathura, and north region | Sept 6th or 7th | Lord Krishna | 1-2 |
| 28 | Laxmi Puja | Balagandi | Balagandi, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and north region | Nov 12th | Godess Laxmi | 1 |
| 29 | Maghamela | Prayagraj | Prayagraj, odisha | Jan 6th to Feb 18th | Hindu God And Goddess | 45 |
| 30 | Maha Shivratri | Varanshi | Across whole india | Feb 18th feb | Lord Shiva | 1 |
| 31 | Prathamaashtmi | Odisha | Odisha | Dec 5th | Ganesha, shashti devi and the family deity | 8 |
| 32 | Sawaswati Puja | Kolkata | west bengal,bihar, odisha, uttarpradesh, jharkahnd | Jan 26th | Goddess Sawaswati | 4 |
| 33 | Tara Tarini Mela | Purrshottampur | purrshottampur, Ganjam | Mid march to Mid April | Adi Shakti | Every Tuesday of Chaitra Month |
| 34 | Khudurkuni Osha | Coastal districts of Odisha | Odisha | sept 3rd | Goddess Mangala | In the month of Bhadraba’s Sundays |
| 35 | Savitri amavashya | Odisha | Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal | June 3rd | Savitri | 1 |
| 36 | Kumar Purnima | Odisha | Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh | Oct 28th | Lord Kumar or Kumareya | 1 |
Odisha Festival Calender
| Topics | Origin City | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Durga puja | West Bengal | Oct 1st | Oct 20th | Oct 10th | Oct 2nd | Oct 21st |
| kalinga Mahotsav | Outskirts of Bhubaneswar | Jan 22nd | Feb 10th | Feb 10th | Feb 09 | To be announced |
| Chandan Yatra | Puri | May 5th | May 23rd | May 23rd | To be announced | To be announced |
| Konark dance Festival | Konark | Dec 1st to 5th | Dec 1st to 5th | Dec 1st to 5th | Dec 1st to 5th | Dec 1st to 5th |
| Rajarani music Festival | Bhubaneswar | 12th to 14th nov | Jan 18th to jan 20th | Jan ( date to be announced) | Jan ( date to be announced) | Jan ( date to be announced) |
| Muskteswar dance Festival | Bhubaneswar | Jan 14th to jan 16th | Jan 14th to jan 16th | Jan 14th to jan 16th | Jan 14th to jan 16th | Jan 14th to jan 16th |
| Puri Beach Festival | Puri | Nov 30th | June 20 | To be announced soon | To be announced soon | To be announced soon |
| International Sand Art Festival | Konark, Chandrabhaga beach | Dec 1 to 5th | Dec 1 to 5th | Dec 1 to 5th | Dec 1 to 5th | Dec 1 to 5th |
| Ekamra Utsav | Bubaneswar | First week of novemeber | First week of novemeber | First week of novemeber | First week of novemeber | First week of novemeber |
| Budhi Takurani Yatra | Berhampur | April | April 4th to may 1st | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Rath yatra | Puri | July 1st | June 20th | July 7th | June 27th | July 16th |
| Chhau Festival | Mayurbhanj, Purulia district | Nov 1st | March 28-30th | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Ganesh Puja | Pune | Sept 13 | sept 19th | Sept 7th | August 27th | Sept 14th |
| Nuakhai | Odisha | Sept 1st | sept 20th | Sept 8th | August 28th | Sept 16th |
| Chatar Jatra | Kalahandi | Oct 2nd | Oct12th | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Sheetal Shasti | Nandapada | June 6th | August 22nd | June 12th | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Gamha Purnima & rakhi Prunima | Puri | August 11th | August 30th | August 19th | August 9th | August 28th |
| Makar Mela | Panauti | Jan 14th and 15th | Jan 14th and 15th | Jan 14th and 15th | Jan 14th and 15th | Jan 14th and 15thn |
| Hingula Yatra | Angul | April 15th | March 26th | April 7th | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Bali Yatra | Cuttack | Nov 8th to 17th | Nov 27th | Dates to be announed soon | Date to be announced soon | Date to be announced soon |
| Ashoka Astmi | Bubaneswar | April 9th | March 29th march | April 16th | April 5th | March 26th |
| Chaitra Parva | Koraput | April 2nd to 10th | March 31st | April 23th | April 12th | April 1st |
| Dhanu Yatra | Bargarh | Dec 27 /2021to Jan 6/2022 | Dec 27 /2022to Jan 6/2023 | Dec 27 /2023to J an 6/2024 | Dec 27 /2024to jan 6/2025 | Dec 27 /2025to jan 6/2026 |
| Diwali | Ayodhya | Oct 24th | Nov 12th | Nov 1st | Oct 28th | Nov 8th |
| Kali Puja | Krishnanagar | Oct 24th | Nov 12th | Oct 31st | Oct 20th | Nov 9th |
| Dola Purnima/ Holi festival | Braj | March 18th | March 8th | March 25th | March 14th | March 4th |
| Janamashtmi | Mathura | August19th | Sept 6th or 7th | August26th | August 16th | Sept 4th |
| Laxmi Puja | Balagandi | Oct 24th | Nov 12th | Nov 1st | Oct 28th | Nov 8th |
| Maghamela | Prayagraj | Jan 14th to March 1st | Jan 6th to Feb 18th | Jan 15th to March 8th | Jan 14th onwards | Jan 15th onwards |
| Maha Shivratri | Varanshi | March 1st | Feb 18th | March 8th | Feb 26th | Feb 15th |
| Prathamaashtmi | Odisha | Nov 16th | Dec 5th | Nov 22nd | Nov 12th | Date to be annouced soon |
| Sawaswati Puja | Kolkata | Feb 5th | Jan 26th | Feb 14th | Feb 2nd | Oct 18th |
| Tara Tarini Mela | Purrshottampur | Mid March to Mid April | Mid march to Mid April | Mid march to Mid April | Mid march to Mid April | Mid march to Mid April |
| Khudurkuni Osha | Coastal districts of Odisha | August 14th | sept 3rd | To be announced soon | To be announced soon | To be announced soon |
| Savitri amavashya | Odisha | May 30th | June 3rd | June 6th | May 26th | May 16th |
| Kumar Purnima | Odisha | Oct 9th | Oct 28th | oct 16th | Oct 6th | Oct 25th |