FESTIVALS OF ODISHA 

A large number of festivals is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Odisha. Some of the very well known festivals are listed as follows:

Makara Sankranti : On this occasion people prepare Makara Chaula.Makara Sankranti celebration is next to the Odia traditional new year Maha Vishuva Sankranti which falls in mid April. Tribal groups celebrate with traditional dancing, eating their particular dishes sitting together, and by lighting bonfires.

Dola Purnima

Dola Purnima and Holi: "Dola Purnima" is a popular festival in the coastal districts of Odisha. Lord Jagannath is worshiped as the name of Dolagovinda in this festival. On this day Odia calendar becomes ready and is offered to deity Jagannath. Followed by Dola Purnima comes Holi , the festival of Colors. 

Pana Sankranti : Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishub Sankranti, is the traditional new year day festival of  Hindus in Odisha.In the Odia tradition, the Pana Sankranti is believed to be the birthday of the Hindu deity Hanuman.  People from all over the state eat festive chhatua and drink Bel Pana to mark the occasion. 

Pana Sankranti

Raja Parba : Raja Parba is a three-day festival celebrated in the coastal districts in Ashadha month starting with the first day of the month. It usually falls mid-June. This is festival dedicated to Basu-mata, the Earth goddess. During this period, no agricultural activities occur to allow the goddess to rest. The first day is called pahila raja, the second day is proper raja or Raja Sankranti and third day is called basi raja. Girls play on various types of swings. People exchange pithas among relatives and friends. 

Ratha Jatra

Durga Puja

Ratha Jatra : Ratha-Jatra is an annual Hindu festival which originated in Puri in Odisha. The festival is celebrated all over Odisha on the 2nd day of dark fortnight the lunar month of Ashadha (Asadha Sukla Dutiya) usually in June/July. The festival involves transporting of the idols of the deities Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra on giant chariot from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple. The chariots are pulled by devotees with ropes. 

Durga Puja : Durga Puja occurs in the month of Ashvin (October/September). It is a 10-day-long festival. During the period, goddess Durga is worshipped in Shakti peethas or temporary shrines called pandals. The Durga Puja of Cuttack is notable for its usage of silver and gold tarakasi (filigree) work on the crown of the idols and also on the pandals. The city Cuttack attracts lots of tourists during this period of the year. After the worship in Cuttack, on the tenth day of Vijayadashami, the idols are taken out in extravagant processions and are immersed in the river.

Kali Puja: Kali Puja occurs in the month of Ashvin(October). It is celebrated after Durga Puja ends. It is to commemorate the legendary tale of Goddess Kali dancing in anger and stepping over Lord Shiva & to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It is considered a big festival in the northern districts of Odisha, such as Kendujhar. In particularly Kendujhar district a week long mela goes on during Kali puja. After the week is over the idol of Goddess Kali is taken on a grand procession and then submerged in a holy river or any water body nearby.

Deepavali : Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated with lighting of small clay lamps and bursting various crackers. On the eve of Diwali the families remember their forefathers by burning jute stalks and call upon them for blessing with the Badabadua verse. 

Nuakhai : Nuakhai (ନୂଆ ଖାଇ) is particularly celebrated in the Sambalpuri cultural region. It is celebrated to welcome the new paddy (ଧାନ) harvest. It falls on the day after Ganesh Chaturthi. People on this occasional greet each other with the words "Nuakhai Juhar".

GajaLaxmi Puja

GajaLaxmi Puja : The Gaja-Lakshmi Puja  is celebrated primarily in Dhenkanal and Kendrapara town. It is an 11-day festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, which begins on Kumar Purnima.

Bali Jatra/Kartika Purnima : Bali Jatra is celebrated to mark the voyages made by ancient sea traders from Odisha to Bali. It falls on the day of Kartik Purnima. On this day, miniatures of the boats called boitas are released in ponds, rivers and the sea.Festival is celebrated for a week all across the state. A major annual trade fair is also held in Cuttack.