Different festivals are celebrated in the various states and something seems similar to the Odisha state that is listed below:
The top 10 festivals of Odisha are listed below
1. Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the most important festival of Odisha in festival of Odisha. Which is celebrated majestically throughout the state of Orissa.
The streets are illuminated on this festival of Orissa. And pandals are put up to collect people.
The huge sacred idols of Durga Maa along with two other incarnations of Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati are decorated in pandals.
Maa Durga is worshiped with mantras to make the grand festival of this festival religious. This Durga Puja is celebrated for three-four days in Orissa and holds an important significance for Hindu devotees.
2. Kalinga Festival
There is an interesting story related to the Kalinga festival of Odisha festival. A large part of Odisha was earlier known as Kalinga.
It is the land that witnessed the brutal killings and death of martyrs during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.
Various martial arts acts are performed at Dhauli Shanti Stupa on the outskirts of Bhulishwar to pay homage to the martyrs of the Maurya dynasty.
Lively and brave performances of martial arts not only attract the people of Orissa but tourists from all over the world to come to see this martial art performance.
3. Chandan Yatra
Chandan Yatra is a very famous festival in Odisha festival. This festival is also known as Gandhilepan Yatra. It is the longest festival in Orissa which is celebrated at the Jagannath temple in Puri.
In traditional boats called ‘Chapa’, the deities are taken out of the temple for a sacred protector in the water. Boats are usually decorated in red and white to give a swan-like shape floating in the water.
Thousands of pilgrims gather here to participate in the celebration of this great festival of Orissa.
4. Kornak Dance Festival
The Kornak Dance Festival is dedicated to the beauty of the Sun Temple and the beauty of Odisha dance, the festival goes beyond religions and customs.
As the sun falls down, the temple appears in a vibrant form with light adding to its beauty.
Konark Dance Festival is organized by Odisha Dance Academy of Odisha dancer Gangadhar Pradhan at the Konark drama pavilion in Konark.
Vast classical dancers meet and entertain people from all over the world to be a part of this extraordinary festival. It is celebrated in Odisha from 1 December to 5 December.
5. Mahabisuva Sankranti
Mahabisuva Sankranti is celebrated in the month of April to mark the new year according to the Odia calendar.
The festival is also called Pana Sankranti. Pana- The water is hung on the basil plant to represent the drink and rain made by the Egyptians.
This festival is very auspicious for farming and agricultural activities in Odisha. Devotees visit the Devi temples and pray for their great year ahead.
6. Raja Parba
Raja Parba is a four-day-long festival celebrated throughout the state of Odisha. The festival is celebrated to bring prosperity to agricultural areas and to celebrate womanhood.
The festival is dedicated to Basu-Mata, the earth goddess and during this festival, has stopped all agricultural activities in recognition of allowing the goddess to rest.
It is believed that the goddess goes through her menstrual cycle during this period, and to honor the womanhood of Mother Earth, all activities such as cutting, chopping, cutting trees that hurt nature are stopped.
7. Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra is also known as Kar Mahotsav, it is the most prominent festival among Odisha festivals.
This festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. The Rath Yatra on this festival represents the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura.
Chariots of deities like Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra are included in the yatra. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 16 meters by 10 meters square, whose construction is started two months before the festival.
8. Maga Saptami
One of the most famous and most celebrated festivals of Konark temple is Megha Saptami. On this day thousands of people gather on the banks of the Bay of Bengal to offer their prayers at sea.
Devotees take a holy dip in the sea near Chandrababga beach and welcome the rising sun with prayers.
The festival also begins with the start of a grand fair at Khandagiri near Bhubaneswar that lasts for a week.
The offerings made on the shores of the Gulf and Bengal and in the Sun Temple add to the festive spirit among the people of Orissa.
9. Chhau Festival
To represent the tribal life and traditional dances of Orissa, the Chhau festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm throughout Odisha.
This festival is mainly associated with the form of Odissi dance – Mayurbhanj Chhau. During this festival, the people of Orissa worship Lord Shiva.
Trained classical dancers perform Chhau’s work with a mask covering their faces. It has various classical and martial arts elements in dance form.
The Chhau festival offers dance performances, great food, and a full form of the vibrant tribal life of Odisha.
10. Puri Beach Festival
The festival of Odisha is quite famous. Puri Beach Festival is an annual celebration that takes place for about five days in the month of November.
During this festival, fashion shows, food, adventure sports as well as various cultural events and exhibitions make it a wonderful celebration.
It is a platform to highlight the cultural heritage of Orissa and tourists from all over the world participate in it.
