Top 8 Popular Festivals of Odisha that You Must

Witness
• Festivals are a big part of Indian culture and tradition. Every part
of our beloved India will high spirits of festivity.
• Odisha is a land of 13 festivals in 12 months. Odisha, the land of
diverse cultural heritage, celebrates numerous religious festivals
round the year. The festivities are usually vibrant, make by
colorful procession, hues gatherings and the entire region revels
in a festive atmosphere.
• Here are Top 8 Popular Festivals of Odisha that you should
know and experience.
1. Cuttack Famous Durga Puja (दशहरा)

• Durga puja , also called Durgotsave is an annual Hindu festival. It is

celebrated during the month of ashwin or kartik, during Septmber or
October. As per hindu scriptures, the festival marks the victory of goddess
Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting asura, mahishasura. 
 2. Jagannth Ratha Yatra– Puri

• Ratha yatra or car festival is a hindu function associated with Lord

jagannath held at puri in the state of Odisha. This annual festival is
celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha dwitiya. (second day in bright for
night of ashadha month) The Ratha yatra takes one day for traveling to
Gundicha Temple, deites of Lords remain in the temple for seven days, and
gunicha yatra , Nava dina yatra. 
3. Chandan Yatra– Puri

• Chandan yatra is another popular festival is Odisha. chandan yatra

meaning Sandalwood voyage is Sanskrit. Which continues for 21 days is
observed in two parts- Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandan. Every year
on the occasion of Akshya Tritiya, thousands of pilgrims flock the pilgrim
city of Puri to witness the beginning of the 21 days water sports festival-
Chandan yatra of lord Jagannath.
4. Raja Parba

• Raja is one of the most important festivals in Odisha. Raja parba or Mithuna Sankranti is
a Four day long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha. The term Raja came from
Rajaswala, meaning Menstruating woman. The First day is called Pahili Raja, the second
day is Mithuna Sankrant, the third day is Bhumidahana and the fourth day is
called Vasumati Sanna. The second day of the festival signifies beginning of the solar
month of mithuna from, which the season of rains starts on this day, girls wear new
dresses, play cards. 
5. Dola Purnima (Holi)

• Dola purnima is a popular Hindu festival, which is celebrated on a full moon day in
the month of Falguna.(March) It goes on for six days, beginning with the famous
Dola jatra, which falls on falguna dasami day. dola jatra, the idol of Lord Krishna
is carried to all the home in the village on a decorated Vimana in a procession
with Sankirtan mandali, musicians. Each household in the village offers Bhog to
Lord Krishna.
6. Deepabali (Diwali)

• In Odisha, Diwali is celebrated in the same way as the rest of the world but with the
exception of one small ritual, called Bada Badua Daka. The festival of Light is not
just limited to customary bursting crackers and exchange of lip-smacking sweets,
bust also accompanied by kali puja. The people of culture celebrate kali puja and
Diwali with much fervowr and gaiety. Rows of oil lamps, candles and lanterns
adorn the thresholds of all houses.
7. Ganesh Chaturthi

• Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of the god Ganesh usually

in August. It is primarily observed by educational institutes and student.
The god is offered prasad like modak and laddu in pendals. Student may
aslo offer writing utensils and notebooks, which are used by them after
the festival. 
8. Nuakhai

• Nuakhai as the name suggests that nua name New and khai means Food so, the
festival of nuakhai is a festival to celebrate newly harvested food by the farmers.
One day after the celebration of Ganesh chaturthi it is celebration especially in
the western part of Odisha. People wear new clothes and offer prayers before
the god and eat delicious food prepared from the newly harvested crops. 
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