Traditional Festivals of Odisha-Eastern India
Traditional Festivals of Odisha
Odisha, a state located on the east coast of India, has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its vibrant and colorful festivals. Some of the traditional festivals of Odisha are:
-
Rath Yatra: The most famous festival of Odisha, Rath Yatra is celebrated in the month of June or July. It is a grand procession where the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in decorated chariots in Puri.
-
Durga Puja: Durga Puja is celebrated during Navaratri in September or October. The festival marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Odisha.
-
Konark Dance Festival: This festival is held every year in December at the Sun Temple in Konark. It is a celebration of classical Indian dance forms, including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathak.
-
Raja Parba: Raja Parba is a three-day-long festival celebrated in June to welcome the monsoon. It is a celebration of womanhood, fertility, and mother nature. Young girls dress up in new clothes, and swings are set up for them to play on.
-
Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is celebrated in January, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People fly kites and enjoy traditional food like til-pitha (sweet made of sesame seeds and rice flour) and jaggery.
-
Bali Yatra: Bali Yatra is a famous festival of Cuttack, celebrated in November. It commemorates the ancient maritime trade between Odisha and Southeast Asia. The festival is celebrated by lighting lamps, setting up fairs, and selling traditional crafts and foods.
These are some of the traditional festivals of Odisha, and there are many more that are celebrated with equal fervor and joy by the people of this culturally rich state.