8 Unique festivals which clearly speaks about the unique Odia Culture
8 Unique festivals which clearly speaks about the unique Odia Culture. Odisha is the land of Lord Jagannath and the state known for its unique culture & tradition. I t is rightly said that Odia people celebrate more than 13 festivals in 12 months. Many will also be able to connect with an old saying in Odia describe the same. Here we bring you the 7 festivals which describe the unique culture of Odisha and are celebrated with splendor and grandeur.
1. Ratha Yatra / Car Festival: Every year in mid-summer, Lord Jagannath, with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, goes on vacation, traveling on grand chariots, from his temple in Puri to his garden palace in the countryside. This belief of the Hindus has given rise to one of the biggest religious festivals in India — the Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival. This is also the etymological origin of the English word ‘Juggernaut’.Know more…
2.Raja: The arrival of Monsoon brings cheers to the farmers across the country, as good rains enable a good harvest and offer hope of prosperity for all. In eastern parts of Orissa/Odisha, the arrival of monsoon rains is hailed with Rajo festival, the three-day agrarian festival celebrated by local girls and women farmers with full enthusiasm. know more…
3. Sitala Sasthi: Sitala Sasthi is the festival mostly celebrated in Sambalpur. The marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is celebrated as Sitalsasthi. This festival converts Sambalpur into a carnival ground where people and artists from all walks of life participate making it beautiful and colorful. One nominated family acts as the father and mother of Parvati, and offers the hands of Parvati for marriage to the Lord. Sitalsasthi carnivals also happen in Bargarh and Jharsuguda making it one of the important festivals of Western Odisha.
4.Dola: Dola Yatra or Dola Melana or Dola Festival is the festival of get together of Lord Krishna’s idols from different villages or Sahi’s of different circles in Odisha.T he get together is witnessed in different villages/cities across Odisha. Deities from different Villages / Sahi Bhagabat Ghara come to the Melana Padia ( Field) by Dola/Bimana, a specially designed Temple-like structure made up of Wood. Know more …
5. Kartik Puja / Bali yatra: Bali yatra is held over 37 acres, of which 23 acres are on the Mahanadi river bed and 14 on Kila Maidan near the Barabati fort, Cuttack. The fair beginning from the full moon day of Kartik is organized every year as a reminder of Odisha’s rich maritime past. The fair visited by lakhs of people will continue for seven days. Know more …
6.Dhanu Yatra – Bargarh: Dhanuyatra” happens to be a great mass festival of Odisha which is based on the exploits of Lord Krishna. Whenever the virtuous and the righteousness are demoralized and the sinners are at the top of the Supreme. Being, the Almighty God, manifests himself on Earth to protect the saints and innocents as well as to destroy the wicked. Know more …
7. Manabasa Gurubar: As per Odia Calendar “Panji” Margasira/Magusura masa(Month) Goddess Lakshmi is being worshiped almost by every Odia’s in the festival called “Manabasa Guru Bara”. The Festive is one of the biggest festivals of the State. The beauty of the eve is mostly witnessed in villages of Odisha where the day starts with cleaning the house with broom-sticks, as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi would never visit the house if the house in dirty and untidy. Know more …
8. Nua Khai: Literally “NUAKHAI” means partaking of the first grains of paddy after harvesting the Kharif crop. NUAKHAI or NABANNA is a social annual event to celebrate and acknowledge the benevolence of Mother Earth in Western Odisha/Orissa. know more …
Also Read: Everything you want to know about Cuttack Durga Puja
Also Read: Four Famous Festivals celebrated at Cuttack
