The Festival of Odisha, rich in culture and tradition, hosts a vibrant array of festivals, including the world-renowned Ratha Yatra, Durga Puja, and the unique Raja Parba, celebrating womanhood and the start of the rainy season. Discover Odisha’s rich cultural heritage through its mesmerizing festivals. From Rath Yatra to the Konark Dance Festival, explore traditions that have endured centuries.
Akshaya Tritiya, alternatively referred to as Akha Teej, is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals celebrated across India, including Odisha. This means the third lunar day (Tritiya) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindi month Vaishakh. The day is said to bring eternal wealth and fortune. The
Chandan Yatra, or the “Festival of Sandalwood,” is a highly colorful and sacred Hindu festival, held mainly in the city of Puri, Odisha. This festival marks the opening of summer and honors Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The word Chandan means sandalwood paste, which devotees smear on the
One of the most colorful and auspicious festivals observed in Odisha, Snana Yatra, commemorates the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The observance takes place on the full moon day of the Hindu Month of Jyestha (May-June) and attracts thousands of pilgrims to the Jagannath Temple in Puri
In Odisha, Savitri Puja (or Sabitri Amavasya or Vat Savitri Puja) was celebrated in on Monday, the 26th of May, . Following consultations with temple committees and local religious scholars, the Odisha government officially changed the state holiday for Sabitri Amavasya to the date of May 26. The married woman
The Nabakalebara Festival is one of the most profound and rare spiritual events in Hindu tradition, symbolizing renewal, rebirth, and the eternal nature of the divine. Observed in Jagannath Dham, Puri, Odisha, this ancient ritual transcends ordinary religious practice and becomes a living philosophy of transformation. Unlike annual festivals, the
The Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is one of the most colorful and significant religious festivities in all of India. Held annually in Puri, Odisha, this sacred event—also known as the Jagannath Rath Yatra Puri—marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from
Every year, the Adivasi exhibition grounds host the Odisha Tribal Festival, also known as the Tribal Exhibition Festival. It is an event in which many tribal communities come together to display their tribal art, culture, traditions, handicrafts, handlooms, and, most importantly, dance and music. It is a common event that
Puri Beach Festival, Puri, Lord Jagannath’s holy land, is well-known as a religious tourist destination, with the great Jagannath temple (Shree Mandir) being its most prominent attraction. Tourists who visit Puri enjoy spending time on the pronounced beach pointed out here. Puri Beach is a popular tourist destination in Odisha,
More than just a place with monuments and beaches, and other beautiful aspects. Konark is very well known for its annual festival of dance held in the month of December and is promoted heavily as part of Orissa tourism. This lively and vibrant traditional festival is popular in Konark; this
