Event or Mela word signifies to “gathering” or “to meet” for a specific reason. It is used in India for get-together or gathering with friends, family. It can be religious, commercial, cultural or sports-related.
Mela is popular for shows and exhibitions. Mostly it is based on themes, promotion of particular culture, art, or skill. Basically, people can find eateries, entertainment activities, shops and games in Mela.
One can see the culture and life of Odisha during the celebrations and participation of various fair. Various tourists also come from different places to visit. Mostly these events are held in Winters. The major fairs in Odisha include
Toshali Craft Mela
Adivasi Mela
Khandagiri Mela
Sisir Saras Mela
Bali Yatra
1. Toshali Craft Mela
Highlights of the Festival
Toshali National Craft mela is generally held during the month of November and December and hosts at Janata Maidan every year.
More than 400 craftsmen and weavers participate in the Mela.
The Specialty of the Mela is, disable-friendly and plastic-free. The Public can see the society craftsmen from nook and corner of the State in the open pandal. The theme of the Toshali Crafts Mela is based on ‘Handlooms’.
The Toshali fair opens every day from 11.00 AM to 9:30 pm. Cultural programmes are hosted each evening between 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, inviting illustrious artists and troupes from different parts of the country as well as the state.
Besides, traditional Odia folk music and folk dance are performed in the day time.
Food stalls set up by exclusive hotels and restaurants and they offer delicious multi-cuisine food to the visitors along with traditional Odia cuisine.
2. Adivashi Mela
Highlights of the Festival
The Adivasi Mela is a tribal exhibition and festival that is held every year at Bhubaneswar’s Adivasi Exhibition Ground. 62 tribes from across the state come to participate in this exhibition. The festival is usually held during the months of January and February.
The specialty of this tribal fair is jewellery such as the hansuli, a kind of neck ring, the kagdang which is a neck ring unique to the Kutia Kondh tribe, brass anklets of the Kondh tribe, and much more.
Apart from jewelry, the festival also focuses on promoting tribal handicrafts like printed apparel, tribal pottery, making different things from Bamboo and Cane, and a lot more different things.
The celebration of Adivasi Mela includes tribal dancing, singing of folk songs. An initiative of the ST & SCRTI Department, it aims to celebrate the art, dance, and handcraft of Odisha’s indigenous communities.
3. Sisira Sarasa Mela
Highlights of the Festival
Sisir Saras is like mini India because most of the states of the country take part in the event. This year probably 300 stalls will be opened at the Mela ground
Bambo crafts, decorative flowers, winter garments from North East, handloom, silk and rot ironworks from Uttar Pradesh, Tasar from Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, household decorative items from Gujurat and Rajasthan, food items from Maharashtra, handloom and home furnishing products from Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu, phulkari garment products of Punjab, woolen and dress materials from Jammu and Kashmir are the centers of attraction of the Mela.
All the 30 districts of Odisha take part in this fair with their products. Products include terracotta items from Balasore, Balangir, Keonjhar, Subarnapur.
Food and spices items are from Rayagada, Kandhamal, and Nuapada. Forest products from Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kaincha work of Kendrapada, Sabai work from Baripada, Teak woodwork from Mayurbhanj and other household products from other districts.
The event also has cultural programs scheduled in the evening of Sisir Saras and Odissi dance Performances, Odia and Hindi melody nights, and a light comedy show.
4. Bali Yatra Bhubaneswar
Highlights of the Festival
500 stalls are there in this festival which includes food and household items. Besides, the fair also has varieties of swings and amusement rides which attract people more.
There are several attractions for children like toy stalls, giant wheels, different games, maut ka kuan ( well of death), and food stalls selling Odia delicacies (Dahibara Aludum, Thunka puri, Kulfi, Gupchup, Mathura Cake, Banarasi Paana, etc.) from different parts of the state, and other vendors selling toys, curiosities, and other gifts.
Around 10,000 visitors come every day. For this huge crowd, Fire officials and Red Cross members are also pressed into service to meet any kind of emergency.
The organizers have also lined up cultural programs in the evening to enhance the experience of visitors.
Bali Yatra is famous in Cuttack. Recently it held in Bhubaneswar so people are unaware about it. But slowly people are getting to know about it.
5. Khandagiri Mela
Highlights of the Festival
It is a 10 days long religious and cultural fair.
Khandagiri ‘Kumbha’ Mela takes place every year on the auspicious day of Magha Saptami, the 7th day of the lunar month of Magha as per the Hindu calendar (English month January or February).
In this Mela, Kiosks sell items such as wooden utensils, bamboo, stone carvings, and various household items.
Visitors can also relish a wide range of local delicacies and enjoy performances by 12 Odia Jatra parties.
So in the end I want to say, guys go and visit these events whenever it will occur. I have already mentioned the exact season and month of the event. I have personally visited and had a great experience. You can also share your reviews by commenting below. If you want to explore more events, then click here.
