A festival is an event as a rule celebrated by a community and pointing on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. The traditional festival is a grand occasion where we learn about the history of our people & get in depth knowledge & understanding of the cultural heritage of the Asante’s.
Here the lists of 8 Traditional & Religious Festivals In Odisha.
1.Mahavishuba Pana Sankranti
The highlight of the day is the preparation of sweet drink called ‘Pana,’ which is made from fruits, milk, curd etc. . MahaVishuba Sankranti is observed as the Odia New Year and is also known as Pana Sankranti in the eastern state of Odisha in India. In southern India sites , this festival called as Sakkar Pongal. This day is also celebrated as lord hanuman’s birthday.
How we celebrated :-People use a small pot filled with “pana” & water is hung on a basil (Tulsi) plant. There is a hole at the bottom of this pot which allows the water to fall from the pot, representing as rain. It is known as Basundhara Theki, is one of the main rituals of this day.
When Celebrated:- 13/14 April in each year
Popular in:- Eastern state of Odisha in whole over India.
2.DOLA PURNIMA
In 2023, Dol Jatra will be celebrated on the 8th of March.Dol begins on the day after a full moon night in the month of Phalgun, & It is celebrated on a full moon day and is dedicated to Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. After dola purnima,we celebrate holi in each country.
Myth:- According to legend, on this day ,Lord Krishna first expressed his love for Radha by throwing ‘ gulaal on her face while played on a swing with her love.
How we celebrate:-After the 1st color is worshiped to idol of Radha Krishna, everyone chants that color among themselves to keep the day memorable and united. Then lord Radhakrishna is carried by swing around the village with the sound of Dhol, Cymbals, mridanga and khanjani.
Popular in :-Eastern state of Odisha
3.Raja Parba
Raja Parba also known as Mithuna Sankranti, is a three-day-long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha.The second day of the festival signifies beginning of the season of rains starts.It falls in mid June, the first day is called Pahili Raja, second day is Mithuna Sankranti, third day is Bhudaaha or Basi Raja. The final fourth day is called Basumati snana.The day before first day is called Sajabaja .Rajo 2023 in odisha will begin on 14 june,wednesday & ends on 16 june , friday.
MYTH :-It is believed that during the festival of Raja, mother earth undergoes her menstruating state. Hence in order to give rest to the mother earth it is advised to abstain from all kinds of agricultural work along with prohibition on digging of soil or tempering it any possible manner.
How we celebrated:-This festival mainly for girls specially in odisha .”PODA PITHA” is main thing in this culture. so, this cake is made in everyone house. Mostly girls get dressed up in the morning and eat cake & hanging on a swing.
Popular in:- Largely popular in Odisha each district.
4.Sitalsasti Carnival
In 2023,this festival held in 26 may on Friday. It is believed that before 400 years this event took place and in the memory of that event this festival is being celebrated even now with immense enthusiasm among the residents of Sambalpur. This festival of Sitalsasthi is celebrated during the period when summer ends which is in the month of June with spectacle and rituals at Sambalpur and is extended for a week. The carnival of Sitalsasthi is celebrated not only in the region Odisha but also in several cities and villages located on the eastern division of the state.
Myth:- The marriage of shiv & parvati is celebrated on the eve of sitalsasthi carnival. The ceremony of Sitalsasthi commences with the idols of Lord Shiva and the several other Gods and Goddesses being carried through in a procession. The ‘Baraat’ of Lord Shiva is being greeted with immense love by the family of Parvati. Then several rituals are carried out and rituals are performed. The ceremonies performed during the Sitalsasthi festivals are almost similar to that of the marriage processes which are done even today.
Popular in:- Western Odisha like Sambalpur, Baragarh, jharsuguda
5.Kartik Purnima
Kartika Purnima is a Hindu cultural festival that is celebrated on Purnima (full moon day), the 15th lunar day of the month of Kartik. During Kartik month, the entire Hindu population of Odisha. becomes strictly vegetarian. They observe the month with auspicious customs, continuing till the traditional ceremony of Panchuka which falls on the last five days of the Month. The Kartika month ends on Kartika Purnima.
How we celebrate:-In Odisha, On Kartik Purnima, people celebrate Boito bandana in memory of ancient maritime trades via Kalinga by heading for the nearest water body to set afloat miniature boats, originally made out of banana stem and coconut stick, lit with Diya, fabric, betel leaves.
Myth:-According to Legends, lord Krishna and Radha performed Rasleela along with their Gopis on Kartik Purnama. It is also the birthday of Vrinda , the personification of holy plant in Hindu Religion. On hindu mythology the day celebrates the killing of Tripurasura a demon by lord shiva. The most fascinating part of Kartika Purnima in Odisha is the celebration of historic Boito Bandana to commemorate the BaliJatra commenced by ancient Kalinga merchants .
Main rituals:- The main rituals of kartik purnima is to worship lord shiva and devotees stay in shiva temples to offer prayers. The most fascinating celebration occurs in Puri at Jagannath Temple.
6.Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a very major Hindu festival dedicated to God Sun. After maker Sankranti, The sun moves Northward, which brings summer season.
How we celebrate:-Makar Sankranti is found with social festivities which include colorful decorations, singing and asking for treats in some areas, fairs, dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Many observers go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the sun. Every twelve years, the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with Kumbha Mela, one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimage, with an estimated 60 to 100 million people attending the event. It is celebrated all over country, Particularly in Odisha with great joy and Eagerness.
Rituals-On this day, Odia people prepare makar chaula by using uncooked newly harvested rice, coconut, jaggery, chenna, rasagola, khai pudding for naivedya to Gods and Goddesses but specially for lord Suryanarayana.
When we celebrate:-Annually,14 January
Popular in:-Mostly in Odisha Chilikalake is famous for makar mela of goddess maa Kalijai.
7. Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is one of the maximum holy and auspicious days celebrated by the Hindus thoughout the country. It is believed that anything that commences on this day will always emerge victorious. This day is thus symbolic of good luck, success and fortune gains. Akshaya means never decreasing in the sense of hope, joy & success while Tritiya means third phase of moon is celebrated on the third lunar day of the Shukla paksha of the Indian month of Vaisakha.
Myth:-According to mythology, Lord Ganesh and Veda Vyasa started writing the epic Mahabharata on this day. On this day, the River Ganges descended from the heaven on earth by king Bhagirathi.It is also celebrated as the birthday of lord Vishnu’s 6th incarnation Parashuram.
How we celebrate:-In this day, we 1st worshiped goddess earth & then 1st grain in the field is adapted to produce good crops in the coming days. some also open new accounts for their business on this day.
In Eastern India, this day commences as the first ploughing day for the upcoming harvest season.
8.Nuakhai Juhar
An vital festival for the farmers, Nuakhai depicts the cultural diversity and heritage of India. Nuakhai is determined to welcome the brand new rice of the season. The day celebrated after the Ganesh Chaturthi Holy day.
Popular in:- In Western Odisha, District like Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Deogarh and Sundargarh are mostly observed this festival with great arrangement and fanfare.
Rituals:-The rituals begins 1st, New food is offered to the village deity. After that taking new rice food, & wear new and traditional clothes which are made of Sambalpuri fabrics, All the junior members of the family offers their regards to their elders.it is called Nuakhai juhar. The elders bless their juniors and wish them long and happiness, prosperity life & also offer their greetings to mother earth for providing food.
Myth:- According to myth, in Vedic periods when the sages talked of Panchyajna. One part of panchyajna was the Pralambana yajna in which the new harvesting crops & offering them to mother goddess. In this view, From that day onwards nuakhai is celebrated.
The festival is all about being grateful for the food.
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