The rich and vibrant cultural diversity of incredible India celebrates each and every fairs and festival of odisha in high spirit irrespective of any religion. The entire country witnesses the joy of elegant fair and festival throughout the year celebrated with great pomp and show. Tourists can experience the culture, belief, lifestyle, traditions, rituals, food and art of different perspectives of India.

HOLI

The colorful festival of Holi is one of the most popular and awaited one in the Hindu religion but celebrated across the country. The festivity begins with lighting up the bonfire on the Holi eve. It is a spring celebration and the exuberant ritual of smearing color on each other. This festival promotes social harmony between the various classes of society which displays unity.

DIWALI

This festive occasion celebrates the welcome of Lord Shri Rama after achieving victory upon Ravana (the Demon King) to rescue his wife Sita. This is also the major festival that is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi to bless with good fortune and wealth. The lighting up of Diyas and rejoicing fireworks signify the victory of light over the darkness.

DUSSHERA

Dussehra is also celebrated as Vijaya Dasami for the victory of Ram over Ravana. Navratri initiates the celebration and concludes with “Dussehra” festival on the Tenth day. These occasions are celebrated all over the country at the similar time with different rituals along with grand fervor and liveliness.

KUMBH MELA

This Fair is recognized as one of India’s most significant religious events. It is celebrated at four places – Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad and Nasik and visited by people from different places across the globe to witness the big event due to their interest about India’s remarkable traditions and the religious spirituality.

PUSHKAR FAIR

The charming and colossal fair is held in Pushkar’s sacred lake. The lake having a religious importance looks immensely beautiful. The people dressed in colorful attires augment the the fair’s festive mood. Pilgrims in the number of thousands come from various corners of India gather here only to take the dip in this lake. Famous shows of puppets are the major point of attraction in the fairs.

JHAMU JATRA

Jhamu Jatra is a devoted celebration held with respect to Maa Mangala. The auspicious rituals begin in the morning that includes Mangala Arati, Surya Puja, Radha Krishna Bheta and Sahana Mela. On the occasion, devotees would collect water from Prachi River and walk bare feet over a fire channel to seek blessings from Maa Mangala.

DHANU YATRA

It is a popular drama festival held at Bargarh of Western Odisha. The play is the enactment of the story of Lord Krishna and his demon uncle King Kansa. It features the Lord’s visiting Mathura for witnessing the ceremony of “Bow” or “Dhanu” organized by evil Kansa. The play continues for 7 to 11 days and attracts large number of viewers.

DOLA MELANA

The place of Harirajpur is very famous for the traditional Doli melana, which is witnessed by thousands of people along with Medha and Pankti. It has got huge recognition in combination with the colorful festival of “Holi” and celebrated with great fervor and rejoice.

PURI SAHI JATA

The famous street festival celebrated in Puri, the city of Lord Jagannath. It is one of oldest festivals that is also widely popular in a grand procession is exhibited by the people. The most striking part of this festival is the “Naga” dressed in the loincloth and tiger skin with several weapons such as dagger, knife and shield attached at the waist. It is a scene that can be rarely seen at any other place and is indigenous of Puri.

ODISSI DANCE

It is one of oldest and elegant classical dance forms of India that has a unique style. The distinct steps of this dance form include rhythms, Mudras and Bhangis. There are several popular dance festivals held where Odissi is performed. A renowned theme is performed in Odissi depicts the unbounded love between Lord Krishna and Radha.

GOTI PUA

It is also a traditional dance form that is performed by males dressed as females for Lord Jagannath. It includes the steps of Tandava and Lasya and the males perform “Abhinaya” featuring facial expressions, gestures, eye movements and postures.

CHHAU DANCE

It is an Indian Tribal Martial dance that is renowned for its features of dance and martial practices done in a rare combination. Some dance artists perform them on different abstract themes. The dancers wear masks and perform in the music ensemble provided by the specific communities that make musical instruments.

PAIKA AKHADA

It means “Warrior Gymnasium” if translated to English language. Typically, it is the combination of martial arts, physical exercises and the Paika Dance that are performed in rhythm in perfect timing along with the weapons. The performer does acrobatic maneuvers to display the skills using several weapons like sword, sticks and others.

PARAB TRIBAL FESTIVAL

This festival provides the forum to combine the indigenous culture of several tribes that includes arts, crafts, tradition, etc. There are various tribes that follow their cultural tradition and preserved the heritage. This festival is witnessed by lots of national and international tourists due to its popularity.

MADAI MELA

It is a tribal festival that is celebrated across the regions of Kanker and Bastar in Chhatisgarh. The festival celebrations are done to honor the Gods by following a sequence of cultural rituals and programs. The programs include grand processions, dance and delicious foods.

CHATTISGARH DUSSHERA FESTIVAL

This festival comprises the unique cultural heritage of beliefs and customs that are celebrated. Some interesting and special rituals are observed in this festival such as pulling a chariot on a specific path, girl sitting on a swing of thorns, and others. “Dusshera” is celebrated to mark the welcome of Lord Ram and Sita after winning over Demon king Ravana.

KONARK DANCE FESTIVAL

The dance festival is held every year during the month of December at the backdrop of the famous Sun Temple situated in Konark. Dancing maestros give significant performances in the rhythm of music generated by drum, cymbals and other musical instruments.

CHAITI PARABA

It is one of the major festivals celebrated the tribes of Koraput. Also, the festival is renowned as Bija Pandu referred to a seed. During these days of celebration the tribal people worship the gods with liquor and sacrifice birds or animals. Men and women wear the extraordinary attires with huge headgears. They enjoy the feasts and participate in dance to make merry.

JORONDA MELA

Also called as Mahima Mela, the fair is organized in Joranda which is a district of Dhenkanal. The grand fair is organized on the eve of Magha Purnima and gets visited by numerous people. The tradition of Mahima Sanyasis visiting to worship Mahima Gosain’s Samadhi Pitha has been followed for years without any gaps. Also, Yagnas are performed to pray for happiness in the earth.

RAJIM MELA

The fair is sometimes called as Rajim Kumbh Mela that is held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Various religious preachers and saints from every part of the country congregate at this place. It is a Hindu pilgrimage center for Vashnavites (Lord Vishnu’s followers) where dance, music, and other performances are held. The saints and preachers give precious religious preaches here.