ORISSA is not only an ideal choice for monuments,beachs,waterfalls and scenic beauty but also for her colourful fairs and festivals. The festivals are as numerous as the days in a year, each with a difference having an individuality of it's own culminating in the grand Cart Festival of Puri. Through this chapter we present some of the major Fairs & Festivals of Orissa and you are wel-come to enjoy them.
MAKAR MELA(JANUARY)...
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with gusto in mid-january when the Sun enters the orbit of capricon. Sun God is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all.The festival can be best enjoyed at Kalijai (an island in Chilika ),Atri,Ghatgaon,jashipur and jagatsinghpur.
Magha Saptami (January-Febryary)
Celebrated in praise of Lord Surya, Magha Saptami is one of the most colorful and popular festival in the state. It is the second biggest festival in Orissa after the Rath Yatra. The fetivities are most spectacular at Konark.
Mahashivaratri(February-March)
Shiva's Great Night is celebrated with great zest in the month of February-March. Fasting and singing of devotional songs continue hroughout the great day which culminate in the lighting of the 'Mahadeep' (sacred lamp) at the dead of night on the top of the temple symbolises the eternal ligh of wisdom shown by the Lord to his erring devotees. The fast is broken by taking a holy dip.
Ashokastami(March-April)
Lord Lingaraja is taken out on a wooden chariot (34 high) to the Rameswar Temple about two kilometres away from the Lingaraj Temple. After a four-day sojourn. He is returned to His original abode with great festivity and religious fervour. The is an annual feature.
Taratarini Mela (March-April)
One of Chaitra at Taratarini Pitha, 35 km from Berhampur. A great influx of tourists takes place on the third Tuesday and the parents embald their children in honour of the deity.
Chaitraparba and Chhow Festival (April)
This eight-day festival is enjoyed by both trbals and non-tribals. Hunting and dancing mark tribal festivities. The head of the family pays homage to his ancestors in the presence of the priest. The Danda Nata and Chaiti Ghoda Dance (folk dance forms) are performed in the coastal areas. The Chhow Festival commences on the 11th/12th April every year and continues for a period of three days concluding on 'Mahavisuba Sankranti' at Baripada. Performed by exponents and troupes of Chhow Dance, it is a festival of festivals enjoyed by the people of the country and enthusiasts from abroad.
Celebrated with great show at Sambalpur, Barapali and Bhubaneswar, this festival marks the holy matrimorry of Shiva and Parvati. The images of the married couple are taken in a procession on beautifully ornate carriages. A great Puja culminates with the installation of the Divine Couple at the Shiva Temple.
The passing of time has certainlynot dimmed the pomp and ceremony or the intense religious aura that surrounds the annual rites for one of the most dynamictemple-festivals in the world. The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri is one of the most important festivals not only for the Orissans but also fot the whole human race. The Jagannath Temple is one of the four holiest places (dhams) in India for the Hindus and the chariot procession (rath yatra) every is a culmination of the religious importance, the deities enjoy. The sheer sezes of the chariots are enough to fire the imagination. These enormous raths, hoisted on huge wheels are hauled by thousands of frenetic devotees to the Gundicha Ghar, where Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra rest for a week. The whole process is repeated when the images are transported back to the Jagannath Temple amidst a great deal of colour and frenzy activity.
Ganesh Puja (August-September)
The God of learing and good fortune is worshipped allover the country. Festivities in Orissa include the gorgeous clothing and decoration of the God and invocational songs, followed by innovative entertainment programmes all week long.
In Cuttack, the celebration of Durga Puja (dussehra) is particularly vibrant with the images ofthe Goddess being dressed most exquisitely and finally being carried in a colourful procession for immersion in the river.
Week-long celebration,particularly colourful in Ganjam, Dhenkanal, Choudwar and Kendrapara. Some other part of Orissa also celebrated Laxmi Puja.
Bali Yatra (October-November)
Orissa's ancient maritime linkages with Bali are celebrated in this unusual festival. Observd on the full moon day od Kartik (considered highly auspicious for thaking a voyage todistant lands), tiny boats made of either paper or bark of banana trees are litwith claylamps and