Fairs and Festivals of Orissa

Besides Orissa's prismatic charms lying in its heritage sites, temples, monuments, beaches, waterfalls and panoramic splendors, the city is also embellished with numerous fairs and festivals. During the festival celebrations the whole environ shimmers with sounds of temple bells, holy songs, chanting of mantras, lights, and the soothing smell of flowers. The pilgrims throng the city all the year round making a more lively and spiritual environment.

Festivals of Orissa are celebrated in their varied forms, they are related to religion, tribal festivals, Lord Jagannath festival celebrations, Konark Dance Festival, the Rajarani Music Festival, the Puri Beach Festival and many seasonal exhibitions and fairs are all celebrated with full enthusiasm and excitement.

¤ Some of the major Fairs & Festivals of Orissa

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra (June-July)
Ratha Yatra, known as 'Car Festival' is one of the biggest festivals in Orissa. It is the holy journey of Lord Jagannath with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the main Jagannath Temple to another shrine called 'Gundicha Mandir' for nine days. Thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad throng the city of Puri to participate in this sacred journey of the Lords. The special feature of the festival is the chariot on which the procession or the yatra takes place, the chariot is pulled by the thousand of devotees by thick ropes.

Durga Puja (September-October)
Durga Puja epitomizes the ritual of good over evil. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga who is considered as a goddess of power. During the festival time the streets are crowded with people as devotees gather over the Puja Mandaps for worship and prayers. On the last day of the Durga Puja, the huge structures and images of Goddess Durga are taken out in a procession and finally submerged in the holy river of Kathajodi.

Makarmela (January)
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th of January with full enthusiasm. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God, on this auspicious day God 'Surya' (Sun) is worshipped with full sanctification and devotion. Makarmela festival celebrations are more popular in Kalijai (an island in Chilika), Atri, Ghatgaon, Keonjhar, Jashipur and Jagatsinghpur. During the festive month these towns come to life and thousands of pilgrimage make their visit to these destinations.

Konark Festival (December 1-5)
The Sun temple at Konark is the majestic splendor of the temple architecture of Orissa. When the sun sets in the horizon and the stars appear in the sky, the open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the Konark temple - a World Heritage Monument echoes with rhythmic dancing beats and melodious Rags and Tals. As a fitting tribute to this heritage temple monument, renowned classical dancers of India enlightens the whole environ by their impressive live performances. The Konark Dance Festival takes place from 1st to 5th December every year. This classical extravagant show is a journey through heaven.

Megha Mela (January - February)
The most popular and colorful festival of Konark, an occasion for a grand converge of Indian pilgrims and foreign tourist, falls on the 7th day of the bright half of 'Magha'. The devotees start their prayers by taking a holy dip in to the Chandrabhaga Tirtha near the coastal area and welcome the rising Sun with prayers.

Maha Shivaratri (February-March)
The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. "Shiva's Great Night" falls on the 14th day of Phalgun and is observed by devotees all over the country. On that eve the disciples observe a fast and perform 'Maha Puja' (grand worship) throughout the night. The devotees also keep a watchful eye to witness the sacred lamp on the temple top.
The festival can be best enjoyed at Mahendragiri, Gupteswar, Kapilas, Puri, Bhubaneswar and Khiching.

Taratarini Mela (March-April)
The 'Taratarini Mela' is one of biggest mela or fair in Orissa. The fair is celebrated on massive scale on every Tuesday in the month of 'Chaitra' i.e. mid-March to mid-April at Taratarini Pitha -30 km from Berhampur. During the celebrations the town is throng by thousands of locals who actively participate in the activities of the fair.

Puri Beach Festival (November 5-9)
Puri - the home of Lord Jagannath treasures some awesome beaches that offer much attractions and activities to its visitors. The city is much known for its thirteen festival celebrations of Lord Jagannath every year. Puri Beach Festival is lately developed festival celebrated on the shores of Puri beach. The festival is held from 5th-9th November each year and has come out to be the major attraction among the tourist.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa (HRAO) conducts the festival, events ranging from fashion shows to cultural programs on the beautiful beach at Puri. The festivals offers a unique opportunity for visitors to interact with the local populace and enjoy the many unique charms of Orissa.

The Puri Beach Festival is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa, Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Calcutta.

Dhanu Yatra ( December-January)
Dhanu Yatra celebrations are related to the Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura. The enchanting ceremony of "Bow" takes place at Bargarh. The town of Bargarh becomes Mathura, the river Jira becomes Yamuna and the village Amapalli on the other bank of the river becomes Gopa.
Many episodes from Hindu mythology are played and activities are performed at the related places, these visual stories and performances are enjoyed by the locals performance.