Festival of Orissa
Festivals are more important days on life. Because these are happiness days . India is famous in all worlds for their festivals and Orissa being a land of temples. There are many festivals in Orissa. Festivals all over India have their distinct way of celebration and festivals in Orissa are no exception. Fairs and festivals are an integral part of the Indian way of life. According to culture festivals celebrated of any palace.Festivals make life beautiful and joyful.
There is much folklore connected with the beginning of each festival. These fairs offer a clear glimpse into the lives, the beliefs and the popular customs of the rural life in Orissa. There are festivals in Orissa relating to each religion, tribal festivals, festivals relating to Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Puri Temple, and many seasonal exhibitions and fairs as well as special festivals such as the Konark Festival, the Rajarani Music Festival, the Puri Beach Festival etc.
Main Festivals of Orissa
Rath Yatra in Orissa :Held in the month of June, the car festival of Puri is the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Subhadra and Balarama from the famous Jagannath temple to their maternal aunt's temple of Gundicha. Here, they stay for nine days and then return back to the Jagannath Temple on the tenth day with the reversal of the ceremonial procedures. Thousands join the festival and you too can pull the chariot with the other devotees. It is believed that such a labor absolves you off your sins and puts you on the path to salvation. Other car festivals that you can attend include Chandan Yatra (procession of idols from temple to temple over water boats instead of chariots) and Ashokasthami ( four day car festival of Lord Lingaraj from Rameswar Temple).
Sital Sasthi :Sital Sashti is the festival mainly observed in the villages and towns of Orissa where the majority of the population is Brahmin. This festival is mainly celebrated by the Brahmin community of Orissa. One can call this festival a celestial wedding as deities Shiva and Paravati get into wedlock on this day. This festival falls on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha. Legend says that once Shiva had become very furious and only way he calmed down was when he married Parvati, and that is why this marriage is called Sital (cool) Sashti.
Dola Purnima (Holi) :Dolapwnima or Holi is the most famous spring festival of Orissa. Usually celebrated in March
It has special properties in its celebration in Orissa where it is a five day affair, especially in
the rural areas. The images of Krishna are worshipped form Dashami (10th day of the bright
fortnight) to the full moon day. The images are taken in decorated vimans, small wooden temples,
carried on the shoulders of bearers from house to house where offerings are made to them. After
the tour of the village the vimanas from different villages are assembled in an open field and the
time is spent in bhajana and kirtan. Jatras and palas are also held in the area. The day after the
full moon day people throw coloured water on one another and smear each other's faces with
coloured powder (3bir). The festival is specially important for cattle owing to their association
with the cowherd boy Krisllna. They are bathed, anointed with vermillion, garlanded and fed
sumptuously. The festival is connected with the destruction of the demon Holikasura or the
she-demon Holika by making a bonfire, for which the festival is called Holi.
Chandan Yatra : This festival is generally famous in Puri but in other pars of Orissa this is also
observed related to Lord Jagannath or Krishna.
This Takes place in the month of Vaisaksha and
continues for long 42 days. But, generally speaking It is a Festival of first 21 days only.The first
period of 21 days is known as "Bahar Chandan"or outer
Chandan. During this period,the representative images
of Rama,Krushna, Madanmohan,Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken
in a procession to Narendra tank.The images of Siva from 5
Siva Temples known as "Pancha Pandavas" also accompany
them to the Narendra tank, At Narendra tank the images
play in well decorated boats and are worshipped.
Puri Travel Gudie
Hotels in Puri
Resorts in Puri
Pilgrimage Attractions of Puri
Places to Visit in Puri
Shopping in Puri
Jagannath Temple Puri
Beaches in Orissa
Culture in Orissa
Festival in Orissa
History of Orissa
Honeymoon in Orissa
Introduction in Orissa
Museums in Orissa
Temples in Orissa
Tourist Attraction in Orissa
Travel in Orissa
