Festivals in October
Festivals in October
The month of October witnesses some of the major festivals of Hinduism. And they follow in quick succession. In Orissa, the festivals have a different hue-which is characteristic of the state.
Dussehra-Durga Puja
Symbolishing good over evil, this festival is celebrated with much fanfare and grandeur. Goddess Durga comes home for a period of four days and leaves for Kailash on the last day. The first day is Ssthi, the seecond-Saptami, the thrid-Ashtami and the fourth in Nabami to be followed by Vijay Dasmi-the grand finale where the idols of Lord Genesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswari along with goddess Durga are immersed. The festival revolves around the salying of the Demon - Mahisasur. A legend popular among Hindu describes that the tradition of Durga Puja originatd when Lord Rama prayed to the Godess Durga to grant him victory in the battle against the terrible Ravana.
In Orissa, Durga Puja is celebrated in all the major cities but the Pujas in Cuttack are by far the grandest both in terms of the décor, pandal, lightng and the wonderful siler filigree jewellery which adorn the Goddess.
Bhubaneswar and Balasore come a close second mainly because of size-able Bengali population of these two cities. Dusshera falls, in this year, on the 11th of October.
Lakshmi Puja
The goddess of wealth is worshipped for one day and the festival is religiously celebrated by the business community in Orissa. In Orissa, the festival known as Kumar Purnima falls on the fullmoon - Purnima. Girls and Boys wear new clothes and generally have a good time with family and friends.
Kali Puja
The terrible and benevolent Goddess Kali - protector of the weak and the meet and also the patron Goddess of the underworld, since the day of Thugs in princely Orissa and Bengal is worshipped with fire-crackers and grandeur. The date of the Puja coincides with the North-Indian Diwali. Fire-crackers and gambling are the main features of the festival.
Puri Beach Festival
An annual feature in the cultural landscape of Orissa. From November 23rd landscape of Orissa. From November 23rd to 27th , this festival is a riot of music, dance and colour. With counters offering delicious ethnic food and a crafts mela which includes all kinds of ethnic artifacts like masks, pottery and other souvenir. The high point of the festival are the dance- both solo and group performed by various groups from diverse places such as Manipur and Tamil Nadu.
Konark Dance Festival
Another annual feature performed at Konark at the site of the Sum Temple. It presents classical dances by well known dancers with an audience tun - out which has grown over the years. To perform at this festival is an honour for any performing Artist. It is organized by the Government and the Tourism Department.
