FESTIVALS OF ODISHA

 India is also known as country of festivals. Thousand of festivals are celebrated each year in different parts of our country. Today we will try to know Festivals Celebrated in Soul of India 💖(ODISHA)

REAL FACT BEHIND CELEBRATION OF FESTIVALS

Festivals  give a sense of enjoyment, relaxation and offer the time needed to bond with family members whom we never really see.

Lots of festival are celebrated in Odisha,it is not possible to describe all the festivals in just one article. So we will try to throw light on Some popular festival of Odisha.

* Refers to a month of Hindu calendar

1.MAHA BISHUBHA SANKRANTI

SCIENCE BEHIND THE FESTIVAL

Maha Bishubha Sankranti is also popularly known as Pana Sankranti. It is known as Pana Sankranti Because Normally this festival is celebrated in starting of summer season. So to spread an awarness  among people to take lot of Liquid in these days to avoid Dehydration by distributing different types of Liquid Drinks among peoples.

THIS FESTIVAL IS ALSO THE FIRST DAY AND FIRST FESTIVAL OF ODIA NEW YEAR

2.AKSHAY TRITIYA

it is also called MOOTHI MUANN in western Odisha.Akshay Tritiya normally falls on Tritya Tithi of Baishakh*. This can be called as an agricultural festival because most of the farmers of Odisha Worship their lands and sow the seeds in this day.  The word Akshay comes from Sanskrit word Khsay,which means Decay. So there is a belief that the work started in this day will never Decay.

Goddess LAXMI(Goddess of wealth and prosperity) is also worshipped this day for giving a wealthy and prosperous Life.

3.RATH YATRA

4. CHITA LAGI AMAVAYSYA

5. NUAKAHI

Nuakhai is an agricultural festivals mainly observed by peoples of western Odisha and Southern Chattisgarh. Nuakhai is celebrated to welcome the new season rice. It is also known as Nabbana Bhaksyan.

5. KHUDURKUNI OSA

REAL MORAL FACT

Khudurukuni teaches girls the importance of teamwork and leadership qualities from an early age.

During this festival Goddess Mangala is worshipped by young girls primarily who seek the safety, prosperity and good health of their brothers. This portrays the sanctity and beauty of the relationship between Brother and Sister. There is a story of a brave young girl named Tapoi behind this festival. Celebrated every Sunday of Bhadrav*

6. KUMAR PURNIMA AND GAJALAXMI PUJA

Sharad Purnima is a harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin*, marking the end of the monsoon season. In Odisha, on this day unmarried women keep fast with the popular belief of getting their suitable groom.Godess Gajalaxmi is also worshipped in this day and so it is called Gajalaxmi Puja.

7. KARTHIK PURNIMA

Karthik Purnima Is celebrated on the full moon of Karthik*

On this auspicious day men, women and children across coastal Orissa head for the nearest water body to set afloat toy boats with lamps, betel leaves, crackers fruits and coins.This trend came from an ancient ritual when SADHAB (Rich Traders) used to go to far for trading and their wives and family members used to pray for Sadhabas to return soon safe and with lots of wealth.

From this day Asia`s largest open trade fair (BALI YATRA) is held in city of cuttack at Gadgadia Ghat of Mahanadi.

8.MANAVASSA GURUVARA(THURSHDAY)

9.PRATHMASTAMI

Prathamastami is a religious ceremony held for the life and prosperity of the eldest child who is offered a lighted lamp ovation by the senior female relatives followed by elaborate rituals during which the mantras are recited. This is celebrated on Astami tithi of Margashira*

10.DHANU SANKRANTI

Dhanu Sankranti is an ausipicious day celebrated on Sankranti of Pausha * A special delicacy made of sweetened rice flakes “Dhanu Muan” is prepared which is offered to Lord Jagannath. people also worship the Sun God.It is on this day that the Sun enters Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi)  and so is the name.

World's biggest open-air theatre 'Dhanu Yatra' in Bargarh starts from these days. It is declared World's biggest open-air theatre by Guinness Book of World Record

11.MAGHA SAPTAMI

Magha Saptami is celebrated in the saptami of month Magha* Magha Saptami is symbolically celebrated in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha drawn by seven horses towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction.In this day devotees take dip in holy Chandrabhaga at Konark.

12. ASHOKA ASTAMI

Ashoka astami is celebrated on sukhlapakshya Astami tithi of Chaitra* On this Auspicious occasion Lord Lingaraja is settled on a chariot to Rameswaram temple from main temple. Again the idol of lord lingaraja is returned  to temple after 4 days. This Yatra is visited by thousand of devotees every year.

12.RAJO FESTIVAL

SCIENTIFIC FACT OR MOTIVE

TO EDUCATE AND CREATE AWARNESS ABOUT MENSTURATION  AMONG GIRLS OF VILLAGES BY STORIES (RELATED TO GODDESS)

Raja or Raja Parba or Mithuna* Sankranti is a three-day-long festival celebrated in Odisha.It is believed that the mother Goddess Earth undergoes menstruation during the first three days. The fourth day is called Vasumati Snana, or ceremonial bath of Godess Earth. In these days specially unmarried female girls are provided different facilities with some restricions.

14. SITAL SASTHI

The marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Sitalasasthi, a major festival of Utkal Brahmins since ages.It was started 400 years ago in Sambalpur by the king of Sambalpur.

15. UTKAL DIVAS

U might be shocked to see Utkal divas in this list but i want to tell u that even we may be of different religion,caste,etc but we r united by a single word "ODIA". This festival is celebrated on 1st April by all odia irrespective of cast,gender,religion.

"BANDE UTKALA JANNANI"

INCLUDING THESE FESTIVALS OTHER POPULAR FESTIVALS LIKE GANESH CHATURTHI, DURGA PUJA ,EID ETC ARE ALSO CELEBRATED IN ODISHA.  NOT ONLY HINDU FESTIVALS BUT ALSO FESTIVALS OF OTHER RELIGION ARE CELEBRATED IN ODISHA.