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Month-Wise Festivals of Odisha – Complete GK Notes

 

Month-Wise Festivals of Odisha (Complete List)

📖 Introduction

    Odisha is famous for its rich cultural traditions and vibrant festivals. Almost every month, different religious and cultural festivals are celebrated across the State. Here is the month-wise list of Odisha festivals.

✅ January

  • Makar Sankranti – Offering Makar Chaula (rice, jaggery, coconut, banana, sesame).

  • Panchuka Ends – The Sacred fasting period of Kartika ends in early January sometimes.

✅ February – March

  • Shivaratri – Celebrated at Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar) and Lokanath Temple (Puri).

  • Magha Saptami (Chandan Yatra at Konark) – Thousands take a holy dip at Chandrabhaga beach.

✅ April

  • Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuba Sankranti / Odia New Year) – Sweet drink "Pana" offered to deities.

  • Chaitra Parva / Chaitra Mela – Celebrated in temples across Odisha.

✅ May – June

  • Chandan Yatra – Ceremonial boat festival in Puri.

  • Sital Sasthi – Celebrates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in Sambalpur.

✅ June – July

  • Raja Festival – Celebrates womanhood and the onset of monsoon. Swings, special pithas, and festivities.

  • Ratha Yatra (Puri) – World-famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

✅ August – September

  • Janmashtami – Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.

  • Ganesh Chaturthi – Worship of Lord Ganesha.

  • Nuakhai (Western Odisha) – Harvest festival offering new rice to deities.

✅ October

  • Durga Puja – Celebrated with grandeur, especially in Cuttack with Tarakasi (silver filigree) pandals.

  • Kumar Purnima – Festival of unmarried girls praying for a good life partner.

✅ November

  • Kartik Purnima & Boita Bandana – Floating of miniature boats, linked with Odisha’s maritime history.

  • Bali Yatra (Cuttack) – Asia’s biggest open fair, commemorating Sadhabas (ancient traders).

✅ December

  • Dhanu Sankranti – Offering Dhanu Muan (sweetened flattened rice) to Lord Jagannath.

  • Prathamastami – Festival for the well-being of elder children, marked by “Enduri Pitha.”

📌 Quick Highlights

  • Rath Yatra (June–July) – Most famous Odisha festival, celebrated worldwide.

  • Nuakhai (August–September) – Major agricultural festival of Western Odisha.

  • Kartika Purnima (November) – Remembering Odisha’s maritime glory.

📝 Conclusion

    Festivals in Odisha are celebrated throughout the year, reflecting devotion, agriculture, and cultural heritage. A month-wise understanding helps in remembering important dates for exams as well as appreciating Odisha’s vibrant traditions.