Saturday, 7 April 2018

#OPOGKP-7| ODISHA S.G.K | Fairs and Festivals of Odisha | ଓଡିଶା ର ଯାନିଯାତ୍ରା


Fairs and Festivals of Odisha

ଓଡିଶା ର ଯାନିଯାତ୍ରା
IMPORTANT FOR OPSC OSSC OSSSC ASO and OTHER Odisha based exam. 


The state of Odisha is considered unique apart from other states of India due to a reason, i.e., here people celebrate more than 13 festivals in twelve months. The festivals of Odisha are designed in such a manner that it has relevance with science, spiritualism, history, mythology etc. One of the most amazing acts is that festivals and fairs of Odisha differ from one region to another. This also means that every festival is uniquely celebrated and makes the Oriya bonding even tighter.
In the temple of Lord Jagannath many festivals and fairs are celebrated where people of each caste, color and creed get a chance to participate. It is the Jagannath cult, which has shown the seeds fellow-feeling, not only in the soil of Odisha but also in soil of India. Through a number of fairs and festivals, Odisha gets a chance to extend its hands to human society for brotherhood, because Odisha soil believes in "Vasudheiba Kutumbakam".
Durga Puja
Celebrated during the month of September to October symbolizes the commemoration of good over evil. Cuttack is the centre of attraction during the Puja especially on Vijaya Dasami. On the last day of Dushera crowds enjoy the spectacular procession of Idol emersion in the river Kathajodi.
Saraswati Puja
Celebrated during the month of January to February, Saraswati puja is also known as Vasanta Panchami (5th day of spring). Saraswati is the Goddess of learning and the puja is most ardently celebrated by students in school and colleges.
Ganesh Puja
Celebrated during the month of August to September also known as Ganesh Chaturthi. It is festival for student. Lord Ganesh is a symbol of intellectual brilliance and said to be the remover of all the obstacles in the path of successes. Students worship him to gain similar powers.
Shiva Ratri
Celebrated during the month of February, it is one of the most prominent festivals of the Saivites in Odisha. The festival is also known as Jagara Yatra which refers to the night-long vigil kept by the devotee, especially women to have their desired fulfilled. It celebrated with great pomp and show in the Lokanath temple (Puri), Lingaraj temple (Bhubaneswar), Kapilas temple (Dhenkanal) and Nrusinghnath temple (Bolangir), Dhabaleswar (Cuttack), Ladubaba, (Saranaku Nayagarh).
Janmastami
The birth day of Krishna, is another famous festival observed in the temple of Jagannath. Devotees fast throughout the day and break it only after the symbolic birth of Krishna takes place at midnight. Krishnas birth heralds the hope for the destruction of the demon Kansa and so it becomes memorable as the eventual triumph of good over evil. E. M. Forster has immortalized this festival in A Passage to India.
Kali Puja
Celebrated during the month of October to November is celebrated on the first full moon day after Durga Puja. Like Durga Puja , Kali Puja is observed all over the state though not to the same extent. In Bhadrak and Cuttack Kali Puja is observed in every nook and corner.
Dola Purnima or Holi
Celebrated during the month of March, Holi is the most famous spring festival of Odisha. The images of Lord Krishna are worshipped from Dashami (10th day of the bright fortnight) to the full moon day. Krishna Idolds are taken in decorated Vimans, small wooden temples, carried on shoulders of bearers from house to house where offerings are made to them. The festivals 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.
Nua Khai
It is the New Year of people of Western Odisha. It is celebrated to mark completion of harvest of the new crop (rice). During the festival new rice is first offered to goddess Samaleswari (of Sambalpur ) after which they start consuming rice.
Sitala Sasthi
This festival observed to mark the occasion of marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and goddess Parbati. All the saiva peethas in Odisha become centres of devotional places on the eve of Sitala Sasthi. It is an important festival which is celebrated in each part of western Odisha.
Car Festival (Ratha Yatra)
Celebrated during the month of June to July, or on ashadha sukla ditiya tithi, is the most famous festivals that attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. During the Rath Yatra, deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are brought out of the temple and placed in huge chariot and are pulled by thousands of people. By popular tradition, the chariots are cleaned by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri with golden broom. The deities are taken to Gundichaghar where they stay for eight days and return to their temple on Bahuda Yatra.
It is written in the scriptures that if some one makes a darshan to Lord Jagannath while he is on the car during this occasion one gets salvation.
Chandan Yatra
It is generally famous in Puri. It is also celebrated in other parts of Odisha. The festival is related to Lord Jagannath or Krishna. It takes place in the month of Vaishakha and continues for long 42 days.
Bali Yatra
Celebrated during the month of November, Kartik Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the glorious past of commercial voyages to the islands of Bali and Sumatra by Odishan Traders on Mahanadi River Bank at Cuttack on the full moon day of (Kartik Purnima). During Bali Yatra last for 10 to 12 days in Cuttack and various handicraft products of Odisha are available for sale.
Snana Yatra
It is celebrated in the month of June or Jyastha. The festival is popularly known as the "Deba Snana Purnima" It is also called "Jyastha Purnima".During the festival, deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra along with Sudarsan and Madanmohan are brought out from the Temple and taken in procession to Snana Bedi located in the North East corner of the outer compound.The deities are bathed there with 108 pitchers of water drawn from a well near the Northern Gate.
Dhanu Yatra
It is relating to the episode of Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura witness the ceremony of Bow is colourfully observed at Bargarh a Western Odisha District. Different acts of Puranic descriptions are performed in this festival.
Konark Dance Festival
Celebrated from 1st to 5th December during the festival eminent classical dancers of India get together to present live performance of art of classical dance at Sun Temple at Konark. The festival is celebrated with extravaganza with classical dances like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow dances - a lavish feast for the eyes and ears
The Puri Beach Festival
It is an out and out fun lover's fest. Conducted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), the festival is a celebration of Odisha, in all its beauty, charm and fun-loving spirit. With events ranging from fashion shows to rock shows, the Puri Beach Festival delights visitors and locals alike. The Puri Beach Festival is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Calcutta.



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